Now look, I know we’ve been here before, but I really do believe that Austin Powers is going to come back for a fourth movie. Yeah, baby! Yeah!

However, while I know I should pump the brakes and not get too excited, I just can’t help myself. Mike Myers says that there WILL be an Austin Powers 4, and I can’t help but get pumped all over again, because I LOVE the Austin Powers movies, and I would watch a fourth film in a heartbeat.

So, while I know I need to temper my expectations, here’s why I’m ready to buy a Mini-Me-inspired popcorn bucket in the near future. Oh, behave!

I Still Consider The Austin Powers Trilogy Peak Comedy

It’s kind of crazy to think about, but the last Austin Powers movie, Austin Powers in Goldmember, came out all the way back in 2002! I’m going to repeat that. It came out in two thousand and freaking TWO! That’s a lifetime ago! In fact, that was my last year of high school, and my official first year as an adult at 18. And this is coming from an oldtimer. The whippersnappers who showed up to make Backrooms a box office success were likely either not born yet, or were extremely young.

So, yeah, the Austin Powers series is OLD! But still, for those of you who were around, have you watched them again recently? If not, you should, because they’re still freaking hilarious! It’s strange, but since they’re parodying old James Bond films, they somehow feel just as timeless as those aforementioned movies.

But, more importantly, all three of them are still delightfully hilarious (I swear, the “penis enlarger pump” joke from the first movie still gets me to tears). So, while a fourth movie probably won’t recapture the hilarity of those first three films, I still want it. Just because the whole trilogy is still peak comedy.

I Also Want To See What An Aged Austin Powers Looks Like

As I mentioned just a moment ago, Austin Powers came out a million years ago, and the whole plot of the first movie was that, similar to Captain America, Austin Powers was cryogenically frozen and then defrosted. He was brought into the then-‘90s, where he was anachronistic in every single way. Throughout the trilogy, we get to see him acclimate to his new time period.

However, I want to see what an Austin Powers looks like today. I mean, he very well can't be frozen AGAIN, and then brought into the 2020s. That said, what would an older Austin Powers look and act like?

Hopefully, a fourth Austin Powers movie can avoid the trappings of a film like Bill & Ted Face the Music, where they touch upon their advanced ages, but didn't really dwell upon them. I want to see all kinds of old jokes with this one, since Austin Powers WOULD be old.

Plus, I Just Love Mike Myers In Anything He Does

Lastly, the main reason why I want a fourth Austin Powers movie is that I just love anything Mike Myers is in (Yes, I'm even a fan of The Love Guru). I know I don't have to wait too long for another performance from him since we're getting a Shrek 5, but live-action Mike Myers just hits differently.

Like, I even kind of like his much-maligned The Cat in the Hat movie, because I just find Mike Myers funny and I’ve always especially found him funny in the Austin Powers movies, which I always thought was his best character.

So, do we really need a fourth Austin Powers movie? I'm going to say, ummmm…no. But, will I see it when (if?) it ever comes out? Like I said in the intro, YEAH, BABY! YEAH!

Austin Powers 4 is happening, and if you're one of the many who just read the headline when Mike Myers confirmed as much, you might think you've heard all you need to know. However, the reality is there's much more nuance to Myers' recent confirmation, which, for this longtime fan, really didn't feel different than anything I've heard in years past.

As someone who not only watches the trilogy yearly but also has written at length about what Austin Powers 4 should include, I'm pretty invested in this. So when I heard that Myers confirmed it's happening on Trevor Noah's World Cup Watch Party, I was hyped, until I actually got the details of what was said.

Mike Myers Offered Zero Details Beyond Austin Powers 4 Happening

Noah welcomes Mike Myers as a guest for his livestream of the World Cup match between France and Senegal. When asked if audiences would ever see Austin Powers 4, the former host of The Daily Show barely finished the question before getting a response from the SNL vet. He said:

That's it. There's no additional context about filming, the plot, or even how they plan to address the death of Mini-Me actor Verne Troyer. Trevor Noah sold the reply by reacting to the quickness with which Mike Myers responded, but an actor's commitment to making a movie happen isn't all that's needed to get a film made. If that were all, I'd like to think we'd have seen Austin Powers 4 a long time ago.

While It's Good To Hear This Is Still Happening, This Is More Or Less The Same Thing We've Heard About Austin Powers 4 For Years

Mike Myers has talked about Austin Powers 4 a lot over the years, and I think that plays into his fast response to Trevor Noah about whether it would happen. Clearly, there's still a lot of interest in seeing this movie, and if they ever come up with an idea, it doesn't seem like Hollywood is going to turn it down.

Mike Myers has said a lot about the possibility of this movie over the years. He's talked about how the films take a long time to write, and even that he'd love to do a Dr. Evil movie entirely separate from Austin Powers 4. We've even gotten The Pentaverate, which I maintain may be the closest we ever get to a new Austin Powers movie. (For those who haven't seen it, check it out with a Netflix subscription.)

All this to say, let's remember Mike Myers has Shrek 5 on the way with a recently released trailer. It's in his best interest to be in the news, and he effectively did just that by affirming a project is happening whilst offering zero details about it. I'm not saying he's lying; I'm just saying confirmation is the very first step in a very long list of things that need to happen before Austin Powers 4 is in theaters. Not to mention, if any one of those steps along the way doesn't work out, it's back to square one, so readers should measure their expectations.

Here's hoping we have more news on Austin Powers 4 once Mike Myers is doing press for Shrek 5. I would love to see a new movie, especially one that leans into the funnier elements of modern spy movies.

Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery was a spoof of James Bond-style spy movies, but for three movies Mike Myers’ inept secret agent became just as iconic a character as those he was poking fun at. The same could be said for Dr. Evil, Austin Powers' bitter rival, also played by Myers. But while Austin owes his existence to classic British spies, Dr. Evil owes his existence to a much more real source: Saturday Night Live producer Lorne Michaels.

Visually, Dr. Evil is clearly an homage to the character of Ernst Stavro Blofeld, the villain of several James Bond movies. However, it’s long been said that the personality of Dr. Evil is actually based on Lorne Michaels, who Mike Myers worked with on SNL in the ‘90s. It turns out the story actually goes deeper, because apparently Myers stole the impression from fellow SNL star, and Wayne’s World co-star Dana Carvey.

Dr. Evil Is A Lorne Michaels Impression

In a profile of Lorne Michaels in The New Yorker, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of Saturday Night Live, the fact that Dr. Evil’s origins come from Michaels is mentioned. It turns out Dr. Evil's famous raising of his pinky finger to his mouth was a reference to Lorne Michaels’ tendency to bite his nails while looking over SNL sketches.

I had certainly heard that Dr. Evil had been inspired by Lorne Michaels before. However, a new piece of information that did surprise me is that I had always assumed that the impression was something that Mike Myers himself had come up with. Apparently, that’s not the case.

Mike Myers Apparently Stole The Impression From Dana Carvey

The New Yorker calls the impression “caricature theft” as apparently the original impression was done not by Myers but by Dana Carvey, and even Dr. Evil’s baldness, was apparently part of the impression, as Carvey would only do it while wearing bald wigs. The New Yorker explains…

Of course, now I need to know how Dana Carvey feels about all this. Carvey and Myers have had a tumultuous relationship, with the former nearly quitting Wayne's World at one point. It wouldn't be a shock if Carvey was upset by this unless he'd been asked ahead of time. Although they have seemingly put all that in the past, appearing together in a Wayne's World Super Bowl Ad a few years ago.

But now I also wish Dana Carvey had just played Dr. Evil. While Myers playing both roles is part of the joke, and there’s no argument that he’s great in both, seeing Wayne and Garth from Wayne’s World play opposite sides in a spy movie also sounds like an amazing movie that I wish I could see.

Last-minute Christmas gifts may not always seem like the best way to prove one’s love for someone else, but that really just depends on how refined one’s last-minute shopping skills are. From streaming deals to VPN subs to Disney Plus gift cards galore, there’s always something quality to opt for in a pinch, and we’ve got a slew of Blu-ray and DVD deals listed below that should help fill any still-empty stockings hanging around the tree.

Granted, it’s possible not everything noted here will actually fit inside everyone’s stocking, but I think that’s probably just a sign that you need an upgrade. So while waiting for the 2025 TV premieres and for all the big movies hitting theaters in 2025, check out some of the biggest Blu-ray and DVD deals that would make perfect last-minute gifts for comedy connoisseurs, action addicts, and horror hounds.

First up, let's put a spotlight (that may or may not be bat-themed) on movie and TV deals perfect for people who want to see things get punched and blown up, starting with the second biggest movie of 2024, Deadpool & Wolverine.

Blu-Ray And DVD Deals For Action Fans

• Deadpool/Deadpool 2 [4K UHD]: $40.99 (Was $65.99)
• Police Story/Police Story 2 - The Criterion Collection [Blu-ray]: $24.99 (Was $49.95)
• Jurassic World Ultimate 6-Movie Collection [Blu-ray + DVD + Digital]: $29.99 (Was $46.19)
• The Bourne Complete Collection [Blu-ray + Digital]: $17.99 (Was $39.99)
• Dragon Ball Super: The Complete Series [Limited Edition Steelbook Blu-ray Gift Set]: $120.99 (Was $199.98)
• Top Gun + TG: Maverick [2-Movie 4K Ultra HD]: $22.49 (Was $33.99)
• Fast & Furious 10-Movie Collection [4K Ultra HD + Digital]: $63.99 (Was 134.99)
• Batman Complete Series [Blu-ray]: $49.99 (Was $89.99)
• The Dark Knight Trilogy [Blu-ray]: $43.90 (Was $53.99)
• The James Bond Collection [Blu-ray]: $69.96 (Was $114.99)
• Lord Of The Rings / The Hobbit [Middle-Earth Theatrical Collection Blu-ray]: $24.99 (Was $62.99)

For those who need a lot of laughs going into the new year, the following batch of discounted comedy favorites are just waiting to sit snugly inside somebody's stocking, especially those that are perfectly suited for the holiday season. First up is the highest-def holiday chaos yet from Chevy Chase's Clark Griswold.

Blu-Ray And DVD Deals For Comedy Fans

• A Charlie Brown Christmas [Blu-ray]: $8.99 (Was $19.98) On Amazon
• A Christmas Story [4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray]: $19.99 (Was $33.99)
• Home Alone + Home Alone 2 [Blu-ray] $17.49 (Was $25.99)
• The Muppets Take Manhattan [4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital]: $19.59 (Was $40.99)
• Austin Powers Triple Feature [Blu-ray]: $13.70 (Was $19.98) On Amazon
• Miss Congeniality & Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous - [Blu-ray]: $16.04 (Was $24.98)
• Brooklyn Nine-Nine: The Complete Series [DVD]: $29.99 Was $59.98
• How to Train Your Dragon: 3-Movie Collection [Blu-ray + Digital]: $10.99 (Was $29.98)
• The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air: The Complete Series [DVD]: $29.99 (Was $69.99)
• Billy Madison + Happy Gilmore [Double Feature Blu-ray]: $10.99 (Was $19.98)
• Family Matters: The Complete Series [DVD]: $39.89 (Was $114.99)

For those who enjoy chills up the spine alongside the chills in the air, walk a cautious path through the following movies and TV show Blu-ray discounts that are dying to give you and yours a blood-red Christmas. With both Robert Eggers' Nosferatu and Leigh Whannell's The Wolf Man among many upcoming horror movies, let's celebrate the original monster masters.

Blu-Ray And DVD Deals For Horror And Sci-Fi Fans

• Krampus: The Naughty Cut Collector's Edition [4K UHD]: $25.99 (Was $39.98)
• Insidious Steelbook [4K UHD]: $23.99 (Was $45.99)
• Dune: 2-Film Collection [Blu-Ray + Digital]: $21.99 (Was $44.98)
• Hammer Horror 8-Film Collection [Blu-ray]: $16.99 (Was $35.98)
• The Visit [Blu-ray]: $29.99 (Was $39.95)
• Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon [Blu-ray]: $24.53 (Was $34.93)
• Hellraiser [Midnight Madness Series Blu-ray]: $10.79 (Was $17.97)
• Babylon 5: The Complete Series [Blu-ray]: $69.99 (Was $134.99)
• The Last of Us: The Complete First Season [Blu-ray]: $15.99 (Was $23.99)
• Scream 6 [Blu-ray + Digital]: $13.99 (Was $17.99)
• Don’t Look Now: The Criterion Collection [Blu-ray]: $21.53 (Was $39.95)
• Severance: The Complete First Season [Blu-ray]: $26.79 (Was $42.98)

Hopefully some of the choices above take the pressure off of making some decisions going into Christmas — and if you need to decide on a streaming bundle, we went through that as well. Have a merry, and money-saving holiday!

Everybody makes mistakes but that fact does not make it any less frustrating when a character in a movie makes a blunder. Sometimes, the person we are supposed to be rooting for does something that makes us more furious than anything the bad guy is responsible for. See what we mean by reliving these moments that made heroes the accidental villains of their own stories.

Superman II (Clark Gives Up His Powers)

In 1980's Superman II, Clark Kent (Christopher Reeve) believes he can only have a normal life with Lois Lane (Margot Kidder) by becoming human, which he achieves by entering a device at the fortress of solitude. Soon after, he realizes the error of this decision when General Zod (Terrence Stamp) and his allies take over the White House.

Star Wars: Episode II - Attack Of The Clones (The Jedi Council Hires Anakin To Protect Padme)

In the second Star Wars movie (in chronological order), when Padmé Amidala's (Natalie Portman) life is threatened, the Jedi Council chooses none other than trainee Anakin Skywalker to be her bodyguard. They should have known better, given his obvious emotional connection to her, which would eventually lead to a forbidden affair and marriage. Silver lining: the birth of Luke and Leia in the next movie.

Inglourious Basterds (Lt. Hicox Flashes The American Three)

One of the most intense moments from one of Quentin Tarantino's best movies, 2009's Inglourious Basterds, sees a disguised Lt. Archie Hicox (Michael Fassbender) accidentally reveal to Major Hellstrom (August Diehl) that he is not German by merely holding up the wrong fingers when asking the bar for three drinks. Perhaps this one is really on the British Army for not teaching him that the German Three is made up of the thumb, index, and middle finger but who could have known when that would come in handy?

Avengers: Age Of Ultron (Tony Stark Creates Ultron)

Wanting to create a "suit of armor for the entire world," Tony "Iron Man" Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) teams with Bruce "Hulk" Banner (Mark Ruffalo) to develop a powerful computer program that could do their work for them. Little did he know that this creation would become the eponymous villain of 2015's Avengers: Age of Ultron (voiced by James Spader), providing another cautionary lesson against relying on AI.

Scream (Sydney Runs Upstairs Away From Ghostface)

Minutes after condemning the slasher movie trope of women running upstairs from the killer instead of out the front door, Sydney Prescott (Neve Campbell) does the same exact thing after Ghostface first attacks her. The star of the Scream movies is still one of our favorite horror final girls but it almost makes you wonder how she manages to survive as long as she would with a blemish like that on her track record.

Prometheus (Meredith Vickers Runs From A Rolling Spacecraft In A Straight Line)

Ridley Scott's 2012 Alien prequel, Prometheus, is one of the most divisive sci-fi movies ever made but even its strongest supporters cannot argue against one character's uproarious miscalculation. Why Meredith Vickers (Charlize Theron) does not choose to easily run out of the way of the alien spaceship rolling toward her and, instead, keep running straight until it crushes her is a mystery that may remain unsolved.

Guardians Of The Galaxy (Drax Summons Ronan)

In 2014's Guardians of the Galaxy, a few drinks make Drax the Destroyer (Dave Bautista) confident enough to fight Ronan the Accuser (Lee Pace) himself, so he sends the tyrant to his current location. As a result, he gets his butt handed to him and Ronan gets away with The Power Stone.

Shrek Forever After (Shrek Makes A Deal With Rumpelstiltskin)

If there is one downside to Shrek (Mike Myers) finding love with Fiona (Cameron Diaz), she may have made him more willing to let his guard down a bit, potentially leading to his disastrous decision in 2010's Shrek Forever After. His nostalgia for his swamp-dwelling days clouds the ogre's judgment when speaking with Rumpelstiltskin (Walt Dohrn), who convinces him to wish himself into an alternate reality where the trickster rules Far Far Away.

Bee Movie (Barry Sues Humanity)

Writer Jerry Seinfeld's Bee Movie stars the comedian as an insect named Barry B. Benson, who becomes angry at humans profiting off of their honey and seeks legal action. He succeeds and bees no longer work in favor of the human race but it ends up causing an environmental disaster.

Avengers: Infinity War (Star-Lord Punches Thanos)

By putting Thanos (Josh Brolin) under Mantis' (Pom Klementieef's) trance, Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.), Peter Parker (Tom Holland), and the remaining Guardians come super close to removing the Infinity Gauntlet from his hand. However, Peter "Star-Lord" Quill (Chris Pratt) learns that the Titan killed Gamora and punches Thanos in anger, breaking the trance and allowing him to get away. This is one moment from 2018's Avengers: Infinity War that understandably prevents some fans from calling it one of the best Marvel movies.

The Descent (Juno Chooses An Unmapped Cave To Explore)

We are not sure if we can count Juno (Natalie Mendoza) as a hero of 2005's The Descent, due to the idiotic stunt she pulls in the otherwise great horror movie. Her friends learn that she chose an unexplored cavern for their spelunking trip only after they get trapped inside with man-eating, nocturnal mutants.

Hancock (Hancock Fights Mary)

It is revealed in Hancock that Will Smith's eponymous superhuman gets weaker the longer he stays in contact with Mary Embrey (Charlize Theron), who turns out to be part of his kind, too. That does not stop him from engaging in a cataclysmic fight with her near the end of the superhero movie not based on a comic book from 2008.

The Blair Witch Project (Mike Throws The Map In The River)

It is not unusual for horror movie characters to make questionable decisions but when Mike (Michael C. Williams) tosses the map to the Black Hills Forest in The Blair Witch Project is simply unforgivable. He argues in the 1999 found footage thriller that the map was ultimately useless, and he may have been right, but discarding the one chance you may have of reaching safety is never the right move.

Skyfall (Q Connects Silva's Computer To MI6's Mainframe)

There is a reason they say you should go through IT before you investigate a suspicious piece of equipment at the office yourself and Q (Ben Whishaw) demonstrates why in 2012's Skyfall. Perhaps the older version of the tech wizard from previous James Bond movies would have been smarter about hooking up Silva's (Javier Bardem) laptop to MI6's main system, which causes the organization to lose control of their tech to the villain.

Army Of Darkness (Ash Speaks The Wrong Incantation)

Bruce Campbell's Ash Williams becomes increasingly dumber in each of the Evil Dead movies, leading up to his absolute worst mistake while trapped in the Middle Ages in 1992's Army of Darkness. He does not even bother to properly memorize a set of words that will take him back to modern times when he finds the Necronomicon and, in attempting to fake his way through it, ends up unleashing more evil forces.

The Big Lebowski (Walter Destroys A Stranger’s Car)

Suspecting that teenage Larry Sellers used stolen ransom money to purchase a hot Corvette, Walter Sobchak (John Goodman) smashes it repeatedly with a crowbar, only to discover it belongs to Larry's angry neighbor. It is easily one of the funniest moments from one of the best movies of the 1990s, The Big Lebowski, but also makes us sad for The Dude (Jeff Bridges) that he is best friends with such an impulse-driven dolt.

Jeepers Creepers (Darry Tries To See Into The Creeper's Pipe)

In Jeepers Creepers, witnessing the Creeper (Jonathan Breck) shoving dead bodies down a large pipe sticking out of the ground, Darry (Justin Long) tries to investigate by looking down the pipe himself but ends up sliding right into the killer's lair. If only he had listened to his sister, Trish's (Gina Philips), meta warning: "You know the part in scary movies when somebody does something really stupid, and everybody hates them for it? This is it."

The Flash (Batman Sacrifices Himself To Destroy Zod's Ship)

While Michael Keaton's return as Batman in 2023's The Flash was awesome, one not-so-stellar moment sees him attempting to save the day by crashing the Batwing into Zod's ship. Unfortunately, the otherwise valiant effort caused very little damage to the craft and only the Dark Knight fatally succumbed to the crash.

Moana (Maui Steals The Heart Of Te Fiti)

The opening scene of the modern Disney animated movie classic, 2016's Moana, explains how Maui (Dwayne Johnson) stole and misplaced the heart of Te Fiti, which he insists was for humanity's benefit. It is not until he meets the title character (voiced by Auliʻi Cravalho) that he realizes that the artifact's absence caused damage to the Hawaiian Islands and their locals.

Jumanji (Peter Tries To Cheat The Game)

In the original 1995 adaptation of Chris Van Allsburg's children's book, Jumanji, Peter (Bradley Pierce) tries to end the wild board game's reign of terror by dropping the dice at the right number to finish. Unfortunately, the game knows better and punishes him for trying to beat it by reverting the evolutionary process, turning him into a monkey.

Iron Man 3 (Tony Stark Gives The Mandarin His Address)

One of the major issues fans have with Iron Man 3 is Tony Stark's (Robert Downey Jr.) rash decision to challenge The Mandarin to a one-on-one duel, going as far as revealing where he lives on a video recorded by a press member. Well, the fearsome terrorist clearly got the message, based on the violent attack on Stark's home, which forced him to jump ship and get stuck in Tennessee.

Paranormal Activity (Micah Breaks Out A Ouija Board)

If we were to make a list of the worst significant others in horror movie history, there would definitely be a place for Micah (Micah Sloat) from the first Paranormal Activity movie, released in 2009. Exhibit A: after a medium warns against using a Ouija board, as that would make his and Katie's (Katie Featherston) haunting situation much worse, Micah decides to bring one into the house and makes their haunting situation much worse.

Sleeping Beauty (Flora And Merryweather Fight Over Aurora's Dress Color)

In 1959's Sleeping Beauty, Aurora's fairy guardians want to make a dress just for her but Flora wants it to be pink and Merryweather is dead set on making it blue. Despite being advised not to, they use magic to change the dress' color over and over, which ends up alerting Maleficient of their location and putting Aurora in danger.

Evil Dead (Eric Reads From The Necronomicon)

Fede Alvarez's Evil Dead is considered one of the best horror movie remakes of its time but is certainly not without its flaws. In fact, the demonic carnage is caused when Eric (Lou Taylor Pucci), for no reason at all, reads aloud from the Necronomicon, ignoring blatant warnings written into the flesh-bound, blood-inked book to leave it alone.

Deadpool (Wade Leaves His Ammo Bag Behind)

Twice in the 2016's Deadpool does the Merc with the Mouth (Ryan Reynolds) leave behind a huge duffle bag full of weaponry that certainly would have really come in handy against his foes. Instead, he is forced to rely on "maximum effort"... and his immortality, of course.

Spider-Man: Far From Home (Peter Gives Mysterio E.D.I.T.H.)

In 2019's Spider-Man: Far From Home, feeling that he has found a trusted friend in Quentin "Mysterio" Beck (Jake Gyllenhaal), Peter Parker (Tom Holland) decides to give him full control of E.D.I.T.H. – an augmented reality security, defense, and artificial tactical intelligence system designed by Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.). Unfortunately, that is exactly what the disgruntled former Stark Industries employee wanted him to do, planning to use it to launch an attack on London.

Annabelle Comes Home (Daniela Explores The Warrens' Artifact Room Alone)

Whether or not you believe in the stories behind the Conjuring Universe movies, we imagine no one wants to be caught dead where Ed and Lorraine Warren keep their collection of haunted heirlooms. However, Daniela (Katie Sarife) braves the forbidden room in hopes of making contact with her late father but ends up unleashing the demon that possesses the eponymous doll in Annabelle Comes Home.

Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice (Clark Fails To Properly Explain His Situation To Bruce)

In the moments leading to the climactic battle of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Clark Kent (Henry Cavill) takes way too long to explain to Bruce Wayne (Ben Affleck) that Lex Luthor (Jesse Eisenberg) is holding his mother (Diane Lane) captive and, instead, resorts to doing exactly what the evil billionaire wants him to do and fight the Dark Knight. When he finally gives an explanation, with Batman seconds away from killing him with a Kryptonite spear, he says, "Save Martha," instead of the more matter-of-fact, "Lex is going to kill my mom."

The Marvels (Carol Destroys The Supreme Intelligence)

In The Marvels, Carol Danvers (Brie Larson) is forced to work with Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris) and Kamala Khan (Iman Vellani) after their powers become linked but the hero otherwise known as Captain Marvel is reluctant to rope her friends into the battle against Dar-Benn (Zawe Ashton). This is because she is personally responsible for their enemy's vengeful motivation, having created a Civil War among the Kree after destroying their A.I. leader.

Fantastic Four (Reed And Others Test Their Teleportation Device While Inebriated)

The 2015 Fantastic Four adaptation was widely disliked for a multitude of reasons, including the dumb decision that leads to the four main characters gaining their superpowers. After a few too many drinks, the designers of a groundbreaking teleportation device decide to test it out themselves, changing their lives forever.

Thor: Ragnarok (Loki Summons The Bifrost To Escape Hela)

In 2017's Thor: Ragnarok, when he and the God of Thunder (Chris Hemsworth) are confronted by their sister, Hela (Cate Blanchett), Loki (Tom Hiddleston) tries to make a quick getaway with the Bifrost. It may have seemed like a good idea at the time but Hela ends up chasing after them, ultimately leading her right to Asgard while the half-brothers get stranded on Sakaar.

Austin Powers: International Man Of Mystery (Austin Keeps The Receipt For His Special Pump)

In the spy movie parody, Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery, when the titular agent (Mike Myers) is collecting the belongings he left behind before being cryogenically frozen, he claims that a certain special, Swedish-made pump does not belong to him. However, a credit card receipt for the item, a warranty slip with his name on it, and a book about his experiences using the product found with his stuff prove otherwise.

We’re somehow just three years away from Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery turning the ripe and randy age of 30, which seems fortuitous, considering Mike Myers’ titular lothario first emerged in 1997 after being held in cryogenic stasis for a 30-year stretch. So is it possible that after all these years, the fan-favorite super-cool spy could emerge from hibernation anew for a fourth feature hitting the 2025 movie schedule? Mike Myers probably won’t ever say no outright, but his latest update does inspire pangs of optimism.

The shagadelic franchise-spawning character has been rumored to return for a fourth film nearly since the Goldmember-infused third film released in 2002, so I have a specific container reserved for grains of salt to be taken with Austin Powers 4 news. That said, Myers’ consistently rosy outlook and genial personality always make his comments seem like swinging harbingers of the grandest news, baby, yeah.

So maybe I’m leaning too hard into that vibe when considering what he told TooFab when asked if Austin Powers was ever coming back. As he put it:

It's not as if he said the ink is drying on the contracts, but the outlet does note that Mike Myers “chose his words carefully” when answering. Sure, that could mean he didn’t want to promise too much with a generically positive response, but considering how often he’s been fairly open and eager to get a fourth film made — both Myers and director Jay Roach have expressed willingness if the story works — this somewhat more cryptic response possibly indicates a positive-skewing change.

One reason Myers has given for not already having gone whole-hog into an Austin Powers return was due to his duties as a parent. He and wife Kelly Tisdale share three children: son Spike and daughters Sunday and Paulina, who are aged 13, 10 and 9, respectively. It’s possible that he’ll be more available to take on a potential return to the Powers-verse now that the kids are older, but that’s obviously not clear at this point.

Also, let’s not forget that Myers reprised Dr. Evil for a Super Bowl commercial along with other returning co-stars like Rob Lowe, which had fans hoping that a far bigger return was somewhere in the pipeline. That was nearly three years ago, so it doesn’t seem like there was instantly positive momentum coming out of it, but still.

Myers talked to CinemaBlend about shifting to TV for his hilarious Netflix series The Pentaverate, a project that definitely meant a lot to him as its creator. As a big fan of the hyper-goofy conspiracy comedy, I’ve been bummed that the series wasn’t given a second season, but I have to hope that fans gearing up for his beloved ogre’s return in the animated sequel Shrek 5 sparks enough public interest to convince him to get back in the bald cap for a new Austin Powers project.

For what it's worth, Myers said less about Shrek 5 than he did about a possible return to Austin Powers, though that's likely more due to avoiding spoiling any story topics. Still, returning for one project only makes other returns more plausible. And while we're at it, let's get some Wayne's World 3 news on the table.

You may have heard of the term "twin movies," in which two films with similar plots come out around the same time coincidentally. However, we would like to focus on actual movies about twins, which follow the lives and adventures of two siblings born at the same time and, in most cases, bear a striking resemblance to one another. If you love these kinds of stories, you are in luck because Hollywood has made more than enough twin movies to watch for hours on end until you begin to see double.

Twins (1988)

Despite being one of the most famous twin movies, the stars of the classic Ivan Reitman movie Twins look nothing alike. Arnold Schwarzenegger stars in the comedy as the hulking Julius, the product of an experiment to create the perfect male specimen, who gets to meet his long-lost brother, the 4' 10" Vincent (Danny DeVito), who was the unintended second embryo.

Adaptation (2002)

Inspired by his struggles to turn Susan Orlean's 1998 non-fiction book, The Orchid Thief, into a screenplay, Charlie Kaufman concocted Adaptation. Nicolas Cage stars in the Oscar-winning comedy from director Spike Jonze as both the esteemed writer and his fictional, freeloading twin brother, Donald Kaufman, who helps him with the script.

Double Impact (1991)

The only thing better than an action movie with Jean-Claude Van Damme is an action movie with two Jean-Claude Van Dammes. The Belgian martial artist stars in the fun '90s action movie, Double Impact, as long-lost twin brothers Chad and Alex, who team up to avenge their parents' murder.

Stuck On You (2003)

In Stuck on You, Greg Kinnear plays Walt Tenor, who convinces his conjoined twin brother, Bob (Matt Damon), to move to Los Angeles so Walt can pursue an acting career. Brotherly writing and directing duo Peter and Bobby Farrelly claim they did not realize when they were crafting the comedy, which also stars Cher as herself, that it resembles their own origin story but with the caveat that the main siblings are, literally, connected at the hip.

Legend (2015)

Director Brian Helgeland's Legend is a twin movie in more than one way. Not only does it tell the true story of the rise and fall of notorious, identical gangsters Reggie and Ronnie Kray in 1960s London, but it also shares its title with an entirely different movie: Ridley Scott's 1985 fantasy epic starring Tom Cruise.

The Social Network (2010)

In addition to its exploration of the rise of Facebook and legal gray areas in the tech industry, one of the most widely discussed topics surrounding David Fincher's The Social Network was the technology used to allow Armie Hammer to portray both Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss. Instead of old-fashioned split-screen photography, the actor's face was digitally inserted onto the similarly-built body of Josh Pence for scenes in which the twin brothers, and partners-turned-rivals of Mark Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg), are seen together.

New York Minute (2004)

Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen's first theatrically released movie, 1995's It Takes Two, curiously, does not star the world-famous twins as sisters but as inexplicable lookalikes. Nine years later, the siblings would share the screen as siblings this time in their second (and final) theatrically released movie New York Minute – a box office flop in which their trip to the Big Apple is ruined by a series of mishaps.

The Skeleton Twins (2014)

Despite featuring two hilarious Saturday Night Live veterans, The Skeleton Twins is a movie that gets honest about mental illness, albeit with a few laughs here and there. The twin movie stars Bill Hader as Milo, who reunites with his sister, Maggie (Kristen Wiig), and the estranged siblings work together to help each other through their emotional issues.

Dead Ringers (1988)

One of director David Cronenberg's best movies, Dead Ringers, stars Jeremy Irons as twin gynecologists Beverly and Elliot Mantle, who often indulge in taking advantage of their identical appearance. The psychological thriller later inspired an even darker miniseries reimagining starring Rachel Weisz in dual roles.

The Parent Trap (1998)

Lindsay Lohan made her feature film debut in the twin movie favorite, director Nancy Meyers' The Parent Trap, pulling double duty as both Hallie Parker and Annie James. After meeting at summer camp, the previously unwitting twins hatch a plan to reunite their parents (played by Dennis Quaid and Natasha Richardson) by switching lives.

The Shining (1980)

Director Stanley Kubrick's adaptation of Stephen King's The Shining – in which a family falls prey to a hotel's manipulative spirits while serving as caretakers – is not a twin movie by definition. However, the shot of two ghostly, young sisters calling out to young Danny Torrance (Danny Lloyd) from the end of a hallway is one of the horror movie classic's most iconic images.

Big Business (1988)

In Big Business, Bette Midler and Lily Tomlin star as two sets of identical twins who were accidentally switched at birth and raised as fraternal twin sisters. Years later, both duos – one with a wealthy upbringing and the other from a working-class family – find themselves at the same hotel in New York and discover each other, leading to some wild shenanigans.

Despicable Me 3 (2017)

The third installment of Illumination's Despicable Me movies follows the tradition of most trilogies by revealing something previously unknown about the protagonist. In this case, the twist is that reformed supervillain Felonius Gru has a long-lost twin brother named Dru (also voiced by Steve Carell).

