Have you ever walked out of a movie feeling like you saw something almost entirely different from what the trailer promised you? Well, you are certainly not alone, and this sort of thing happens all the time in Hollywood, to be frank. See for yourself by taking a look at some beloved films that would prove to be a bit of a stretch from how they were portrayed in the marketing, for better or worse.

Jennifer's Body (2009)

From director Karyn Kusama and writer Diablo Cody, Jennifer's Body, starring Megan Fox as a high school student transformed into a succubus after a failed demonic sacrifice, is heralded as one of the most misunderstood cult favorites of all time. The trailers delivered on the thriller's horror content but were light on its feminist themes and heavy on its risque coming-of-age comedy. Not to mention, the poster's depiction of Fox contradicted the film's tongue-in-cheek commentary on teen objectification.

About Time (2013)

Richard Curtis' About Time starts off much like the winning rom-com the marketing promised and that you would expect from the writer and director of Love Actually. However, the time travel movie starring Domhnall Gleeson and Rachel McAdams ultimately evolves into a deeply emotional tearjerker about holding onto one's familial bonds.

Godzilla (2014)

The marketing for Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures' reboot of the world's most famous kaiju relied heavily on the popularity of one of its stars, Bryan Cranston. So, it came as quite a surprise to see Godzilla kill off the Emmy-winning Breaking Bad cast member's character in the first act.

Fast Times At Ridgemont High (1982)

The central character of the Cameron Crowe-penned, Amy Heckerling-directed coming-of-age comedy Fast Times at Ridgemont High is Stacy Hamilton (Jennifer Jason Leigh). However, you would not know that from the marketing, which made Sean Penn's Jeff Spicoli the most prominent figure.

Passengers (2016)

The trailer for the futuristic sci-fi thriller Passengers suggests that commercial space travelers Jim Preston (Chris Pratt) and Aurora Lane (Jennifer Lawrence) are both mistakenly woken up from their cryogenic slumber at the same time. In the actual film, Jim is the only one woken up by accident and selfishly wakes up Aurora on purpose so he would no longer be alone, tainting the story's romantic element for many critics and audiences.

Sucker Punch (2011)

Zack Snyder's Sucker Punch was marketed with trailers that comprised mostly of the F-rated thriller's visually stunning action sequences. However, they appeared to leave out the fact that these moments only exist in the head of Emily Browning's character, Babydoll, and that she and the rest of the ensemble are confined to a mental asylum throughout.

Magic Mike (2012)

Audiences who expected a fun dance flick from director Steven Soderbergh's Magic Mike, which is loosely based on star Channing Tatum's life, would be more fulfilled by its 2015 sequel, Magic Mike XXL. However, the original is essentially a tale of self-destruction and aspiration for a better life, complemented by a number of fun dance sequences throughout.

The Cabin In The Woods (2011)

Director Drew Goddard's feature debut, The Cabin in the Woods, was marketed as just another formulaic horror flick about stupid kids getting into a freaky situation during a woodland vacation. Of course, in truth, the film is a clever and subversive deconstruction of the genre's most prevalent tropes and has since been heralded as one of the best horror-comedy movies of its time.

From Dusk Till Dawn (1996)

Director Robert Rodriguez revealed to Yahoo! that Miramax wanted to underplay the Quentin Tarantino-penned From Dusk Till Dawn's horror elements in favor of hyping up its Pulp Fiction-style crime thriller elements in the marketing. Thus, many were surprised to see the story of two ruthless criminal brothers on the run (played by George Clooney and Tarantino) suddenly become a relentlessly gory vampire movie in the final act.

Drive (2011)

Considering its title, it is easy to see why some audiences may have assumed that Nicolas Winding Refn's Drive, starring Ryan Gosling as a getaway driver who participates in a job gone wrong, would be a high-octane action flick instead of a slow-burn neo-noir drama. According to The Guardian, one woman felt genuinely bamboozled by the thriller's marketing and filed a lawsuit against it, citing that she was promised something more along the lines of the Fast and Furious movies.

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street (2007)

Johnny Depp stars in the title role of the gothic thriller Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, in which a 19th Century hairstylist seeks to avenge his wife and child's brutal murder, which he was wrongfully convicted of. Unless you were a fan of the original 1979 stage production by Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler, you might not have known that the Tim Burton movie was a musical from the marketing alone.

It Comes At Night (2017)

Personally, I believe Trey Edward Schults' sophomore feature, It Comes at Night, is a masterful exercise in slow-burn suspense and paranoia. The film follows a family's struggle to survive a cataclysmic virus. Yet, I can also understand why someone might have been disappointed to learn that the A24 horror movie is not a straight-up zombie flick like the marketing suggested. I'll even admit that I am not sure what the "it" in the title is supposed to refer to.

Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind (2004)

I imagine there were many fans of Jim Carrey movies who walked into director Michel Gondry and screenwriter Charlie Kaufman's Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind not expecting a cerebral, somber meditation on the lengths one might go to escape their romantic grief. The trailer, set to Electric Light Orchestra's upbeat hit, "Mr. Blue Sky," does highlight some of the acclaimed sci-fi film's surreal elements but also attempts to sell it as more of a quirky, overt comedy.

The Grey (2012)

Director Joe Carnahan's The Grey is widely praised as a moving story about the struggle to survive both the unforgiving natural world and internal depression. However, the trailer hypes the thriller up as "Liam Neeson vs. the wolves," which is a scene we do not even get to see as the film cuts to black and the credits roll right after the Irish actor's character prepares to fight his furry foe.

Edge Of Tomorrow (2014)

Perhaps director Doug Liman's retrospectively beloved time loop movie Edge of Tomorrow, starring Tom Cruise as a reluctant soldier who mysteriously finds himself continuously respawning after death during a human-alien war, was a box office flop not because of its underwhelming title. I think it had more to do with the marketing hyping up the alien Invasion movie as an earnest war film, completely underselling just how fun and clever the action-packed sci-fi thriller turned out to be.

Red Eye (2005)

The misleading nature of Red Eye, starring Rachel McAdams as a woman coerced into assisting the flight passenger next to her (Cillian Murphy) with an assassination plot, can be blamed on a couple of things, including the fact that Wes Craven is the director. The marketing even seemed to try selling it as a slasher in the vein of his Scream franchise, but the PG-13 political thriller is actually one of the filmmaker's lighter efforts in terms of tone.