The Man In The Iron Mask (1998)

Based on Alexandre Dumas' novel The Vicomte of Bragelonne: Ten Years Later, The Man in the Iron Mask stars Leonardo DiCaprio as King Louis XIV and his twin brother, Philippe Bourbon, whom he keeps locked away and hidden behind a very uncomfortable mask. Coming to Philippe's aid with intent to overthrow the corrupt king are the four Musketeers (played by Jeremy Irons, John Malkovich, Gabriel Byrne, and Gérard Depardieu).

Goodnight Mommy (2015)

One of the most unsettling twin movies is Goodnight Mommy, which stars Elias and Lukas Schwarz as siblings of the same name, who suspect their mother (Susanne Wuest), who has returned home from a cosmetic operation, is not what she claims to be. The acclaimed Austrian thriller was remade for American audiences in 2022 and ended in a slightly different manner from the shocking conclusion of the original.

The Spiderwick Chronicles (2008)

The main protagonist of The Spiderwick Chronicles – Mark Waters' feature adaptation of Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black's series of fantasy novels – is young Jared Grace. However, the English former child star who still acts today also plays Jared's twin brother, Simon, who becomes more begrudgingly embroiled in the otherworldly adventure they have.

Austin Powers In Goldmember (2002)

Writer and star Mike Myers' spy movie spoof franchise is anchored by the rivalry between hip secret agent Austin Powers and eccentric terrorist Dr. Evil, who are both played by Myers. However, everything changes at the conclusion of the third installment, Austin Powers in Goldmember, in which it is revealed that Powers and Evil are long-lost twin brothers, which explains their resemblance.

The Boondock Saints (1999)

We actually forgot that The Boondock Saints was a twin movie until recently since the fact that the main brotherly duo are fraternal twins is a minimal detail. The cult favorite crime thriller stars Sean Patrick Flanery and Norman Reedus as Connor and Murphy MacManus, who believe they have been chosen by God to violently punish Boston's criminal underworld.

Twitches (2005)

Tia and Tamara Mowry became household names as the stars of the sitcom, Sister, Sister, in which they play twin siblings separated at birth who randomly meet each other later in life. That is also the plot of their Disney Channel original movie, Twitches, but with the caveat that their characters, Alex and Camryn, also discover they come from a mystical alternate dimension and possess magical abilities.

Basket Case (1982)

Perhaps the horror genre's most iconic and definitive twin movie is director Frank Henenlotter's awesomely cheesy feature debut, Basket Case. The thriller stars Kevin Van Hentenryck as Duane, who travels to New York City with his formerly conjoined brother, Belial – essentially a nonverbal blob with a face and one hand – to exact revenge on the doctor who separated them.

Leaves Of Grass (2009)

Not to be confused with the acclaimed collection of poems by Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass is a dark comedy from writer and star Tim Blake Nelson, who has a role in the film. The lead actor, however, is Academy Award nominee Edward Norton, who portrays Ivy League college professor Bill Kincaid and his twin brother, Brady, who enlists his help to take down an Oklahoma drug lord. buy posing as him.

House of Wax (2005)

Having shared the screen with Jared Padalecki and Paris Hilton in the film, it is easy to see why Brian Van Holt would become the most overlooked House of Wax cast member. However, he should be celebrated for pulling double duty in the underrated 2000s-era slasher movie as both murderous mechanic Bo and his artistic, formerly conjoined twin brother, Vincent, who makes realistic museum figures by covering his still-living victims in wax.

The Suite Life Movie (2011)

After years of sharing characters (most notably Big Daddy's Julian), Cole and Dylan Sprouse each got their own lead roles in Disney Channel's The Suite Life of Zack & Cody and its spin-off The Suite Life on Deck. In 2011, the franchise gained a feature-length installment called The Suite Life Movie, in which Zack and Cody become involved in a unique experiment involving twins that proves to have a strange effect on the siblings.

Jack's Back (1988)

James Spader has been known to play a great villain but he gets to be the hero (and a victim) of the late '80s serial killer movie, Jack's Back. The Emmy winner plays a man who becomes involved in the investigation of a murderer whose crimes seem to resemble that of Jack the Ripper after the elusive culprit claims the life of his twin brother.

Twin Dragons (1992)

While known for his impressive martial arts skills, Jackie Chan is lesser known for his musical talents but would get to demonstrate both in the same movie. In Twin Dragons, the actor plays two twin brothers – one an esteemed classical concert conductor and the other a mechanic who moonlights as a bodyguard – who find each other years after being separated at birth.

Start The Revolution Without Me (1970)

Gene Wilder and Donald Sutherland make a great comedic duo in the period parody film, Start the Revolution Without Me, in dual roles. They each play a set of identical twins who were accidentally separated at birth, with one of each twin becoming a wealthy aristocrat while the others grow up to be lowly peasants who become mistaken for the infamous Corsican Brothers.

Twin Falls Idaho (1999)

Director Michael Polish co-writes Twin Falls Idaho with his twin brother, Mark Polish, who both also lead the cast of the late '90s independent drama. The film follows the relationship between conjoined twins Francis and Blake Falls, who are hoping to find and reunite with their estranged mother when one of them falls for a woman named Penny (Michele Hicks).

The Twin (2017)

The good twin, evil twin trope is the main draw of a thriller called The Twin, which premiered on the Lifetime network in 2017. It also incorporates a dark, quas-twist on the plot of The Parent Trap, following Tyler Wells (Timothy Granaderos), who becomes trapped in a psychiatric hospital when his unstable twin brother, Derek (also played by Granaderos), assumes his identity.

Seconds Apart (2011)

Instead of the good twin, evil twin trope, Seconds Apart makes its central siblings up to no good. Edmund and Gary Entin star as Jonah and Seth Trimble, whose sociopathic behavior places them under the suspicion of Detective Lampkin (former MADtv cast member Orlando Jones).

The Identical (2014)

A tragic, lesser-known fact about Elvis Presley is that the music legend had a twin brother who passed away in the womb. The Identical is a film that asks what might have happened if he lived, as told from the perspective of fictional rock sensation Drexel Hemsley and his working-class, unwitting twin brother, Ryan Wade (both played by Blake Rayne).

The Parent Trap (1961)

Disney's original adaptation of Erich Kästner's 1943 novel, Das doppelte Lottchen (published as The Parent Trap in English-speaking countries), starred Hayley Mills as Susan Evers and Sharon McKendrick. The classic family film spawned three made-for-TV sequels, all of which saw Mills reprise the twins as grown-ups.

Jack And Jill (2011)

Jack and Jill stars Adam Sandler as both titular roles. The comedy follows a family man whose twin sister comes in for a Thanksgiving visit and then refuses to leave.

If you look at all the best pets in Hollywood history, it doesn’t all that long to come up with a handful (or a few handfuls) of iconic cats from yesterday and today. However, while all the great movie dogs get a ton of attention, their feline counterparts don’t always get as much love. In fact, they’re often portrayed as the villain or the butt of a “nine lives” joke.

That said, let’s change the narrative by highlighting 32 amazing cats in Hollywood history, even if some of them are more than a little evil.

Jonesy (Alien)

Though there are some outrageous theories out there about this memorable movie cat being in cahoots with the Xenomorph, let’s not disparage the name of Alien’s Jonesy. This adorable and fearless orange tabby cat pulled off what most of the Nostromo crew failed to do in Ridley Scott’s 1979 sci-fi horror classic: survive.

Jiji (Kiki's Delivery Service)

Voiced by the late Phil Hartman in the 1998 English dub of this iconic Studio Ghibli movie, Jiji was at the heart and center of Hayo Miyazaki’s Kiki’s Delivery Service. The sassy counterpart of the 13-year-old titular witch finding her way in the world, Jiji was there to keep the young girl on track while also providing some great moments along the way.

Sassy (Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey)

Cats rule and dogs drool, or at least that’s what Sassy, voiced by Sally Field, would lead you to believe in Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey. As her name implies, this furry heroine didn’t take crap from either of her canine companions, though she did come through for them on more than one occasion.

Garfield (The Garfield Cartoon, Movies, And Comics)

When it comes to iconic cats, few hold a lasagna-scented candle to Garfield. Yeah, he’s a grump and pretty much hates everything besides lasagna, his bed, and Grandma in Garfield’s Thanksgiving, but it’s all part of his charm.

Cat (Breakfast At Tiffany's)

Would Breakfast at Tiffany’s work without Holly Golightly's (Audrey Hepburn) cat? Yeah, more likely than not. However, this pesky, hungry, and adorable orange cat makes the 1961 romantic comedy so much more enjoyable.

Milo (The Adventures Of Milo And Otis)

Though The Adventures of Milo and Otis has been marred by controversy in the decades since its release, there’s no denying that Milo, the cat at the center of the film, is unforgettable. Again, probably for the wrong reasons, but so it goes.

Tonto (Harry And Tonto)

Harry and Tonto resulted in Art Carney winning the Academy Award for Best Actor at the 47th Academy Awards thanks to his portrayal of a man going on a road trip with his pet cat. That cat, Tonto, would end up being one of the most iconic movie pets of all time, thanks in part to looking fresh hitchhiking across the American landscape.

Jinx The Cat (Meet The Parents)

Was Jinx the cat a force of evil in Meet the Parents? Yeah, there’s no denying that. However, there’s also no denying the fact that Jack Byrnes’ (Robert De Niro) most-trusted family member is pretty much the most impressive cat in big-screen history. Like, this cat does its business in the toilet for crying out loud.

Ulysses (Inside Llewyn Davis)

No matter how many times we watch Inside Llewyn Davis, we cannot get enough of Ulysses, the cat Oscar Isaac’s down-on-his-luck folk singer brings along with him on his perilous odyssey. Pretty much the second lead of the film, this precocious little cat is always getting into mischief, as all cats should.

Thackery Binx (Hocus Pocus)

Though the cat that played Thackery Bink reportedly wasn’t the best co-star on the set of Hocus Pocus, let’s speak ill of this bewitched black cat. A boy trapped in a feline body, this beloved movie was always quick with a joke or nudge in the right direction.

Goose (Captain Marvel)

Okay, Goose isn’t technically a cat but a flerken, but you try telling that to everyone who fell in love with this intergalactic being in 2019’s Captain Marvel. If she can melt Nick Fury’s heart (even if her scratch led to him adopting his signature eyepatch) and pretty much everyone else in the movie, she’s more than deserving of a spot.

Mr. Bigglesworth (The Austin Powers Movies)

It’s not all that hard to feel bad for Mr. Bigglesworth, Dr. Evil’s cat from the Austin Powers movies. This guy started out as a long-haired Persian with a beautiful coat and ended up becoming some hairless hench-cat of a crazed madman. Despite his appearance, we’d still let him make biscuits.

Mrs. Norris (The Harry Potter Movies)

Though Mrs. Norris was a rather unpleasant cat that was often doing the bidding of Argus Finch in the Harry Potter movies, there’s still a place for her in the hall of cats. This evil feline was a stickler for the rules and looked cute despite being a pain in the butt.

Oliver (Oliver & Company)

An animated feline version of Oliver Twist? Say no more! The adorable kitten at the center of Oliver & Company managed to steal the show and our hearts, which was no easy task as he shared so much time on screen with a stray dog voiced by Billy Joel.

Puss In Boots (The Shrek And Puss In Boots Movies)

There’s so much to think about with Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, and much of that is to do with Antonio Banderas’ titular swashbuckling cat. Ever since the character was introduced back in Shrek 2, he’s found a way to entertain audiences with his infectious charm and enchanting nature. Plus, cats with beards should be more common.

DC (That Darn Cat)

That Darn Cat! is a classic Disney film that’s just as much fun watching in 2024 as it was in 1965, and a lot of that is because of DC the Cat. This wise Siamese cat becomes the center of a bank robbery investigation and finds a permanent place in our hearts for his heroics along the way.

Keanu (Keanu)

You know when an entire movie plot centers around someone trying to get their kitten back it’s going to be a good time. And that’s exactly what happens in this 2016 comedy starring Jordan Peele and Keegan-Michael Key. Plus, the cat is voiced by Keanu Reeves, which adds so much.

Don Corleone's Cat (The Godfather)

Though the unnamed cat in Don Corleone’s lap is only featured in one scene in The Godfather, the pet helps make that opening sequence one of the most iconic in all of cinema. Sometimes less is more, and that’s very much the case here.

Marlowe's Cat (The Long Goodbye)

Robert Altman’s The Long Goodbye features what could be one of the best opening scenes in Hollywood history, and it all revolves around Philip Marlowe (Elliott Gould) finding his cat some food late at night, and that pretty much sets the tone of the friendship and the feline’s character.

Blofeld's Cat (From Russia With Love)

There have been countless villainous James Bond characters over the years, and that includes Blofeld’s cat, who appeared multiple times in the 007 movie timeline. With appearances in From Russia with Love to Spectre, this faithful feline has been there for the evil mastermind who’s constantly had a bone to pick with a certain MI6 agent.

Church (Pet Sematary)

Though not the best Stephen King adaptation, Pet Sematary does feature one of the prolific author’s most iconic characters: Church the Cat. Brought back to life after a tragic accident, the cat also known as Winston Churchhill is a force of pure evil in this 1989 horror classic and comes up with some diabolical ways to hurt (and kill) people.

The Entire Cat Cast (The Aristocats)

Everybody wants to be a cat, at least that’s what the feline cast in Disney’s The Aristocats wants you to believe. And guess what, they’re not wrong. The cats at the center of this timeless animated classic do it all, including stealing our hearts.

Jake (The Cat From Outer Space)

Jake, also known as Zunar-J-5/9 Doric 4-7, isn’t really a cat, but we’ll have to let it slide because pretty much everyone he meets in The Cat from Outer Space thinks he’s just a normal feline. This 1978 Disney flick sees the mysterious lifeform get in all kinds of trouble, looking cute the whole time.

Pyewacket (Bell, Book And Candle)

Not just a normal everyday Siamese cat, Pyewacket is a powerful (and adorable) supernatural entity in Bell, Book and Candle, the 1958 adaptation of the play of the same name. One of the best cases of “more than meets the eye,” Pyewacket is one of those iconic and memorable cats we just couldn’t stop thinking about, even if we wanted.

Buttercup (The Hunger Games Movies)

Though everyone is obsessed with Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence), and for good reason, we couldn’t not include Buttercup from The Hunger Games movies on this list. Sure, he’s not the most handsome of cats and doesn’t appear all that much, but there’s a certain charm that makes him unforgettable.

Tao (The Incredible Journey)

Based on the novel of the same name, The Incredible Journey follows three pets – Luath the labrador retriever, Bodger the bull terrier, and Tao the Siamese cat – as they go to great lengths to make their way back home. And while there are a lot of similarities with Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey, essentially a star-studded remake, this 1963 Disney movie doesn’t need celebrity voices to make you fall in love with its pets. This is especially true for Tao, who comes through big on more than one occasion. Hunting, scouting, and putting his life on the line to save his canine friends are just part of his incredible feats.

The Alley Cats (Batman Returns)

Do the alley cats in Batman Returns have some mysterious powers? It seems to be that way, as they seemingly bring Selina Kyle (Michelle Pfeiffer) back from the dead and transform her into Catwoman, one of the most iconic comic book characters of all time. The anti-hero/villain who steals Bruce Wayne’s (Michael Keaton) heart while also pulling off some insane heists along the way, pretty much gets her powers (and nine lives) from this pack of mysterious strays.

Kovacs' Cat (The Grand Budapest Hotel)

Though the cat belonging to Deputy Vilmos Kovacs (Jeff Goldblum) in Wes Anderson’s The Grand Budapest Hotel suffers a rather sudden and unfortunate fate at the hands of J.G. Jopling (Willem Dafoe), he makes for an unforgettable big-screen feline in his limited screentime. We’re not saying the cat makes this one of Anderson’s best movies, but he certainly doesn’t hurt.

Mike Tyson's Tiger (The Hangover)

Cats come in all shapes and sizes, and that’s the case for Mike Tyson’s tiger in The Hangover. This massive apex predator makes for the perfect pet for the larger-than-life boxing legend and also leads to some of the funniest bits in the 2009 comedy. We just wish there was more of the tiger (and Iron Mike) to go around.

The Turkish Cats (Kedi)

Though technically a documentary and not a feature film, Kedi does feature some unforgettable cats. Set in Istanbul, the documentary follows the lives of thousands of street cats that live in the iconic city. Danger, cuteness, and a whole lot of heart can be found in this charming film.

Azrael the Cat (Doctor Sleep)

A cat that knows when people are about to cross over into the Great Beyond? Say no more. That’s the case for Azrael the Cat in Doctor Sleep, a mysterious and powerful feline that sits with dying patients, offering them slight comfort before they go to sleep for the final time.

Ser Pounce (Game Of Thrones)

The fate of Ser Pounce was left up in the air after Cersei went all crazy near the end of Game of Thrones, and we’re not sure he survived the attack on King’s Landing, but at least Tommen’s pet cat looked adorable while he was still around.

Not every secret agent in the world of cinema wears a tuxedo, enjoys martinis, and says their name as their catchphrase. This list of movie spies not named Bond are still pretty awesome though, and some of them are actual fixtures in the landscape of the James Bond movies! 

Austin Powers (Austin Powers)

Britain’s shagadelic man out of time knows a thing or two about fighting maniacs with a doctorate in evil. Mike Myers’ titular hero of the Austin Powers movies is a pretty awesome parody of 007, while also standing as a fantastic example of what a man of mystery should be.

Ilsa Faust (Mission: Impossible)

In the later run of Mission: Impossible movies, the introduction of Rebecca Ferguson’s Ilsa Faust gave the world a female spy as steadfast as Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) himself. Introduced in Rogue Nation, with an unfortunate departure after Dead Reckoning, Ilsa’s loyalties may have been in question, but her skills never were.

Napoleon Solo (The Man From U.N.C.L.E.)

Leave it to Henry Cavill to land a sort of backdoor James Bond audition by playing another creation that owes its life to Ian Fleming. As Napoleon Solo in Guy Ritchie’s The Man from U.N.C.L.E., the former Casino Royale hopeful found a stylishly comic role that proves why he could be Bond…if we didn’t want to see more of his Solo in action! 

Nomi (No Time To Die)

Not everybody gets to be called 007, but one of the two people that have had that distinction in No Time To Die was the agent we call Nomi (Lashana Lynch). The successor to James Bond (Daniel Craig) during his temporary retirement, her skills made even Commander Bond himself proud to observe; making them an effective team in the field.

Harry Hart (Kingsman: The Secret Service)

Manners maketh man, and Harry Hart (Colin Firth) is a firm reminder of the Kingsman oath in action. Charming and sophisticated, he mentors young Eggsy (Taron Egerton) in the ways of modern spycraft, with a patience that any parent would raise a glass to. Though when he has to stir the pot, Harry knows how to get exactly the reaction he’s hoping for, and nothing less. 

Olivia ‘M’ Mansfield (James Bond)

Not all spies leave the desk, but the woman known as M (Dame Judi Dench) has certainly proven why she ascended to the role of James Bond’s maternally-natured boss. Revealed to be named Olivia Mansfield during Spectre’s twisted adventure, her service to England is as invaluable as the blunt instrument she wields with calculated concern.

George Smiley (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy)

Most people would never return to work after being unceremoniously forced out during a regime change. But then again, not everyone is John Le Carre’s legendary George Smiley (Gary Oldman), the lead of the espionage ensemble film Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. With a close-knit group of friends and a calculating mind, George helps oust a traitor and put himself back in the game with high class.

Natasha Romanoff (Black Widow)

One of, if not the best spy in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson) knows when to take people down and when to give them a talking to. Revisiting her solo antics in Black Widow shows just how cool of a spy she is…and her love of Moonraker kind of explains her use of wit and levity in the field. 

Nathan Muir (Spy Game)

Aspiring spies could learn a thing or two from Spy Game’s Nathan Muir. Played by the legendary Robert Redford, this Tony Scott-directed hero shows strength under pressure, as he works against a ticking clock that could kill his former student (Brad Pitt). His lesson on obtaining information through mere conversation is enough to put him on this list.

Major Anya Amasova (The Spy Who Loved Me)

One of the many James Bond women who are 007’s equal, The Spy Who Loved Me’s Major Anya Amasova (Barbara Bach) is a KGB agent who knows how to get under the skin of the good Commander. Luckily for Mr. Bond, the good major really is interested in preserving peaceful relations by foiling a crazed shipping magnate (Curt Jurgens) and his plot for world domination.

Harry Palmer (The Ipcress File)

Technically, Michael Caine’s heroic spy in The Ipcress File doesn’t have an official name. But most seem to agree that Harry Palmer is the closest thing we’ve got to an actual moniker for author Len Deighton’s answer to James Bond. A working-class gourmand who’s rough around the edges, Harry is the sort of guy that can handle pretty much anything you throw at him; even severely psychedelic brainwashing techniques.

Lorraine Broughton (Atomic Blonde)

The Cold War has its fair share of espionage heroes, and Atomic Blonde’s Lorraine Broughton (Charlize Theron) just might be one of the most brutal. Then again, one can’t be “too effective” in sealing a leak that could expose double agents vital to East/West relations, just as the Berlin Wall is set to come down. 

Ethan Hunt (Mission: Impossible)

 Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) is an expert on having his back against the wall. What separates him from most spies is that when the chips are down, he isn’t afraid to scale the wall and dive into some ridiculous stunt to escape. It’s what makes the Mission: Impossible franchise a consistent hit among its fans, and it’s one of the many skills Ethan possesses that have saved humanity over so many missions. 

Eve Moneypenny (Skyfall)

Breaking the mold of what the Moneypenny character typically represents, Naomie Harris’ variant during the reign of Daniel Craig’s James Bond showed the future right hand to M (Ralph Fiennes) as a capable field agent. Reintroduced in Skyfall, one can only hope that the future of the Bond franchise keeps this action-ready Ms. Moneypenny in the mix for years to come.

Jack Ryan (The Ryanverse)

In the Marvel movies, Steve Rogers is the ultimate boy scout who believes in due process, and justice above all. However, in Tom Clancy’s Ryanverse, analyst Jack Ryan personifies that ethos without a hint of super soldier powers at his disposal. No matter which actor you prefer in the role, at his best Mr. Ryan is someone who will get the intel, and wade into action to deliver it if he has to. 

Yelena Belova (Black Widow)

As headstrong as her sister Natasha Romanoff, Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh) is another well-trained “Widow” who rebelled against the system that created her. Black Widow offered her character a fantastic platform to launch from, as her place in the MCU has been well enforced with films like Thunderbolts* and series such as Hawkeye giving her more time to shine while avenging her fallen sibling. 

Courtland Gentry (The Gray Man)

Ryan Gosling’s charm truly knows no boundaries, and Netflix’s would-be franchise starter The Gray Man still has us wanting more. An expert assassin being chased around the world, author Mark Greaney’s Courtland “Court” Gentry character is as quick with his trigger finger as he is with his quips. Don’t worry: if he doesn’t like you, he’ll tell you before the next explosion goes off.

Paloma (No Time To Die)

No Time To Die’s fresh CIA agent Paloma (Ana de Armas) only had three weeks of training before she jumped into action with James Bond (Daniel Craig). Those three weeks definitely paid off though, as her assistance in breaking up a SPECTRE party gone horribly wrong helped 007 stay alive, at least for that evening. 

Harry & Helen Tasker (True Lies)

At the start of True Lies, Harry Tasker (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is a lone clandestine agent who is having problems at home with his wife Helen (Jamie Lee Curtis). But by the time the two of them foiled an international terror plot together, they became quite the team. It’s never too late for a sequel, Mr. Cameron. 

Gary "Eggsy" Unwin (Kingsman)

Gary Unwin (Taron Egerton) was a rough around-the-edges delinquent who ultimately wanted to do right by his family legacy. Through his adventures in the Kingsman movies, the young man known as “Eggsy” grew up to become a paragon of spying, thanks to the tutelage of the stoic but friendly Harry Hart (Colin Firth). 

Ilya Kuryakin (The Man From U.N.C.L.E.)

Ilya Kuryakin (Armie Hammer) is a hothead who’ll tear down an entire bathroom if you bad mouth his already tarnished family legacy. But he’s also quite a good friend to have in a pinch, especially when the pinch is smuggling nuclear arms. This Russian wrecking machine has his soft spots, but he’s loyal to the cause, and the friends he serves. 

Melina Vostokoff (Black Widow)

Sometimes the responsibilities of being a spy and a parent are equally matched in difficulty. But never once does anyone question the abilities of Melina Vostokoff (Rachel Weisz) to handle either side of that coin. A brilliant scientist, despite her initial allegiance presented, 

Evelyn Salt (Salt)

Both in the interest of clearing her own name, and also preventing a devastating attack on the American political infrastructure, Salt’s main spy Evelyn (Angelina Jolie) is someone who could give Tom Cruise’s Ethan Hunt a run for his money. That much is especially true when considering how she neutralizes the threat at the heart of this would-be franchise starter.

Luther Stickell (Mission: Impossible)

Though Luther Stickell (Ving Rhames) is technically an IMF field agent in the Mission: Impossible movies, his specialty is as a “man in the chair.” A formerly disavowed operative who was enlisted by Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) to execute the “Mount Everest of hacks,” Luther became more than the flavor of the month; he became one of the most loyal and resourceful people in Ethan’s life.

Agent 99 (Get Smart)

Maxwell Smart (Steve Carell) would never have survived his tangle with KAOS if it wasn’t for the skills of Agent 99 (Anne Hathaway). One of CONTROL’s star players, her tradecraft made Max a better agent, while also allowing Ms. Hathaway to display her deadpan comedy chops all throughout the movie adaptation of Get Smart. 

John Clark (Without Remorse)

If Jack Ryan is the Captain America of Tom Clancy’s Ryanverse franchise, then Without Remorse’s John Clark (Michael B. Jordan) is The Punisher of that same series. Losing his wife and unborn child to a tragic case of operational blowback, Clark survives to become an avenging angel of righteousness; while also forming the Rainbow Six organization to combat international acts of terror.

One (6 Underground)

With a character name like Magnet S. Johnson (Ryan Reynolds), it’s kind of hard not to root for the head of 6 Underground’s undercover network of do-gooders. Though it definitely helps that he’s got some impressive weapons training and infiltration skills, as well as the cool codename of “One,” seeing as he’s the leader of the entire outfit. 

Celia Harrison-Favreau (All The Old Knives)

Celia Harrison-Favreau (Thandiwe Newton) is a spy who seems to have studied at the George Smiley School of Mole Hunting. Exposing the nefarious party at the heart of a terrorist attack that’s reopened for investigation almost a decade after it occurred, all it took was one dinner for her to identify and neutralize All The Old Knives’ surprising traitor.

Gregorio and Ingrid Cortez (Spy Kids)

Spy Kids’ Gregorio and Ingrid Cortez (Antonio Banderas and Carla Gugino) are one of those movie couples you’d love to watch, even if they weren’t spies. However, when Robert Rodriguez’s family classic rounded out the ranks with their equally impressive kids (Daryl Sabara and Alexa PenaVega), the argument for how perfect this couple was became even stronger.

Sarah (Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre)

It takes a special kind of person to stand up to someone like Jason Statham, no matter what character he may be playing. So when Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre made it the job of Aubrey Plaza’s Sarah to bust his chops to the fullest extent, it was a dream-given form. Ms. Plaza’s character is also a fantastic hacker and a great field operative who keeps even the most neurotic action star (Josh Hartnett) mission-ready. 

Derek Flint (Our Man Flint)

Much like James Bond, Derek Flint (James Coburn) loves retirement. At least, that was until  Z.O.W.I.E. brought him out at the beginning of Our Man Flint. A master linguist and inventor, on top of being an expert spy, Mr, Flint helped write the blueprint for Austin Powers to pick up during his time in the pop culture sun. 

Matt Helm (The Silencers)

Dean Martin has always been known as the king of cool, so you can see exactly why he’d lead the cinematic adaptation of author Donald Hamilton’s books. While able to carry himself with distinction in the field, Matt Helm knows when to crack a joke; especially when Frank Sinatra comes on the radio.

Men may be the more traditional villains in movies, but women have been some of the best. The kind of characters we just love to hate, played by some of the greatest actresses of all time. Here is our list of some of the best female villains in film history.

Nurse Ratched - One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest

Louise Fletcher's performance as the manipulative Nurse Ratched is one of the most chilling to grace the silver screen. Her iron-fisted rule over McMurphy (Jack Nicholson) and the rest of the patients is quietly evil, making it way more effective and terrifying than an over-the-top style of villain. 

Wicked Witch Of The West - The Wizard Of Oz

There may be no more recognizable villain, male or female, to movie fans than the Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard Of Oz. The Margaret Hamilton character has been scaring kids (in the best way) for almost a century. The role is so iconic that when we think of a generic "witch," we almost always picture the Wicked Witch of the West. 

Alex Forrest - Fatal Attraction

You know we couldn't make this list without the absolutely unhinged Alex Forrest (Glenn Close) in Fatal Attraction. Close's performance of the jilted lover is consistently ranked among the great villains of all time and it's easy to see why. The movie keeps viewers on the edge of their seats as she gets more and more detached from reality, leaving us all terrified of what could come next. 

Madeline "Ma-Ma" Madrigal - Dredd

Madeline "Ma-Ma" Madrigal (Lena Headey), the gang boss in 2012's Dredd, is among the most ruthless criminals on film in recent years. Her control over the housing block Judge Dredd (Karl Urban) is trying to police is fanatical and all-encompassing. Ma-Ma doesn't seem to have - or want - friends or advisors, just soldiers in her battle for control. 

Mary Lee Johnston - Precious

A lot of the villains on this list are traditional movie villains. Mary Lee Johnston (Mo'Nique) in Precious is not traditional. She's also the "realest" villain on this list. So real, it's horrifying, making Precious being a great movie that you almost never want to watch ever again. She's so evil it's really hard to watch. Mo'Nique is fantastic, bringing this wicked character to life on the screen. 

Phyllis Dietrichson - Double Indemnity

Female villains are nothing new, of course. One of the all-time classic examples is Phyllis Dietrichson in Double Indemnity from 1944. Barbara Stanwyck plays the traitorous wife who takes advantage of an insurance salesman (Fred MacMurray) by dragging him into her diabolical plan to off her husband and collect on his life insurance. 

Kathryn Merteuil - Cruel Intentions

High school bullies make great villains. They make especially great villains when they are as manipulative as Kathryn Merteuil (Sarah Michelle Gellar) in Cruel Intentions. Kathryn has no morals and no ethics, she only cares about herself and doesn't care who she hurts. That's why watching her get caught in the end is so satisfying. It's also maybe the best use of music in the movies. 

Pamela Voorhees - Friday The 13th

In the history of horror movies, one of the most iconic has to be the original Friday The 13th. While Jason Voorhees is on the Mount Rushmore of slasher film villains after countless sequels and spinoffs in the franchise, it's his mother who is the real villain in the original and that's why she, Pamala Voorhees (Betsy Palmer), deserves to be on this list. 

Mystique - X-Men

Magneto may the "big bad" in most of the X-Men movies, but he wouldn't be nearly as threatening without his right-hand woman, Mystique. Played by both Rebecca Romijn and Jennifer Lawrence in the movies, the shapeshifting mutant does a lot of Magneto's dirty work. 

Elektra King - The World Is Not Enough

Given James Bond's history with women, you might expect more of his villains to be women. While there are plenty of henchmen, there are not a lot of women who played Bond villains. One great exception is the diabolical Elektra King (Sophie Marceau) in The World Is Not Enough. King,  wasn't born evil, but she definitely turned that way, perhaps even more extreme than the man who made her that way. 

Regina George - Mean Girls

Ruining Regina George's life might not have made Cady (Lindsay Lohan) happy in Mean Girls, but it sure was satisfying to watch! George, played by the great Rachel McAdams, is one of the all-time great girl-bullies in movie history. The manipulative popular girl gets what's coming to her in the end, after proving how awful she can be to even her closest friends. 

Bellatrix Lestrange - Harry Potter

It's impossible to see anyone other than Helena Bonham Carter in the role of the Harry Potter Bellatrix Lestrange. She plays the role of the villain perfectly in the series. Most of Potter and Co.'s enemies are male, of course, but one of the scariest has to be Lestrange.

Cassandra Nova - Deadpool And Wolverine

The MCU has a handful of female villains and for the most part, they are among the most powerful of all the villains. Take Cassandra Nova (Emma Corrin) in Deadpool And Wolverine, for example. She's just as powerful as her brother, Charles Xavier, but she's pure evil. That's a terrifying combination. 

Annie Wilkes - Misery

This list would certainly not be complete without one of the meanest villains of the '90s, or any other decade in film history. Annie Wilkes, played by Kathy Bates in an Oscar-winning performance. She completely stole the show in one of the greatest horror movies of all time and earned a place on the Mount Rushmore of movie villains. 

Mama Fratelli - The Goonies

Big-time fame came late to Anne Ramsey. The actress had built a solid career in Hollywood as a character actor, but she really hit the big time after playing the villainous Mama Fratelli, matriarch of a hapless, yet very mean family, in The Goonies. Tragically, she died just three years later of cancer at age 59. 

Amy Dunne - Gone Girl

Is there anything as scary as a cold, calculating villain like Amy Dunne in Gone Girl? Amy, played by Rosamund Pike, is certainly justified in her beef with her cheating husband, put her method of revenge is pure evil. It's also darn impressive, and in the end, she "wins," so she deserves to be on this list. 

Miranda Priestly - The Devil Wears Prada

Everyone has had bad bosses, but no one has had a boss quite as awful as Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada. Meryl Streep's performance as the ultimate boss from hell is one of the best of her amazing career and a rare example of the actress playing a true villain. 

Cruella DeVille - One Hundred and One Dalmatians

Disney has a long history of great female villains, and close to the top of the greatest ones has to be Cruella DeVille. The One Hundred and One Dalmatians baddie knows exactly how to tear out viewers' hearts in everything she does, to say nothing of making coats from puppies. 

Aileen Wuornos - Monster

Charlize Theron plays one of the rare real people on this list, serial killer Aileen Wuornos in Monster. Monster is the perfect description of her, too. While her unbelievably terrible life that led to her murders is something no one would wish on their worst enemy, what Wuornos became is pure evil in every way. Theron won an Oscar for her performance as Wuornos, who was executed in prison a year before the movie was released. 

Hela - Thor: Ragnorak

Some of the most powerful villains in the MCU are women and Hela in Thor: Ragnorak certainly qualifies here. Cate Blanchett's chameleon-like performance is just so great and Hela looks so cool, that you almost want to root for her. 

Maleficent - Sleeping Beauty

When you're such a good villain that they start making spin-offs about you, you absolutely belong on this list. Maleficent is one of the all-time great villains in Disney history and we love to hate her so much that she even got two films all her own in the 2010s, starring Angelina Jolie as the diabolical fairy, where we learn she's maybe not as evil as it seems. 

Harley Quinn - Suicide Squad

Of all the villains on this list, Harley Quinn is the most fun. Yeah, she's a psychopath, sure, but she's a fun psychopath! That's really all she wants to do, have fun and create chaos and that makes her pretty endearing in a lot of ways, as does Margot Robbie's awesome performance as the manic pixie dream psycho in the Suicide Squad movies. 

Veronica - Heathers

On the surface, you may argue that Heather Chandler (Kim Walker) is the villain in Heathers. Like Regina George, Chandler is the alpha mean girl in the crew of Heathers. But really, it's Veronica (Winona Ryder) and her boyfriend J.D. (Christian Slater), who are the real baddies here. They're the ones committing the murders, after all.  

Elle Driver - Kill Bill

Daryl Hannah was mostly known for rom-coms and more "innocent" characters before she was brilliantly cast by Quentin Tarantino as Elle Driver in Kill Bill. The California Mountain Snake, as Driver was known as part of the Deadly Vipers is a remorseless killer and relentless in her pursuit of her intended victim. 

Elsa Schneider - Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade

Elsa Schneider is the worst kind of traitor, she's a Nazi traitor who turns on one of cinema's great heroes, Indiana Jones. It's an unforgivable sin that earns her place on this list. Allison Doody's performance is great, as the surprise twist is something few saw coming. 

Catherine Tramell - Basic Instinct

It's unfortunate that Basic Instinct is really only remembered for one scene, surely you know which one. It's sad because Sharon Stone's work in the film as the calculating Catherine Tramell deserves to be remembered for more than just that interrogation scene. It's arguably the finest performance of her career. 

Jadis The White Witch - The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

Jadis The White Witch (Tilda Swinton) is, in the end, really nothing more than a dictator and a bully. She just has powerful magic to help her in her mercurial schemes and grievances. Not only does she delight in turning her enemies to stone for even the most minor slights, but she also plunges Narnia into winter for decades. 

Madison Lee - Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle

Traitorous villains, like Madison Lee (Demi Moore) in Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle are the worst kind of people, but they make for some epic baddies in movies. A former Angel, Madison turns to the dark side after she thinks Charlie disrespects her and goes after her old friends with total abandon. 

Ursula - The Little Mermaid

It's hard to narrow down all the great Disney female villains for this list, but we had to include Ursula from The Little Mermaid. She's the epitome of everything that makes Disney villains great. Life's full of tough choices, isn't it?

Mallory Knox - Natural Born Killers

Like many others on this list, Mallory Knox (Juliette Lewis) in Natural Born Killers is in some ways a victim of circumstance. Her upbringing was shocking, and her husband Mickey (Woody Harrelson) is the catalyst for their crime spree. Neither of those things gives her a pass though. Instead she makes this list as an all-time great villain. 

Frau Farbissina - Austin Powers 

One of the great Bond villainesses. Rosa Klebb in From Russia With Love is the inspiration for another great, Frau Farbissina in the Austin Powers franchise. Mindy Sterling's performance as Dr. Evil's right-hand woman is just pitch-perfect as a parody and she absolutely deserves to be on this list. 

President Alma Coin - The Hunger Games: Mockingjay

President Coriolanus Snow (Donald Sutherland) is the classic bad guy in The Hunger Games movies, but after Snow is finally deposed and Alma Coin (Julieanne Moore) takes over as President, it turns out she's just as ruthless as Snow. Her pettiness towards Katniss doesn't do much to endear her to anyone, either.

Soundtracks are an important component of many films. They can elevate good movies to great movies, or they can be the saving grace of an otherwise bad movie. This list is about the latter. 32 times the soundtrack was way better than the movie for which it was produced.

Judgement Night (1993)

Rap-rock mashups were not invented by the Judgement Night soundtrack, Anthrax and Public Enemy had an earlier hit with "Bring The Noise," but it was still an early example of combining the two seemingly disparate genres to great success. The movie itself is so caught up in tropes and stereotypes that even the great cast couldn't save the story. The soundtrack was a massive hit and decades later is still far more remembered than the movie.  

The Bodyguard (1991)

Of all the examples on this list, The Bodyguard stands out because these days, many people may have no idea that the soundtrack produced one of the most iconic movie songs of all time. That would be, of course, "I Will Always Love You," by Whitney Houston. Houston co-starred in the movie alongside Kevin Costner, but hardly anyone remembers anything about the romantic drama. The song, written by Dolly Parton, is legendary. The soundtrack for The Bodyguard is one of the best-selling albums of all time.

The Million Dollar Hotel (2000)

It wouldn't be surprising if you've never even heard of The Million Dollar Hotel, because it's a very forgettable movie. The soundtrack, however, is amazing, especially if you are a U2 fan. With most of the songs written and/or performed for the soundtrack, it features a revolving lineup of the members of U2 along with the likes of Daniel Lanois and Bill Frisell, plus one of the film's stars, Milla Jovovich, singing a haunting version of Lou Reed's "Satellite of Love," which is worth the price alone. 

The Crow: City of Angels (1996)

The Crow: City of Angels was an ill-conceived follow-up to 1994's The Crow and without Brandon Lee, who was killed making the original, it just didn't work at all. The soundtrack, however, featuring some of the biggest bands like Hole, Deftones, Filter, and others of the '90s definitely works. 

Maximum Overdrive (1986)

If you were a kid of the 1980s, you probably watched Maximum Overdrive too many times on cable. Stephen King's debut as a film director is a great story, but it has aged very poorly. The soundtrack, featuring AC/DC at the height of their power, is still a banger, especially the theme song to the movie, "Who Made Who."

Sucker Punch (2011)

Like a lot of Zach Snyder movies, Sucker Punch is visually stunning, but kind of all over the place. The soundtrack, with the likes of Bjork, Queen, and others, including cover versions of classics by the cast members, is truly the highlight of the project. 

Reality Bites (1994)

It may be a movie that in a way defined a generation, but Reality Bites just isn't that great of a movie. The soundtrack is really what defined it, and Generation X. Ben Stiller's directorial debut is fine, but the soundtrack is a classic.

Dead Presidents (1995)

The Hughes Brothers' second movie, Dead Presidents, didn't hit quite as hard as their debut, Menace II Society, but the soundtrack was so great, that it was released in two volumes. It's one of the grooviest soundtracks ever, with some of the best R&B artists of the '70s appearing on it. 

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie (1995)

Even the most ardent Power Ranger fans can admit that the 1995 movie isn't good. That said, the soundtrack, as was a trend in the '90s, is fantastic, featuring icons like Devo, Van Halen, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. 

Cocktail (1988)

Tom Cruise was already one of the biggest stars in the world when he teamed with Elizabeth Shue for 1988's Cocktail. A movie about a bartender with a lot of flair may not have been the best idea, but pairing it with a fantastic soundtrack was a great idea. It even landed The Beach Boys their first #1 hit in decades with "Kokomo."

Batman Forever (1995)

Batman Forever isn't well regarded by many fans of the Caped Crusader, but the soundtrack is still beloved by many. The highlight of the album is Seal's "Kissed By A Rose," which was such a massive hit, Seal admits it saved his career. 

The Beach (2000)

The Beach will never be in the discussion for director Danny Boyle's best movie, but the soundtrack, like many of his movies, is still fantastic. Featuring some of the best artists of the era including Moby, Underworld, Blur, New Order, and others, it holds up way better than the movie. 

Vanilla Sky (2001)

Even if the soundtrack was only "Everything In It's Right Place" by Radiohead, Vanilla Sky would still be on this list. It's so much more than just that though. Cameron Crowe always has great music in his movies, and while Vanilla Sky isn't his best movie, the soundtrack may be the best. 

Spawn (1997)

Following in the tradition of a lot of '90s movies, Spawn is a movie that isn't good, but it still has a fantastic soundtrack. Metallica, The Crystal Method, Prodigy, and other '90s heavy hitters litter the tracklist. 

Superfly (1972)

While Superfly isn't the worst movie on this list by any means, it lands on here because the soundtrack has aged so much better than the film. The late Curtis Mayfield's soundtrack is legendary at this point and far more people love the music, many of whom have likely never even seen the classic Blaxploitation flick.

Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002)

By the third Austin Powers movie, we were reaching the point of diminishing returns, but any movie starring Beyonce is sure to have a banger of a soundtrack and Goldmember is no exception. Featuring two songs by Queen Bey and a bunch of other great songs, this movie has to be on this list. 

Dangerous Minds (1995)

The Michelle Pfeiffer-led Dangerous Minds was pretty much panned by critics at the time, but it ended up being a huge hit. That was very likely because the soundtrack, specifically "Gansta's Paradise" by Coolio was such a huge hit and got people out to see the movie. The song is a classic, but the movie is not. 

Under The Cherry Moon (1986)

Under the Cherry Moon was Prince's directorial debut and it shows. The movie is a hot mess. The soundtrack, on the other hand, which was released as the album Parade by Prince, is the Purple One at the height of his talents. 

Queen Of The Damned (2002)

Queen of the Damned is a movie about a vampire awoken from a long slumber to the sounds of Nu Metal, so he forms a band and the music for the band makes for a great soundtrack if you're a fan of the genre. Just skip the movie, because it's not nearly as good as the music. 

Last Action Hero (1993)

In 1993, Last Action Hero was an '80s-style action movie released a few years too late. The same could be said about the soundtrack that features some of the best metal bands of the '80s, like Def Leppard, Aerosmith, and Queensryche. Both have aged better than you would expect, but now, decades later when we aren't worried about Grunge killing off Hait Metal, the soundtrack is truly great.  

Belly (1998)

Director Hype Williams got his start directing hip hop videos at the height of their popularity in the 1990s. He parlayed that into an opportunity to direct his first feature film, Belly, starring a slew of '90s hip hop icons. The movie wasn't nearly as good as the soundtrack featuring many of those same artists like Nas, Method Man, DMX, and others. 

Saturday Night Fever (1977)

There is no question that Saturday Night Fever was a cultural phenomenon in the disco era and launched John Travolta's movie career. It's fair to ask if that was because the movie was great, or because the soundtrack became one of the best-selling albums of all time after it was released. It's almost certainly the latter because decades later those songs, like "Staying Alive" and "Jive Talking" are still listened to today, while the movie is hardly ever talked about. 

Over The Top (1987)

Meet me halfway here. While you ponder how a movie about the world of competitive arm wrestling got green lit, remember that the music in Over The Top is really pretty awesome. With a score by Giorgio Moroder and a bunch of songs written by Moroder and performed by '80s greats like Kenny "The King of Soundtracks" Loggins and Sammy Hagar, the soundtrack really rocks. 

Bio-Dome (1996)

Any Pauly Shore vehicle is going to have a tough time getting good reviews and Bio-Dome was certainly no exception. It's not that bad, but the soundtrack, which includes Faith No More, Reverend Horton Heat, and The Ramones, among others, is way better than the movie. 

Marie Antoinette (2006)

The history may not be accurate, and the movie overall is just...odd, but the soundtrack for Sofia Coppola's Marie Antoinette is fantastic. It includes songs by The Strokes, The Cure, Siouxsie and the Banshees, New Order, Aphex Twin, and others. 

City Of Angels (1998)

1998's City of Angels starring Nicolas Cage and Meg Ryan is almost completely forgotten today, but two songs from the soundtrack, "Iris" by the Goo Goo Dolls, and "Uninvited" were huge hits at the time and are still favorites today. Oh yeah, the soundtrack includes songs by Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, U2, and Peter Gabriel. NBD. 

Elizabethtown (2005)

Even when Cameron Crowe misses with one of his movies, as he did with Elizabethtown in 2005, the soundtrack never misses. The movie is mostly forgettable, but the soundtrack is chock full of bangers from the likes of Tom Petty, Elton John My Morning Jacket, and his ex-wife Nancy Wilson. 

Fifty Shades of Grey (2015)

There is a lot to criticize about Fifty Shade of Gray, like the complete lack of chemistry between the leads, but you can't say anything bad about a soundtrack that has songs by The Weeknd, Beyonce, Ellie Goulding, Sia, and The Rolling Stones. 

Tank Girl (1995)

A lot of people were disappointed by the film adaption of the comic Tank Girl. Lori Petty was great as the titular character, but the movie just isn't as "cool" as the alt-comic is. What is very cool about the movie is the awesome soundtrack. Pulling great catalogs of established artists, especially Riot Grrl-type artists, like L7 and Veruca Salt it fits the ethos of Tank Girl better than the rest of the movie does. 

Cruel Intentions (1999)

We will acknowledge that Cruel Intentions has a huge cult following, and with good reason, but it's a movie that feels pretty dated a couple of decades after it was released. Still, we have to point out that the soundtrack hasn't aged poorly at all. The of use of "Bittersweet Symphony" might be the best use of music in a movie of all time in the climatic scene of the movie.  

Xanadu (1980)

1980's Xanadu is one of those movies that feels like it was only made to highlight a great soundtrack. Starring Olivia Newton-John, the fantasy musical is almost unwatchable, save for the fantastic music. In addition to the stuff by Newton-John, it has a whole slew of songs from the great Electric Light Orchestra that are the real highlights of the movie. 

Batman & Robin (1997)

Most critics don't have very many nice things to say about 1997's Batman & Robin. It has its followers, but most people dismiss it as the worst of that era of Batman movies. The soundtrack, however, follows in the same great tradition as the rest of those Cape Crusader movies. While we certainly don't want to hype R. Kelly up, there are still some great tunes you can jam to without the guilt, including a great song by The Smashing Pumpkins called "The End Is the Beginning Is the End."

Ozzy Osbourne’s place in music history has been solidified, as he and Black Sabbath are often credited as the first heavy metal band. Releasing 19 studio albums over five decades, the Prince of Darkness has won two Grammys (plus a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award), influenced countless of the most well-known bands in the genre and, you know, bit the head off of a bat. His eccentric personality and wild look made him the perfect choice for several great TV and movie appearances over the years, and here are 10 of the best.

While the Black Sabbath frontman has been known to portray characters — lending his voice to several animated projects — Ozzy Osbourne is a character in and of himself, and many of his best offerings feature the Godfather of Metal just being Ozzy. 

Little Nicky (2000) 

Adam Sandler boasts a pretty impressive catalog of projects that span multiple genres, but the 2000 action comedy Little Nicky is not considered one of his greatest. It still has developed a cult following over the years for its ridiculously devilish story and bevy of celebrity cameos. One of the famous faces to make an appearance is Ozzy Osbourne, who Nicky summons after his brother Adrian (Rhys Ifans) transforms into a bat. You can imagine where things go from there.

Rent or buy Little Nicky on Amazon Prime Video.

The Osbournes (2002) 

Years before the Kardashian-Jenner bunch became the royal family of reality TV, America fell in love with The Osbournes. The MTV series captured what it was like to live with Ozzy Osbourne, his wife Sharon and two younger children, Jack and Kelly. The show lasted for four seasons and made household names of all of them, but more importantly it gave us a different perspective on the Prince of Darkness. It was hilarious to see Ozzy bumbling around helplessly, calling out for, “Sharon!” 

The Osbournes is not available to stream or buy, but you can stream their 2020 series The Osbournes Want to Believe on Max.

Austin Powers In Goldmember (2002) 

Mike Myers got in on The Osbournes’ craze back in the early aughts in the third movie of his shagadelic trilogy, Austin Powers in Goldmember. Repeating a bit from the 1999 sequel that involved a phallic-shaped rocket, Goldmember features Dr. Evil shooting down a satellite shaped like a pair of breasts. An amusing montage of double entendres ensues, eventually cutting to Ozzy shouting, “Boobs!” He then explains to his family members sitting next to him that the Austin Powers filmmakers are boobs because they already used that joke in The Spy Who Shagged Me.

Rent or buy Austin Powers in Goldmember on Amazon Prime Video.

Private Parts (1997) 

Howard Stern’s autobiographical film Private Parts featured a number of celebrity cameos, and while Ozzy Osbourne only uttered a single sentence in the film — “What a fucking jerk.” — it remains one of the 1997 flick's most quoted lines.

Stream Private Parts on Apple TV+.
Rent or buy Private Parts on Amazon Prime Video.

Trolls World Tour (2020) 

The sequel to the DreamWorks animated hit Trolls highlighted a number of different genres of music, and that means there were some big names in the Trolls World Tour voice cast, including Mary J. Blige, J Balvin, Kelly Clarkson, George Clinton and, of course, Ozzy Osbourne. The Black Sabbath frontman voiced King Thrash, the retired king of hard rock, with the effects of his wild rock star lifestyle made evident through Osbourne’s signature nonsensical mumbling and his use of a motorized wheelchair, aka his mobile throne.

Rent or buy Trolls World Tour on Amazon Prime Video.

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2013) 

Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath premiered the second single off their reunion album 13 during an episode of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. In the Season 13 episode “Skin in the Game,” Ted Danson’s D.B. Russell and Marc Vann’s Conrad Ecklie attend a Black Sabbath concert while investigating a string of murders. On stage the band sings “End of the Beginning,” before the singer sits down with one of the suspects for an interview. The interviewer mentions that they’ve spoken before, back in 1986, to which Ozzy hilariously replies that he doesn’t remember — not just the conversation, either, but the entirety of 1986.

Stream CSI: Crime Scene Investigation on Hulu.
Stream CSI: Crime Scene Investigation on Paramount+.

WWE Raw (2009) 

Ozzy Osbourne has made a few stops in the world of professional wrestling, even becoming a celebrity inductee to the WWE Hall of Fame in 2021. He’s also one of several celebrities who have appeared in WrestleMania — managing the British Bulldogs as they secured the World Tag Team Championships at the 1986 pay-per-view event. In November 2009, he and wife Sharon Osbourne served as guest hosts on WWE Raw, where they did a spin on Sharon’s gig as a judge on America’s Got Talent and turned the ring into a judges’ table for “Raw’s Got Talent.”

Stream WWE Raw on Peacock.

Trick Or Treat (1986) 

Talk about playing off-type! Ozzy Osbourne may be known for portraying himself in many of his TV and movie appearances, but the 1986 comedy horror Trick or Treat brilliantly cast the Prince of Darkness in a role nobody would expect — a TV evangelist. It’s hilarious to watch the Rev. Aaron Gilstrom clutch his proverbial pearls at suggestive song lyrics and proclaim that the rock stars “have to be stopped!”

Stream Trick or Treat on Screambox.

Gnomeo & Juliet (2011) 

Two things you may not think about when it comes to the Godfather of Metal are animated deer and Shakespeare, however, those worlds collided in Gnomeo & Juliet, the animated reimagining of Romeo & Juliet. Ozzy Osbourne voices Fawn, the miniature deer statue and best friend of Tybalt.

Stream Gnomeo & Juliet on Disney+.
Stream Gnomeo & Juliet on Hulu.
Rent or buy Gnomeo & Juliet on Amazon Prime Video.

The Jerky Boys: The Movie (1995) 

Johnny Brennan and Kamal Ahmed came to fame in the 1990s as the Jerky Boys comedy duo, who developed a following for making prank phone calls. After a couple of comedy albums, the duo made a movie, appropriately titled The Jerky Boys: The Movie. Ozzy Osbourne makes an appearance as the manager for the band Helmet. Johnny and Kamal convince the manager that they’ve replaced two roadies who left to go on tour with The Monkees. Say what you will about the movie overall, but Ozzy’s utter disbelief that he got shunned for “the fuckin’ Monkees?!” is pretty funny. 

Rent or buy The Jerky Boys: The Movie on Amazon Prime Video.

Whether you prefer Ozzy Osbourne behind the microphone or in front of the camera, there’s no denying that the Prince of Darkness can entertain, as he’s been doing so for half a century now. 

Have you ever stopped to think about how your favorite characters in screen media do not realize they exist in a movie or TV show? Well, that covers most characters, while a chosen few actually are aware of their fictional parameters, and even address it to their viewers in a fun trope referred to as “breaking the fourth wall.” The following are some of the most iconic, or even underrated, characters from cinema and television that often like to get meta. 

Ferris Bueller (Ferris Bueller's Day Off)

Matthew Broderick's mischievous title character in Ferris Bueller's Day Off has one central goal: to take it easy. He demonstrates his secrets to master-level trouble-making directly to the audience — whom he also urges to head home in an iconic post-credits sequence — in John Hughes' celebrated high school movie classic from 1986.

Malcolm (Malcolm In The Middle)

Despite being the last-billed main actor, the Malcolm in the Middle cast was led by Frankie Muniz in the title role. The unusually intelligent youngster would profess his own life's dissatisfactions through the TV screen on a regular basis.

Rob Gordon (High Fidelity)

Director Stephen Frears' adaptation of Nick Hornby's novel, High Fidelity, stars John Cusack as Chicago record store owner Rob Gordon. The only thing that infatuates him more than music is the women who broke his heart,  the stories of which he recalls directly to the audience.

Deadpool (The Deadpool Movies)

In Marvel Comics, Wade "Deadpool" Wilson is driven so mad by his appearance post-mutation that, in addition to hearing voices, he becomes aware of the fact that he is a comic book character. While the voices do not make a sound in star and producer Ryan Reynolds' cinematic adaptations, the Merc with a Mouth is still perfectly self-aware of his fictional existence and goes so far as pointing out flaws in the writing and poking fun at the actor who plays him when turning his head to the camera.

Fleabag (Fleabag)

The title character of multi-Emmy-winner Phoebe Waller-Bridge's hit British comedy series, Fleabag, could be described as a free spirit, if not for her bouts of anger and confusion when struggling to navigate adulthood. The audience has unrestricted access to her most cynical inner thoughts, which she frequently shares when speaking directly to her viewers.

Jordan Belfort (The Wolf Of Wall Street)

One of the few examples of a fourth wall-breaking character based on a real person is Leonardo DiCaprio's Academy Award-nominated portrayal of Jordan Belfort in The Wolf of Wall Street. Not only does he narrate director Martin Scorsese's adaptation of the former stockbroker's memoir (also one of the best Margot Robbie movies), he opens the film describing the dangerously wild nature of his daily routine directly to the audience.

Bugs Bunny (Looney Tunes)

Breaking the fourth wall is pretty much a tradition in Looney Tunes shorts, but the art is absolutely perfected by the characters' de facto leader, Bugs Bunny. With his sly remarks and literal winks to the camera, he lets the audience feel like they are in on the joke with him, creating a welcoming atmosphere that makes the rascally rabbit truly one-of-a-kind. 

Zack Morris (Saved By The Bell)

Talking to the camera was not the only meta characteristic possessed by Mark-Paul Gosselaar's scheming character on the hit coming-of-age sitcom, Saved by the Bell. Zack Morris also had the ability to manipulate time, as demonstrated when he paused the surrounding action for his own soliloquy whenever he felt like it.

Jared Vennett (The Big Short)

There are actually several characters from Adam McKay's Oscar-winning adaptation of Michael Lewis' non-fiction book, The Big Short, who break the fourth wall. However, it is Ryan Gosling as Deutsche Bank salesman Jared Vennett who spends most of the film directly addressing the audience, sometimes introducing celebrities like Margot Robbie to explain financial jargon to the viewers. 

Stanley “The Mask” Ipkiss (The Mask)

Nigh-omniscience (the state of knowing all, including the audience observing you) is something that often comes with being a cartoon character, which is essentially what Stanley Ipkiss becomes when he puts on a mystical vizard. In one of the funniest scenes in 1994’s The Mask, Jim Carrey’s green, grinning anti-hero fakes his death with a speech that literally earns him an award, prompting the appearance of an applauding audience that even the criminals who tried to kill him react to.

Dora Márquez (Dora The Explorer)

Even with Boots, Backpack, Manny, and her other adventurous comrades by her side, Dora the Explorer still needs help navigating her adventures from the youngsters watching her on Nick Jr. She even politely gives her viewers time to answer when asking them about their favorite part of the journey at the end of each episode.

Wayne Campbell And Garth Algar (Wayne's World)

Breaking the fourth wall helps one of Mike Myers’ greatest creations make a seamless transition from TV to the big screen in one of the best Saturday Night Live movies, Wayne’s World. Even when they are not filming their cable access TV show, Wayne Campbell (Myers) and Garth Algar (Dana Carvey) keep their running commentary on pop culture, their own lives going, and the state of their own movie by speaking to the metaphysical camera in front of them.

Claire Underwood (House Of Cards)

It was not until Season 4 of House of Cards that Claire Underwood (Robin Wright) revealed that, like her ruthless politician husband, Frank (Kevin Spacey), she was aware of the Netflix subscribers observing their every move. After she is widowed, Claire becomes the central character and the audience’s sole metaphysical companion.

Garfield (Garfield And Friends)

Just like in the comic strip he originated from, Garfield addresses the audience in his many screen adaptations, such as the popular animated series, Garfield and Friends. The hungry, lazy cat appears to have a telepathic link with the viewers since his mouth never actually moves when he delivers commentary.

Garry Shandling (It's Garry Shandling's Show)

The whole conceit of It's Garry Shandling's Show is that the late comedian (who also co-created the series) is aware he is the star of his own sitcom and his interactions with the studio audience play a role in the plot of each episode. Running for four seasons in the late 1980s and earning four Primetime Emmy nominations, the comedy was a hilariously unique and uproariously meta experiment for its time.

Clarissa Darling (Clarissa Explains It All)

Before she played the eponymous role of ABC’s Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Melissa Joan Hart played the eponymous role of Nickelodeon's Clarissa Explains It All. Just as the title of the '90s sitcom suggests, the outspoken teen comments on her relationships with her friends and family and common aspects of teenage life in general, sometimes even through clever fantasy segments.

Peter Griffin (Family Guy)

While Family Guy is often branded as a rip-off of The Simpsons, Fox’s adult animated comedy from creator Matt Groening does not dabble in meta absurdity nearly as much or ever as overtly as Fox’s adult animated comedy from Seth MacFarlane. Actually, just about every Family Guy character is aware they are on a cartoon series, but Peter Griffin (voiced by MacFarlane) acknowledges the audience most often… maybe even too often?

The Colonel (Monty Python's Flying Circus)

Sometimes, if an episode of Monty Python's Flying Circus would get too silly (which was every episode, if we are being honest), a military colonel played by Graham Chapman show up. He would then bring the sketches to a halt and urge the cast and crew to move on to something that better matches his own personal humorous preferences.

Will Smith (The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air)

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air indulged in poking fun at itself numerous times during its six-season run on NBC in the ‘90s, such as references to the major cast shake-up of Daphne Maxwell Reid replacing Janet Hubert as Vivian Banks. However, the central character Will Smith (played by the Oscar winner of the same name) was the one who did most of the talking to the camera and, in one episode, even went beyond breaking the fourth wall and broke the ceiling, acknowledging the set lighting above them.

Austin Powers (The Austin Powers Movies)

Breaking the fourth wall is actually a staple of many of Mike Myers’ characters, including groovy secret agent Austin Powers, who likes to thank the audience for laughing at his puns and double-entendres and even commenting on the mechanics of his spy movie spoof trilogy. For instance, in the third installment, 2002’s Austin Powers in Goldmember, he actually relies on the subtitles to converse with a Japanese businessman, only to misunderstand him when some of the white text blends into something of the same color in the background.

Billy Ray Valentine (Trading Places)

For a while in the 1980s, you could expect someone to break the fourth wall in an Eddie Murphy movie, including the comedian himself, and one of the funniest examples comes from Trading Places. When the Dukes Brothers are explaining commodities to Billy Ray Valentine (Murphy), Randolph (Ralph Bellamy) uses the BLT as an example of where he might find bacon, prompting him to hilariously express his annoyance with a silent, perfectly timed glance at the camera.

Rick Sanchez (Rick And Morty)

On one of the all-time best animated series, Rick and Morty, Rick Sanchez is one of the few characters who address the fact that the bizarre and absurd adventures he and his grandson, Morty, endure, are all part of a television show. We suppose that sort of heightened awareness comes from being the smartest person in the universe.

The Grinch (How The Grinch Stole Christmas)

In Ron Howard’s live-action adaptation of How the Grinch Stole Christmas — one of the best Dr. Seuss movies — the titular, holiday-hating curmudgeon (Jim Carrey) proves that he has more than just his dog, Max, to keep him company whenever he speaks to the camera. He even interacts with the narrator (voiced by Academy Award winner Anthony Hopkins), asking him to speak with “a little more stealth” as he breaks into Cindy Lou Who’s home.

Augustus Hill (Oz)

Harold Perrineau’s character on Oz, Augustus Hill, is unlike any other inmate at the eponymous Oswald State Correctional Facility, serving as the series’ narrator. He opens and closes each episode of the gritty HBO drama by addressing the audience with a monologue discussing the philosophies of the prison lifestyle.

Lemony Snicket (A Series Of Unfortunate Events)

As Lemony Snicket, Patrick Warburton speaks through the screen when recalling the treacherous adventures of the Baudelaire Orphans on Netflix’s series adaptation of A Series of Unfortunate Events. Just like in the original YA book series, the author is more than just the series' narrator, as he also exists within the world of the show.

Jennifer Walters (She-Hulk: Attorney At Law)

Deadpool is not the only fourth-wall-breaking hero in the Marvel Universe, but the first character to go meta in the MCU was Bruce Banner’s cousin, Jennifer Walters (Tatiana Maslany), who explains to the audience how she became “She-Hulk” in the first episode of her self-titled Disney+ miniseries. The final episode sees her actually leap out of her own show and into the streaming platform’s menu and enter Marvel Studios: Assembled so she can have a talk with “Kevin” about crafting a better ending.

Robin Of Loxley (Robin Hood: Men In Tights)

In one of Mel Brooks’ best movies, Robin Hood: Men in Tights, the famed archer (Cary Elwes) acknowledges a couple of times, even in just a quick glance. However, every character in the medieval spoof is aware they are in a movie, as shown in the moment Robin and others actually pull out the script to ensure he gets another shot in the archery contest at the end.

George (George Of The Jungle)

The fourth wall is kept open for just about the entirety of Disney's cartoonish live-action adaptation of the animated series, George of the Jungle. Brendan Fraser's absent-minded, Tarzan-esque hero makes frequent nods to the camera and sometimes interacts with the narrator, and is not the only character to do so either.

Eloise (Eloise At The Plaza)

The eponymous star of Kay Thompson and Hilary Knight's popular illustrated children's books made her screen debut in ABC's 2003 made-for-TV movie, Eloise at the Plaza. Played by Sofia Vassilieva, the precocious child provides details about her residency in a New York City penthouse, her relationship with her nanny (Julie Andrews), and gives other spur-of-the-moment commentaries to the audience.

Basil Exposition (Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me)

In 1999's Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, as the titular groovy sleuth (Mike Myers) is about to travel back to 1969, he is compelled to ask a few very complicated questions about the science behind this trip. Basil Exposition (Michael York) recommends not worrying about such things and just enjoying the ride before suggesting the same to the people watching.

Robin "Rob" Brooks (High Fidelity)

Hulu's 2020 series adaptation of Nick Hornby's novel, High Fidelity, reimagines record store owner Rob Gordon as a woman, played by Zoë Kravitz. However, like the original protagonist, Rob Brooks is also a neurotic music obsessive who shares her deepest insecurities, particularly in the realm of romance, to the audience.

Zack Greenburg (The Zack Files)

Without explanation, Zack Greenburg (Robert Clark) has attracted the attention of aliens, suddenly developed psychic abilities, receives a phone call from his own conscience, and more strange phenomena. If things could not get weirder for the teen, he sometimes directly acknowledges the viewers of his own early 2000s Canadian show based on Dan Greenburg's book series, The Zack Files.

Have you ever taken inspiration from these fourth-wall-breaking characters and professed your own witty commentary out loud to an imaginary camera, or is that just us?

If anyone knows how to stay on top of the fashion trends, it’s Kim Kardashian, and she’s certainly capitalized on the hot temps this summer with her swimwear line. Her viral bikini posts have helped SKIMS to become a $4 billion business, and while this has proven to be the year of the black bikini — at least for those not going full Barbiecore — The Kardashians star was giving ‘70s vibes in one of her latest posts. Specifically the reality star seemed to be channeling Beyoncé’s Austin Powers in Goldmember character with her gold bikini.