Unbreakable (2000)

Unbreakable was marketed as more of a supernatural thriller in the vein of M. Night Shyamalan's breakthrough hit, The Sixth Sense, from the previous year. Thus, many audiences were surprised to learn they were seeing a dark take on a superhero movie that was not based on a comic book and was way ahead of its time.

Catfish (2010)

Imagine going to see what you assume is a found-footage thriller, such as The Blair Witch Project, only to find out that the film in question is just a simple documentary. That was the case with Catfish, in which Ariel Schulman and Henry Joost document Nev Schulman's relationship with a woman he meets online and whose true identity is put under scrutiny.

Bridge To Terabithia (2007)

I remember seeing the trailer for Bridge to Terabithia, starring Josh Hutcherson and AnnaSophia Robb, and thinking it was a feel-good family film set in a wondrous fantasy land. However, I later discovered that director Gabor Csupo's adaptation of Katherine Paterson's novel is a deeply saddening story about escaping the grief of reality through imagination.

Lady In The Water (2006)

Any time a new M. Night Shyamalan movie is announced, audiences are bound to immediately assume it is a horror movie. The trailers for his somber fairy tale Lady in the Water, in which an apartment complex superintendent (played by Paul Giamatti) tries to help a mysterious young woman (played by Bryce Dallas Howard) return to her otherworldly home, did not help dispel such assumptions.

Wonka (2023)

Academy Award nominee Timothée Chalamet portrayed author Roald Dahl's eccentric chocolatier as a younger man in director Paul King's Wonka. The only hint that the wondrously sweet family film was a musical might be that the original 1971 film, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, was a musical because there were certainly no signs of that in the marketing.

The Many Saints Of Newark (2021)

Fourteen years after the acclaimed HBO series, The Sopranos, ended with one of the most divisive series finales in TV history, Warner Bros. released a divisive feature film digging deeper into the mafia family's past. The Many of Saints of Newark was not an origin story for Tony Soprano (played by the late James Gandolfini's son, Michael) like the marketing promised and centered more heavily on his mentor, Dickie Moltisanti (Alessandro Nivola).

Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)

Did you know that Matthew Broderick's eponymous slacker from John Hughes' classic high school movie had two other siblings, in addition to Jennifer Grey's Jeanie? Anyone who saw the original trailer for Ferris Bueller's Day Off might have been able to pick up on that, only to find that the actors who played his younger brother and sister were cut from the finished product.

Click (2006)

Click, in which Adam Sandler plays an overworked family man who receives a special remote that is universal in the true sense of the word, would turn out to be one of the comedian's more mature efforts, especially after the device begins to take control over his character's life. However, the film's more serious and even heartbreaking turns surely came as a surprise to audiences expecting yet another screwball comedy like the former Saturday Night Live star is best known for.

Colossal (2016)

You might say that the misleading marketing for director Nacho Vigalondo's Colossal worked in its favor, as audiences expected this flick starring Anne Hathaway as an American woman who discovers a kaiju in Japan is mimicking her actions would be a quirky sci-fi comedy. The story is actually much deeper than that, as it is revealed that the monster is a manifestation of the main character's struggle with addiction.

Kangaroo Jack (2003)

Not only is the eponymous, Australian-based animal from Kangaroo Jack barely in the movie, but he does not even talk, save for one dream sequence taking place in the head of Jerry O'Connell's character, Charlie Carbone. However, said dream sequence was a huge focal point in the marketing, which also underplayed the PG-rated comedy's unbelievably inappropriate material, which I imagine many parents did not appreciate.

Yesterday (2019)

Nothing about the tone or plot of Yesterday, in which a struggling musician (played by Himesh Patel) finds himself in an alternate reality in which The Beatles never existed, is undersold in its marketing. However, many people were shocked and even angered to see Ana de Armas, who was featured in the trailer, completely cut from the finished film, including two fans of the Oscar nominee who attempted to sue Universal over it.

Mean Girls (2024)

If you did not know that 2024's Mean Girls was based on the coming-of-age comedy's stage musical adaptation, you might have assumed it was just a pointless remake of the 2004 original. There were absolutely no hints of it being a musical in the marketing, unless you count the sheet music note in the logo.

Observe And Report (2009)

Based on its joke-heavy trailer, audiences expected Observe and Report to be just another zany romp like what star Seth Rogen was then-primarily known for and not a pitch-black psychological thriller examining the mind of an unstable mall security guard. I would be more concerned to discover if parents mistook director Jody Hill's divisive dramedy for a similarly plotted movie from the same year: the more family-friendly Paul Blart: Mall Cop.

Bicentennial Man (1999)

Seeing Robin Williams play a robot sounds like a fun time for the whole family, and the marketing for the PG-rated Bicentennial Man largely made it seem like that was the case. Little did audiences know that this futuristic flick based on an Isaac Asimov story was a slow-paced examination of mortality from the point of view of a machine.

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot (2016)

Tina Fey stars in Whiskey Tango Foxtrot as real-life journalist Kim Baker in an adaptation of her memoir, The Taliban Shuffle: Strange Days in Afghanistan and Pakistan, which chronicles her days covering Middle Eastern conflicts in the early 2000s. While ultimately praised for its balance of comedy and drama, the trailers for the film emphasized the former, perhaps to better appeal to fans of the 30 Rock star and creator.

Lamb (2021)

A24's Lamb, starring Noomi Rapace and Hilmir Snær Guðnason as a couple raising a strange half-sheep, half-human hybrid, was marketed as a horror flick. However, that element of the otherwise bizarre story does not come into play until near the end, while most of the film is a slow-paced meditation on grief and the struggles of parenting.

Being a celebrity can be a double edged sword, especially as it makes one's personal life into a public matter. We've seen this happen with Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez, as well as Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce. A former couple that's got plenty of eyes on them right now is Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan, who are are in the midst of a legal battle. And now the Magic Mike franchise (some of which is streaming with a Max subscription) is factoring into the divorce proceedings.

Although Tatum and Dewan separated in 2018, the legal process of their divorce has been a long one. A recent report by People offered a peek behind the curtain on that process, and how the profits of Magic Mike are affecting things. Per this report, Dewan's legal team is alleging that Tatum is trying to "blur the lines" of how much of their shared assets help to fund the striptease franchise in an attempt to eep her out of the profits. Clearly the case isn't going to be settled anytime soon.

This is just the latest update to come from Dewan and Tatum's long divorce proceedings, with there being no real end in sight to their battle at court. Case in point: weeks ago the Step Up actress' lawyers requested that Tatum's entire legal team be dismissed from the case. In response, his lawyers called this a "delay tactic."

Back in April, an insider who is allegedly close to the former couple claimed that Tatum and Dewan didn't expect their divorce to take so long. Still, it seems like their legal teams are continuing to fire on all cylinders, seemingly due to the money at stake related to Magic Mike and more.

Given how many years have passed since they separated, the public has watched as their personal lives moved on. Tatum got engaged to Zoë Kravitz, with the A-list couple walking red carpets together and collaborating on their new movie Blink Twice (see our Blink Twice review here). But while that couple seems happy and Lenny Kravitz has praised Tatum's character, his ongoing legal issues with Jenna Dewan are still very much in the public consciousness.

Tatum and Dewan are just one example of celebrity divorces that take years, and end up getting a ton of attention from fans. There aren't cameras in the courtroom like Johnny Depp and Amber Heard, every few months there's a new update about what's going on with their respective legal teams.

As their personal lives might be playing out in courts, both Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan have been keeping busy professionally. While we wait to see how things ultimately shake out, check out the 2025 movie release dates to plan your trips to the theater next year.

When actors take on a character, they have to at least be able to pretend that they’re experts at certain skills. If you’re offered a job on the condition that you can ride a horse, play a sport, do a fight scene, or play an instrument, isn’t it pretty typical to say you can do it and learn how later? Well that’s the situation Channing Tatum once found himself in, as he recently admitted to lying about a specific skill in order to nab a part, and it definitely wasn’t the dance moves he showed off in Magic Mike.

In an interview with ET, Fly Me to the Moon’s Scarlett Johannson asked her co-star Channing Tatum if he had ever lied to get a job, and in fact one of Tatum’s best movies — a certain 2006 flick starring Amanda Bynes — came to mind. Yes, the multi-talented actor seemed to be referring to She’s the Man when he responded:

It’s not surprising that Channing Tatum was able to figure it out. After all, he’s proven to be quite talented in his different roles over the years. In addition to hitting the soccer pitch in She’s the Man, he played basketball in Coach Carter, hip-hopped through Step Up and even affected a Cajun accent in one of Deadpool & Wolverine’s biggest cameos.

It also helped that he only had to be able to play soccer to a certain point, thanks to the movie magic that is editing. The actor continued:

While I wouldn’t have expected soccer to be the skill that Channing Tatum had to fib about for the movie based on a Shakespeare play, there were no lies needed to do what he did in Magic Mike.

He may not have been the most experienced athlete, but he certainly was a male stripper before getting his big break in Hollywood, and the 2012 Steven Soderbergh film was loosely based on Channing Tatum’s real-life experiences. In fact, the actor ranks his stripping skills above JLo’s in Hustlers and his Magic Mike XXL co-star Joe Manganiello. Tatum even showed off those skills recently, joining the other dancers on stage at a Magic Mike Live show.

She’s the Man is still regarded as one of the best teen rom-coms, and I’m sure I speak for many when I say I’m really glad he lied about his soccer abilities for this one. You can relive all the sporty fun by streaming She’s the Man with a Paramount+ subscription. Magic Mike XXL, meanwhile, can be streamed with a Netflix subscription, and Magic Mike: The Last Dance is available on Max, another of the best streaming services.

One of Channing Tatum’s best movies that makes the crowd swoon is the Magic Mike films. Based on Tatum’s early experiences as a male stripper in Tampa, Florida, the dramedy focuses on the highs and lows of the male stripping world where the hips are thrusting and the audience is drooling. During a Magic Mike Live show, the Step Up actor took to the stage with the rest of the dancers and fans living for his performance's video.

The Magic Mike trilogy ended in 2023 with the steamier and sexier than ever third movie Last Dance winning the weekend box office for a satisfying conclusion. But if you thought the male stripping you saw in the movies was over, watch this Magic Mike Live show that the fans couldn’t get enough of. See if you can spot the famous celebrity joining in on the fun live at the Sahara Las Vegas in his Instagram video below:

Who is that standing in the middle of the sweaty, shirtless dancers? That would be Channing Tatum who originated the role in Steven Soderbergh’s standout movies. The fully-clothed actor (sorry to disappoint) took to the stage to show a raved audience he’s still got the moves.

The fans were screaming in excitement getting to see Channing Tatum strut his stuff. If you thought the loud screams were enough to show fans were having a great time, check out the comments below that prove audiences were living for the Magic Mike Live show video:

• Ahhhhh 😍😍😍- @alison_faulk
• Beyond iconic 🔥- @magicmikeliveldn
• OMG THE OG MAGIC MIKE!!! 🔥🔥🔥- @glitch_ghosh
• Best. Night. Ever.- @sherberry
• No one can be THE Magic Mike except for this man 💯🤭🔥🔥- @aramat.22

Based on the praiseworthy fan reaction, it looks like Channing Tatum’s appearance at the Magic Mike Live show was truly the icing on the cake of an already sexy night. Not only has Tatum starred in and co-produced the Magic Mike movies, but he’s also the creative brains behind the Magic Mike Live shows. These male stripping shows were first brought to Las Vegas in 2017 at the then-Hard Rock Hotel with the Dear John star being the director and co-producer.

Now, MML has a permanent place at Sahara Las Vegas with the venue specifically designed for the steamy shows. As Tatum co-created and collaborated with choreographer Alison Faulk for the spectacular performance you just saw, it’s clear you can’t take Magic Mike out of the Magic Mike star.

After Channing Tatum joined one of the MML shows, fans were all over the video of seeing him show off his moves among the rest of the male strippers. If you want to relive the Magic Mike glory days, you can see Magic Mike XXL on your Netflix subscription and Magic Mike’s Last Dance on your Max subscription.

Despite the fact that Jenna Dewan and Channing Tatum separated over six years ago, and they co-parent their 10-year-old daughter Everly, they are still working out elements of their divorce. At the moment, the point of focus is on their financials, as they are heading to court to work through issues surrounding the Magic Mike movies specifically. 

While their divorce was announced in 2018 and they were both declared legally single in November of 2019, Jenna Dewan and Channing Tatum's divoce is ongoing. They've most recently been working out some matters of their separation for years, like their monetary affairs, per ET. The outlet reported that the actors’ lawyers are negotiating the money involved in their split. This involves “division of property, reimbursement claims, support, breach of fiduciary duty and attorneys' fees.” Dewan’s lawyer also stated that both are:

It’s worth noting that the two actors have not been together for five years, and they are both dating other people. Additionally, Jenna Dewan is expecting her second child with her fiancé  Steve Kazee. Meanwhile, after lots of rumors, it was confirmed that Channing Tatum and Zoë Kravitz are engaged. As for why Dewan is pursuing this matter regarding finances, the Rookie star's lawyer said: 

According to E! News, the actress has requested personal and corporate tax returns as well as other documents from Channing Tatum. Specifically, the article noted that the requested documentation included items “regarding profits from the Magic Mike trilogy.” 