Kim Kardashian enjoyed a nightswim recently, showing off her tanned and toned body in some skimpy swimwear, and we couldn’t help but feel the Foxxy Cleopatra vibes. Check out her Instagram photos for yourself:

The SKIMS founder seemed to be enjoying herself with a late-night dip, though I can’t help but wonder if her swimwear was the optimal choice for a bike ride. Her long, dark hair fell in beachy waves, as she showed off the results of her beast mode workouts with trainer Senada Greca. Kim Kardashian’s gold bikini was not quite as small as the tortilla chip-sized bikini tops we’ve seen from her before, but quite a bit more revealing than Beyoncé’s Goldmember wardrobe from the 2002 Mike Myers comedy.

It’s really no surprise that Kim Kardashian’s metallic moment feels like a throwback to an earlier decade. Not only did Beyoncé embrace the look in Goldmember, but who can forget Carrie Fisher’s iconic gold bikini in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi? 

Whether her inspiration came from Princess Leia, Foxxy Cleopatra or somewhere else entirely, Kim Kardashian’s golden swimwear is a stunning pivot from the other trends we’ve seen her advertise this summer. The reality star has been all about the itty-bitty, teeny-weeny black bikini, even if her faux leather ads drew some brutal opinions from her followers. Otherwise, her social media posts have been nearly flawless, which she seemed fully aware of in a recent photo that showed her rising from the water like a two-piece-clad phoenix. 

She and other members of the Kardashian family tree have also embraced the pink craze inspired by Barbie’s release in theaters. In addition to Kim and Khloé Kardashian each introducing Barbiecore-hued options to their SKIMS and Good American clothing lines, Kim even allowed her oldest daughter North West to serve up some pink pasta before they took in a viewing.

Even with fall just around the corner, the Kardashians and Jenners seem to keep the temperatures high year-round (remember Kylie Jenner’s bikini winter?), so I think it’s safe to say the skimpy photoshoots aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. In addition to keeping up with the famous family on social media, you can also check out the first three seasons of The Kardashians, which is available to stream with a Hulu subscription. 

While the last Austin Powers film dropped 20 years ago, the franchise’s legacy has endured through multiple generations. Mike Myers and co. reprising their roles in a Super Bowl commercial made that abundantly clear. Despite no sign of Austin Powers in years, Myers found some unexpected fans – the British monarch. During a visit to Buckingham Palace in London, the Saturday Night Live alum recalled the cool Austin Powers tribute.

Myers brought up the unexpected event during his interview on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. The Canadian native mentioned he was a huge fan of the late Queen Elizabeth II. As his parents were English, the Austin Powers star got the chance of a lifetime to visit the late British monarch’s primary residence a few years ago. During his visit, he and Tonight Show announcer Steve Higgins got the chance to watch the changing of the guard. Everything followed protocol until the guards decided to show some appreciation to him and the spy parody franchise. In his words, Myers said:

What a cool homage to Myers and Austin Powers. Given his English roots, it was nice of the guards to acknowledge the film series’ influence. It makes sense, the comedic actor was thrown off by the surprise tribute. As he enjoyed it, the Wayne’s World actor experienced another unexpected occurrence.

Myers was aware enough to know the guard was breaking royal protocol. He didn’t want him or the guardsman to get in trouble for talking. The Shrek star didn’t want his moment to be taken away. But, at least, he got confirmation even royals are watching his work.

Fallon couldn’t let the opportunity pass Myers by to ask about Austin Powers 4. The actor was coy with his answer by hinting he couldn’t confirm nor deny the third sequel. He was even open to a Dr. Evil spinoff. After explaining his time was consumed with raising his children, he reassured his fellow SNL alum, saying he’ll see what he can do. His response was nothing new about the “will-he-or-won’t-he” status of the next Austin Powers sequel.

The Austin Powers franchise was a huge part of pop culture in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery became a pop culture sensation, spawning parodies and imitations on television and film. Not only did the 1997 spy farce take over the culture, it was also a critical and commercial success, raking in $67.7 million worldwide. Its follow-ups, The Spy Who Shagged Me and Austin Powers in Goldmember, kept the momentum, grossing $312 million and $296.7 million, respectively, at the box office.

While fans wait for confirmation of a fourth film, go stream the Austin Powers film series through platforms like Netflix and HBO Max.

You want to talk about one of the best character actors ever? To me and to many others, Mike Myers has always been among the first name that comes to mind. 

From his early days on Saturday Night Live to his movie personas that have taken on a life of their own, Mike Myers has created some of the funniest characters to grace television and the cinema in the modern era. To celebrate the Canadian star's impressive career, we've put together this feature reflecting on his most unforgettable characters – starting with one that I grew up on... 

Shrek (Shrek Series)

We can’t have a Mike Myers list without mentioning the green man himself, Shrek. 

For four movies in the Shrek series – and a possible fifth one – Mike Myers voices the titular green ogre: a mean creature with a hidden heart that is only revealed when he meets Princess Fiona and finds the true meaning of love. It's arguably the greatest success of the actor's career. 

Mike Myers’ incredible voice-acting skills take this character to a new level, and kids and adults alike find him loveable. He has continued to be a fan favorite for audiences everywhere – except for Mike Myers’ own children, but that's a small exception. 

Austin Powers (Austin Powers Series)

“Oh, behave.”

When a lot of movie fans think of Mike Myers, Austin Powers from the Austin Powers series is one of the first characters they ever think of. His disgusting teeth, eccentric personality and ridiculous spy films are hard to forget – primarily because he’s just so damn funny, and Myers rocks it in this role from start to finish. 

With a possible Austin Powers 4 in the works, it might not be that long before we get to see the titular character again, and his returned would be welcomed if the comedy standard can be continued. There are so many jokes from the Austin Powers franchise that have somehow stood the test of time, and I can’t wait to see how a new story may add to the legacy of the international man of mystery. 

Dr. Evil (Austin Powers Series)

I mean, obviously. 

From that hilarious egg-like head, to the way he positions his pinky finger when he says “one million dollars,” Dr. Evil is the perfect parody of a Bond villain in so many ways, and only Mike Myers in the Austin Powers franchise could portray him. Every moment is he is on screen is hysterical, and Myers adds a perfect flourish of sass. 

The character is so popular that fans have inspired the idea of a possible Dr. Evil solo movie – but since nothing like that has been confirmed, we’re just going to have to wait and see if that ever gets made. If it does, you can bet my butt will be in the theater to see it and ready to laugh.

Linda Richman (Saturday Night Live)

This is the first of many Saturday Night Live characters on this list. Mike Myers portrayed the iconic Linda Richman on the sketch show – a Barbara Streisand superfan that has plenty of brilliant moments in her special segment, “Coffee Talk.” There is nothing quite like seeing Richman speak to guests like Bill Murray, Madonna, and more with her big New York personality, Yiddish phrases and tendency to become emotionally overwhelmed (or as she puts it, "I'm a little verklempt.") 

With many appearances during Mike Myers’ run on Saturday Night Live, Linda Richman was a staple character for him – and a personal one as well, as he has said that Linda Richman was based on his former mother-in-law (according to People).

Pat Arnold (Saturday Night Live)

As a sports fan myself, I love Mike Myers as Pat Arnold on Saturday Night Live – a character that was part of a recurring sketch series called “Bill Swerski’s Superfans” parodying the sports culture of Chicago during the 80s and 90s and the fandom that surrounded it. 

Paired with Joe Mantegna, Chris Farley, and Robert Smigel, he brilliantly pulls off the midwestern accent and portrays a perfect caricature of a sports fan from the region at the time, letting you smell the beer and sweat as they root for "Da Bears."

Wayne Campbell (Wayne’s World)

Mike Myers’ Wayne Campbell first appeared on Saturday Night Live in the recurring sketch Wayne’s World, and his popularity only grew over the years, culminating not only with Wayne’s World movie, but also a sequel co-starring Dana Carvey as Garth Algar. And you really can’t get much better than Wayne Campbell. 

He’s a rock and roll lovin’, good-time character that you just can’t help but love, and Mike Myers performs the attitude to perfection. His chemistry with Dana Carvey in particular is a huge reason he inspires so much love. Wayne and Garth have a friendship like no other, and it was brilliant to seem them reunited years later to do a Super Bowl ad together – my childhood, fulfilled. 

Dieter (Saturday Night Live)

Dieter was one of those characters that confused me as a kid just because of the strange stuff he would say. But honestly, as I've gotten older, I wouldn’t want it any other way, as Mike Myers is terrific as this Saturday Night Live character.

Dieter, who was the host of a German variety show called Sprockets, is a great character that interviewed supposed art-world celebrities (played by other SNL cast members) to try and get their hot takes on the culture surrounding them, and it is hysterical. Watching his old sketches will make you as “happy as a little girl.”

Simon (Saturday Night Live)

Okay, look: Simon is a little creepy. I don’t think I need to see a grown man in a bathtub... but it’s works because it's Mike Myers. Simon, a boy who does “drawerings” and creates stories that feel a little too adult for him to fully get is a perpetually hilarious sketch, and often features other celebrities join in on his bath-time shenanigans (my personal favorite being Danny DeVito’s time in the tub). 

In my eyes, I look at Simon and almost think of him as a precursor to Austin Powers, because if Austin was a kid, him and Simon would get along very well. Their personality is so similar it’s astounding. Perhaps that's something that Austin Powers 4 can make canon somehow.

Stuart MacKenzie (So I Married An Axe Murderer)

Last but not least, we have to take a look at Stuart MacKenzie, from So I Married An Axe Murderer. Mike Myers also plays protagonist Charlie MacKenzie in the film, but there’s just something about Stewart, Charlie’s father, that I love even more. 

Stuart MacKenzie has an unyielding passion for his homeland of Scotland, evidenced by a literal wall of fame of famous Scottish figures in his home, and Mike Myers is laugh-out-loud funny flinging around ridiculous conspiracy theories. He's a character that you want to sit down with and have a drink – a nice scotch, naturally.

Mike Myers has some truly beloved characters, and these are just some of my favorites from his decade-long career. I’m sure that over time, we’ll only get to see more of his creations become famous. Now, if more news about Austin Powers 4 could come out, that would be great.

His most recent series, The Pentaverate, is now streaming on Netflix.

Traditionally, the Super Bowl is an event that appeals to more than just football fans. The halftime show is always a topic of conversation. (Janet Jackson’s “wardrobe malfunction” from 10 years ago even has a Hulu documentary special.) But of course, the event's timeslot also features some creative and funny commercials, and it looks like Super Bowl LVI is throwing it back to pretty much the best James Bond parody in history. This year, you'll see Mike Myers, Rob Lowe, and Mindy Sterling reprise their Austin Powers roles in GM’s 2022 ad. And luckily, there are sneak peeks ahead of the big game!

It seems that during this year's game, GM will continue to promote its EV (electric vehicles) plan, which would see the company go completely electric by 2035. The American car company has now dropped three new sneak peek videos to their YouTube channel, each clip showing a snippet of their upcoming Super Bowl commercial, featuring a different villainous character from the Austin Powers franchise. 

One of the most recognizable of these characters is, of course, Dr. Evil. Mike Myers plays the bald, gray suit-clad mastermind (along with also playing the titular character in the franchise). The villain, of course, has some of the most memorable quotes from the show (“Throw me a frickin’ bone!”). That’s why fans are sure to be invested in this ad after seeing this newly released clip. You can check him and his “iron pinkie” out below:

The only bittersweet part of this is that we can't get a Mini-Me cameo, as actor Verne Troy sadly passed away back in 2018. While fans unfortunately won’t be able to see him take back up the role, they do get to see Rob Lowe and Mindy Sterling nail their reprisals in their respective clips.

Rob Lowe played a younger version of Doctor Evil’s number 2 in Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me. In the new commercial, he's seen in his maniacal glory, complete with his A+ laugh (second only to Doctor Evil, of course). Mindy Sterling, meanwhile, takes back up her role as the mean Frau, and she forcefully cracks her whip. It’s been a long time since we’ve been met with her crass scream, and I’m here for it.

GM uses the “EV” in “Evil” to play on their new energy endeavor, and the nostalgic throwback makes it work, even if the connection is ever so slight. Even though only a few seconds of each character have been dropped thus far, the promise of seeing them all back together again in an evil scheme, if only for a commercial’s length, makes me super pumped for the Super Bowl. It even softens the blow of my team (the Chicago Bears!) not making it to the championship game.

Super Bowl LVI airs live on NBC at 6 p.m. ET on Sunday, February 13th. You can also watch the biggest football event of the year, right along with GM’s evil Austin Powers reunion and all the other top brands’ commercials, using a Peacock subscription. 

Conventional wisdom would tell us that horror releases would most likely do their best if released in the month of October. Then again, if you’re a true fan of frightening and fiendish things, Netflix’s July 2021 new releases like the Fear Street trilogy and Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness are a welcome sight. But don’t worry, because if you’re not into the scary stuff, there’s still plenty of other titles to look forward to including fan-favorites like The Karate Kid, Django Unchained and the Twilight Saga. Take a look at when everything new will be hitting the streaming service this summer.

In addition, if you want to see the rundown of what was added to Netflix in June 2021, you can take a look at those titles through the link below.

Premiering On Netflix - Week Of July 1

Audible - NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY - 7/1/21

Dynasty Warriors - NETFLIX FILM - 7/1/21

Generation 56k - NETFLIX SERIES - 7/1/21

Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway - NETFLIX ANIME FILM - 7/1/21

Young Royals - NETFLIX SERIES - 7/1/21

Air Force One - 7/1/21

Austin Powers in Goldmember - 7/1/21

Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery - 7/1/21

Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me - 7/1/21

The Best of Enemies - 7/1/21

Boogie Nights - 7/1/21

Born to Play - 7/1/21

Bureau of Magical Things: Season 1 - 7/1/21

Charlie's Angels - 7/1/21

Congo - 7/1/21

Dennis the Menace - 7/1/21

The Game - 7/1/21

Hampstead - 7/1/21

The Karate Kid - 7/1/21

The Karate Kid Part II - 7/1/21

The Karate Kid Part III - 7/1/21

Kung Fu Panda - 7/1/21

Kung Fu Panda 2 - 7/1/21

Life as We Know It - 7/1/21

Love Actually - 7/1/21

Mary Magdalena - 7/1/21

Memoirs of a Geisha - 7/1/21

Midnight Run - 7/1/21

Mortal Kombat (1995) - 7/1/21

No Strings Attached - 7/1/21

Not Another Teen Movie - 7/1/21

Ophelia - 7/1/21

Sailor Moon Crystal: Seasons 1-3 - 7/1/21

She's Out of My League - 7/1/21

Spanglish - 7/1/21

Star Trek - 7/1/21

The Strangers - 7/1/21

Stuart Little - 7/1/21

Supermarket Sweep: Season 1 - 7/1/21

Sword of Trust - 7/1/21

Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby - 7/1/21

Terminator 2: Judgment Day - 7/1/21

Underworld - 7/1/21

Underworld: Awakening - 7/1/21

Underworld: Rise of the Lycans - 7/1/21

What Dreams May Come - 7/1/21

Why Do Fools Fall in Love - 7/1/21

ZATHURA: A SPACE ADVENTURE - 7/1/21

The 8th Night - NETFLIX FILM - 7/2/21

Big Timber - NETFLIX SERIES - 7/2/21

Fear Street Part 1: 1994 - NETFLIX FILM - 7/2/21

Haseen Dillruba - NETFLIX FILM - 7/2/21

Mortel: Season 2 - NETFLIX SERIES - 7/2/21

Snowpiercer - 7/2/21

Grey's Anatomy: Season 17 - 7/3/21

Premiering On Netflix - Week Of July 4

We The People - NETFLIX FAMILY -7/4/21

You Are My Spring - NETFLIX SERIES -7/5/21

I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson: Season 2 - NETFLIX COMEDY SPECIAL -7/6/21

Brick Mansions -7/7/21

Cat People - NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY -7/7/21

Dogs: Season 2 - NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY -7/7/21

The Mire: '97 - NETFLIX SERIES -7/7/21

The War Next-door - NETFLIX SERIES -7/7/21

Major Grom: Plague Doctor - NETFLIX FILM -7/7/21

This Little Love of Mine -7/7/21

Elize Matsunaga: Once Upon a Crime - NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY -7/8/21

Home Again -7/8/21

Midnight Sun -7/8/21

RESIDENT EVIL: Infinite Darkness - NETFLIX ANIME -7/8/21

Atypical: Season 4 - NETFLIX SERIES -7/9/21

Biohackers: Season 2 - NETFLIX SERIES -7/9/21

The Cook of Castamar - NETFLIX SERIES -7/9/21

Fear Street Part 2: 1978 - NETFLIX FILM -7/9/21

How I Became a Superhero - NETFLIX FILM -7/9/21

Last Summer - NETFLIX FILM -7/9/21

Lee Su-geun: The Sense Coach - NETFLIX COMEDY SPECIAL -7/9/21

Virgin River: Season 3 - NETFLIX SERIES -7/9/21

American Ultra - 7/10/21

Premiering On Netflix - Week Of July 11

Ridley Jones - NETFLIX FAMILY - 7/13/21

A Classic Horror Story - NETFLIX FILM - 7/14/21

The Guide to the Perfect Family - NETFLIX FILM - 7/14/21

Gunpowder Milkshake - NETFLIX FILM - 7/14/21

Heist - NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY - 7/14/21

My Unorthodox Life - NETFLIX SERIES - 7/14/21

Private Network: Who Killed Manuel Buendía? - NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY - 7/14/21

A Perfect Fit - NETFLIX FILM - 7/15/21

BEASTARS: Season 2 - NETFLIX ANIME - 7/15/21

Emicida: AmarElo - Live in São Paulo - NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY - 7/15/21

My Amanda - NETFLIX FILM - 7/15/21

Never Have I Ever: Season 2 - NETFLIX SERIES - 7/15/21

The Beguiled - 7/16/21

Deep - NETFLIX FILM - 7/16/21

Explained: Season 3 - NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY (NEW EPISODES WEEKLY) - 7/16/21

Fear Street Part 3: 1666 - NETFLIX FILM - 7/16/21

Johnny Test - NETFLIX FAMILY - 7/16/21

Twilight - 7/16/21

The Twilight Saga: New Moon - 7/16/21

The Twilight Saga: Eclipse - 7/16/21

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn: Part 1 - 7/16/21

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn: Part 2 - 7/16/21

Cosmic Sin - 7/17/21

Premiering On Netflix - Week Of July 18

Milkwater - 7/20/21

Chernobyl 1986 - NETFLIX FILM - 7/21/21

The Movies That Made Us: Season 2 - NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY - 7/21/21

One on One with Kirk Cameron: Season 1 - 7/21/21

Sexy Beasts - NETFLIX SERIES - 7/21/21

Too Hot to Handle: Brazil - NETFLIX SERIES - 7/21/21

Trollhunters: Rise of the Titans - NETFLIX FAMILY - 7/21/21

Still Working 9 to 5 - 7/22/21

Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop - NETFLIX ANIME - 7/22/21

A Second Chance: Rivals! - NETFLIX FAMILY - 7/23/21

Bankrolled - NETFLIX FILM - 7/23/21

Blood Red Sky - NETFLIX FILM - 7/23/21

Kingdom: Ashin of the North - NETFLIX FILM - 7/23/21

The Last Letter From Your Lover - NETFLIX FILM - 7/23/21

Masters of the Universe: Revelation - NETFLIX SERIES - 7/23/21

Sky Rojo: Season 2 - NETFLIX SERIES - 7/23/21

Charmed: Season 3 - 7/24/21

Django Unchained - 7/24/21

Premiering On Netflix - Week Of July 25

The Walking Dead: Season 10 - 7/25/21

Wynonna Earp: Season 4 - 7/25/21

All American: Season 3 - 7/27/21

Mighty Express: Season 4 - NETFLIX FAMILY - 7/27/21

The Operative - 7/27/21

Bartkowiak - NETFLIX FILM - 7/28/21

Fantastic Fungi - 7/28/21

The Flash: Season 7 - 7/28/21

The Snitch Cartel: Origins - NETFLIX SERIES - 7/28/21

Tattoo Redo - NETFLIX SERIES - 7/28/21

Too Hot to Handle: Brazil - NETFLIX SERIES (NEW EPISODES) - 7/28/21

Resort to Love - NETFLIX FILM - 7/29/21

Transformers: War for Cybertron: Kingdom - NETFLIX ANIME - 7/29/21

Centaurworld - NETFLIX FAMILY - 7/30/21

Glow Up: Season 3 - NETFLIX SERIES - 7/30/21

The Last Mercenary - NETFLIX FILM - 7/30/21

Myth & Mogul: John DeLorean - NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY - 7/30/21

Outer Banks: Season 2 - NETFLIX SERIES - 7/30/21

The Vault - 7/31/21

Premiering On Netflix - July TBD

Cheech & Chong's Still Smokin

Feels Like Ishq - NETFLIX SERIES

How to Sell Drugs Online (Fast): Season 3 - NETFLIX SERIES

Netflix’s Movie Highlights For July 2021

The wait is finally over, friends! Netflix’s Fear Street Trilogy is finally going to be unleashed upon the public, over three consecutive weeks. Based on R.L. Stine’s classic literary franchise, the towns of Shadyside and Sunnyvale find themselves at the center of an insidious evil that’s definitely not PG-rated. So you may want to watch these terrifying films before showing them to your children.

You could say the same about our next Netflix original film, except when it comes to Karen Gillan and her Gunpowder Milkshake ensemble, that R-rating is for action packed brutality. While there’s no curses here, there is Lena Headey, Carla Gugino, Angela Bassett, and Michelle Yeoh packing so much firepower, their enemies may as well be milkshakes. It’s gonna get real pulpy, real fast and the results look quite exciting.

Some months, the Netflix originals are more exciting than some of the classics heading to the subscription streamer. July of 2021 will not be one of those months. In fact, tons of franchise films will be hitting the streaming, including the whole of the Austin Powers and Twilight Saga, as well as the aforementioned The Karate Kid. Overall, there's a lot to look forward to on the movie front.

Netflix’s TV Highlights For July 2021

Speaking of waits that have felt like an eternity, Netflix’s breakout comedy I Think You Should Leave finally returns for Season 2! With Tim Robinson and his usual gang of comedic performers bringing their unique brand of humor back to the streaming world, there’s no telling what memes will result from this round. And should Bart Harley Jarvis rear his dastardly head, you know what to shout. Virgin River and Outer Banks will also be back, so if you are a fan, be sure to get those dates onto your calendar.

Circling back to the world of horror, we’ve still got a couple months until Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City makes its way to theaters. But that shouldn’t stop you from digging into the further adventures of Leon Kennedy and Claire Redfield’s battle against the undead. As the Netflix original series Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness debuts in its first season in July, creatures season is opening a little earlier than expected; so you’d better be prepared.

If you’re a Netflix subscriber, July 2021 is quite a frightening place to be. Of course, what’s even scarier is looking for a title you’re excited to watch, and not finding it. So be sure to check this schedule often, as all titles are subject to change and availability. We’ll see you again around this time next month, when August 2021’s Netflix lineup will be revealed like a dark and terrible secret. Good luck keeping the lights on until we meet again.

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For what it is worth, HBO Max has one of the biggest and most versatile collection of movies on any streaming service out there, with literally thousands of movies ranging all genres, languages, and time periods. Where else can you watch Wonder Woman 1984 and then immediately jump into something like City of God or Modern Times? But deciding on what to watch (I mean after you jump into the latest addition to the DCEU) is no easy task and it isn’t hard to find yourself lost in the library of cinema’s greatest achievements. That’s where we come in.

Whether you are a new subscriber who jumped on the HBO Max train ahead of all the Warner Bros. releases, someone who has been with the service since day one, or someone who is finally able to access everything after the Roku deal was worked out, here are a couple dozen movies to enjoy on the streaming service. From superhero epics to romantic comedies, here are some of the best movies on HBO Max.

Wonder Woman 1984 (2020) And Other DCEU Movies, Including Justice League (2013)

If you are a fan of the DCEU and DC Comics superheroes like Wonder Woman, Superman, Batman, and the rest of the Justice League, there is no better place to turn to that HBO Max. With everything from Man of Steel to Wonder Woman 1984 streaming right now, you can see where the shared universe has come from and where it’s going moving forward.

Wonder Woman 1984 will be available to stream on HBO Max starting 12:00 p.m. EST on December 25 (Christmas Day) and will remain available to stream on HBO Max for 31 days from its theatrical release. Stream Wonder Woman 1984 here.

Stream Justice League, and Man of Steel, and others on HBO Max.

The Batman Movies (1989 - 1997)

The four Batman movies directed by Tim Burton and later on by Joel Schumacher are a mixed bag when it comes to quality, but each has a certain quality that make them classics in their own way. From the dark and art deco Gotham city in 1989’s Batman to the pun-infested madness of Batman & Robin, there’s a lot to enjoy here.

Stream Batman, Batman Returns, Batman Forever, and Batman & Robin on HBO Max.

The Wizard Of Oz (1939)

There are few movies that withstand the test of time and continue to fill audiences with as much wonder as The Wizard of Oz. Chances are you’ve already seen Dorothy (Judy Garland) being transported from black-and-white Kansas to the technicolor dreamland that is Oz, but have you taken a trip down the yellow brick road in glorious HD?

Stream it on HBO Max here.

The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

Tim Robbins' take on the wrongfully convicted Andy Dufresne and and the poetic narration from Morgan Freeman’s Ellis “Red” Redding make Frank Darabont’s classic The Shawshank Redemption one of the best Stephen King adaptations and movies of the past 30 years. It’s true that the movie has played on TNT more than probably any other movie, but now you can watch the lanky Dufresne spend his time planning his escape without sitting through all those commercials.

Stream it on HBO Max here.

The Die Hard Movies (1988 - 1995)

It is not Christmas until Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman) falls from Nakatomi Plaza, so why not start a Christmastime marathon with the first three Die Hard movies? From 1988’s original holiday spectacle involving a cold and hardened New York cop in sunny Los Angeles to 1995’s Die Hard With a Vengeance there’s plenty to enjoy with this trilogy of John McClane (Bruce Willis) adventures this holiday season.

Stream Die Hard, Die Hard 2, and Die Hard With a Vengeance on HBO Max.

Dirty Dancing (1987)

In the 1987 romantic drama Dirty Dancing, Frances “Baby” Houseman (Jennifer Grey) goes from the timid black sheep of her high society family to a strong and self-assured woman after meeting and falling for dance instructor Johnny Castle (Patrick Swayze) in one of the most timeless and watchable dance movies out there.

Stream it on HBO Max here.

Chasing Amy And Clerks (1994 - 1997)

Following the success of Clerks and Mallrats, which saw Kevin Smith lightly dabble in the world of romantic comedies, the filmmaker went all out with 1997’s Chasing Amy. More of a drama than anything else from Smith’s filmography, the movie follows Holden McNail (Ben Affleck) as the hopeless romantic comic book artist tries to win over fellow artist Alyssa Jones (Joey Lauren Adams), who, unbeknownst to him, is not really looking for the same thing.

Stream Chasing Amy and Clerks on HBO Max.

The Way Back (2020)

Another great Ben Affleck movie streaming on HBO Max is the 2002 sports drama The Way Back, which centers on former basketball hotshot Jack Cunningham (Affleck) as he struggles with his own personal demons while also trying to resurrect his former high school’s basketball program. This isn’t your typical sports movie and HITS hard, especially when discovering just what sent Jack’s life over the edge.

Stream it on HBO Max here.

When Harry Met Sally (1989), Crazy Rich Asians (2018) And Other Romantic Comedies

There are some truly amazing romantic comedies on HBO Max with something for people of all generations. With timeless classics like Rob Reiner’s When Harry Met Sally, the Nia Vardalos-penned indie smash hit My Big Fat Greek Wedding, and more recent phenomenons like Jon Chu’s Crazy Rich Asians there is plenty to choose from if you’re looking for a great date night movie, something to watch with friends, or just a way to forget about life for a bit.

Stream When Harry Met Sally, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, and Crazy Rich Asians on HBO Max.

The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy (2001 - 2003)

Over the course of three consecutive holiday seasons, Peter Jackson’s adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings trilogy reigned supreme at the box office, bringing millions of families to the theaters to take part in this landmark achievement in storytelling and special effects. From the beginning of Frodo’s (Elijah Wood) journey to destroy the ring to Aragorn’s (Viggo Mortensen) rise from outcast to king, now’s the perfect time to begin the unexpected journey once more.

Stream The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King on HBO Max.

Cast Away (2000)

It may be hard to believe, but Robert Zemeckis’ epic survival drama Cast Away was released 20 years ago this month. Starring Tom Hanks as FedEx systems analyst Chuck Noland, the movie centers on a man’s transformation from a time-obsessed executive with everything he ever wanted to someone with nothing but the will to live. And even though it gets a little long in the final act, Cast Away is an achievement in storytelling, acting, and filmmaking that should be revisited.

Stream it on HBO Max here.

You’ve Got Mail (1998) And Joe Vs. The Volcano (1990)

No on is saying You’ve Got Mail is the best romantic comedy and no one is saying that the 1998 remake of a remake is even the best movie starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan, but there’s a certain quality to this oddly aged movie that makes it something you can’t help but watch on a cold winter’s night. Maybe its the early days of the internet, the idea of a big box store killing off a mom-and-pop bookstore, and everything else about this movie that makes it more like a time capsule to a more simple and less technologically advanced era. And if that isn’t your cup of tea, there’s always the tried and true Meg Ryan/Tom Hanks classic that is Joe vs. The Volcano from a time when Hanks had some really out there roles.

Stream You’ve Got Mail and Joe vs. The Volcano on HBO Max.

The Matrix Trilogy (1999 - 2003)

We still have a little less than a year until we get to see what Neo (Keanu Reeves) has been up to in The Matrix 4, but why not start your homework early watch the Wachowski’s definitive sci-fi action flick The Matrix and see how the siblings redefined the action genre with that layered story, eye-catching special effects, and mind-boggling plot devices. And while the two sequels aren't viewed as favorably as the 1999 original, they each have their own moments.

Stream The Matrix, The Matrix Reloaded, and The Matrix Revolutions on HBO Max.

Enemy Of The State (1998) And Wild Wild West (1999)

One of the biggest head-scratchers in the history of movies will always be Will Smith’s decision to turn down The Matrix for Wild Wild West, but the 1999 steampunk western is a bonkers sideshow that has become a beast of its own in the 22 years since its release. With a cast that also includes Kevin Kline, Selma Hayek and Kenneth Branagh, you can see what drew the Fresh Prince to the spider-infested adventure. At least the year before we got Enemy of the State, which remains one of Smith’s best performances and best movies involving a cat as a central character.

Stream Enemy of the State and Wild Wild West on HBO Max.

Casablanca, Citizen Kane And Other TCM Movies

For film buffs who don’t have the money to get the Criterion Channel, HBO Max has more than enough classic movies from Hollywood’s various eras and from around the world. With classics like Casablanca, Citizen Kane, Cool Hand Luke, and An American In Paris, the Turner Classic Movie section on the streamer is a beast of its own and will afford you the opportunity to revisit your favorites from yesteryear or finally watch those movies you’ve always been too afraid to admit you’ve never seen.

Stream Turner Classic Movies on HBO Max here.

Bessie (2015)

The Primetime Emmy Award-winning HBO biopic Bessie features one of the best performances from Queen Latifah’s career as she takes on the life and career of blues singer Bessie Smith. With an amazing story and cast that also includes Michael K. Williams, Khandi Alexander, Mike Epps, and Tory Kittles, there are plenty of reasons why this one of the most watched HBO original movies of all time.

Stream it on HBO Max here.

Happy Gilmore (1996) And Billy Madison (1995)

No one is saying that Billy Madison and Happy Gilmore are the best movies or best comedies of all time, but there are few movies from the ‘90s that are more quotable and enjoyable as Adam Sandler’s back-to-back side-splitters. Whether it’s Sandler’s take on the spoiled son of a hotel magnate or failed hockey player coming up with ways to save his grandma’s house, this pair of movies are just as enjoyable now as they were upon release.

Stream Happy Gilmore and Billy Madison on HBO Max.

The Crow Movies (1994 - 2006)

The Crow will probably always been remembered for being the movie where star Brandon Lee was killed, but this quintessential 1994 action thriller about a rock star coming back from the grave to exact revenge on those who killed him and his wife should also be remembered for its dark tone and gripping story.

Stream The Crow, The Crow: City of Angels, and The Crow: Wicked PowerOn HBO Max.

The Friday Trilogy (1995 - 2002)

Ice Cube was already a star by the time he co-wrote and starred in 1995’s Friday, but the rapper-turned-actor a bonafide megastar with the release of the stoner comedy and its two subsequent sequels Next Friday and Friday After Next. With the story of Craig Jones (Ice Cube) getting fired and spending an entire day doing a whole lot of nothing until standing up to neighborhood bully Deebo (RIP Tiny Lister Jr.) and insane cast, there are plenty of reasons this movie remains just as beloved 25 years later.

Stream Friday, Next Friday, and Friday After Next on HBO Max.