Apparently, the stripper-centric franchise, which the two acquired together, has been singled out in this debacle, because Jenna Dewan said the "characterization and division" of the IP for the films should be decided first, per documents obtained by People. She went on to claim that they haven’t ironed out this issue because Tatum won’t “accept an equal division of the Magic Mike intellectual property.” The 21 Jump Street alum also apparently put earnings from the franchise in “an irrevocable trust” and transferred licensing rights without letting her know, Dewan accused. 

Channing Tatum and his lawyers disputed all the claims, with the documents saying he: 

Along with this, both the ex spouses' witness lists include Magic Mike’s directors Steven Soderbergh (who helmed the first film and Last Dance) and Gregory Jacobs, who helmed the second installment, Magic Mike XXL. Producers Nick Wechsler and Peter Kiernan as well as the screenwriter Reid Carolin have also been called forward to testify. All these people are business partners of the Dog co-director, per E! News. Adding to this list, both actors are also expected to testify, along with Jenna Dewan’s fiancé, Kazee.

As this situation develops, we’ll be sure to keep you posted. In the meantime, you can check out the 2024 movie schedule to see when Channing Tatum’s projects Fly Me to the Moon and Blink Twice come out, and make sure to take a look at the 2024 TV schedule so you don’t miss Jenna Dewan on The Rookie – which airs on Tuesdays on ABC at 9 p.m. ET. 

Known for his heartthrob status and charming good looks, Zac Efron recently underwent a stunning transformation for an upcoming A24 movie. The wrestling film set in the 1980s. The High School Musical alum debuted a bold new look, catching everyone’s attention. In a recent interview, The Lucky One star openly compared his distinctive hair and Speedo costume to the male dancer style of Magic Mike, and honestly, once he pointed it out, I can’t unsee it.

For those familiar with professional wrestling, the Von Erich dynasty’s story and the massive success the family saw in the 1980s is probably not news to you. However, if you're not in the loop, The Iron Claw aims to change that. During a press conference for the film's premiere at The Ritz Carlton in Dallas, Texas, People reports that the 36-year-old actor humorously acknowledged the most significant pain during his preparation to play pro wrestler Kevin Von Erich was to his ego. Reflecting on the transformation process, Efron shared:

The internet buzzed with discussions about the Hairspray star’s dramatic transformation. Not all initial reactions were positive. Some commentators, noting the stark change from The Greatest Showman star's usual good looks, playfully compared him to Shrek's Lord Farquaad, sparking a wave of humorous commentary. Interestingly, the actor acknowledged his own mixed feelings after he had to appear in full costume in front of a crowded stadium, recalling:

I can defintely see a comparison between the revealing wrestling Speedo and the world of male stripping made popular in Magic Mike. Also, this peek into the actor's first response heightens my anticipation for his dramatic on-screen transformation. It's rare to see a beloved heartthrob ditch his usual polished image for something entirely unexpected. As the 17 Again actor reassured, everything turned out “looking really good.” He continued: 

After catching the initial glimpse of The Iron Claw’s first trailer and the movie’s first reactions, I wholeheartedly share Efron’s sentiment. It’s not just “really good” – it’s downright epic. The in-ring footage captured looks exceptional, and it’s no surprise because one of the details we know about The Iron Claw is that famed wrestler Chavo Guerrero Jr. served as a consultant on the film, and it shows.

The stellar cast assembled by director Sean Durkin is adding to my excitement about the film. Alongside Zac, the lineup includes The Bear’s Jeremy Allen White as Kerry Von Erich, Harris Dickinson as David Von Erich, Stanley Simons as Mike Von Erich, AEW superstar Maxwell Jacob Friedman as Lance Von Erich, Maura Tierney as Doris Von Erich, Lily James as Pam Adkisson, and Holt McCallany as Fritz Von Erich. The trailer skillfully hints at the tense family dynamics, and I am thoroughly excited about what’s in store.

Mark your calendars for a cinematic display of pure muscle power. In addition to witnessing Zac Efron’s wild new look, get ready to be dazzled by him showing off some insane wrestling moves. The Iron Claw is set to hit theaters on December 22, creating a highly anticipated addition to the schedule of 2023 movie releases.

Joe Manganiello has been a working actor for decades, but he’s arguably best known for playing Big Dick Richie in the Magic Mike films. Then there's his presence in pop-culture as a lovable nerd and DnD enthusiast, despite the fact he couldn’t get his own Dungeons & Dragons film off the ground. While folks may be more likely to recognize the actor by his abs than his face, that’s only a millionth of what he has to offer, according to the director of Manganiello's latest project, The Kill Room. 

In The Kill Room, Joe Manganiello plays a hitman with a heart of gold, so to speak. He’s a mild-mannered artist who has found himself in an unfortunate situation. The film’s director, Nicol Paone, knew that there was more to Manganiello as a performer, but it was during a pivotal confession scene that this truly hit home for her:

Nicol Paone is absolutely right, and I prompted this reaction after confessing to her that The Kill Room is my favorite Joe Manganiello performance of all time. It is subdued in all of the right ways, and quite heartfelt despite the film’s quirky tone. The Kill Room is a crime-comedy that boasts a stellar cast beyond Joe Manganiello; including Uma Thurman, her daughter Maya Hawke and Samuel L. Jackson (whose role was originally written as a 72-year old Jewish man) are also heavily in the mix. 

It’s worth noting that Manganiello has been making headlines a lot lately, and not for The Kill Room. This year, he and Sofia Vergara divorced after seven years of marriage. He also lost his friend Paul Reubens, so he hasn't had the easiest time as of late. However, things are looking up, as not only will he be hosting Deal Or No Deal Island, taking the game show franchise reins from Howie Mandel, but he has The Kill Room showing a whole new side to the actor. 

You can see The Kill Room in theaters right now! Manganiello will likely never return as Big Dick Richie after sharing some blunt thoughts regarding his Magic Mike career, but you can catch him on Deal Or No Deal Island sometime in 2024. Stay updated on the release date by checking out the 2023 TV release schedule. 

As Magic Mike’s Last Dance becomes the hottest new 2023 movie release to hit theaters this weekend, Channing Tatum and Salma Hayek bring all the spice this time around to the stripper franchise. However, back when the production was initially announced, Westworld’s Thandiwe Newton was initially set to star alongside Tatum rather than Hayek. When the actress exited the movie, all kinds of rumors surfaced as to why. Now Magic Mike director Steven Soderbergh has responded to these claims. 

When Newton exited Magic Mike’s Last Dance, Warner Bros. reported she made the “difficult decision” to step down to deal with “family matters,” but other rumors suggested there was more to it. Among the rumors, sources claimed that Newton was “acting strange” on the movie’s set and had to leave the project to go to rehab, while another claimed she clashed with Tatum on set over Will Smith infamous Oscars slap. Here’s how Steven Soderbergh responded to the rumors:  

In other words, Steven Soderbergh has chosen not to entertain the rumors about Thandiwe Newton and keep the whole thing private. Though, in his words to Rolling Stone, he did hint at these stories perhaps all being inaccurate. Plus, as he points out, at the end of the day, what was going on with Newton was a personal matter that should remain private.

There’s certainly no bad blood between Newton and her replacement. Following the actress’ April 2022 exit, Thandiwe Newton took to Instagram to clear that up by raving about Salma Hayek’s performance in Beatriz at Dinner, which came out back in 2017. Newton shared to her story (via People) that there was “no finer performance, no finer film.” 

Salma Hayek stars in Magic Mike’s Last Dance as Maxandra Mendoza, a wealthy socialite, who meets Channing Tatum’s Mike after learning her husband is cheating on her. Maxandra commissions him for a private dance and their relationship gains steam there before she asks Mike to direct a show she can invest in. 

Magic Mike’s Last Dance follows Steven Soderbergh directing the 2012 original Magic Mike, along with classic films like Ocean’s Eleven, Out Of Sight and Erin Brockovich. Like the previous Magic Mike films, this one is spicy enough to be rated-R, but Soderbergh recently shared that he cares more about what’s “sexy” than sex itself in the movie. You can check out Tatum and Hayek in Magic Mike in theaters starting this Friday. 

For many people Super Bowl LVII will be the biggest event to take place this weekend, but for others the big game will be easily overshadowed by Channing Tatum’s "Super Bowl of stripper movies," aka Magic Mike’s Last Dance. The third and (supposedly) final movie in the franchise comes more than 10 years since Magic Mike’s premiere, and the actor has promised lap dances, a crazy opening and “less character, more dancing.” Reviews are in for the threequel that many thought would never happen, so let’s see what the critics are saying.

This time around Channing Tatum’s Magic Mike will not be joined by his motley crew of dancer buddies from the first two installments. Instead, Salma Hayek’s Maxandra Mendoza whisks the enthusiastic dancer-turned-carpenter-turned-bartender away to London to breathe life into a production she’s been running at a theater on the West End. So where will this film fall in the discourse of best dance movies? I’ll let the critics answer that. 

Leah Greenblatt of EW grades the movie a B-, saying that while the characters are underdeveloped, there are flashes of the original, and the pelvic thrusting that most of the audience is going for is still there. The critic continues: 

Jude Dry of IndieWire gives Magic Mike’s Last Dance a B, saying that while the “playground lesson in consent” sometimes feels patronizing to everyone in the audience, Channing Tatum and Salma Hayek’s chemistry gives the trilogy a satisfying sendoff: 

Katie Rife of Polygon says Magic Mike’s Last Dance often feels like an advertisement for the Magic Mike Live! shows that take place in Las Vegas, Miami and London, with the plot of the movie setting up an origin story. The review continues:  

Like other critics, K. Austin Collins of Rolling Stone also speaks to how important consent is in Magic Mike’s Last Dance, and points out that this movie isn’t actually about Mike, but rather Salma Hayek’s Maxandra Mendoza. He argues that the movie’s good intentions mute the pleasures audiences got in the first films, saying: 

Peter Debruge of Variety agrees that Last Dance — a sequel “in name only,” the critic says — has dulled its bite over the last decade. He calls the script lazy, as the film “plays more like a made-for-cable backstage musical than a gender-swapped Pretty Woman fantasy.” Debruge continues: 

The Magic Mike movies are considered some of Channing Tatum’s best work, with the original also counted as one of Steven Soderbergh’s best movies. Mixed reviews are unlikely to deter fans of the first two offerings, so for those of you who want to check out Magic Mike’s Last Dance, you’ll be able to do so in theaters starting Friday, February 10. In the meantime, the first two movies are available to stream with an HBO Max subscription, and be sure to check out what other films are hitting the big screen soon with our 2023 Movie Release Schedule. 

Steven Soderbergh has become one of the film’s most iconic directors in my opinion. While he’s known for his suave crime thrillers and heist adventures, he’s also received lots of acclaim for his films that feature scathing social commentary. While there are commonalities between a lot of his movies, like his massive ensemble of A-list actors who return time and time again, he also makes unexpected choices and zigs when we all expect him to zag (see his decision to direct Magic Mike). 

So, considering the director is back at it again, working with Channing Tatum for the fourth time on the final film in the Magic Mike franchise, Magic Mike's Last Dance, we figured it’d be a perfect time to rank this director’s top ten movies. 

Honorable Mention: Ocean’s Twelve  

Now, is Ocean's Twelve a bit of a hot mess, yes, but that’s part of the fun. The cast has admitted to knowing people don’t love Twelve, Don Cheadle included, who said to those who don’t like the movie: “that’s cool, you didn’t have to @ me.” And I agree with him, it’s fine if you don’t like this movie, however, don’t hate on Ocean’s Twelve, because it’s a grand ol’ time.

Seeing the gang go on a European vacation to do pull a few wild heists with a fun French villain and epic cameos (I’m looking at you Robbie Coltrane and Bruce Willis), plus the truly iconic Julia Roberts bit, is something to appreciate. Not only is the film fun it’s also technically masterful, with fun cuts, a brilliant score from David Holmes, and A+ performances from the returning ensemble. 

Rent/buy Ocean’s Twelve on Amazon.

10. The Limey (1999)

Terence Stamp gives a commanding performance in Soderbergh’s 1999 film The Limey. Stamp plays an Englishman who makes his way to Los Angeles in an effort to find the man who took his daughter’s life. I think this movie is showing off Soderbergh’s style at its peak, it doesn’t seem to conform to what a studio wants, and it isn’t afraid to make bold technical decisions. You can see the director’s affinity for bold editing, jazzy music and criminally inclined characters on full display in this film. It also shows everything Soderbergh is capable of in a stylish smooth criminal kind of way, if you know what I mean.  