Richard Jewell (2019)

Clint Eastwood’s 2019 drama Richard Jewell tells the story of the security guard (Paul Walter Hauser) falsely accused of planting the bomb that killed one and injured more than 100 others at the 1996 Olympic Games.

Stream it on HBO Max here.

Risky Business (1983) And Other Tom Cruise Movies

Time and time again, Tom Cruise proves why he became and remained one of the brightest stars in Hollywood. And while not every single one of Cruise’s films can be streamed on HBO Max, you can watch the career-making performance as a high school student trying to save his butt in Risky Business and several other great additions to his filmography on the streamer.

Stream Risky Business, Magnolia, The Last Samurai on HBO Max.

The Lethal Weapon Movies (1987 - 1998)

There are buddy cop movies and then there is Lethal Weapon, which features one of the best pairings of a straight-laced detective in Danny Glover’s Roger Murtaugh and wild-eyed man-on-the-edge in Mel Gibson’s Martin Riggs. Over the course of four Lethal Weapon movies, the unlikely duo bring justice back to the streets and become responsible for millions in property damage.

Stream Lethal Weapon, Lethal Weapon 2, Lethal Weapon 3, and Lethal Weapon 4 on HBO Max.

The Austin Powers Movies (1997 - 2002)

The first Austin Powers movie will forever be one of quintessential comedies of the ‘90s and serve as one of the crowning achievements of Mike Myers’ legendary career. See the British secret agent and his terrible teeth find himself as a man out of time in International Man of Mystery and its two sequels.

Stream Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery, Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, Austin Powers in Goldmember on HBO Max.

Those are just a couple dozen of the great movies you can watch on HBO Max right now. Which one do you plan on watching over the winter break? Sound off in the comments below.

Comedy, as history has taught us, is “tragedy plus time,” but that particular door works both ways. Sometimes, what was once a joke turns into something that plays more seriously when the memory of that gag starts to fade. We’re not saying that Mike Myers’ classic espionage parody Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery has faded from collective memory, but considering a comedian recently read a scene of Dr. Evil dialogue as a dramatic monologue, it does indicate we’re all in for a refresher.

Check the hilarious results out below:

You can thank comedian Lisa Gilroy for this moment of beautiful madness, shared through her own Twitter page, as she read a portion of the group therapy scene from the first Austin Powers movie as part of an exercise in her drama class. Taking some, but not all of the most outrageous claims from Dr. Evil’s tragic backstory, Gilroy delivers the lines into her camera with professional deadpan energy. Even better, the whole thing is infused with true Academy Award-baiting inflection and facial acting that rides that fine line between the silliness of the words and the drama of the moment.

Even if you’re a superfan of the Austin Powers saga, and recognize those words as originating from Mike Myers’ eccentric baddie, Lisa Gilroy’s delivery absolutely sells this classic scene as a moment of pain and anguish. Which is only further highlighted when watching the original scene from Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery. That clip is provided below, and take note, that's the great Carrie Fisher playing the group therapist.

Just as Lisa Gilroy recited Dr. Evil’s childhood with pathos and pain, Mike Myers’ original delivery of that moment pushes how far that gag can go without crossing over into being knowingly funny. It works both as a serious moment and a fall-down funny punchline, which serves as a testament to how well that particular script holds up and how honed Ms. Gilroy’s comedy chops truly are. While Austin Powers 4 may seem like a nearly impossible prospect (depending on who you ask, of course) it might be a good idea for Myers and Gilroy to team up on a project together, as this viral video could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

Back in the realm of the here and now, should you want to watch Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery, and/or either of its sequels, you can load up the old HBO Max account and stream those films at your leisure. Or, if you’re curious what comedies await in the future, the 2020 release schedule will help narrow that window down. It may not be summer in Rangoon, but it's at least a good way to pass the time.

This weekend, HBO Max subscribers are getting two Seth Rogens for the price of one. In the new film An American Pickle, the comedy star takes on the classic actor challenge of a dual role – playing both a time-displaced 1920s Eastern European immigrant and his great-great grandson – and the results are phenomenal, with Rogen delivering some of the funniest work of his career. It’s so excellent that once you are done you may find yourself hungry to watch even more dual-role performances, and if you end up feeling that way, we have some recommendations for you.

The tradition of dual role comedies goes back decades and decades, with some of the results being legitimate all-time classics, and being excited after watching An American Pickle we figured that we would take the opportunity to highlight a number of them. From Nicolas Cage to Eddie Murphy to Peter Sellers, here are 14 great titles to check out:

Adaptation.

Only Charlie Kaufman could get away with adapting an award winning book by making a movie about his attempt to adapt said award winning book… and give himself a twin brother who doesn’t exist for good measure. Spike Jonze’s Adaptation. is an ingenious example of the way his unique mind works, and it gives Nicolas Cage the material to deliver one of the best performances of his career as the endlessly neurotic Charlie and the far too easy-going Donald.

The Great Dictator

This list wouldn’t be legitimate if it didn’t include Charlie Chaplin’s The Great Dictator, which is a remarkable classic for many reasons, with one of them being the writer/director/producer’s dual performance as both a poor Jewish barber and Adenoid Hynkel – what was considered at the time of the movie’s release in 1940 to be a radical parody of Adolf Hitler.

Dave

Ivan Reitman’s Dave features one of the all-time great supporting casts, featuring so many impressive names that we don’t have space to list them all here, but Kevin Kline rules all in the roles of President Bill Mitchell and president impersonator Dave Kovic, who winds up sitting in the big man’s chair in the creation of a White House conspiracy. It’s a nice feel-good comedy that makes for a pleasant watch in the current moment. And once you’re done, you can also check out Robert Young Fred Schepisi's Fierce Creatures, which features another excellent dual-role performance by Kline.

History Of The World Part I

Like other actors on this list, Mel Brooks is a guy who has done multiple movies with dual roles, including Spaceballs and Blazing Saddles, but we opted to highlight History Of The World Part I specifically because of the Prince And The Pauper-esque story set during the French Revolution. It’s Brooks at the height of his powers, and also gives us one of the all-time quotable lines: “It’s good to be the king.”

Back To The Future Part II

The original Back To The Future doesn’t quite qualify for this list given that multiple actors are simply playing their same characters at different ages, but the fact that Robert Zemeckis’ Back To The Future Part II brings look-alike relatives into the mix for both the McFly family and Biff Tannen makes it totally fair game. Michael J. Fox and Thomas F. Wilson both do some pretty broad work to differentiate their roles as Marty McFly Jr., Marlene McFly, and Griff Tannen (you gotta love that ultra-squeaky voice that Junior sports), but they get big laughs.

The Parent Trap

Yeah, yeah. Boo-hiss. I’m a millennial who is choosing the original Haley Mills-starring The Parent Trap over the Lindsay Lohan version. Sue me. If you grew up exclusively on the remake, you should really check out director David Swift’s original, as it has a wholly different charm coming out of the early 1960s, and is arguably even sweeter and funnier.

Kind Hearts And Coronets

Some performers mentioned on this list play two characters in a single movie, and a couple play three, but absolutely nobody comes even close to touching the high water mark set by Sir Alec Guinness in Robert Hamer's Kind Hearts And Coronets. The black comedy from 1949 features the actor best known as Obi-Wan Kenobi in a grand total of nine different roles – each of them set up as victims of a man out for revenge against the family that disowned his mother. Guinness plays each of the parts with their own specificity, and he’s the great standout of the film.

Bowfinger

We came super close to including Tom Shadyac’s The Nutty Professor as Eddie Murphy’s entry in this feature, but ultimately decided to give the edge to Frank Oz’s Bowfinger because 1) the dual roles make for a key part of the story, and 2) it’s the better overall film. Though it wound up being Murphy’s last great comedy for a long time (basically until My Name Is Dolemite came around), it’s legitimately one of his best he’s made, delivering two great performances as the paranoid superstar Kit Ramsey and his insanely nerdy and fragile brother Jiff.

Cat Ballou

Lee Marvin is truly one of the all-time great “tough guy” actors, but the man most definitely had range, and there’s quite possibly no clearer evidence than what’s found in Elliot Silverstein’s western comedy Cat Ballou co-starring Jane Fonda. Marvin gets to do his practiced “tough guy” act as the villainous Tim Strawn, but his Kid Shelleen is a drunken buffoon who can’t shoot straight unless he’s blind drunk. It’s disarming fun, and even has a funny little twist arrive at the end.

Austin Powers: International Man Of Mystery

Put at the center of his own superspy comedy, Mike Myers couldn’t help but play both hero and villain, and the resulting performances are simply iconic. Both Austin Powers and Dr. Evil are two of the most quoted characters of all time, and it’s damn impressive the way that Myers disappears into both roles and provides them each with a totally different comedic energy. You can also check out So I Married An Axe Murderer and the Austin Powers sequels for more multi-Mike Myers action, but it doesn’t get better than the original Austin Powers: International Man Of Mystery

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Mars Attacks!

In Mars Attacks!, Tim Burton goes full blown weird, and perhaps the best expression of it is his usage of one of the greatest actors of all time. Jack Nicholson got the opportunity to play both the President of the United States and the ridiculous Las Vegas-centric developer Art Land after joking about wanting to play all the roles in the movie, and what ends up happening? Both wind up dying horrible, violent deaths. It’s fantastic.

Bill And Ted’s Bogus Journey

This is a case similar to Back To The Future Part II in that Bill And Ted’s Excellent Adventure doesn’t quite qualify for this list despite having Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter play a pair of sequences opposite themselves, but Bill And Ted’s Bogus Journey most definitely counts thanks to the evil robot versions of the eponymous heroes. Reeves and Winter didn’t exactly need to go to wholly new places for their performances, but it remains a fun pair of dual-role turns (and there is also the bonus of Winter also playing Granny S. Preston, and William Sadler briefly appearing as “English Father” in addition to his more prominent make-up covered character, Death).

Joe Versus The Volcano

The multiple roles played by Meg Ryan in John Patrick Shanley’s Joe Versus The Volcano is one of the odder inclusions on this list, as the movie doesn’t really offer any kind of practical reason for it (of the three parts, only two of them are sisters), but the film makes this list because Ryan puts on a wonderful show in all three roles and perfectly adds to the overall weirdness of the 1980s cult classic. I’ll even just say it: it’s the best of the Tom Hanks-Meg Ryan movies.

Doctor Strangelove Or: How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love The Bomb

Now it is time to talk about Peter Sellers, and legendary trio of performances in Stanley Kubrick’s Dr. Strangelove – playing the titular German scientist, Group Capt. Lionel Mandrake and President Merkin Muffley (fun fact: he was also supposed to play Maj. 'King' Kong but faked a broken leg to get out of it). It’s a truly remarkably piece of work as Sellers gets howling laughs in all three varied roles, and the film has a fair claim for the title as the greatest multi-role comedy ever.

Before you check out all of these awesome films, be sure to watch An American Pickle when it arrives on HBO Max this Friday, and stay tuned for more of our coverage of the film here on CinemaBlend – including stories from our interview with Seth Rogen!

Where have the days of a good, goofy comedies gone? The prime of cartoonish, affable absurdity is so far away that goof gods like Jim Carrey and Adam Sandler are better known today for drama than comedy. Thankfully, the more definitive laugh riots of their careers, and similarly goofy films, can be streamed now on Netflix.

From familiar classics of yesteryear to recent originals under the Netflix umbrella, such as The Wrong Missy starring David Spade and Rob Schneider, the streaming service has more than enough to satisfy the lover of lowbrow, easy-going comedy in you. The range from family friendly romps to edgier, but just as silly, adult-oriented content is stunningly versatile and satisfying to the funny bone.

Netflix subscribers with a taste for goofiness are guaranteed a binge of endless laughter, but where should they start? I have 13 films in mind to help narrow down the search.

Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994)

No actor has gone so far in life by talking through his own rear end than the man who pioneered the concept, Jim Carrey, in the role that skyrocketed him to fame in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective. The title hero’s unique connection to the animal kingdom gets him hired to find the Miami Dolphins’ kidnapped mascot, despite his rubber-faced lunacy and unorthodox sleuthing that threatens to annoy his peers and, yet, somehow keeps him one step closer to solving the case than anyone and keeps viewers of all ages thoroughly in awe and in stitches. 

Stream Ace Ventura: Pet Detective on Netflix.

Austin Powers: International Man Of Mystery (1997)

The spy thriller genre has been parodied more than enough times, but none of those films have become as iconic as this word-of-mouth hit that made “Shagadelic!” or “One million dollars!” as popular as “Shaken, not stirred” or “Bond, James Bond.” Much of Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery involves the titular British spy and his cooky enemy, Dr. Evil (both played by writer Mike Myers) struggling to adapt to the ’90s after 30 years in cryogenic sleep, as well as endless jabs of bold satire at the James Bond franchise. Yet, the film, and its two sequels which are also available on Netflix, remains timeless, thanks to its commitment to joyful absurdity. 

Stream Austin Powers: International Man Of Mystery on Netflix.

The Naked Gun: From The Files Of Police Squad! (1988)

Having covered, arguably, the crown jewel of spy parodies, why not pay tribute to what is widely considered the definitive cop movie parody and, potentially, the definitive parody movie, period? While you could also make a case for Airplane!, the creators of that classic are the same masterminds behind The Naked Gun, in which the late, great, straight-faced Leslie Nielsen reprises his role of Lt. Frank Drebin, from cult crime spoof series Police Squad!, who must overcome an endless amount of cartoonish sight gags to prevent the assassination of Queen Elizabeth II. Once you have finished that, check out the follow-up, The Naked Gun 2-1/2: The Smell of Fear, which is also on Netflix. 

Stream The Naked Gun: From The Files Of Police Squad! on Netflix.

Cheech And Chong’s Up In Smoke (1978)

Whether it is 420 or the 15th of October, there is never a bad time to enjoy the first film from the iconic stoner comedy duo. Cheech and Chong’s Up In Smoke stars Cheech Marin as Pedro and Tommy Chong as “Man,” who meet by chance on a California highway, bond over their mutual admiration of “medicinal substances,” and, through a series of outrageous and unusual circumstances, become unwittingly on the run from a luckless police sergeant (Stacy Keach) while trying to make it to their first gig as a punk band. 

Stream Cheech And Chong’s Up In Smoke on Netflix.

Groundhog Day (1993)

Another beloved comedy masterpiece that does not require the holiday it is associated with to view is Groundhog Day, primarily because we have all gone through periods in our lives, at various times of the year, in which we feel like we are living the same day over and over again. Such is the case for cynical weather reporter Phil Connors (Bill Murray), who finds himself in an inescapable time loop on the second of February that may end up being the secret to curing his existential dread. 

Stream Groundhog Day on Netflix.

Click (2006)

Before playing an in-over-his-head family man who goes to dangerously over-the top lengths to achieve prosperity in Uncut Gems, Adam Sandler played a character with a somewhat similar goal and a far different way of achieving it, but one proves to be just as dangerous in Click. Stressed-out architect Michael Newman, who is given a universal remote that actually controls the universe, but has a few flaws in the engineering that begin to take control away from him in this Academy Award-nominee (seriously, it was nominated for makeup), also starring Kate Beckinsale and Christopher Walken, that proves to be one of the more surprisingly mature and heartfelt comedies of Sandler’s career. 

Stream Click on Netflix.

Goon (2011)

Seann William Scott plays one of his more likable characters (no challenging feat after rising to fame as Stifler in American Pie) in this cult sports comedy (with a sequel also available on Netflix) that is dripping with Canadian Pride. Co-penned by Jay Baruchel and Evan Goldberg (Seth Rogen’s frequent behind-the-scenes partner in crime) from the memoir by Adam Frattasio and Douglas Smith, Goon follows Doug Glatt (Scott), a luckless, middle-aged bouncer and outcast of his family who finally finds his calling as the star-player of a semi-pro hockey team, primarily due to his amateur fighting skills that tend to come in handy on the rink. 

Stream Goon on Netflix.

Hot Rod (2007)

In yet another example of a friendly, underachieving outcast who tends to get hurt a lot, Andy Samberg stars in his first lead role in a feature film as Rod Kimble, a young man with big dreams of being the next Evel Knievel. The plot of Hot Rod, which has gained a modest cult following for its niche, bizarre sense of humor after initially tanking at the box office, sees this aspiring stuntman taking on his biggest feat yet: jumping over 15 buses with his motorcycle in an effort to raise money for to save his stepfather (Ian McShane) so that once he recovers, Rod can kick his ass. 

Stream Hot Rod on Netflix.

Kung Fu Hustle (2004)

Stephen Chow has gained a huge following in his native land of Hong Kong, and an impressive one in the States nonetheless, for his combination of highly-stylized martial arts with slapstick that has earned him much comparison to Jackie Chan. He brought this unique mix to its most acclaimed status as the writer, director, and star of Kung Fu Hustle, about kung-fu masters disguised as slum landlords taking on ruthless gangsters in 1940s Shanghai that Roger Ebert called “Jackie Chan and Buster Keaton meet Quentin Tarantino and Bugs Bunny." 

Stream Kung Fu Hustle on Netflix.

The Money Pit (1986)

If not for his numerous appearances on Saturday Night Live, it would be easy for modern audiences to forget what an exceptional comedic talent Tom Hanks is, especially when he is best known for deeply dramatic roles in Forrest Gump or Saving Private Ryan, the latter of which was helmed by Steven Spielberg. One of the two-time Oscar-winner’s earliest collaborations with the director was actually The Money Pit, a romantic comedy executive produced by Spielberg in which a financially strapped couple (Hanks and Shelley Long) settle on a fixer-upper as their new home, but discover it is more of a nightmare to fix-up than they anticipated. 

Stream The Money Pit on Netflix.

Monty Python And The Holy Grail (1975)

One could argue that absurdity does not work like it used to today (unless you go dark like Yorgos Lanthimos) because, in the late 1960s and early 1970s, Monty Python pushed the irreverent style farther than anyone had before and none have been able to reach the same level, to the same effect, since. Fortunately, that may be essential to why Monty Python and the Holy Grail, the groundbreaking comedy troupe’s rewrite of Arthurian literature complete with bloodthirsty rabbits and the sound of knocking coconuts substituting actual horse riding, is still a must-see passed down from generation to generation. 

Stream Monty Python And The Holy Grail on Netflix.

The Other Guys (2010)

In the vein of cop movie send-ups like The Naked Gun, but far less bizarrely loony, The Other Guys sees Mark Wahlberg in one his first diversions from playing the serious “tough guy,” despite fitting that role quite well when compared to co-star Will Ferrell. The mismatched duo finally get a chance to rise to the ranks when they succeed a high-profile case from the famous cops they idolize (Samuel L. Jackson and Dwayne Johnson) in one of director Adam McKay’s last films of a looser, lighter tone before moving onto highbrow, politically charged satire. 

Stream The Other Guys on Netflix.

Yes Man (2008)

In 1997, Jim Carrey played a man who is unable to tell a lie in Liar Liar and, more than a decade later, he played a man who is forced into saying “Yes” to every opportunity that comes his way, ultimately changing and improving his life… for the most part. From Ant-Man director Peyton Reed and inspired by a true story, Yes Man sees Carrey return to the high-energy goofiness that seemed to grow few and far between throughout the 2000s, but in a story that is relatively more grounded and contains a positive message of acceptance and honesty that might leave you feeling inspired. 

Stream Yes Man on Netflix.

So, what do you think? Is this the ultimate binge for fans of goofy comedies, or do you find it goofy I would refer to these films as comedies? Let us know in the comments and be sure to check back for more hilarious streaming recommendations here on CinemaBlend.

If you, like me, are someone who misses the ridiculous ridicule and cartoonish commentary on cliche that come with parody movies (or spoof movies), I bet you will be happy to learn there is another Scary Movie sequel in the works right now. As we wait for Hollywood’s latest send-up of the best horror movies in recent memory, I have compiled a list of the greatest parody movies – along with a tip on how to watch them – that should keep you laughing for a while.

The Hot Shots! Movies (1991, 1993)

Director: Jim Abrahams

Starring: Charlie Sheen, Valeria Golino

What they are about: A skilled, but emotionally unstable fighter pilot is tasked with getting rid of nuclear weapons, and later enlisted to lead a rescue mission in Iraq.

Why they are some of the best parody movies: Hot Shots! basically takes the plot of Top Gun and adds an incessant run of ridiculous sight gags and Hot Shots! Part Deux targets Rambo: First Blood Part II (and many other classic action movies) with the same method.

How to watch the Hot Shots! movies

Not Another Teen Movie (2001)

Director: Joel Gallen

Starring: Chyler Leigh, Chris Evans

What it's about: The ridiculous coming-of-age misadventures of a group of high school students from various rungs on the social ladder.

Why it is one of the best parody movies: None of the best high school movies of all time are safe from uproarious send-ups in the deeply underrated Not Another Teen Movie, which stars Chris Evans in one of his earliest roles.

How to watch Not Another Teen Movie

• Rent or buy Not Another Teen Movie on Amazon
• Buy Not Another Teen Movie on Blu-ray on Amazon

Robin Hood: Men In Tights (1993)

Director: Mel Brooks

Starring: Cary Elwes, Richard Lewis

What it's about: To save England from a corrupt king, a talented archer and clever thief puts together a band of “merry men” for help.

Why it is one of the best parody movies: A ‘90s movie that does not quite get enough love is Robin Hood: Men in Tights – a classic Mel Brooks parody that takes aim at a beloved legend.

How to watch Robin Hood: Men in Tights

• Rent or buy Robin Hood: Men in Tights on Amazon
• Buy Robin Hood: Men in Tights on Blu-ray on Amazon

MacGruber (2010)

Director: Jorma Taccone

Starring: Will Forte, Kristen Wiig, Ryan Phillippe, Val Kilmer

What it's about: A bumbling special forces agent, his former partner, and a young lieutenant race to stop a notorious terrorist from unleashing a dangerous nuclear warhead.

Why it is one of the best parody movies: One of the most beloved movies based on SNL characters is MacGruber, which thankfully extends beyond the rigid conceit of the original recurring sketch in favor of poking fun at action movies.

How to watch MacGruber

• Rent or buy MacGruber on Amazon
• Buy MacGruber on Blu-ray on Amazon

Top Secret! (1984)

Director: Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, Jerry Zucker

Starring: Val Kilmer, Lucy Gutteridge

What it's about: A rock star becomes involved in a dangerous mission to rescue a scientist held captive in Germany.

Why it is one of the best parody movies: For their first major follow-up to Airplane! (more on that later) together, Jim Abrahams and David and Jerry Zucker took aim at classic spy movies with Top Secret!

How to watch Top Secret!

• Stream Top Secret! on Pluto TV
• Rent or buy Top Secret! on Amazon
• Buy Top Secret! on Blu-ray on Amazon

I’m Gonna Git You Sucka (1988)

Director: Keenan Ivory Wayans

Starring: Keenan Ivory Wayans, Bernie Casey

What it's about: A soldier wages war on a powerful criminal who caused the death of his brother.

Why it is one of the best parody movies: An ‘80s movie that deserves more attention today is I’m Gonna Git You Sucka – a send-up of the Blaxploitation genre and one of the more underrated parodies from Keenan Ivory Wayans.

How to watch I'm Gonna Git You Sucka

• Stream I’m Gonna Git You Sucka on Amazon Prime
• Stream I’m Gonna Git You Sucka on Tubi
• Stream I’m Gonna Git You Sucka on Pluto TV
• Buy I’m Gonna Git You Sucka on Blu-ray on Amazon

Scary Movie (2000)

Director: Keenan Ivory Wayans

Starring: Anna Faris, Regina Hall, Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans

What it's about: Ditzy teen Cindy Prescott and her buffoonish friends are stalked by a masked murderer.

Why it is one of the best parody movies: Easily the Wayans Brothers’ most successful spoof is Scary Movie, which actually bears the original working title for Scream – the 1996 slasher genre revival (and deconstruction) from Wes Craven that also inspired most of the comedy’s story and jokes.

How to watch Scary Movie

• Rent or buy Scary Movie on Amazon
• Buy Scary Movie on Blu-ray on Amazon

Airplane! (1980)

Director: Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, Jerry Zucker

Starring: Robert Hays, Julie Hagerty, Leslie Nielsen

What it's about: A disgraced former pilot becomes the only hope to bring a commercial plane to safety when the entire flight crew falls ill.

Why it is one of the best parody movies: Jim Abrahams and the Zucker brothers became the quintessential heroes of the parody movie with the instant classic, Airplane! – a nearly shot-for-shot recreation of 1957’s Zero Hour! with increasingly cartoonish hijinks.

How to watch Airplane!

• Stream Airplane! on Tubi
• Rent or buy Airplane! on Amazon
• Buy Airplane! on Blu-ray on Amazon

Blazing Saddles (1974)

Director: Mel Brooks

Starring: Cleavon Little, Gene Wilder

What it's about: A Black man rises from slave to hero after he is made the sheriff of a small, valuable town by an evil, greedy politician.

Why it is one of the best parody movies: Arguably the best Mel Brooks movie also qualifies as one of the all-time best Western movies, because the Oscar-nominated Blazing Saddles is a remarkably bold satire that could only be a product of its time.

How to watch Blazing Saddles

• Rent or buy Blazing Saddles on Amazon
• Buy Blazing Saddles on Blu-ray on Amazon

Monty Python And The Holy Grail (1975)

Director: Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones

Starring: Graham Chapman, Eric Idle, John Cleese, Michael Palin, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones

What it's about: King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table encounter a series of ridiculous obstacles while searching for the lost cup said to have held the blood of Jesus Christ.

Why it is one of the best parody movies: Monty Python and the Holy Grail is commonly considered the British comedy troupe’s finest cinematic achievement, thanks to such bits as a far too resilient Black Knight, a homicidal rabbit, very rude Frenchmen, and a hilariously abrupt conclusion that supposedly birthed the term “cop out.”

How to watch Monty Python and Holy Grail

• Stream Monty Python and the Holy Grail on Amazon Prime
• Stream Monty Python and the Holy Grail on Tubi
• Buy Monty Python and the Holy Grail on Blu-ray on Amazon

The Naked Gun: From The Files Of Police Squad! (1988)

Director: David Zucker

Starring: Leslie Nielsen, Priscilla Presley

What it's about: The bumbling Lt. Frank Drebin is tasked with foiling an attempt to assassinate Queen Elizabeth II.

Why it is one of the best parody movies: From the creators of Airplane!, The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! is a sharp and criminally absurd cop drama parody spun off from the short-lived crime procedural spoof series, Police Squad! and featuring some of Leslie Nielsen's funniest quotes ever.

How to watch The Naked Gun: From the Files Of Police Squad!

• Stream The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! on Paramount+
• Rent or buy The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! on Amazon
• Buy The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! on Blu-ray on Amazon

Austin Powers: International Man Of Mystery (1997)

Director: Jay Roach

Starring: Mike Myers, Elizabeth Hurley

What it's about: A hip, British secret agent learns that the cliches of classic James Bond movies do not have the same effect they used to after he wakes up from a 30-year cryogenic slumber to catch his arch nemesis.

Why it is one of the best parody movies: Arguably the ultimate spy movie parody is Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery, which features some of Myers’ funniest quotes, many of which come from Dr. Evil.

How to watch Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery

• Rent Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery on Amazon
• Buy Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery on Blu-ray on Amazon

Young Frankenstein (1974)

Director: Mel Brooks

Starring: Gene Wilder, Marty Feldman, Peter Boyle, Teri Garr

What it's about: The grandson of an infamous mad scientist is initially reluctant to acknowledge his heritage until he pays a visit to his lab in Transylvania.

Why it is one of the best parody movies: Young Frankenstein (which Mel Brooks co-wrote with Gene Wilder) serves as both a sequel and a send-up of Universal's 1931 adaptation of Mary Shelley’s landmark horror novel.

How to watch Young Frankenstein

• Buy Young Frankenstein on Blu-ray on Amazon

Dude Bro Party Massacre III (2015)

Director: Tomm Jacobsen, Michael Rousselet, Jon Salmon

Starring: Alec Owen, Ben Gigli

What it's about: A young man infiltrates his slain twin brother’s popular fraternity in hopes of finding his killer: the notorious “Motherface.”

Why it is one of the best parody movies: Underrated horror-comedy movie Dude Bro Party Massacre III goes beyond spoofing the genre and recreates it convincingly by framing itself as a VHS recording of a cable access rerun of a banned ‘80s slasher, complete with cheesy gore, crappy acting, and fake commercial interludes.

How to watch Dude Bro Party Massacre III

• Stream Dude Bro Party Massacre III on Amazon Prime
• Stream Dude Bro Party Massacre III on Tubi
• Stream Dude Bro Party Massacre III on Pluto TV
• Buy Dude Bro Party Massacre III on Blu-ray on Amazon

Spaceballs (1987)

Director: Mel Brooks

Starring: Mel Brooks, John Candy, Rick Moranis, Bill Pullman, Daphne Zuniga

What it's about: An intergalactic pilot and his “half-man, half-dog” companion are hired to rescue a princess from the evil Dark Helmet.

Why it is one of the best parody movies: As you can probably tell, Spaceballs is, essentially, a reimagining of the Star Wars movies which has a sequel in the works.

How to watch Spaceballs

• Stream Spaceballs on MGM+
• Stream Spaceballs on Tubi
• Rent or buy Spaceballs on Amazon
• Buy Spaceballs on Blu-ray on Amazon

The Kentucky Fried Movie (1977)

Director: John Landis

Starring: Various

What it's about: An uproarious, raunchy, and simply out-of-control collection of fake consumer ads, faux movie trailers, and short films.

Why it is one of the best parody movies: Before Abrahams and the Zucker Brothers made Airplane!, they wrote The Kentucky Fried Movie – a hilarious anthology with no real structure or purpose, other than a shameless devotion to comedy.

How to watch The Kentucky Fried Movie

• Stream The Kentucky Fried Movie on Amazon for free
• Stream The Kentucky Fried Movie on Peacock
• Stream The Kentucky Fried Movie on Tubi
• Buy The Kentucky Fried Movie on Blu-ray on Amazon

Hollywood Shuffle (1987)

Director: Robert Townsend

Starring: Robert Townsend, Keenan Ivory Wayans

What it's about: Aspiring actor Bobby Taylor struggles to navigate the world of show business.

Why it is one of the best parody movies: Robert Townsend, who also co-writes with Keenan Ivory Wayans, famously self-financed Hollywood Shuffle, which takes aim at the movie business as a whole but really zeroes in on the kind of stereotypical film roles Black actors would often be shoehorned into in the late 1980s.

How to watch Hollywood Shuffle

• Stream Hollywood Shuffle on Amazon Prime
• Stream Hollywood Shuffle on Tubi
• Stream Hollywood Shuffle on Pluto TV

UHF (1989)

Director: Jay Levey

Starring: “Weird Al” Yankovic, Michael Richards

What it's about: A hyperactive daydreamer is appointed by his uncle to manage a dying television station.

Why it is one of the best parody movies: The world’s favorite parody musician brings his talents to the big screen by sending up the small screen in UHF, which was considered a failure upon release but has grown into a cult favorite over time.

How to watch UHF

• Stream UHF on MGM+
• Stream UHF on Tubi
• Stream UHF on Pluto TV
• Rent or buy UHF on Amazon
• Buy UHF on Blu-ray on Amazon

Don't Be A Menace To South Central While Drinking Your Juice In The Hood (1996)

Director: Paris Barclay

Starring: Shawn Wayans, Marlon Wayans

What it's about: A young man is sent to live in the inner city with his grandmother, where he gets a crash course in the culture from his loose-cannon cousin.

Why it is one of the best parody movies: If you have seen Menace II Society, South Central, Juice, or Boyz n the Hood, then you should know what you are in for with Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood – a thoroughly funny parody of ‘90s urban dramas with a brutally honest satirization of the realties those films reflect.

How to watch Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood

• Stream Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood on Amazon Prime
• Buy Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood on Blu-ray on Amazon

So, what do you think? Are these the funniest cinematic spoofs of all time, or do you assume I have been poking fun at myself this whole time?

Most people would likely agree that there are no spy movies more important or influential to popular culture than the James Bond franchise, which consist of 25 (technically 28) films from over the past several decades. Therefore, we believe the 007 movies deserve their own streaming guide and have opted to reserve this guide for other action-packed, thrilling, and even ridiculous cinematic treats the genre has offered so far. The following are our picks for the best spy movies (without James Bond) and where you can find them.

The Mission: Impossible Movies (1996-Present)

A secret agent (played by Tom Cruise) and his crew take on assignments of an unusually high-risk nature, which often require going rogue, enduring death-defying stunts, and wearing very convincing masks as a disguise.

Why they are some of the best spy movies: Inspired by a hit TV series of the same name, the Mission: Impossible movies (which consists of seven chapters with an eighth installment on the way) have become an unstoppable beast of their own by redefining how viscerally exciting and emotionally investing spy flicks can be.

Stream the Mission: Impossible movies on Paramount+.
Buy the Mission: Impossible movies (1-6) on Blu-ray on Amazon.
Buy Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Argo (2012)

During Iran’s hostage crisis in 1979, a CIA agent (played by Ben Affleck) hatches a plan to safely transport six Americans out of Tehran by having them pose as a sci-fi movie production crew.