 Rent/buy The Limey on Amazon or stream on Showtime.  

9.  Sex, Lies, and Videotape (1989) 

You know you’re off to a good start when your first feature film wins the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival. Not only did Soderbergh take home that prestigious honor early in his career, the screenplay for Sex, Lies, and Videotape was also nominated for best original screenplay at the 1990 Academy Awards. While all these accolades are amazing, this movie also set the tone for Soderbergh’s career of making edgy movies that explore topics a lot of people may be scared to tackle. 

This movie starring James Spader, Andie MacDowell, Laura San Giacomo and Peter Gallagher shows the complex relationship between a couple and their other partners in the dramatic, yet darkly comedic way Soderbergh is a master of.

 Buy Sex, Lies and Videotape on Amazon.  

8. Contagion (2011)

What’s interesting about this movie is it’s not a thriller that relies on big outlandish scares to terrify the audience. Soderbergh uses patience and the horror of reality to slap the audience in the face, and make them realize this might actually be how a global outbreak would go down. And it did in 2020. Soderbergh's plot is not that far off from accurate, which makes sense considering many behind-the-scenes facts about Contagion include the lengths the cast and creatives went to research what could actually happen.

Watching the beginning of the movie kind of feels like a historical drama in a way considering what we all went through in 2020, and it was made in 2011. The cast, including Matt Damon, Kate Winslet and Laurence Fishburne, to name a few, all give haunted, terrified, yet calm performances that really hammered home the scary yet level-headed tone of the film. 

You can stream Contagion with an HBO Max subscription.

7. Logan Lucky (2017)

Logan Lucky, or "Ocean’s 7-11" as it’s referred to in the literal movie, is a hillbilly heist that is a delightfully good time and wicked smart, in my humble opinion. This movie marked the director’s return to film, after Soderbergh’s short retirement, and obviously, it had to be another heist movie. 

What I really love about Logan Lucky is it allows you to see actors like Daniel Craig (Joe Bang walked so Benoit Blanc could run), Channing Tatum and Adam Driver in roles we’ve never seen them in before. They all play characters that come off as dimwitted at first, however, as the movie progresses you realize you are the dumb one, and this little West Virginian family, and this film, is pretty genius.

 Buy/rent Logan Lucky on Amazon or stream on Showtime.  

6. The Informant!

This movie will really sneak up on you with how funny and twisty it is. Over the course of 1 hour and 48 minutes, Soderbergh takes you on a wonky journey through our protagonist Mark Whitacre’s (Matt Damon) perspective, and as the story unfolds you start to realize just how unreliable our narrator is. 

Much like the Ocean’s movie, this is a plot that will have you wondering what is really going on the whole time. Also, it's full of fun performances from its ensemble, but especially from Damon, who is acting his face off. It’s by no means the smooth heist the Ocean’s movies are, however, it has the snappy dialogue and misleading plot that harkens back to one of Damon and Soderbergh’s best collaborations. 

Rent/buy The Informant! on Amazon.

5. Traffic (2000)

Like Contagion what makes this movie so scary is how grounded it is. It’s not relying on massive dramatic events, it’s using the terrifying, realistic implications of the War on Drugs to spook audiences. By examining the impact drug use and addiction has on different types of people and social groups, Soderbergh uses Traffic as a way to provide a thorough and brutal look into how this issue has affected the United States. 

The film clearly had an impact on the film industry too as it went on to be nominated for five Oscars, and win four -- this happened in the same year Soderbergh was nominated for directing Erin Brockovich. Benicio Del Toro took home a trophy for his performance as an agent working on the Mexican border, Soderbergh won Best Director, and the film also took home awards for its editing and adapted screenplay. 

Rent/buy Traffic on Amazon.

4.  Magic Mike (2012) 

On the surface, Magic Mike seems like it will just be a movie full of hot men stripping and that’s it. However, Soderbergh and the movie’s star Channing Tatum made this a heartfelt film about a stripper who is struggling with aging out of his job, and trying to figure out what he wants to do next. 

Along with capitalizing on Tatum’s dance and stripping background, as well as his comedic timing, the cast is also made up of actors who are having a blast making this film, especially Matthew McConaughey. And not only are the guys great strippers. but they're also likable characters who you want to root for. 

You can stream Magic Mike with an HBO Max subscription.

3.  Erin Brockovich (2000) 

This movie won Julia Roberts her Oscar, and changed the game for women in film. Not only does Erin Brockovich tell the incredible story of a real woman who fought against PG&E, Roberts was also part of breaking the glass ceiling for actresses’ salaries by demanding better pay on the film. 

With this movie, Soderbergh managed to capture the story of a single mom in an empowering way, that shows other women what is possible. That mixed with Roberts demanding better pay, and her stand-out award-winning performance, makes this an incredibly impactful film, unlike anything else Soderbergh has made.

 Stream Erin Brokovich with an Amazon Prime subscription.   

2.  Out Of Sight (1998) 

I don’t think it’s possible to have a more charismatic duo than George Clooney and Jennifer Lopez in a cat-and-mouse romance together. Clooney plays a career criminal and JLo is the agent trying to take him down. However, there’s an undeniable attraction between the two, and despite their opposition, they can’t stay away from each other. 

This movie introduced the world to Geoge Clooney, the movie star, it let us know Jennifer Lopez is an actress with range, and it showed us just how amazing Soderbergh is at mixing genres and creating a menacing, tense, funny and suave films. Out of Sight oozes with charm, and was the start of a beautiful partnership between the actor and director.

Stream on Freevee through an Amazon Prime subscription. 

1. Ocean's Eleven (2001)

To be fully transparent, Ocean’s Eleven is one of my favorite movies of all time. It’s the movie that made me realize how much I love heist films. It’s the movie that made me aware of George Clooney, Brad Pitt and Matt Damon. And it’s one of the most fun movies ever made, in my opinion.

This Rat Pack remake capitalizes on Soderbergh’s smooth style and affinity for making movies about career criminals, and it brings together an ensemble that makes it clear that the Ocean’s Eleven cast is one of the greatest ensembles of all time. Between Clooney’s undeniable charisma, Pitt’s snacking and irresistible sidekick, a myriad of other A-List actors at the top of their games, plus Soderbergh’s snappy pace, jazzy sound and timeless tone, this movie has stood the test of time and is a modern classic. 