Why it is one of the best spy movies: Affleck also directed Argo – a pulse-pounding Best Picture Oscar winner inspired by an astonishing true story.

Rent or buy Argo on Amazon.
Buy Argo on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Three Days Of The Condor (1975)

A CIA researcher (Robert Redford) is thrust into the field and left struggling to figure out who to trust when he suddenly finds his colleagues dead.

Why it is one of the best spy movies: Director Sydney Pollack’s Oscar-nominated thriller, Three Day of the Condor – adapted from James Grady’s novel, Six Days of the Condor – is a masterclass in paranoid suspense that served as an inspiration for Captain America: The Winter Soldier, according to Joe and Anthony Russo.

Stream Three Days of the Condor on Pluto TV.
Rent or buy Three Days Of The Condor on Amazon.
Buy Three Days Of The Condor on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Munich (2005)

Five men participate in a covert operation to hunt and kill those responsible for the murder of Israeli athletes at the 1972 Olympics.

Why it is one of the best spy movies: One of the more underrated movies directed by Steven Spielberg, Munich, is one of the more powerful examples of a spy thriller – not just for its fact-based origins and spine-tingling suspense, but its strong moral commentary.

Rent or buy Munich on Amazon.
Buy Munich on Blu-ray on Amazon.

The Jason Bourne Movies (2002-2016)

The adventures of an amnesia-stricken American (Academy Award winner Matt Damon) after discovering that he is a government assassin.

Why they are some of the best spy movies: Based on the novel series by Robert Ludlum, the Jason Bourne movies (including The Bourne Identity, The Bourne Supremacy, The Bourne Ultimatum, and Jason Bourne, which Damon returned for after Jeremy Renner starred in the spin-off, The Bourne Legacy) are considered a turning point for the spy genre and great action movies for their gritty, immersive realism.

Stream The Bourne Identity on Peacock.
Stream The Bourne Supremacy on Peacock.
Stream The Bourne Ultimatum on Max.
Stream The Bourne Legacy on Peacock.
Rent or buy Jason Bourne on Amazon.
Buy the Jason Bourne movies on Blu-ray on Amazon.

RED (2010)

A former black-ops agent (played by Bruce Willis) puts his old crew back together to help him figure out who is trying to kill him.

Why it is one of the best spy movies: From director Robert Schwentke, RED is a great non-superhero-related comic book movie that imagines what becomes of a spy’s life after they have decided to retire.

Stream RED on Peacock.
Rent or buy RED on Amazon.
Buy RED on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Atomic Blonde (2017)

In Cold War-era Berlin, an MI6 agent (played by Academy Award winner Charlize Theron) is assigned to go undercover and locate a list of double agents.

Why it is one of the best spy movies: Based on the 2012 graphic novel, The Coldest City, Atomic Blonde was considered the female-led answer to the John Wick movies upon release for its breathtaking fight choreography and the fact that it is made by many of the same people, including director David Leitch.

Rent or buy Atomic Blonde on Amazon.
Buy Atomic Blonde on Blu-ray on Amazon.

The Conversation (1974)

A surveillance expert (Academy Award winner Gene Hackman) begins to suffer a moral crisis when he discovers signs of a young couple’s impending assassination.

Why it is one of the best spy movies: While the 1975 Best Picture Oscar went to Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather Part II, the writer and director could have taken home the top prize for The Conversation – remembered today as one of the best movies of the 1970s for its high-wire suspense and nearly prophetic themes of privacy and paranoia.

Rent or buy The Conversation on Amazon.
Buy The Conversation on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Clear And Present Danger (1994)

The CIA’s newly appointed acting Deputy Director of Intelligence (Harrison Ford) becomes embroiled in a surreptitious war between the U.S. government and a Colombian drug cartel.

Why it is one of the best spy movies: To many fans, Ford is the best actor to play Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, and director Phillip Noyce’s adaptation of Clear and Present Danger shows more than enough evidence as to why.

Stream Clear and Present Danger on Max.
Rent or buy Clear and Present Danger on Amazon.
Buy Clear and Present Danger on Blu-ray on Amazon.

North By Northwest (1959)

An average man (Cary Grant, who was an early choice to play James Bond at one point) undergoes a heart-racing journey dodging bullets and even planes when international operatives mistake him for an American spy.

Why it is one of the best spy movies: Alfred Hitchcock was a master of suspense in all forms, and his Oscar-nominated take on espionage, North by Northwest, is especially unique for – in addition to also being a film noir movie classic – being one of the sole spy films on this list in which the protagonist is not actually secret agent, but, in this case, an advertising agent. 

Rent or buy North By Northwest on Amazon.
Buy North By Northwest on Blu-ray on Amazon.

True Lies (1994)

A secret agent (played by Arnold Schwarzenegger) sees his worst fears come true when a misunderstanding causes his work life to boil over into his family life and unintentionally ropes his unsuspecting spouse (played by Jamie Lee Curtis) into the insanity.

Why it is one of the best spy movies: If Schwarzenegger was a Brit, he could have made a pretty good Bond, as he demonstrated in one of the best James Cameron movies, True Lies – a funny, relentless burst of energy from beginning to end.

Stream True Lies on Hulu.
Buy True Lies on Amazon.
Buy True Lies on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Austin Powers: International Man Of Mystery (1997)

A swinging secret agent (played by Mike Myers) and his arch enemy, Dr. Evil (Mike Myers), both suffer a massive clash with ‘90s culture and with each other after 30 years in cryogenic slumber.

Why it is one of the best spy movies: The spy genre has been parodied numerous times, but director Jay Roach’s Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery – which Myers also wrote – may be the finest example, thanks to refreshingly ridiculous characters and surprisingly quotable jokes that helped it garner a cultural impact nearly as prevalent as the very films it ridicules.

Rent or buy Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery on Amazon.
Buy Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Spy Kids (2001)

Twelve-year-old Carmen (Alexa Vega) and 8-year-old Juni Cortez (Daryl Sabarra) must rescue their secret agent parents (Antonio Banderas and Carla Gugino) from a TV personality (Alan Cumming) who has been turning spies into bizarre creatures for his children’s program.

Why it is one of the best spy movies: From a child’s perspective, espionage is all jetpacks, sunglasses, and not an ounce of the harsh reality the job requires, which writer and director Robert Rodriguez took to heart when crafting the first of the Spy Kids movies – a delightfully fun and visually dazzling family-friendly adventure.

Stream Spy Kids on Max.
Rent or buy Spy Kids on Amazon.
Buy Spy Kids on DVD on Amazon.

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011)

A veteran spy (Academy Award winner Gary Oldman) is forced out of retirement to investigate a rogue agent's claim that a mole is hiding in plain sight among them.

Why it is one of the best spy movies: John le Carré’s 1974 novel, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, was published when Cold War-era paranoia was still highly prevalent, but director Tomas Alfredson's deliciously suspenseful, star-studded adaptation is no less intense in the way it reminds audiences that espionage is nothing like the movies.   

Rent or buy Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy on Amazon.
Buy Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Kingsman: The Secret Service (2015)

A young man (Taron Egerton) is recruited into a secret organization by a veteran (Colin Firth), who is investigating an eccentric, yet shady, tech billionaire (Samuel L. Jackson).

Why it is one of the best spy movies: A film that reflects a child’s imaginative perception of espionage as authentically as Spy Kids, but is certainly not for children’s eyes, is Matthew Vaughn’s adaptation of Mark Millar and Dave Gibbons’ comic book series, Kingsman: The Secret Service – an off-beat, action-packed, and a bit gory instant classic with a mind-blowing ending.

Rent or buy Kingsman: The Secret Service on Amazon.
Buy Kingsman: The Secret Service on Blu-ray on Amazon.

The Man From U.N.C.L.E. (2015)

Debonair American secret agent Napoleon Solo (Henry Cavill) is reluctantly partnered with gruff KGB operative Illya Kuryakin (Armie Hammer) during the Cold War.

Why it is one of the best spy movies: With sleek gadgetry, hilarious action sequences, and an unbridled sense of elegance, Guy Ritchie’s adaptation of the 1960s series, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., is an invigorating re-ignition of the Sean Connery-era with a scenery-chewing performance by Cavill that should be seen as his 007 audition tape.

Rent or buy The Man from U.N.C.L.E. on Amazon.
Buy The Man from U.N.C.L.E. on Blu-ray on Amazon.

What do you think? Are these the kind of espionage flicks you rely on to save your day, or should we have kept our eyes open for more?

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Action, intrigue, and danger are all part of the James Bond franchise, and these are important hallmarks for audiences looking to escape the current realities of the COVID-19 pandemic from the safety of their own home. However, Bond can only do so much, and depending on when you’re reading this listing, you may not have his exploits available for viewing on your favorite streaming platform.

That’s not a problem though, as there’s plenty of movies that have that 007 style, or something extremely close to it, on the streams. So if you’re looking for something to watch in preparation for, or as a rest from all the James Bond action you could ever handle, you’ve come to the right list of titles. Here are 13 assignments you should consider streaming, if you're a fan of the Bond canon of films, but would like a similarly flavored change of pace.

Mission: Impossible - Fallout (Hulu/ Prime Video)

What The Movie Is About: Stop us if you’ve heard this one: three nuclear weapons have gone missing, and a band of secret agents need to retrieve those weapons before they’re used to trigger all out chaos. Mission: Impossible – Fallout brings Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and the rest of his IMF team back for their sixth adventure in the name of world peace, with quite possibly their biggest mission yet.

Why Fans Of James Bond Would Like It: If there was ever a series that made for a perfect American analog for the James Bond series of films, it has to be the Mission: Impossible series. Taking the globe-trotting adventure and charismatic central agent against the world formulas that 007 has been known to use, this franchise spreads the love throughout a team of agents that assist Ethan in his rogue agent tactics. Not to mention, Tom Cruise’s stunt work is impeccable, pushing the action packed envelope further with each outing in the series.

Where To Stream: Mission: Impossible - Fallout is available on both Hulu and Prime Video

The Austin Powers Trilogy (Netflix)

What The Movie Is About: Picture this: what if the world’s greatest secret agent (Mike Myers) volunteered to have himself frozen, in the name of fighting his arch-nemesis, who was also cryogenically preserved for the future? The Austin Powers series starts out with this plot device, as both Austin and Dr. Evil freeze themselves in the ‘60s to do battle once again in the ‘90s. But as the series goes on, time travel, mojo theft, and other hysterical points of conflict come into play to make things all the more exciting.

Why Fans Of James Bond Would Like It: As a fan of both the comedies of Peter Sellers and the James Bond series of films, Mike Myers created all three Austin Powers movies as love letters to both. With Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery in particular roasting the traditional James Bond tropes to full effect, seeing Myers and director Jay Roach play around with the conventions of a Bond flick is a sharp and entertaining break from the norm.

Where To Stream: All three Austin Powers films are currently available on Netflix.

Inception (Netflix)

What The Movie Is About: Dom Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) is a thief with one of the weirdest, most valuable skills in the world: he can sneak into people’s dreams, and shape them as he sees fit. Usually, he uses these traits to steal information, but when a shadowy party (Ken Watanabe) hires Dom and his team for the job of a lifetime, he just might find the thing he’s been looking for the most: a way home.

Why Fans Of James Bond Would Like It: Inception has widely been considered the best prototype for what a Christopher Nolan James Bond movie would feel like in the first place. Even the forthcoming release Tenet has that sort of look and feel, which might strike up the band looking to see Christopher Nolan finally get his chance to direct a new and exciting James Bond adventure. If you like both the far flung adventures of the Roger Moore era, but the hard hitting emotional action of the Daniel Craig run, Inception is the mixture of those two worlds.

Where To Stream: Inception is available on Netflix.

The Thomas Crown Affair (HBOGo)

What The Movie Is About: Obsessed with the thrill of theft, millionaire Thomas Crown (Pierce Brosnan) steals a priceless painting right off the wall of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It feels like the perfect crime, until a ruthless insurance investigator (Rene Russo) starts to pick up on his trail. As the two dance around each other’s motives, a romance starts to form; one that could either bring them together or tear them apart.

Why Fans Of James Bond Would Like It: First and foremost, former James Bond actor Pierce Brosnan happened to make this film around the same time he was wearing 007’s tuxedo for MGM. But instead of just copy/pasting his Bond style charms, Brosnan really gets to play up the witty and sly part of his personality, as opposed to shooting his way through the room. His pairing with Rene Russo makes The Thomas Crown Affair a funny, sexy spin on romance and intrigue. If people are going to prepare for a Michael B. Jordan led remake, this is a good place to start.

Where To Stream: The Thomas Crown Affair is available on HBOGo.

The Fugitive (Hulu)

What The Movie Is About: Dr. Richard Kimble (Harrison Ford) has been convicted of the murder of his wife (Sela Ward). The strange thing is… he may not have done it. After a freak accident leaves Dr. Kimble a chance to escape, he sets off on investigating the crime he’s supposedly committed. All the while, a determined U.S. Marshall (Tommy Lee Jones) is closing in on his trail, in an effort to apprehend him in the name of the law.

Why Fans Of James Bond Would Like It: Some of the best James Bond movies feature 007’s investigative skills, usually on display as he’s unraveling a hideous conspiracy of epic proportions. If you scale down the scope of The Fugitive’s conspiracy, and put a man who’s not used to sleuthing around at the heart of that mystery, you’ve got a story that invokes Bond’s best qualities in an unpredictable setting. Not to mention, this is the opportunity for you to see what a Harrison Ford style Bond adventure would look like.

Where To Stream: The Fugitive is currently available on Hulu.

The Saint (Netflix / Crackle)

What The Movie Is About: A brilliant electrochemist (Elizabeth Shue) has made a gigantic breakthrough in clean energy, leaving a power hungry oil tycoon (Rade Šerbedžija) desperate enough to try and steal the formula for himself. Enter Simon Templar (Val Kilmer), a cunning thief who starts this job as a pure professional, but ends up switching sides when he both falls for his target, and discovers the true nature of his shady employer.

Why Fans Of James Bond Would Like It: In a fun sort of coincidence, the James Bond series happened to cast one of its leads thanks to the TV incarnation of The Saint. Much as Roger Moore got to play 007 thanks to the role of Simon Templar, Val Kilmer’s incarnation of the role is a very Bond-esque character. Mix the tortured past and investigative skills of Bond with the disguises of Ethan Hunt, and The Saint makes for another example of a film nailing down the formula Daniel Craig would eventually run with through his tenure.

Where To Stream: The Saint is available on both Netflix and Crackle.

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (Netflix)

What The Movie Is About: A job gone wrong leads to the near death of one of England’s best secret operatives (Mark Strong). The latest in a pattern of events that suggests a mole is hidden at the top of the clandestine services, it’s up to retired spy George Smiley (Gary Oldman) to smoke out the parties selling state secrets during the Cold War. Told through a series of flashbacks and present day investigation, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is gripping right until the surprising, shocking finale.

Why Fans Of James Bond Would Like It: Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, much like James Bond, is a quintessentially British spy story. However, instead of flashy suits, fast cars, and trips to exotic locales, this film based on the novel by John le Carré shows the spy game in a more dour, realistic light. With a cast stacked with talents like Colin Firth, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Toby Jones, among others, this potboiler is a perfect contrast to spy aficionados who want a change of pace from the James Bond movies.

Where To Stream: Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is available on Netflix.

The Peacemaker (Netflix)

What The Movie Is About: After a nuclear warhead is detonated in the Russian countryside, the seemingly random event attracts the attention of a nuclear specialist (Nicole Kidman) and a hot shot Army officer (George Clooney). Following their mutual hunch, The Peacemaker sees our leads fighting their way to the truth in city and desert alike, in an effort to prevent another, greater nuclear catastrophe from happening.

Why Fans Of James Bond Would Like It: The Peacemaker isn’t as flashy or as grim as some of the other James Bond adjacent films we’ve suggested. However, the geopolitical thriller aspect of director Mimi Leder’s blockbuster definitely helps to scratch the itch Bond fans may have without No Time To Die hitting theaters in the next month. Clooney’s charm and Kidman’s cunning make for a duo that embody the best of Bond, in an adventure that pushes them both to the limit.

Where To Stream: The Peacemaker is available on Netflix.

No Way Out (Tubi / Vudu)

What The Movie Is About: Lt. Tom Farrell (Kevin Costner) is a Navy officer whose star is on the rise. With the Secretary of Defense (Gene Hackman) hot to hire him as one of his most trusted intelligence officers, Farrell’s career couldn’t be in a better position. But a romantic entanglement (Sean Young) leads to dangerous connections between Tom and a scandal so powerful, it could ruin his career.

Why Fans Of James Bond Would Like It: A Cold War thriller reminiscent of the politics of the early James Bond films, No Way Out uses a charming protagonist thrown in a plot of international intrigue to thrill potential viewers. As the central plot involving Russian and U.S. forces using operatives for their own means unfolds, Costner’s Lt. Farrell gets to engage in some very Bond-like behavior, while also serving as a grounded dramatic protagonist.

Where To Stream: No Way Out is available on Tubi and Vudu.

Atomic Blonde (FXNow)

What The Movie Is About: MI6 agent Lorraine Broughton (Charlize Theron) finds her in a pretty interesting position in Atomic Blonde. As the Berlin Wall is about to fall, and a secret file lies hidden in the very city on the verge of history, Broughton is going to have to keep her wits about her as she fights to obtain a list of double agents sabotaging Allied operations.

Why Fans Of James Bond Would Like It: If you enjoyed Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, but wanted some more of the fighting that a modern James Bond movie would contain, Atomic Blonde has that particular need covered expertly. Theron’s Lorraine Broughton is basically the female James Bond, right down to her vices, and it’s exciting to see some off-kilter sensibilities thrown into a formula that feels very Bondian.

Where To Stream: Atomic Blonde is now available on FXNow.

Baby Driver (FXNow)

What The Movie Is About: An elite talent behind the wheel, the enigmatic young man known as Baby (Ansel Elgort) is hired only by the heist teams who absolutely need the best wheelman in all of Atlanta. But just when he’s thinking of going straight in the name of love, his old handler (Kevin Spacey) draws him in for another job. And it very well could be his last, if he’s not careful.

Why Fans Of James Bond Would Like It: Baby Driver isn’t about a spy, but rather someone pushed to the brink when they least expect it. That isn’t saying that Ansel Elgort’s Baby isn’t worthy of being spoken of in the same sentence as James Bond, but rather that writer/director Edgar Wright’s story and direction are reminiscent of Bond without giving the protagonist a pedigree in espionage or even military services. Though that more than likely amps up the excitement, as Baby has a set of skills that make him deadly in his own way.

Where To Stream: Baby Driver is currently available on FXNow.

All titles above are subject to change, so be absolutely sure to double check the availability of these films before enjoying them! As usual, this information is for your eyes only, and should you or your friends be caught with this list, the secretary will disavow all knowledge that you're not taking full advantage of Tubi's killer movie library. Good luck, and happy streaming!

If you are reading this it is probably because you are a Netflix subscriber in need of a good laugh. The comedies section of the streaming service has a plentiful selection of funny movies that quench your thirst for witty dialogue and childish sight gags in no time.

To help narrow down your search, however, allow us to provide a few recommendations available to stream. These are just 12 of some of the funniest movies on Netflix.

Austin Powers: International Man Of Mystery (1997)

Since childhood, I have always wondered how even a secret agent as unkillable as James Bond could live through several decades and still be young enough to continue kicking ass. Thus, I would have to side with Mike Myers’ hip, swinging Brit as the more believable cinematic secret agent since Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery at least tries to explain its hero’s stunted aging process between the 1960s and 1990s.

Austin Powers (Mike Myers, who also wrote this hit espionage send-up) is awakened in 1997 from a 30-year cryogenic hibernation in order to stop his recently unfrozen enemy, Dr. Evil (Myers), but neither are having an easy go adapting to the new decade. For thoughtful jabs at James Bond tropes and shameless indulgence in unbridled absurdity, this highly quotable comedy from Bombshell director Jay Roach is arguably the crown jewel of modern day spy movie parodies. Stream it here.

Between Two Ferns: The Movie (2019)

The Hangover may have made him a household name, but Between Two Ferns, the hilariously cringe-worthy talk show deconstruction from Funny Or Die, might be the most brilliant thing Zach Galifianakis has ever done. While you may not have expected a series of digital shorts to inspire a feature-length spin-off, that is just what happened and the results are praise-worthy.

This Netflix original sees Zach Galifianakis hit the road in a desperate attempt to continue his show after a disastrous accident leaves his set indefinitely unusable. The mockumentary shines its brightest when it sticks to the awkward celebrity interview format (featuring cameos by Brie Larson, Keanu Reeves, and David Letterman, to name a few), but they so satisfyingly live up to the webseries’ reputation enough to earn Between Two Ferns: The Movie a strong recommendation. Stream it here.

Dolemite Is My Name (2019)

For much of the 1980s, Eddie Murphy was the biggest name in comedy (and Hollywood in general), but has since seen a handful of ups and several downs for the past few decades. His Golden Globe-nominated role in the Netflix original biopic Dolemite Is My Name could be the comeback fans of the comedian have been waiting for.

The film chronicles the struggles of late cult comedy phenomenon Rudy Ray Moore (Eddie Murphy) as he, with the help of his boisterous friends, scrambles to make his popular, foul-mouthed stage persona, Dolemite, into a feature film that would eventually become a staple of blaxploitation cinema… despite its schlocky execution and aggressive cheesiness. Imagine The Disaster Artist if Tommy Wiseau had a genuine personality and optimism to earn your support and you have the inspiring and charmingly hilarious Dolemite Is My Name. Stream it here.

Free Fire (2016)

In 1978 Boston, two differing parties meet in an abandoned warehouse to conduct an illegal arms deal. However, as soon as we become familiar with each eccentric character, things quickly get out of control, inciting the symphony of relentless gunfire that makes up the most of director Ben Wheatley’s Free Fire.

A movie that is essentially 90 minutes of angry people shooting at each other sounds more traumatizing than fun. However, with some ‘70s-style B-movie flavor, a colorful ensemble cast (including Brie Larson, Armie Hammer, Cillian Murphy, and Sharlto Copley), fast-paced wit, and the music of John Denver, the Martin Scorsese-produced Free Fire easily becomes one of the most enjoyably riotous action comedies in recent memory. Stream it here.

Harold And Kumar Go To White Castle (2004)

Every classic stoner movie begins with a simple premise that rapidly spirals completely out of control. One of the most definitive examples of this is the story of two childish twenty-something pals who just want to satisfy their “medically-induced” munchies, but run into a little trouble along the way in this critically acclaimed, raunchy cult hit that spawned two sequels.

What is especially fascinating about Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle is the careers it would spark. John Cho (Harold) is known for playing Sulu in J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek reboot, Kal Penn (Kumar) worked for the Obama Administration at one time, and Neil Patrick Harris (playing a highly fictionalized version of himself) is, well, Neil Patrick Harris. Take a look back at a unique time in these actors’ lives with this hilarious adventure. Stream it here.

Kingpin (1996)

Peter Farrelly struck Oscar gold for the first time last year by winning Best Original Screenplay and Best Picture for his fact-based period drama, Green Book. You would never believe that this was same guy who, along with his brother Bobby, directed Dumb and Dumber, There’s Something About Mary, and this comedy that raises the stakes of knocking down pins higher than ever.

Years after a misunderstanding leaves star bowler Roy Munson (Woody Harrelson) without his good hand, he finds hope in the talent of Ishmael (Randy Quaid), whom he convinces to bowl competitively, something his Amish community would never allow, and they are soon joined on the road by the beautiful Claudia (Vanessa Angel). While Kingpin initially got mixed reviews, Roger Ebert praised the film for its consistency in delivering one striking comedic bit after another. Stream it here.

Monty Python And The Holy Grail (1975)

Absurdist comedy usually panders to a very niche audience. Nevertheless, Monty Python, the groundbreaking British comedy troupe who pushed absurdity dangerously further than anyone before or since, managed to pull off one of the most iconic and widely beloved farces of all time with this comedy that turns Arthurian literature on its head.

The Knights of the Round Table embark on a quest to find the Holy Grail, but run into the far too resilient Black Knight, rude Frenchmen, and a homicidal rabbit, along the way, all culminating to a hilariously abrupt conclusion that supposedly coined the term “cop out.” Co-directed by eccentric visionary Terry Gilliam and the late Terry Jones, Monty Python and the Holy Grail is commonly considered the troupe’s greatest cinematic achievement and one of the strangest experiences you will ever have laughing. Stream it here.

The Naked Gun: From The Files Of Police Squad! (1988)

Speaking of dangerous levels of absurdity, here we have a tale of man so unwittingly a danger to himself and other that it is just plain absurd. Of course, that is very thing we can expect from this movie from the creators of Airplane! starring the best straight face in comedy: the late, great Leslie Nielsen.

The legend reprises his role as Lt. Frank Drebin, from the short-lived crime procedural spoof series Police Squad!, who must foil an assassination plot against Queen Elizabeth II despite countless goofy sight gags getting in the way. If you can get past seeing O.J. Simpson in a starring role as an equally bumbling officer, The Naked Gun is the ultimate detective parody and the beloved Leslie Nielsen’s most definitive comedic role. Stream it here.

Scary Movie (2000)

The irony of Wes Craven’s 1996 slasher revival, Scream, is that Kevin Williamson’s script was intended as a deconstruction of the teen horror genre. Therefore, when The Wayans Brothers wanted to use the film as the focus of their slasher send-up, they had to go for a more overtly humorous tone.

Scary Movie is essentially a parody remake of Scream, with all the clever plot twists and hair-raising suspense supplemented with over-the-top callbacks to common horror cliches and tasteless sight gags that, impressively, never run out of steam. It just may be the last in an era of good cartoonish spoofs. Stream it here.

Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World (2010)

If films like Hot Fuzz or Baby Driver were not enough to convince you that Edgar Wright is one of cinema’s most inventive modern day visionaries, maybe Scott Pilgrim vs. the World will. A movie that complements its video game-esque plot line with 8-bit music cues and imagery has to be considered genius.

Struggling punk band bassist Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera) must defeat the seven evil ex-boyfriends of his new love interest Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) in order to win her heart. Based on a series of graphic novels, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World is a game-changing comedy with a nerd-tastic visual style and brilliant twists and turns, all while never sacrificing its tone that fuses off-beat slacker quirkiness with fantasy so uniquely, it veers on cinematic rebellion. Stream it here.

Zack And Miri Make A Porno (2008)

This comedy from indie slacker comedy king Kevin Smith is more than likely the sweetest and most heartwarmingly romantic film on this list. It just takes a lot of incessantly raunchy humor to get to that point, followed by a little more dirt after that.

When lifelong friends Zack (Seth Rogen) and Miri (Elizabeth Banks) become desperate for money, they come up with the brilliant idea to produce an adult film, a project that becomes more revealing than they expected. Zack and Miri Make A Porno is a surprisingly tasteful movie for a comedy that revolves around tasteless subject matter and a highlight of the Clerks director’s post-’90s career. Stream it here.

Zombieland (2009)

Of the many films that pay tribute to the pioneering achievements of Night of the Living Dead creator George A. Romero through a more humorous lens, I would rank Zombieland second to a certain British horror comedy. However, this goofy road trip through an apocalyptic landscape, with a killer cameo from a beloved comedian, is still a great time for any occasion.

A quartet of mismatched survivors (Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone, and Abigail Breslin) must learn to work together as they seek refuge in a world overrun by the undead. The impeccably witty script from future Deadpool scribes Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick and the cast, who clearly enjoyed themselves making this, make Zombieland one of the funniest films focusing on otherwise morbid subject matter ever made. Stream it here.

Are you laughing yet? No? Then, I suppose that means you have not started your binge of funny movies on Netflix yet. Go ahead and get your comedy fix and be sure to check back for more recommendations of what to stream here on CinemaBlend.

Are you looking for something good to watch on Netflix? It's a common concern in our digital age. The streaming service has hours upon hours of content available at the click of a button, but it seems impossible to narrow down what you want to watch. It's certainly a fine problem to have, but a problem nonetheless. But you're in luck, especially if you're looking for fun spy movies to watch. Because we have narrowed the selection down a bit. Hopefully, there's something for everyone on this list — whether you're looking for action, comedy, mystery, suspense, or something else altogether.

There are still a treasure trove of movies available on Netflix, but if you're looking for solid recommendations, especially in the spy genre, then look no further than this list, where we'll offer just eight of the best spy films currently available on Netflix's streaming platform. Whether it's something a little more adult or family-friendly, or it's something action-friendly or full of laughs, we've got your picks waiting for you to pick from. Should you choose this mission, of course. Without further ado, let's break down just eight of the finest, funniest and/or silliest spy films currently available for your viewing pleasure on Netflix. Action, adventure, danger and mystery all wait for you at the click of a button with these titles. Enjoy your movie night!

Austin Powers: International Man Of Mystery (1997)

Who said spy movies needed to be so serious? With the Austin Powers franchise, Saturday Night Live veteran Mike Myers firmly cemented himself as a household name. The loving 007 parody spawned a franchise that quite nearly rivaled the scope and scale of its blockbuster inspiration. While the sequels never quite reached the same heights as its predecessor, the original Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery is still a great slice of satire fun. Portrayed by Mike Myers, who also wrote the comedy's screenplay, Myers adopts the wacky, weird persona of the title character, a super spy with a healthy libido and no shortage of chest hair to boot. The character's love for raunchy humor and double entendres inform the movie's super silly sense of humor, particularly as it focuses on the '70s character's fish out of water adventures in the '90s. If you haven't seen it, it is positively groovy. Stream it here.

The Lives Of Others (2006)

Writer/director Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck's spellbinding The Lives of Others is an appropriately mesmerizing achievement, if one that doesn't quite have the glamor or radiance that comes with other spy movies. Closer in the vein to Francis Ford Coppola's The Conversation than anything that might come to mind when you think about spy movies, this mystery-thriller, which follows an agent conducting surveillance on a writer and his lover and increasingly finds himself engrossed in their intimate lives, is nevertheless a thrilling and captivating achievement. It should come as little surprise that it took home the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar in 2007. This intriguing, thoughtful, and thematically dense tale is one worth sharing to others. Watch it here.

Spy Kids (2001)

But spy adventures shouldn't be solely for the adults. Let the kids join in on the fun! While Robert Rodriguez's family-friendly features haven't always resulted in his best work, the filmmaker channelled the charm, creativity, and energy of his adult movies and provided an engaging, entertaining new take on the spy genre with 2001's delightful Spy Kids, one that found the children taking the center stage in a brave effort to rescue their parents from an evil television personality. It is filled with fun gadgets, enjoyable set pieces, several light-hearted moments, and lots of hijinks. Suffice to say, audiences of all-ages can enjoy this early '00s action-adventure. When it comes to the sequels... well, you might be better off not accepting those missions. We'll leave it at that. Check out Spy Kids here.

The Informant! (2009)

While Steven Soderbergh might be more commonly known for his heist trilogy, Ocean's Eleven, Twelve, and Thirteen, as well as his award-winning titles like Erin Brockovich and Traffic, to name only two, one very entertaining romp from the acclaimed filmmaker that unfortunately slipped through the cracks was 2009's The Informant!, a true story that's so ludicrous, you'd swear it's fiction. Featuring a career-best performance from Matt Damon, this dramedy finds Damon playing Mark Whitacre, a whistleblower in the lysine price-fixing conspiracy in the mid-'90s who finds himself caught up in a large stream of absurd circumstances throughout the movie's runtime. While the tale never fails to recognize the humor in this situation, the film's portrayal of Mark Whitacre shows a midwestern man who wants to believe he's at the center of a spy capper. Suffice to say, the irony of it all provided a far richer tale. See it all play out here.

Inglourious Basterds (2009)

Like many Quentin Tarantino movies, Inglourious Basterds isn't simply one thing. The revisionist war drama/dark comedy is a film that's defined more by the eccentric filmmaker's eclectic tastes than any one specific genre. Therefore, it's a little strange to suggest that it's a spy film, since that's only one of several things that someone can call the controversial film, but it does fit the mold — if even marginally. Nevertheless, it's hard to imagine many opportunities where one wouldn't want to celebrate this sensationally good film. The story of a group of allied Jewish soldiers tasked with taking down any and all Nazi soldiers, particularly by way of scalping, plays fast-and-loose with the facts and it isn't one that's easy to define. Nevertheless, it does feature one dazzling sequence with its central spy character, played by Diane Kruger, and it offers plenty of other stylish twists and turns. Check it out here.

Traitor (2008)

A straightforward-yet-engaging American spy thriller, Traitor features strong performances from both Don Cheadle and Guy Pearce as the former plays a Sudanese-American former U.S. soldier with a history of high explosives whom the latter, an FBI special agent, is searching for related to a series of explosions directed at civilians. It's a tense character piece, with a story credit from Steve Martin (surprisingly), yet it's a compelling and dynamic little thriller, one that should make for an engaging viewing. Often, a pair of acclaimed actors providing commanding work is more than enough to satisfy. You can certainly expect to find a number of solid, well-realized performances, as well as thrilling dramatic moments and a whole lot more, in Traitor. Check it out here.

xXx (2002)

Sometimes, you just want to watch something dumb. There's no shame in that. After a long day of work, or an exhausting run of errands, you want to snuggle up on the couch, put on Netflix and relax your brain for two hours. If that's the case, then you will likely get a kick out of Vin Diesel's extremely stupid, yet often entertainingly absurd, xXx. A movie title that will produce no shortage of inappropriate responses if you put it in wrong, this early '00s vehicle for the Fast and the Furious actor is macho movie with a teenage boy's understanding of cool. It has pretty woman, dangerous stunts, fast-moving vehicles and several scenes with its lead actor trying to act like the toughest mofo there is. It's not necessarily a good movie. Hell, it might not even be a decent one. But if you want to unwind and watch something that verges damn well near "so bad it's good" territory, this one could be fun. Stream it here.