 Rent/buy Ocean’s Eleven on Amazon. 

Well, there you have it, Steven Soderbergh’s top ten movies. Admittedly this was an extremely hard list to put together because of his wide breadth of work. However, in this list, you can see both the director’s range and tendency to lean into similar genres and tones. Overall, Steven Soderbergh’s career is remarkable, and his work is all worth checking out, including his film on the 2023 movie schedule, Magic Mike’s Last Dance, which hits theaters on February 10. 

There are certain genres of movies that are always there to get you up on your feet. I always love musicals for that, but there’s another genre that I’ve become quite a fan of, and that is dance movies. There are some great ones streaming right now, and in honor of Magic Mike’s Last Dance, we’re going to talk about the best dance movies that you can check out right now. 

Step Up (2006)

Released in 2006 as the first movie in the Step Up franchise, this film, starring Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan, tells the story of a rebel student and a ballet dancer pairing up for a dance showcase after they meet while the rebel is doing community service. But, as they dance together, they find a lot of common ground. The film was arguably one of the best in the Step Up franchise, and also led to Tatum and Dewan being married for several years. 

Rent/Buy Step Up on Amazon.

Cabaret (1972)

One of the most classic dance movies there is, Cabaret stars Liza Minnelli as Sally Bowles, a cabaret singer in 1931 who enters into a romance that is doomed to fail from the start, due to her lover's questions about his own sexuality. The musical/dance film was directed by Bob Fosse, who is known for choreographing some of the most famous musicals of all time, so you know that this dance movie is going to be stellar from the start. 

Stream Cabaret on HBO Max.
Rent/Buy Cabaret on Amazon.

Magic Mike (2012) 

Another dance movie starring Channing Tatum, Magic Mike is all about Mike Lane, who works as a roofer during the day, but at night, he works as a male stripper to make extra money. Soon, he starts to teach others the way of the life of a male stripper – while also dealing with relationship troubles at the same time. The film itself has one sequel already – Magic Mike XXL – and is set to have another coming out in 2023, Magic Mike’s Last Dance.

Stream Magic Mike on HBO Max.
Rent/Buy Magic Mike on Apple TV+.

All That Jazz (1979)

Released in 1979, All That Jazz, also directed and choreographed by Bob Fosse, is a semi-autobiographical dance film, which is based on the life of Fosse himself, and details his life as a choreographer, dancer, and a storyteller. While it’s not the most dramatic out of many of these features, it does offer some really excellent dance sequences by one of the kings of dance. 

Stream All That Jazz on Crackle.

Chicago (2002)

Arguably one of the best movies on here, Chicago is a movie musical that details the story of Roxie and Velma, two murderers who end up in jail together and become rivals for public affection, both trying to use their newfound fame to their advantage. Chicago is an excellent movie and one of the only musical films to win the Academy Award for Best Picture – and it truly, has some outstanding dance sequences that will make you want to get off your feet. 

Stream Chicago on HBO Max.
Rent/Buy Chicago on Amazon.

Flashdance (1983)

What a feeling! Flashdance is one of the best movies from the 1980s (memed in so many ways), in my opinion, and stars the lovely Jennifer Beals. This iconic film combines elements of romance and drama with excellent dance sequences as we follow a young dancer who is aiming to become a ballerina, and is doing everything in her power to succeed and get to the level she wants. Combining different elements of dance, such as both ballet, breakdancing ,and more, this is one of the best dance movies out there. 

Stream Flashdance on Pluto TV.
Rent/Buy Flashdance on Amazon.

Black Swan (2009)

If you’re looking for something that has a lot more thrilling aspects to it, be sure to check out Black Swan. While not strictly categorized as a dance movie like many of the others on this list, it follows the story of a ballerina and her need to be utterly perfect, going to drastic lengths in order to do so. If you want a movie with expert ballet scenes, this is the one to look at. The film was heavily praised by critics, and stars Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, and more. It also won Portman the Academy Award for Best Actress. 

Rent/Buy Black Swan on Amazon.

Strictly Ballroom (1992)

Released in 1992 and directed by Baz Luhrmann, the man behind Moulin Rouge!, The Great Gatsby, and Elvis in 2022, Strictly Ballroom is based on the stage play of the same name, following Scott Hastings, an Australian ballroom dancer who comes from a family of ballroom dancers, but because he dances differently than everyone else, he is outcast by ballroom dancing professionals. He takes matters into his own hands and ends up partnering with a beginner in order to show the world that his style of dancing can also be ballroom dancing. 

Stream Strictly Ballroom on Paramount Plus.
Rent/Buy Strictly Ballroom on Amazon.

Dirty Dancing (1987)

We can’t have a dance movie list and not include Dirty Dancing. The iconic 1980s movie, starring Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey, follows Frances Houseman, otherwise known as “Baby,” who ends up going on a vacation. But, while she’s there, she learns about the beauty of dance while also falling in love with the dance instructor, aiming to be in the talent show that the resort holds every year. Dirty Dancing is probably one of the most known dancing films out there, so if you’ve never seen it, be sure to watch – at least just for the ending talent show. 

Rent/Buy Dirty Dancing on Amazon.

Footloose (1984/2011)

While both versions of Footloose are on here, they have the same premise. Footloose details the story of the new kid in town, Ren McCormack, who just loves to dance, but this new town has forbidden it. However, the teenagers begin a revolution to bring dancing back to their area, one party at a time. The 1984 version is the original, but the 2011 film features some more modern music – and more stars you might recognize, like Miles Teller and Julianne Hough. However, the original stars Kevin Bacon – and you can’t get better than that. 

Rent/Buy the 1984 Footloose on Amazon.
Rent/Buy the 2011 Footloose on Amazon.

Saturday Night Fever (1977)

One of John Travolta’s most popular films is Saturday Night Fever. Released one year before Grease (a movie I think people are wrong about), another very big hit for Travolta, this dance drama tells the story of Tony Manero, an Italian-American from Brooklyn who spends his weekends dancing away, even though on the outside, he feels trapped by where he comes from and what he does for work. Dancing is one of the only ways he can feel free, and you’ll be wanting to get up and dance, too – and you can’t help but love that opening scene. 

Stream Saturday Night Fever on Paramount Plus.
Rent/Buy Saturday Night Fever on Amazon.