Layer Cake (2004)

While Layer Cake might not exactly fit the bill as a traditional spy movie, as it owes more to the crime genre than your typical spy adventure, it has its roots in making at least two of the biggest spy franchises of the early 21st century. Specifically, Layer Cake is the movie that literally got Daniel Craig the gig as James Bond, while it was the directorial debut of producer Matthew Vaughn, who would go on to helm the Kingsman movies. Suffice to say, this Guy Ritchie-esque movie has certainly gone a long way towards influencing the spy movies we see at the multiplex today. That's certainly not an accident. If you're waiting eagerly for either The King's Man, No Time To Die, or both, you should throw Layer Cake on to help you ease the wait for those films. Watch it here.

These are only a mere few of the spy movies currently made available on Netflix. Some of them are more serious than others, certainly. And a few of them are geared more towards younger audiences, while others are decidedly much more adult in their thematic material. Nevertheless, we hope we provided a wide, yet equally narrow, array of titles to choose from based on your personal preferences. Whatever you're looking forward, you should hopefully find from our selections listed above. Let us know what you think of these titles. Also, be sure to name your favorite spy movies available on Netflix below. Maybe we didn't look for all the proper clues and missed a few worth considering? If that's the case, let us know what should be added.

As the final month of new Netflix content in 2019 is upon us, we too must also look at the final frame of new and exciting movies headed to the platform’s library in December. Next month, recent favorites and newly added classics will take the stage, making sure you get the most out of that subscription fee that Netflix HQ claims on a monthly basis. If you’re curious about what else is coming next month, head over to the full rundown of December 2019’s additions. Otherwise, it’s time to get underway with the great movies coming to Netflix in that very month.

The Austin Powers Trilogy

Whether the Austin Powers trilogy has aged well or not is a debate that the world can have on its own stage. That’s not what we’re here to talk about today though, as the world of streaming knows where to find this international man of mystery in all three of his cinematic adventures. To be honest, that first entry still holds up the best, both as a movie and as a socially acceptable work of comedy. But no matter what, Dr. Evil will always remain one of the funniest villains this side of the ransom demand, without frickin’ question.

Malcolm X

November brought Netflix audiences a challenging visual experience, as Martin Scorsese’s The Irishman delivered three and a half hours of drama to the platform. And if your movie muscles are newly stretched out by sitting for an experience of such length, then Spike Lee’s historical biopic Malcolm X could be your next extended play sitting in front of your streaming queue. Denzel Washington stars as the titular Civil Rights pioneer, in a film that details his struggles through life and his dedication to the cause of racial equality. It is as powerful as it is extensive, and if you’ve got an afternoon to give over to its entirety, Malcolm X is an experience not to be missed.

It Comes At Night

Writer/director Trey Edward Shults is currently having a pretty good year with his family drama Waves making a name for him in this year’s lead-up to awards season. It’s nt surprising, especially when you consider he’s mined a very similar vein of material with his horror tinged drama It Comes At Night. While the film looks more like a straightforward scare fest on the outside, this ensemble piece is actually more adjacent to that genre, with the drama of a father trying to protect his family from a viral epidemic taking center stage. Whether this film scares you or not is up for discussion, but It Comes At Night will most certainly unsettle you.

Lawless

Another talent having a very good 2019 is Shia LaBeouf, as his acting in The Peanut Butter Falcon and Honey Boy have gotten rave reviews throughout this year. So if you’re interested in getting more LeBeouf for your buck on Netflix, you’re in luck come December, as period drama Lawless will be there to oblige. Based on the historical novel The Wettest County In The World, director John Hillcoat’s film focuses on the Bondurant family, a trio of brothers involved in bootlegging moonshine in the Prohibition-era South. While LaBeouf and his co-star Tom Hardy may have gotten into some scraps during production, their family chemistry makes this star-studded picture work like a charm.

Goldeneye

Before we get started on talking about why Pierce Brosnan is way too hard on himself for his time as James Bond, we’d like to let you know that Goldeneye and the three other Brosnan-era Bond films will be on Netflix towards the end of December. Which is good, because if you’ve been hankering for some of the ‘90s' finest Bond action, but don’t seem to have the right streaming library on hand to do so, you’ll be in luck. And, of course, Goldeneye is one of the man’s best turns in the role, as his cool and calm demeanor, mixed with a truly boyish grin and a deadly energy, helped revitalize this classic spy for future generations. Plus, this is the only James Bond film with Sean Bean in it, so surely this film gets points for that respect.

Tomorrow Never Dies

Here’s where we get into underrated Pierce Brosnan territory, as most folks will tell you Goldeneye is the best, if not the only good James Bond movie in the man’s four film run. However, a case can be made that Tomorrow Never Dies might be a better film in the canon, as Brosnan squaring off with Jonathan Pryce’s deliciously evil Elliot Carver is something that puts this film on a path to greatness. Then again, no matter which film you argue is the best Pierce Brosnan outing as James Bond, it’s 99% certain you won’t be saying Die Another Day. But if you do, that’s available on Netflix too, you monster.

The Secret Life Of Pets 2

What good is a streaming platform if they don’t have anything for the kids to watch, especially during holiday break? Just when you thought all of the fun may have gone to another streaming service, in comes this summer’s The Secret Life of Pets 2 to liven things up for your little ones. The continuing adventures of Max, Duke and their pals will be headed to a Netflix account near you soon enough, and just in time for you and your family to ring in the new year with this Universal/Illumination crowd pleaser.

As per usual, we have to warn you that all titles are subject to change and availability. So if there’s something that looks missing, or not in its place, you should check the complete December 2019 rundown of Netflix titles to double check your work. Otherwise, we suggest you binge responsibly, and stream yourself into the new year with the fun and fantastic content in the month to come. We’ll see you back here around the same time in December, as we take a peek at the presents 2020 will bring in its first month of operation.

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Streamers and dreamers, we made it! We have now arrived at the last Netflix update of 2019's calendar year. While we'll be back next month to start the 2020 train a'steaming away, we're here to tell you about the final month of newcomers in this streaming giant's queue of loveliness; and there's quite a bit to go around. If you're curious to see what November's lineup brought to the platform, you can read our full rundown elsewhere. And if you want to see the more holiday-centric offerings Netflix has to have, head over to our special holiday feature for further information. Other than that, let's throw some snowballs and see what we hit in the Netflix streaming library in December 2019!

Week of December 1

Dead Kids - NETFLIX FILM – 12/1/19

A Cinderella Story: Christmas Wish – 12/1/19

The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl – 12/1/19

Austin Powers in Goldmember – 12/1/19

Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery – 12/1/19

Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me – 12/1/19

Cut Bank – 12/1/19

Eastsiders: Season 4 – 12/1/19

Malcolm X – 12/1/19

Searching for Sugar Man – 12/1/19

Sweet Virginia – 12/1/19

The Tribes of Palos Verdes – 12/1/19

Nightflyers: Season 1 – 12/2/19

Team Kaylie: Part 2 - NETFLIX FAMILY – 12/2/19

Especial de Natal Porta dos Fundos: A Primeira Tentação de Cristo - NETFLIX FILM – 12/3/19

Tiffany Haddish: Black Mitzvah - NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 12/3/19

War on Everyone – 12/3/19

The Last O.G.: Season 2 – 12/4/19

Let's Dance - NETFLIX FILM – 12/4/19

Los Briceño - NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 12/4/19

Magic for Humans: Season 2 - NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 12/4/19

A Christmas Prince: The Royal Baby - NETFLIX FILM – 12/5/19

Apache: La vida de Carlos Tevez - NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 12/5/19

Greenleaf: Season 4 – 12/5/19

Home for Christmas - NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 12/5/19

V Wars - NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 12/5/19

Astronomy Club: The Sketch Show - NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 12/6/19

The Chosen One: Season 2 - NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 12/6/19

The Confession Killer - NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY – 12/6/19

Fuller House: Season 5 - NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 12/6/19

Glow Up - NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 12/6/19

Marriage Story - NETFLIX FILM – 12/6/19

Spirit Riding Free: The Spirit of Christmas - NETFLIX FAMILY – 12/6/19

Teasing Master Takagi-san: Season 2 - NETFLIX ANIME – 12/6/19

Three Days of Christmas - NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 12/6/19

Triad Princess - NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 12/6/19

Virgin River - NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 12/6/19

Week of December 8

From Paris with Love – 12/8/19

A Family Reunion Christmas - NETFLIX FAMILY – 12/9/19

It Comes at Night – 12/9/19

Michelle Wolf: Joke Show - NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 12/10/19

Outlander: Season 3 – 12/10/19

The Sky Is Pink – 12/11/19

Especial de Natal Porta dos Fundos - NETFLIX FILM – 12/12/19

Jack Whitehall: Christmas with my Father - NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 12/12/19

6 Underground - NETFLIX FILM – 12/13/19

Week of December 15

A Family Man – 12/15/19

Dil Dhadakne Do – 12/15/19

Karthik Calling Karthik – 12/15/19

Burlesque – 12/16/19

The Danish Girl – 12/16/19

The Magicians: Season 4 – 12/16/19

Ronny Chieng: Asian Comedian Destroys America! - NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 12/17/19

Don't F**k With Cats: Hunting an Internet Killer - NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY – 12/18/19

Soundtrack - NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 12/18/19

After The Raid - NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY – 12/19/19

Ultraviolet: Season 2 - NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 12/19/19

Twice Upon a Time - NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 12/19/19

The Two Popes - NETFLIX FILM – 12/20/19

The Witcher - NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 12/20/19

Week of December 22

Private Practice: Season 1-6 – 12/22/19

Transformers Rescue Bots Academy: Season 1 – 12/23/19

CAROLE & TUESDAY: Part 2 - NETFLIX ANIME – 12/24/19

Como caído del cielo - NETFLIX FILM – 12/24/19

Crash Landing on You - NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 12/24/19

John Mulaney & The Sack Lunch Bunch - NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 12/24/19

Lost in Space: Season 2 - NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 12/24/19

TERRACE HOUSE: TOKYO 2019-2020: Part 2 - NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 12/24/19

Sweetheart – 12/25/19

The App - NETFLIX FILM – 12/26/19

Le Bazar de la Charité - NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 12/26/19

Fast & Furious Spy Racers - NETFLIX FAMILY – 12/26/19

You: Season 2 - NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 12/26/19

The Gift - NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 12/27/19

Kevin Hart: Don’t F**k This Up - NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY – 12/27/19

The Secret Life of Pets 2 – 12/27/19

Hot Gimmick: Girl Meets Boy - NETFLIX FILM – 12/28/19

Week of December 29

Lawless – 12/29/19

Alexa & Katie: Season 3 - NETFLIX FAMILY – 12/30/19

The Disastrous Life of Saiki K.: Reawakened - NETFLIX ANIME – 12/30/19

The Degenerates: Season 2 - NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 12/31/19

Die Another Day – 12/31/19

GoldenEye – 12/31/19

Heartbreakers – 12/31/19

The Neighbor - NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 12/31/19

Red Dawn – 12/31/19

Tomorrow Never Dies – 12/31/19

The World Is Not Enough – 12/31/19

Yanxi Palace: Princess Adventures - NETFLIX ORIGINAL – 12/31/19

You can tell that it's getting to be that special time of year in the movies section over at Netflix, as not only is holiday merriment on the menu, so is blockbuster action and drama fit for awards season. The former craving can be handled by director Michael Bay and star Ryan Reynolds' explosive team-up for their new caper, 6 Underground, an action spectacle that sees Reynolds and a team of secret operatives making the world a safer place through superior firepower, it looks like Bay is back to his old tricks, and the world is right again.

Though should you be in the mood to see some Italian scenery, sans explosions and body count, we can totally recommend the more contemplative film The Two Popes. Starring Anthony Hopkins as Pope Benedict XVI and Jonathan Pryce as his successor, the future Pope Francis, the themes of personal interpretations of life and faith are explored through the casting of these titans of acting. Which is also fitting, as the film will be online closer to the Christmas holiday. Rounding out Netflix's new additions to their movie library in December are all four Pierce Brosnan Bond movies (including Tomorrow Never Dies, which features The Two Popes' Pryce as a baddie), the summer blockbuster sequel The Secret Life of Pets 2, and all three films in the Austin Powers trilogy.

However, if you're ready to binge some new TV content to your heart's desire, December will have quite a bit to offer in that special corner of the Netflix universe. Based on the comic series and anthology novel of the same name by author Jonathan Maberry, V Wars starts its journey as a Netflix original series, and unleashes an epidemic that could lead to the end of humanity, and the rise of the vampires. Meanwhile, if you're looking for old favorites to keep you company in the dark afternoons of holiday break, relationship thriller You and family sci-fi actioner Lost In Space are both back for their second seasons on the platform. Oh, and there's something called The Witcher headed our way too. Not sure what it's about, but some say it's the new Game of Thrones and it's got Henry Cavill shirtless. So maybe you've heard about it?

Though if you're one of the folks who finally got hooked on Outlander's first two seasons this year, thanks to Netflix finally carrying them in their TV library, Season 3 will be headed your way this month. And if you've always wanted to watch Grey's Anatomy spinoff Private Practice in its entirety, but didn't have a Hulu subscription to do so, then you'll be able to devour all six seasons starting this month.

A lot of content is headed to Netflix, and you're not going to want to miss a beat in the coming month's entertainment. So we need to tell you that the titles above are, as always, subject to change and availability. If something doesn't look like it's where it belongs, or if you're uncertain on a particular film or show's drop date, head over to our lineup and double check your work. Until next time, happy holidays, and stream carefully into the new year!

Back before she was voicing Nala in what is now the highest grossing ‘animated’ film of all time, Beyoncé was making her feature film debut in Austin Powers in Goldmember. Also with a role in that film was former child star Fred Savage, who got to work with the entertainment icon just prior to her solo career taking her into mega-stardom. Years later, Fred Savage had quite the awkward reunion with his Austin Powers in Goldmember co-star, as he recalled:

Yikes, that’s pretty awkward and it just goes to show that even celebrities are in awe of and intimidated by Queen Bey. This situation is kind of like seeing someone from school you haven’t talked to in years out in public. There is that internal debate about whether you should go say hi and will they even remember you, only in this case, that person just happens to be Beyoncé.

Fred Savage, who has been gracing TV and movie screens since he was a kid, and apparently does well enough that his kids go to school with Blue Ivy, had to work up the courage to go say hi to his former co-star, who you would think had a visible aura around her given the awe and devotion she inspires.

When he worked up the courage to say ‘hi,’ Fred Savage presumed she wouldn’t remember him and actually introduced himself and reminded her that they were in a movie together. That is absolutely brutal and the kind of cringe-worthy scene that’s just as awkward to hear about as I imagine it was to be a part of.

To be fair though, Fred Savage’s role as Number 3 wasn’t a huge part in Goldmember and he wasn’t acting opposite Beyoncé’s Foxxy Cleopatra in a bunch of scenes. Also, this reunion was a decade-plus after that film, so it’s not unreasonable to assume she might not remember him.

The actor somehow survived that near lethal dose of awkwardness to tell PeopleTV’s Couch Surfing that Beyoncé did not need to be reminded who he was and the Beyhive did not whisk him away from her presence like a Secret Service force. Instead, the singer knew exactly who Fred Savage was and that they had worked together on Austin Powers in Goldmember.

Like Fred Savage, Beyoncé didn’t approach and say hi to her former co-star because she didn’t want to bother him. It just goes to show that no matter how famous, celebrities are just normal people. And as awkward as this reunion was, it’s still less awkward than when Foxxy Cleopatra and Number 3 first met in Austin Powers in Goldmember, which you can see in the video below.

Check out our 2019 Release Schedule to keep track of this year’s biggest movies and for all the latest entertainment news, stay tuned to CinemaBlend.

With every month’s refresh to the Netflix streaming library comes a list of titles that make up the best and brightest of what the platform has to offer. As such, a new crop of titles means a new opportunity for us to tell you what you should be spending your screen time on, and May has brought a good number of notable offerings to the table.

Before we head into the lineup, we’d like to remind you that if you want to see the full lineup of TV and movie titles headed to Netflix in May, as well as the best films from April’s additions to the library, you can find those lists elsewhere. If you’re still with us, let’s dive into what truly stands out in May’s additions to the platform.

Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery

Naturally the news that Mike Myers has landed himself a sketch show on Netflix is a surprise. But with the backbench of characters Myers could revisit, as well as the possibility of the new and exciting ones for him to create, it’s an exciting prospect.

Seeing that his iconic spy comedy romp Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery is headed to Netflix, along with its first sequel The Spy Who Shagged Me, it feels like a good time to revisit some material from the peak Mike Myers era of comedy. Maybe, just maybe, we can skip an entire fourth film for the time being and see more Powers on that untitled Netflix series.

Dumb and Dumber

Comedy classics are usually paragons of wit, wisdom and perfect timing. But much like the intelligence of its protagonists, Harry and Lloyd, Dumb and Dumber is only about a third of the way there. And in the name of total honestly, that’s just the way we like it.

The Farrelly Brothers broke into the movies with this legendary tale of Jim Carrey and Jeff Bridges’ monumental dolts goofing their way through a road trip that turns into a crime caper on the stop of a dime. With a perfect marriage of precise comedic timing and lowball shenanigans, there’s a reason Dumb and Dumber still stands as a laugh filled master course in how to do a toilet gag.

Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas

Most people think of Terry Gilliam’s Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas as merely a vehicle for Johnny Depp’s performance of dear friend Hunter S. Thompson to be a hysterically crude contrast to the world that he navigates in his titular adventure. And to be fair, Depp’s performance as Thompson, alongside Benicio del Toro’ s Dr. Gonzo, is quite funny in the traditional sense.

But what really makes this adaptation of the writings of Hunter S. Thompson worth your time is how, through his own comedic and drug fueled lenses, Thompson saw the truths of the early ‘70s and what they represented. So come for the jokes about relations between dogs and The Pope, but stay for the analysis on the impending crash of the peace and love that the ‘60s represented into a void of rudderless activism. Or keep your eye out for all the famous faces that pepper this film’s cast in minor roles; it’s your choice, really.

Gremlins

Few films deserve to be shielded from further sequelization and/or full on remakes, and director Joe Dante’s classic Gremlins is one such film. There’s, quite simply, no way that another version of this film could be as successful as that original streak of madness, and anyone who thinks otherwise is an absolute fool.

The balance of scares and comedy in Gremlins’ story of the titular creatures running rampant on small town America is so perfect, very few could ever nail it the way Dante did. So unless you’re going to hire James Wan, Jordan Peele or Jason Blum to develop this one into a modern context, you’re probably better off watching the original and seeking out the more comedically-inclined sequel.

Just Friends

Ryan Reynolds is a genius, full stop. Between his timing, physical spryness, and handsome air about him that anchors even his most outlandish/egotistical moments in film, you couldn’t have cast a better person to play the fat kid turned heartthrob exec in Just Friends.

What’s even more impressive is landing the supporting cast of Amy Smart, Anna Farris and Julie Hagerty, among others, to make that particular sandbox even more fun to play around in. Though it should be warned that if you’re thinking of watching this one with your kids after Pokemon: Detective Pikachu, you may want to see it for yourself and see if it’s right for them.

Scarface

The tragedy of Tony Montana is not an obscure tale of woe, but it’s one that still keeps its freshness every time you watch Scarface. A rise-and-fall tale of a man who chased the American dream and wouldn’t stop shooting for it even until the very end, it’s one of Al Pacino’s most magnificent performances outside of The Godfather.

Director Brian De Palma and writer Oliver Stone nail the excess of the ‘80s before it ever kicked into full gear, and through extreme violence and colorful profanity, they paint a portrait of a landscape that was just beginning to take shape as morning rose in America. Both a perfect period piece, and a timeless classic, Scarface is a quotable classic that maintains its place in pop culture.

Snowpiercer

While audiences will be watching Chris Evans in the latest Avengers film in the very near future, it’s nice to take a break and sample some of Evans’ finest work outside of that huge tentpole monolith. And if you’re not in the mood to watch Not Another Teen Movie, then Snowpiercer is probably your best non-MCU bet for some Evans greatness.

Set in a dystopian future that sees humanity’s last survivors permanently living on a train circling the world, Snowpiercer is all about a class struggle between the poor lead by Chris Evans, and the rich lead by Tilda Swinton. These two factions go to war in some of the most impressive action you’ll ever see, which only masks the underbelly that truly defines the society, and the message, that the film has to offer.

The Matrix

2019 marks the 20th anniversary of The Matrix, a film that redefined action in its own time and still inspires imitators to this very day. And while the reboot machine is currently trying to find a way to bring this film series back online, the original is still celebrated with great reverence.

The entire Matrix trilogy is coming to Netflix, as it periodically does from time to time, but this most recent addition feels as close to an official celebration of its two decades of existence as we’ll get. If you want to skip the sequels, you’re more than welcome to, but at the very least, paying homage to the journey that kicked off a new era of action filmmaking seems appropriate.

Zombieland

This October is another anniversary worth noting: it’ll be a decade since Zombieland first landed in movie theaters all over. While there is definitely a proper celebration in the works for that event, with the sequel Zombieland: Double Tap being slated for release in that very month, you’ll be able to revisit the one that started it all on Netflix in May.

Undoubtedly, a lot has changed since that original film, but the public’s obsession with zombies certainly hasn’t. And while Zombieland has tried to revive itself a couple of times between then and now, the original film stands as the best example of it particular apocalyptic formula at work.

Olympus Has Fallen

Sometimes cloning the style of a storied franchise can work well enough that the results are exciting in their own right. In a lesser incarnation, Olympus Has Fallen would have been a subpar action film, but thankfully, history shook out differently and provided the world with a highly entertaining spin on the Die Hard style of action-adventure antics.

With Gerard Butler being the John McClane stand-in and his bromance with Aaron Eckhart’s president replacing the need for a Holly Gennaro to bookend him, this brutal action flick plays close to the playbook while injecting some of its own charm to spare. And by charm, we mean explosions.

No matter which of these films you’re looking to enjoy, you’ll want to keep your eyes out for any changes and surprises that may crop up, as all titles are subject to availability. But other than that, we wish you Netflix subscribers happy hunting and hope that you enjoy streaming these and other top notch titles available in your own fashion.

Should you want to head out to the movies for something more recent, our 2019 release schedule is your gateway to all that has come to the box office this year and all that’s headed our way in the months to come.

With a fresh Coachella set, a Netflix original series and a slew of films on the way, it's a good time to be Idris Elba. The actor is doing a lot these days, so much so that it may be hard to keep track of every franchise he has a hand in at the moment. For that reason, we've compiled a list that highlights what all he has a hand in, and some of the things we'd like to see from him in the future.

Franchises Idris Elba IS In

Let's start off with all the major franchises he's already appeared in or officially has lined up for the future, like this first entry.

The DCEU

Idris Elba has joined the DCEU via James Gunn's The Suicide Squad, and was originally slated to replace Will Smith and play Deadshot. That plan has since changed, and Elba will be playing a different character, although we can only guess who. Hopefully whoever is picked has some crossover potential into other projects, and maybe the ability to get Elba his own spinoff movie.

The MCU

Idris Elba entered The MCU via Thor in the role of Heimdall. After heroically sacrificing his life in Avengers: Infinity War, one would assume his time in the franchise is over, but who can ever know when it comes to superhero features. With that said, Elba's had his complaints about the role as far back as Thor: The Dark World, so don't be surprised if his death tends to stick in the events following Avengers: Endgame.

Pacific Rim

In the role of Stacker Pentacost, Idris Elba delivered one hell of a speech that solidified Pacific Rim's status as a cult classic. Unfortunately, his death meant no future appearances in a sequel, but there are opportunities for Stacker to return should the Pacific Rim franchise venture into the prequel territory. That's a possibility given the amount of source material on the events before Pacific Rim, so fingers crossed Elba's feeling the urge to kick some kaiju ass again.

Disney/Pixar

While it's not necessarily as specific of a franchise as other entries, Idris Elba has done a decent amount of work for Disney and Pixar. Outside of his MCU work, he's exclusively played an animal in The Jungle Book, Finding Dory and Zootopia. That's a crazy coincidence, although maybe not given how many Disney films tend to revolve around animals in general. We're always down to see him in more projects. Perhaps next time in a live-action feature?

Star Trek

For Star Trek Beyond, the third adventure featuring the Kelvin timeline version of the original USS Enterprise crew, Idris Elba hopped in as Krall, an alien warlord who sicced his minions on Captain Kirk’s crew, destroyed their ship and stranded them on his planet. Later revealed to be a Starfleet captain from more than a century ago, Krall nearly succeeded in carrying out his revenge against the organization, but he was defeated and killed before that could happen. So one can logically surmise Elba won’t be popping back up in this franchise.

Fast & Furious

Soon, the world will get to see Idris Elba in the world of Fast & Furious, although probably not in a way some would've thought. Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw features Elba as a villain who has been genetically enhanced and basically has super powers. Somehow we've reached a point where this franchise isn't about fast cars, although there's few people complaining. After seeing Elba in action, it isn't hard to see why.

Alien

This is one of the only roles in which Idris Elba played a character that shared his first name, as the actor portrayed Idris Janek in Prometheus. It was a one and done role, and surprisingly, ended in the way similar to Pacific Rim. Given his character's death and the Alien franchise's massive aversion to Prometheus, it's pretty safe to say that we shouldn't expect any more appearances from Elba in this franchise.

Honorable Mention: Ghost Rider: Spirit Of Vengeance

The Ghost Rider movies aren't considered part of the MCU, but we'd be remiss if we didn't mention the other Marvel character he played before the MCU really got legs. Idris Elba played Moreau, who offered to remove the "Spirit of Vengeance" curse from Johnny Blaze. He ended up being unable to fulfill the promise, and ended up dying at the hands of Blackout.

Franchises We'd Love To See Idris Elba In

That concludes the current franchises Idris Elba is/has been involved in, although we're sure he'll be a part of some in the future. With that in mind, here are a handful of film franchises the actor has yet to join that it'd be great to see him in.

James Bond

Was there any doubt this would be on the list? Folks have called for Idris Elba to be cast as James Bond for ages, and his name floated around quite a bit following Daniel Craig's confirmation that he was leaving as Bond. Unfortunately, Elba has been pretty adamant that he won't be replacing him, but there's still hope he could join one day as another character. He'd make a killer Bond villain!

Star Wars

Idris Elba is a bit late to the game to be a part of the Skywalker saga, but there's still a chance he could appear in a Star Wars film in the future. Personally, I think he'd be a great fit for the Game of Thrones showrunners' trilogy, which is rumored to involve The Old Republic. Imagine Elba playing an ancient Jedi, Sith or bounty hunter in an era before the Empire!

Fantastic Beasts

The Harry Potter spinoff series is still rolling strong despite less than favorable reviews of the last film, and why shouldn't it? It'll take more than one bad movie to turn fans off to this franchise, and bringing in someone like Idris Elba could make some forget all about how The Crimes of Grindelwald was a bit of a letdown outside of that one twist. He'd make a great villain or Auror.

Austin Powers

Idris Elba's comedic prowess is a highly underrated aspect of his acting, and one that could really shine in the Austin Powers franchise. With Mike Myers interested in getting a fourth movie made, Elba could appear in a comedic role for some spy-filled adventure. This may be the closest we'll ever get to seeing him play James Bond, so producers should try to get him involved if Austin Powers 4 actually has a shot at happening.

Pirates Of The Caribbean

As Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean reboot continues development, they're going to need a few big names to convince audiences to jump back into this franchise so soon after the the original run. Idris Elba is a name that can put butts in seats, and considering he's already ingratiated within the Disney family, getting in touch with him shouldn't be too hard to do.

Those with other wishes for franchises they'd like to see Idris Elba join can share their thoughts in the comments below. Stick with CinemaBlend for updates on the actor, his films and other goings on in the entertainment world.

In April, Verne Troyer tragically passed away at the age of 49. The actor, best known for his role as Mini-Me in the Austin Powers sequels, had a history with depression and addiction-- and there is reason to believe that his unexpected passing was ultimately self-inflicted. Unfortunately, as it was revealed by the Los Angeles County medical examiner-coroner, the cause of death was deemed suicidal, as the character actor sadly died due to alcohol abuse.

According to the coroner, Verne Troyer's body contained a blood alcohol content that exceeded 0.08. That's considered to be more than three times the legal limit, according to NBC News. To be more specific, the coroner claimed Troyer died from "sequelae of alcohol intoxication." He consumed a fatal amount of alcohol, the report states, and it comes to a sad end for the actor who was open about his struggles with alcoholism and depression.

Shortly before Verne Troyer passed away, he was hospitalized for what was deemed at the time as an apparent suicide. Law enforcement officers and fire department paramedics inside the Los Angeles area were sent to the comedy performer's house, after a friend of Troyer's called the police claiming that the Austin Powers actor's behavior was "extremely upset, drunk and suicidal." His ongoing battle with alcoholism was well documented; he was admitted to the hospital for addiction treatment only a year before he passed away. Unfortunately, his addictions were being battled until his final days.

Upon his death, a spokesperson on the late actor's behalf wrote the following statement on Verne Troyer's Facebook page. In the mournful address, Troyer was remembered as an "extremely caring individual," one who "wanted to make everyone smile, be happy, and laugh." Here's what was stated.

In addition to his work in the popular Austin Powers franchise, where he played Mini-Me in both sequels, 1999's Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me and 2002's Austin Powers in Goldmember, Verne Troyer is also seen and remembered by his appearances in other movies.

Those films include The Love Guru; Bubble Boy; The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus; Men in Black; How the Grinch Stole Christmas; Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Postal, and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, to name a mere few. On TV, Troyer also made appearances on Trailer Park Boys, Scrubs, MADtv and more.

There's no denying that Verne Troyer is beloved and missed, and to know that his untimely death was self-inflicted adds a great weight of tragedy to the popular comedic actor's indelible pop culture legacy, an unparalleled talent that won't soon be forgotten. If you or someone you know have thoughts about suicide, reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK, which is available 24/7 across the United States.

As far as 90s culture goes, there are few comedy properties quite as iconic as Austin Powers. The James Bond spoof featured comedian Mike Myers in a variety of roles, and folks have been throwing out "Yeah, baby!" in decades following. Because nostalgia has been dictating TV and film production, many are wondering if the Austin Powers franchise could eventually return to the silver screen for more poop jokes and fembots. While it certainly seems like a possibility that Austin could make a reappearance, it seems franchise star Mike Myers is actually more interested in his nemesis Dr. Evil. When asked about the future of the franchise, Myers revealed how he'd like to focus on Dr. Evil, saying:

Although no future plans for the Austin Powers franchise have been made, Mike Myers seems to understand the power of the internet and a passionate fandom. He'll need to drum up excitement to be given two more movies within the Austin Powers franchise, so all those 90s kids longing to return to the property need to make their voices known.

Mike Myer's comments to ET are sure to be intriguing for those familiar with the Austin Powers franchise. While Dr. Evil, Fat Bastard, and Mike Myers' other characters are all given time to shine, the trilogy is largely told through the spectacled eyes of the International Man of Mystery. Goldmember helped to expand Dr. Evil's past, but it would be a unique idea to focus the next movie on the villain.

Changing the format to focus on Dr. Evil might be exactly what Austin Powers needs to return, without seeming desperate or tired. A Dr. Evil movie would be able to provide the fans with something new, while also potentially introducing a new generation to the ridiculous characters that were introduced in 1997 original.

Of course, bringing a Dr. Evil into the world will have its own set of challenges. Perhaps the most obvious at the moment is the recent death of actor Verne Troyer, who played Mini-Me in the two Austin Powers sequels. The relationship between Dr. Evil and his clone has always been one of the franchise's most ridiculous and surprisingly sweet plot points, and it just won't be the same without Troyer's character. The actor tragically passed away April 21, 2018 at the age of 49 after suffering from alcohol poisoning.

Considering how many long awaited sequels and reboots are currently arriving in the silver screen, it seems plausible that Austin Powers could return at some point. While Mike Myers seems eager to reprise his role(s), a strong enough story will likely have to be crafted in order for a studio to get in bed with it. After all, a new sequel will likely be compared to the myriad other reboots out there.

Mike Myers is set to appear in the Freddy Mercury biopic Bohemian Rhapsody, as well as Margot Robbie's upcoming heist thriller Terminal. In the meantime, check out our 2018 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.

Verne Troyer, best known as Dr. Evil's beloved sidekick Mini-Me, passed away earlier today. He was just forty-nine-years-old, though he'd been suffering from a combination of health problems and battles with addiction over the past several years of his life.

Details about what exactly happened are still emerging. Earlier this month, he was allegedly rushed to the hospital and treated for alcohol poisoning in what may have been a drunken suicide attempt. Sources close to TMZ are saying the actor remained in the hospital on life support since that earlier incident, but none of that has been confirmed by the family or authorities.

Those close to Troyer did, however, publish a very touching letter on his Facebook account. You can read it in its entirety below...

Most actors spend their entire lives looking for one role that really connects with audiences. After a series of stunt jobs and small acting roles, Verne Troyer found his role of a lifetime in Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me. In the film, he plays a miniature clone of super villain Dr. Evil, and fans took to it immediately. He quickly became perhaps the best loved part of the utterly ridiculous cinematic universe. He later appeared in the less well-received sequel and in between additional acting jobs, made numerous television appearances as himself.

You can check out Troyer's first appearance as Mini-Me in the clip below...

Troyer was born with achondroplasia dwarfism, which limited his height to two feet, eight inches. He was initially raised in an Amish community, but his parents left not long after he was born. By all accounts, he was treated the same as his siblings and worked on the family farm in Michigan. At the age of twenty-five, he snagged his first acting role. He later picked up small parts in Men In Black, Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas and My Giant, among others. At thirty, he was cast in the Austin Powers sequel, and the rest is history.

Our thoughts go out to Verne Troyer's entire family, as well as all of those who were touched by his life. He was reportedly a funny man with a big heart in real life too. He will be missed.

It's been 16 years since the last Austin Powers movie but it seems that the franchise is still as popular as ever, following Mike Myers appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. He brought Dr. Evil out of retirement for a bit during Fallon's monologue as the most recent person to be fired from the Trump Administration. Check it out.

A number of people have recently left the executive branch, which is, of course, great fodder for the late night talk shows. Jimmy Fallon brought it up last night and claimed that he had an exclusive interview with somebody who had just been fired. It turned out to be Mike Myers dusting off his role as Austin Powers nemesis Dr. Evil.

Dr. Evil says he was originally going be hired as the Secretary of Evil, because of course, but ended up as an "idea guy." Of course, those ideas are pure Dr. Evil. Rather than building a border wall, he wanted a moat filled with spiky blowfish, one assumes because he was all out of ill-tempered sea bass.

Unfortunately, we never learn exactly why Dr. Evil was fired from his job in the White House. However, we'll likely learn as Dr. Evil will, of course, be writing a tell-all book. Dr. Evil also announced his own plan to run for President, including his own merchandise, which, if it really existed, is a hat I would buy.

Based on the popular response from the audience, it seems that there are a lot of people who still remember, and enjoy, Dr. Evil. Could something like this renew interest in the franchise? The door to a fourth Austin Powers film has always been open, the players simply haven't found an idea worth turning into a film yet. Maybe getting into character will help the ideas flow.

Mike Myers himself hasn't been in the public eye as much in recent years, though that will change this summer, as Myers has a credited role in the Margot Robbie noir-thriller Terminal which recently released its first trailer.

While we may never get another big screen Austin Powers, it's clear that Mike Myers hasn't lost a step in the performance of Dr. Evil. The evil laugh still sounds great and while the character may have become a little stale of the course of three films, it's been long enough now that we can remember what was so funny back then.

Today brings sad news for fans of Austin Powers, specifically Verne Troyer's iconic role as Mini-Me. As it was revealed today, the 49-year-old character actor is currently placed inside an involuntary psychiatric hold for what was deemed suicidal behavior on Monday night. He is being held for 72 hours.

As Entertainment Tonight reports, law enforcement officers and fire department paramedics in Los Angeles were called to Verne Troyer's house by a friend who claimed the Austin Powers actor's behavior was "extremely upset, drunk and suicidal." Troyer has been confessional about his ongoing battle with alcoholism, particularly in the past couple years. TMZ reports that last year he was also admitted to the hospital for it. Troyer was rushed to the hospital for possible alcohol poisoning, and a psychiatric evaluation was performed. He was then placed in the involuntary psychiatric hold, better known as a 5150 hold, shortly thereafter. The 5150 hold is typically placed whenever a person is deemed a threat to themselves or others.

While Verne Troyer himself is unable to speak out about the situation, a representative for Troyer went on Instagram last night to release this statement.

The story is still ongoing. Additional information is forthcoming. We'll keep you posted on additional updates on Verne Troyer's condition as they arise.

Verne Troyer's resume and filmography includes roles in films such as The Love Guru, Bubble Boy, Postal, The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, Men in Black, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, to name a few of his film credits. He has also appeared in shows like Trailer Park Boys, Two and a Half Men, Scrubs, Boston Public, MADtv and Sabrina, the Teenage Witch.

Of course, Verne Troyer is best known and fondly remembered for his scene-stealing supporting role as Mini-Me in the Austin Powers sequels, 1999's The Spy Who Shagged Me and 2002's Goldmember. His prominent turns in both comedy sequels rose the actor into international stardom. Troyer appeared in both Austin Powers films, he was also a stunt performer, and his stunt work can be seen in films like Baby's Day Out, Dunston Checks In, Jingle All the Way, Volcano, RocketMan and My Giant. He also appeared on Celebrity Big Brother back in 2009. We wish him a safe recovery in this time of need.

If you're going to successfully commit a heist, you'll need to make sure you're properly disguised. Baby Driver's second gang of thieves made sure to do this, only due to miscommunication, the criminals were wearing Austin Powers masks during the robbery rather than the pre-agreed upon ones resembling Michael Myers from the Halloween series. It was a mistake that made the criminals look less intimidating, but was also one of the more amusing moments in the latest Edgar Wright-directed film. But as it turns out, Baby Driver's Austin Powers mask moment wasn't planned for ahead of time, instead being drafted due to rights issues.

As those who've seen Baby Driver will remember, the movie's second heist saw Ansel Elgort's Baby being the getaway driver for Jamie Foxx's Bats, Flea's Eddie "No-Nose" and Lanny Joon's JD. Originally the scene was supposed to unfold with just one of the thieves wearing that particular mask, while the other two would wear the actual Michael Myers masks. But when the production couldn't get proper clearance those slasher disguises, the script was adjusted after getting Mike Myers and Warner Bros' blessing to have all three men wear masks modeled after the Saturday Night Live alum's comedic character. Wright, however, forgot to keep one of these masks for himself. He recalled to THR:

For those who need a refresher on Baby Driver's Austin Powers mask scene (including JD, the guy who screwed up the masks, mistaking Michael Myers for Jason Voorhees from the Friday the 13th series), check out the clip below.

Along with being a successful change to the Baby Driver script, the Austin Powers mask scene had also led to those particular disguises becoming a popular purchase this Halloween season, selling out at places like Amazon and eBay. Considering that Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery is also celebrating its 20th anniversary, the shagadelic spy extraordinaire is experiencing quite the resurgence in popularity. As for Baby Driver itself, it has cemented itself as one of 2017's biggest theatrical successes, earning nearly universal critical acclaim and collecting over $226 million worldwide off a $34 million budget (making it Edgar Wright's highest-grossing movie as director).

You can watch Baby Driver for yourself now on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD. Keep checking back with CinemaBlend for more updates on what Edgar Wright has coming up, and read through our 2017 premiere guide to find out when this year's remaining movies are coming out.

As insane as it may seem, the original Austin Powers film turns 20 this year. After two decades, the James Bond spoof has become a legend in the comedy genre and has catapulted Mike Meyers to the status of comedic icon -- as if Wayne's World hadn't already done that. The film is one of the quintessential PG-13 comedies of the 1990s, but as it turns out, it initially received an R-rating from the MPAA for including a bit too much of Austin Powers' butt. Director Jay Roach recently opened up about the legacy of Austin Powers and explained the bizarre censorship ruling, saying:

Jay Roach's recent comments to THR regarding the editing process for Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery seem to highlight the ridiculous nature of the MPAA. Although the governing body certainly wanted Roach and Mike Myers to keep the nudity blocking sequence (in which Austin Powers and Vanessa Kensington narrowly avoid showing off their naked bodies through some great prop comedy) within the bounds of good taste, they were far more concerned with the unfreezing scene. In the original cut of the film, when Austin is brought back into action by the government, the sequence of him thawing out of his cryogenic sleep featured brief shots of Powers' butt, which ultimately needed to be cut to earn the film its PG-13 rating. Meyers spends a healthy amount of the movie in the buff, but a direct shot of his rear end ultimately proved too much.

Allow me to make this somewhat clearer for you. This scene was not the one sequence that garnered Austin Powers an R-rating, but a simple shot of Mike Meyers' derriere did.

This revelation raises questions about how the MPAA will treat the Austin Powers franchise if it ever receives a fourth film. Jay Roach and Mike Meyers have made no secret of the fact that they would want to proceed with a follow-up to 2002's Goldmember -- as long as they land on a story that works. The overall comedy landscape has become decidedly raunchier in the last twenty years, so it would prove fascinating to see how a fourth film could continue to evolve the character. In the same way that Austin Powers encountered a massive culture shock when he awoke in 1997, the Austin Powers franchise may similarly experience a huge shift if it ever receives the opportunity to play around with today's more relaxed standards of decency.

On that note, I would just like to conclude by declaring that I want a fourth Austin Powers movie, Mr. Meyers. Please make it happen.

It's been 15 years since everyone's favorite bumbling British spy appeared on the silver screen, but the Austin Powers franchise remains one of the more consistent comedy franchises in recent memory. Fans have clamored for a fourth installment in the series for almost two decades, and it sounds like such a prospect isn't outside the realm of possibility; they're just waiting for the right story. Austin Powers director Jay Roach explained:

As Jay Roach recently pointed out to THR in honor of the 20thth anniversary of International Man of Mystery, he and Mike Myers would gladly jump back into the fray for another Austin Powers movie if the right story came around. They've consistently talked about doing it for 15 years, but they haven't come up with anything substantive yet. It's safe to say that a fourth installment in the Austin Powers franchise would be more than welcome to longtime fans of the iconic film series. The most recent installment (2002's Goldmember) is widely considered the weakest entry in the overall Austin Powers narrative, so another shot at this universe to correct course could be the right decision in the long run.

A lot has changed in the years since the Austin Powers franchise went dormant, and that opens up a ton of possibilities for new forms of storytelling. In addition to the significant changes that the James Bond franchise saw when Daniel Craig took over in 2006's Casino Royale, the spy franchise saw a major shift to grittier narratives with the advent of the Bourne franchise. The Austin Powers series carved out its niche by poking fun at the camp of the Roger Moore Bond era, but a new installment could potentially move into a "darker" territory by making Powers a more modern type of spy -- complete with an R-rating to match the increased age of the series' original fanbase.

Although nothing has received any definitive confirmation yet, Michael Meyers could potentially be on the path towards a major comeback if everything goes correctly. In addition to the possibility of an Austin Powers revival, there has also been ample talk of a third Wayne's World movie ever since the second film in the series debuted all the way back in 1993. Like Austin Powers, nothing has been ruled out in this regard, so we will keep our fingers crossed that it happens before it no longer becomes feasible.

Of course, as much as we love the idea of a fourth Austin Powers movie, it also raises the question as to whether or not it's a good idea. Long-awaited sequels (particularly for comedies) often fail to live up the reputations of their predecessors, so Austin Powers 4 could very easily collapse under the weight of fan enthusiasm. Beyond that, spoof-style comedies haven't thrived on the silver screen in recent years -- if anything, the genre has moved to the small screen with the success of shows like Angie Tribeca. There are a ton of unanswered questions here, but the fact remains that fans would certainly want to, at the very least, give fourth Austin Powers movie a chance.

The Austin Powers movies are overloaded with jokes that managed to become mainstays of modern pop culture. There's one line in particular, however, that surprised Mike Myers in its popularity. Apparently he spent a long time wary of Dr. Evil's famous "One million dollars!" line, but was impressed by just how many people found it hilarious. He recently commented,

Austin Powers: International Man Of Mystery is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year - having originally been released in 1997 - and The Hollywood Reporter has published a long oral history featuring interviews with Mike Myers, director Jay Roach, and more. During a discussion of the small-scale production and the number of things that had to be manipulated to work, Myers remarked that it was ultimately some of the small stuff that brought the most satisfaction - including the exchange where it's revealed Dr. Evil does not fully understand the concept of multi-decade inflation.

The Austin Powers scene in question takes place shortly after Dr. Evil (Mike Myers) is awoken from his 30-year-long cryogenic sleep. Immediately ready to start up his world conquering efforts yet again, he proposes an idea involving drilling a hole to the center of the Earth and dropping in a nuclear warhead... unless the governments of the world pay him what he believes is a hefty ransom. As his number two, Number Two (Robert Wagner), points out, though, his demands aren't really extreme enough at the end of the 20th century. You can watch the great sequence in the video below:

In general, the original Austin Powers is a wonderful send-up of the ridiculous 1960s spy thrillers (particularly James Bond), and there is richness in its parody being based in time-displaced plot. It allows for some legitimately clever gags, not only about inflation, but also sexual politics and gender relations. For a ridiculous '90s comedy, it's a smart film.

We aren't quite at Austin Powers 20th anniversary yet - as the movie was first released on May 2, 1997. That, however, just gives you all enough time to get your Blu-rays/digital copies organized so that you can celebrate properly.

Being an evil genius trying to dominate the world isn't easy. For instance, even when you formulate the perfect plan to hold the world hostage or want a specific weapon to use at a moment's notice, that doesn't mean your minions can follow through on your wishes. In Dr. Evil's case during the first Austin Powers movie, he desperately wanted sharks with frickin' last beams attached to their heads, but he had to make due with ill-tempered sea bass instead. It made for a hilarious twist on the traditional super villain death trap, but the real reason why Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery went with the sea bass instead was because the budget simply wasn't big enough to feature sharks. According to Mike Myers:

Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery is celebrating its 20th anniversary next month, and to commemorate the occasion, Mike Myers, director Jay Roach and others from the production spoke with THR about what making the movie was like. In the case of these sharks, the creative team wanted to have these predators as Dr. Evil's playthings, but there wasn't enough money to make that happen. So the sea bass were brought in as substitutes, although even then they were only seen jumping from the water for a couple seconds at a time. It's a shame that the Austin Powers crew couldn't get the sharks, but for comedy purposes, going with the sea bass was a better decision.

If it's any consolation to Dr. Evil, the sea bass were still effective killing machines. While his plan to slowly kill Austin Powers and Vanessa Kensington failed, the ferocious creatures did devour a henchman's head. That not only helped making escape Dr. Evil's lair easier, but it also provided Austin with good puns. Relive that moment below.

Fortunately for Dr. Evil, he finally got the sharks with frickin' laser beams on their heads in 2002's Goldmember as a gift from his son Scott, who had finally embraced the evil lifestyle, balding and all. Hopefully those sea bass found a new home with a lesser-known diabolical mastermind who also spent six years at evil medical school.

While it was rumored for many years that Austin Powers 4 was in the works, the project has still not seen the light of day and is presumably on ice just like Austin was for 30 years. So for now, you'll just have to keep re-watching the original three movies to get your fix of Mike Myers-led wacky spy shenanigans, ill-tempered sea bass being among the many offerings.

The last year has seen some truly wonderful animated films hit theaters, and this definitely has us wondering about the futures of some of our favorite animated franchises. Although the Shrek series has pretty much been on ice since 2010's Shrek Forever After, it now seems that the series is pressing forward with a fifth installment. In fact, it Mike Myers has even tapped a frequent Austin Powers collaborator to help develop the story. Mike Mitchell, director of the new film Trolls, explained:

While sitting down with The Hollywood News to promote the upcoming release of Trolls, Mike Mitchell admitted that the fifth Shrek film has already enlisted a writer to bring the movie to life. Apparently Mike Myers has brought Michael McCullers on board to pen the script and develop the story for the upcoming sequel. As noted by Mitchell, McCullers' involvement in the project is notable because he has already worked with Myers on the Austin Powers franchise. The film is poised to deliver laughs, no matter what.

A reunion between Mike Myers and Michael McCullers could potentially bode very will for a fifth Shrek movie. As a frequent collaborator with Myers, the screenwriter clearly has an acute understanding of the actor's comedic sensibilities, timing, and voice. Even if he hasn't written dialogue for the grumpy green ogre before, an intimate knowledge of how Mike Myers operates will help bring the story together nicely. If he can write Fat Bastard, then he can write Shrek.

Bringing in a writer from the Austin Powers franchise also seems like a strong indication that the next Shrek movie will appeal equally to children and adults. Both the Shrek franchise and the Austin Powers franchise established themselves for their perfect balance of witty dialogue and infantile humor. However, it's also worth noting that Michael McCullers' writing jobs are not limited to the PG-13 spy spoof genre. In addition to the Austin Powers movies, the screenwriter also has credits on Mr. Peabody & Sherman, as well as the upcoming films The Boss Baby and Hotel Transylvania 3. Don't worry, parents; the family friendly Shrek franchise remains in good hands with this guy.

With Shrek 5 in development, there's only one thing left to wish for from this collaboration: another Austin Powers movie. Mike Myers has made no secret of the fact that he's willing to dust off the Shrek franchise, as well as the Wayne's World series. If he really wants to go for the trifecta, he should don the glasses, bad teeth, and puffy shirts of everyone's favorite bumbling, British spy.

We will bring you more information related to Shrek 5 as new details become available to us. The film is expected to hit theaters in 2019.

While streaming services are incredibly convenient ways to watch movies, actually finding something that you want to watch there can be difficult much of the time. However, a new deal looks to add a bunch of movies on Amazon you might actually care about. The online giant has struck a new deal with Warner Bros. that will bring a string of quality movies exclusively to Amazon Prime throughout the rest of the year.

While there have been a number of solid WB movies available on Amazon Prime already, including Ocean's Eleven, Good Night and Good Luck, and The American President, today it was announced that Amazon and WB have entered into a deal that will make 33 additional titles available over the next several months. Here are the first batch of announced movies:

Any Given Sunday

Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me

Caddyshack

The Candidate

The Devil's Advocate

Dreamcatcher

Final Destination

Full Metal Jacket

Interview With the Vampire

Lethal Weapon

Lethal Weapon 2

Lethal Weapon 3

Lethal Weapon 4

The Matrix

The Matrix Reloaded

The Matrix Revolutions

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 3

Training Day

You've Got Mail

Some of the movies that have been added will include the Matrix trilogy, as well as all four Lethal Weapon movies. This could be a bit of bad news for movie fans that only have Netflix. According to Variety, the deal for these new films is exclusive, which likely means that any of the films which are currently available on Netflix, including the only recently added Lethal Weapon series, could be disappearing fairly soon.

A number of recent reports have shown what frequent Netflix viewers had likely already realized, the amount of content offered on the site has shrunk over recent months. The number of movies leaving the service each month has been greater than those being added for quite some time. As such, services like Amazon clearly see this as an opportunity to pick up market share by providing more content that viewers want to watch. Amazon Prime already has more movies on its service than Netflix does, though, for both options, many of the choices are films you've likely never heard of.

Whatever your genre preference, the movies being added to Amazon Prime have you covered. It includes Caddyshack, as well as Final Destination. While they may not all be films you want to watch, they are movies you've heard of, which is something.

While Netflix has been relying on it's quality original content to carry it through in recent months, it's not taking the movie issue lying down. They already have a deal in place that will bring a number of Disney theatrical releases to the service later this year. In addition, recent additions to the service have included major Oscar nominees Spotlight and The Big Short.

Does this new Warner Bros. deal make Amazon Prime a better option than Netflix? Which service do you use more often?

In this age of reboots, remakes, and revivals, no stone is left unturned lately. We’ve got TV versions of Lethal Weapon and Exorcist on their way, as well as the incredibly controversial Ghostbusters reboot. With all these properties from our childhoods brought back into the limelight, one question everybody seems to have is where the hell is Austin Powers 4? Okay, I don’t think that many people have said that, except for Mike Myers and director Jay Roach. Jay Roach, in particular, has voiced his optimism about a potential return to the International Man of Mystery.

Jay Roach got his start directing Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery, and he directed both of its sequels. Roach has since moved on and produced films such as Trumbo, but that doesn’t mean he’s forgotten his roots. Roach recently appeared on Larry King Now, where the legendary interviewer asked him if he was making an Austin Powers 4. Though he doesn’t outright confirm anything, Roach does mention that he and Mike Myers are always looking for a good idea for a fourth film.

Well, there you go. No one's rushing to make a new one, but the duo are always looking for opportunities.

I haven’t revisited the Austin Powers films in a long time, but I’d imagine they’d need a hefty amount of updating for modern times. It was usually all just sex jokes and goofy visual gags.

I think the big question here is: do we even want an Austin Powers 4? Is seeing Mike Myers put his wig and glasses back on something anyone is foaming at the mouth for? It seems like a property that no one thinks is very shagadelic at the moment. The franchise had its moments (I’ve always been fond of the opening numbers and Will Ferrell's Mustafa), but it might have already seen its heyday. Of course, given the right idea, it could end up being awesome and slap everyone in the face with how wrong they were to doubt. We live in a world where the third 21 Jump Street movie is a crossover with Men in Black. Anything’s possible.

What do you all think? Is it time for Austin Powers to make a comeback, or are you just completely indifferent? Can we all start saying shagadelic again?

Think of the greatest comedy movies from your childhood: Austin Powers, Hot Shots!, and Scary Movie – just to name a few. All of these are spoofs. There was a time when the spoof genre reigned supreme above all other forms of comedic cinema, but sadly that era seems to have come to a close. Despite its long history of iconic films – ranging from Naked Gun to Spaceballs – the spoof genre has experienced a sharp decline in quality in recent years, leaving all of us to wonder where exactly things went wrong.

In recent years we have seen plenty of mediocre spoofs come and go, and yet none have managed to capture the magic of the genre during its heyday in the 1980s and 1990s. The recent release of 50 Shades of Black only further solidifies the notion that we’re witnessing the death of the modern spoof. After dissecting some of the most beloved – as well as most painful – spoofs in recent memory, we may have figured it out. Let’s take a quick look and examine the reasons why this once great genre is on the verge of its inevitable death

Modern Spoofs Lack Focus

One of the most egregious issues facing modern spoofs is the simple fact that most of them lack a specific target when it comes to whatever topic they lampoon. For an example of such a phenomenon one need only look at the recent release of 50 Shades of Black. Despite the fact that the Marlon Wayans comedy frames itself as a parody of the recent 50 Shades of Grey, it goes off on needless tangents to poke fun at other recent cultural touchstones like Magic Mike and the Kardashian family – firing wildly at whatever subject seems ripe for parody. When this happens the spoof no longer becomes a spoof, it’s basically a "best of" compilation of pop culture references over the last few years.

On the other hand, some spoofs have become so specific in their subject matter that they essentially act like inside jokes. Movies like Meet the Spartans and A Haunted House do not tell their own story; they take the stories of movies like 300 or Paranormal Activity and simply inject slapstick humor or grossout gags into plots we have already become familiar with. The best spoofs of all time take easily identifiable genres and tropes, but still manage to tell their own story. One can watch a movie like Airplane! without having seen any of the classic 1970s disaster movies and still pick up on the ideas and genre cliches that are being made fun of.

Internet Comedy Has Stolen Spoof's Niche

Perhaps it’s unfair to say that the spoof genre as a whole is "dying." However, we can say with near certainty that movie spoofs are most certainly on the way out due to the increased prevalence of Internet comedy. There was a time when film – and to a lesser extent television – represented the only potential outlet for spoof-style comedy; that’s simply no longer the case. Websites like Cracked or Funny or Die have become more suitable platforms for this style of humor, often distilling entire genres or movies into more digestible and economical forms of entertainment with short sketches and memes.

Social media has also stolen much of the spoof genre’s thunder because user generated content on platforms such as Vine, YouTube, and Snapchat offers the same type of wacky, outlandish humor without the cost of admission. This is arguably one of the more hopeful points we can make because it points to the idea that spoofs themselves aren’t going away, they're merely changing shape and adapting to the times we live in.

Modern Spoofs Have The Wrong People Behind The Camera

Comedy movies are a form of auteur cinema where filmmakers have their own distinct style and taste. Mel Brooks produced some of the best spoofs of all time during the 1970s such as Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein, while David Zucker picked up the torch during the 1980s and 1990s with films like The Naked Gun and Airplane!. However, the moment the Wayans became face of the spoof genre with the Scary Movie franchise is when spoofs started to become a laughing stock (and not in a good way). Their spoof films started off strong enough, but have weakened over the years with the likes of A Haunted House and the recent 50 Shades of Black.

As much as I want to put all of the blame for the death of the spoof genre upon the shoulders of the Wayans – it's really Marlon flying solo at this point – that simply isn’t the case. The real culprits are Aaron Seltzer and Jason Friedberg. Over the last decade these two have been responsible for some of the most glaring examples of how not to do a spoof – Epic Movie, Vampires Suck, The Starving Games, etc. – with complete impunity. Throughout their careers they have received numerous Razzie awards, and yet Hollywood producers continued to allow them to tarnish the genre because their movies are cheap and make money. If the genre as a whole hasany semblance of a chance for survival, then fresh blood must be brought in and put behind the camera.

Recent Spoofs Rely On Lowbrow Humor

Look, we’re not saying lowbrow humor doesn’t have its place in spoof movies, it does, but modern spoofs have become decidedly reliant on the tactic to generate laughter. There’s a scene in the recent 50 Shades of Black during which lead female character gets her head caught in an elevator door that repeatedly opens and closes on her. It’s pure slapstick – with absolutely no relevance or foundation in the story – that simply drags on and on. That’s far from the only example; far too many spoof films utilized unnecessary slapstick or gross-out gags that pander to an audience’s most basic sense of humor. Audiences are smarter than these directors think, and deserve better than that.

The best spoofs mix in clever jokes and gags. Say what you will about spoofs like The Naked Gun or Airplane! but the fact of the matter is they didn’t rely on lowbrow humor to garner laughs. Did they implement lowbrow? Absolutely. One need only remember the scene in which Elaine (Julie Haggerty) has to – literally – blow the autopilot in order to get the plane to fly itself once more, only to find herself interrupted by Dr. Rumack (Leslie Nielsen). A scene such as that works because it relies on Nielsen’s facial expression to achieve its desired effect, and not necessarily because of the implications of oral sex.

Satire Has Become More Popular Than Spoof

Spoofs have generally become less and less common to find in theaters these days, and that’s because something else has taken their place: Satire. Although we often hear the two terms used interchangeably, they have inherent differences to one another. Spoofs take existing genres and properties and exaggerate them, playing them for goofy effect. On the other hand, satire tends to examine it in order to dissect it and mock it in some way. Spoofs exaggerate subjects while satires provide commentary.

Recent years have seen a growing prominence in critically acclaimed comedic satires. Tropic Thunder skewered the entertainment industry, the Jump Street franchise satirized the prevalence of Hollywood sequels and reboots, and Borat satirized basically everything about American culture. Does this mean that Hollywood isn’t producing any spoofs of note anymore? Of course not, but they have become decidedly less prevalent in recent year – likely due to the final entry on this list…

Spoofs Have Seen Declining Box Office Returns In Recent Years

It’s a sad, simple truth that spoofs just don’t make the kind of money that they used to. Based solely on the numbers it’s clear to see that the genre was at its strongest in the years leading up to the turn of the century. Franchises like Austin Powers and the early Scary Movie entries are the highest-grossing spoofs of all time, with films from the 1980s and 1990s following closely behind. However, the last decade has seen a sharp decline in box office earnings for this particular genre; millions of dollars are nothing to scoff at, but recent years have seen some of the least profitable spoofs of all time.

The exact cause of this decline remains unclear. On one hand it could have to do with people losing faith after a string of low quality spoofs in recent years, and on the other hand it could simply indicate a shift in the general audience's taste. Even recent spoofs that were generally considered strong comedies, such as MacGruber or Casa De Mi Padre, barely made an impression at the box office – grossing $8.5 million and $6 million at the box office, respectively. Hope remains alive that the cult following of MacGruber can still revive the franchise with a sequel, but overall the era of spoof comedies as box office gold has definitively come to an end.

There are people out there who spend a whole lot of money on sex dolls. The more money, the more realistic. And now, a new element is being developed in a particular line of sex dolls that could animate the dolls. The creator of RealDoll is on the forefront of developing a convincing AI sex doll, and we’re a little bit scared about it.

Why scared? Well I don’t know--seen Ex Machina lately, or basically any movie that messes with Artificial Intelligence for some sort of selfish purpose? It never really turns out so great for the creator in the end. But the creator of RealDoll, Matt McMullen knows where the sex doll market is headed, and his latest project Realbotix wants to be the first sexbot to get there. According to The New York Times, McMullen is focusing on developing convincing AI, including a robotic head that can blink and open and close its mouth. He’s also working on the integration of emerging tech like a virtual assistant and companion mobile app (Her?) and virtual reality headsets that can be used separately or in tandem with the physical doll.

The creation of a sex robot doesn’t come without its challenges though. McMullen faces the so-called uncanny valley, which is a concept written in the 70s by a Japanese researcher that basically says people’s responses to robots shift from empathy to revulsion the more closely the robots resemble humans. McMullen hopes to avoid creepiness by creating products that still look like dolls, not just copies of people. So I guess we won’t be seeing Austin Powers Fembots roaming around anytime soon?

McMullen is definitely going to have some difficulty with the uncanny valley concept though, because his dolls do look pretty darn realistic. He wants to create something that can attract people beyond the physical attraction (because sexbots have feelings too!) and this is all starting to sound a bit too much like that episode in Black Mirror where Domhnall Gleeson comes back in the form of a robot with all of his social media/ internet presense used to map a personality, and what is our world coming to? Black Mirror knows...

McMullen has been in the sex doll business since 1996, already sold over 5,000 customizable life-size dolls priced ranging from $5,000 to $10,000. Customers customize their dolls by choosing body type, skin tone, hair and eye color, and someone even ordered custom toes. The Realbotix will come in two forms. First the Realbotix head will be sold, and can attach to any RealDoll body. For the AI head, which should be available in a couple years, it will cost around $10,000. Then, the full body which begins development after the head is completed will most likely range between $30,000 to $60,000. And McMullen expects a plenty of buyers.

Want to see the Realbotix in action? Check out this episode of Bits video series, Robotica which details McMullen’s work on Realbotix.

The villain of villains, Dr. Evil stopped by Saturday Night Live last night to give a lesson on the true meaning of evil. In light of the recent hacking scandal between North Korea and Sony, the Austin Powers villain had some words of wisdom for his fellow evil organizations who are giving him and other villains a bad rep. Watch him go off on North Korea below:

After a long week of backlash due to Sony’s decision to pull The Interview from theaters, SNL took the opportunity to put their two cents into the mix courtesy of Mike Myers’ reprised role, Dr. Evil. "The Sam Smith/Dr. Evil Cold Open" shifted from a lonely, Christmas scene to an important interruption from the man with the creepy cat, Dr. Evil. Dr. Evil is upset and disgusted because North Korea and Sony are giving evil corporations a bad name. Dr. Evil’s segment was to take North Korea and Sony to school, and teach them how to really be evil. He has some hilarious jabs at the country and the corporation, and of course added in some of his famous air quoting. He starts with North Korea stating:

Dr. Evil also questions the hacking organizations name, Guardians of Peace. Because, GOP, come on guys. Myers adds, "way to go, a-holes. There’s already a GOP and they’re already an evil organization." There’s a nice little ‘one million dollars’ tribute, and a few good jabs at Sony as well, including:

While the jokes were fun and a bit silly, I think they could have done a lot better. SNL has had some great skits in the past few weeks including "The Office: Middle Earth". And now you get Mike Myers to reprise Dr. Evil, and the best joke is about how to kill a movie. There could have been so much more. Take some jabs at the fact that Sony won’t even take responsibility for their actions, pushing blame for canceling the movie on the theaters who wouldn’t show it. Or comment on how even President Obama called Sony out on their idiocracy.

The Dr. Evil character is such a fantastic role, it would’ve been great to take it further, maybe even get Mini Me up on stage. It is funny though, that out of all villains to mock other villains it is a character who is parody of a villain himself. Complete with Mr. Bigglesworth, his sinister pinky finger laugh, and the gray tunic suit, Dr. Evil has awoken once again to advise the world on how NOT evil this entire hacking mess actually is.

Up until recently, Joseph Hyungmin Son was best known as the actor who played Random Task, Dr. Evil’s shoe-tossing henchman, in Mike Myers’ first Austin Powers movie. Now, unfortunately, he’ll be known as that guy who was convicted of torturing a California woman in connection with a Christmas Eve rape that took place more than two decades ago.

A jury in Santa Ana, Calif. found Son guilty of one felony count of torture, MSNBC reports. The actor, 40, now faces a maximum sentence of 15-years-to-life in state prison. Son reportedly will be sentenced on Sept. 9.

The initial incident took place in 1990, when Son and co-defendant Santiago Gaitan abducted and sexually abused a woman who was walking back home after a night spent with friends looking at Christmas lights. Son was accused of distracting the woman while Gaitan kidnapped her. Both men were accused of repeatedly raping the victim at gunpoint. A lack of evidence temporarily allowed Son to walk, though in 2008, when he was picked up on an outstanding arrest warrant, DNA samples taken by the court connected him directly to the 1990 kidnapping and gang rape, leading to the current conviction.

Son’s role as Random Task, a riff on the classic James Bond villain Oddjob, was the highlight of his short acting career. The judge is expected to determine how much time he serves for his crimes, though MSNBC notes that because Son fought the charges, he’s likely to receive a longer sentence.