Center Stage (2000)

If you’re looking for a teen drama, Center Stage is the one for you. This film, directed by Nicholas Hytner, features the stories of ballet students who enroll at a fictional New York City school that centers on the art of dance. Even if they have gotten into their dream school and are being given the chance to perform at center stage, however, there are still plenty of problems that come with stepping into the spotlight in the world of professional dance. The film also features the debuts of Zoe Saldaña and Amanda Schull, and features other actors such as Donna Murphy, Peter Gallagher, and more. 

Rent/Buy Center Stage on Amazon.

Save The Last Dance (2001)

Starring Julia Stiles and Sean Patrick Thomas, Save the Last Dance is a well-known dance film that details the story of an interracial couple working together to help Stiles’ character, Sara, get into Juilliard. But despite it all, there are still problems that arise, and plenty of issues that the two have to overcome in order for dance to truly be a part of her life again after the passing of her mother, and moving to a whole new environment. It was a huge hit for Julia Stiles at the time of release. 

Stream Save the Last Dance on Paramount Plus.
Rent/Buy Save the Last Dance on Amazon.

Billy Elliot (2000)

Last but not least, we take a look at Billy Elliot, a coming of age dramedy that featured some excellent dancing. The movie, starring Jamie Bell, is about a young boy who discovers his love for ballet dancing, and will do anything to achieve his goal of becoming a ballet dancer despite his father’s negative perceptions of it. The film is adapted from a play called Dancer, and is so much fun, featuring some really entertaining dance scenes, that it was eventually turned into a successful Broadway musical. 

Rent/Buy Billy Elliot on Amazon.

These are just a handful of some of the excellent dance movies that you can check out on streaming right now. And I’m sure that as soon as you watch them, you’ll be wanting to get up and dance, too.

As if the heat emitted from the Magic Mike 3 trailer wasn’t enough, the film’s leading lady Salma Hayek increased the anticipation by wearing a fishnet dress to the premiere. The Oscar winner had the internet talking while posing with (and without) franchise star Channing Tatum. After the viral red-carpet moment, Hayek has remained silent on the matter. However, Tatum was asked about her see-through dress, and he had an interesting answer.

The Magic Mike’s Last Dance star gave his take on Hayek's see-through fashion statement while at the threequel’s South Beach premiere. Even though he posed for several photos with Hayek, Tatum was a bit shy about commenting on her floral fishnet dress to ET. So, the Hollywood A-lister chose to let the dress speak for itself.

As Salma Hayek’s fashion moment spoke for itself, Channing Tatum was right to say nothing, in my opinion. Being a southern gentleman, Tatum probably didn’t feel like it was his place to say anything. He chose to be respectful as both he and Hayek are currently in relationships.

The Eternals star’s highly talked about moment turned into good publicity for the Magic Mike XXL sequel as viewers can’t stop talking about her and the dress. The fashion translated the steamy sexiness seen in the threequel’s red-hot trailer, which Hayek called physically demanding, to real life.

Salma Hayek’s fishnet dress was on trend as sheer and see-through dresses have become the latest obsession in Hollywood. Don’t Worry Darling’s Florence Pugh channeled the free-the-nipple movement several times throughout 2022, including her internet-breaking pink Valentino dress. Her co-star Olivia Wilde also rocked a sheer dress, which some have dubbed her revenge dress following her split from Harry Styles. Even fellow Latina Jennifer Lopez hopped on the see-through dress trend at the Shotgun Wedding premiere with a nude number complete with a neon yellow bow.

The sexy and steamy Magic Mike’s Last Dance, which has led to Hayek hopping on the see-through trend, will see Tatum return to the stripping world as Mike Lane is lured to London by the Oscar-nominated actress’ socialite character as she builds up a roster of young dancers. The threequel will serve as Tatum’s final installment for the exotic dance-themed franchise. However, closing the chapter on Magic Mike doesn’t mean the 21 Jump Street star isn’t busy with multiple projects lined up to arrive over the next few years.

Before Magic Mike’s Last Dance hits cinemas on February 10, rewatch the first two Magic Mike films to get caught up on Mike Lane’s previous exploits. Magic Mike is available to stream through an HBO Max subscription. Then, you can follow it up by renting or buying Magic Mike XXL through an Amazon Prime Video subscription. In the meantime, check all the other new movies coming in 2023.

Regarding movie strippers, there’s no argument that Channing Tatum is considered the best of the best. His well-known pre-fame stripper days served as the inspiration for the Magic Mike franchise. With multiple stars appearing in exotic dance-centric movies, Tatum has some authority on the subject. The Magic Mike’s Last Dance star finally voiced his opinions on other movie strippers, claiming to be a better stripper than Hustlers’ Jennifer Lopez and one of his Magic Mike co-stars.

The Hollywood A-lister championed his stripper prowess while participating in a Vanity Fair’s Lie Detector episode. His pre-fame exotic dancer days were on display, as seen in the blockbuster stripper franchise. When questioned if he was a better stripper than his Magic Mike co-star Joe Manganiello, Tatum had no problem telling the publication he was a better dancer before complimenting Manganiello’s Greek god-like physique.

The previous Magic Mike films showcased the co-stars’ differing styles. Channing Tatum’s stripper background allowed him to perfect his techniques and moves before starring in the movies. On the other hand, Joe Manganiello came off as a guy with good seduction techniques and athleticism given his background as a three-sport athlete. As Tatum pointed out, they come from two different classes. Of course, dancing skills only played a part in the franchise’s appeal, as the first two films scored with both critics and audiences to tremendous box office success.  

Soon after, the conversation turned from Magic Mike to another stripper-themed film: Hustlers. Fans got to see Jennifer Lopez flaunt her stripping skills in the film (and at the Super Bowl). Despite both actors starting as background dancers, Tatum wasn’t deterred from claiming his stripping skills superior to J. Lo.

Even facing the iconic J. Lo isn’t enough for Channing Tatum to back down from his claims. Things soon evolved into a conversation over who would win in a strip-off. Tatum was stern in his claims by saying he would put his best foot forward if the Hollywood stars had to go head-to-head even if JLo outperformed him. He did mention his success might depend on the audience, but the The Lost City star still liked his chances.

Audiences will get a chance to see Channing Tatum flaunt his dancing skills once more when Magic Mike’s Last Dance arrives in theaters on February 10. This will be the actor’s last outing in the stripper-themed franchise as seen in the Last Dance trailer. Viewers might miss Mike Lane in his final farewell, but they won’t miss Tatum for long, with the thriller Pussy Island and the Apple TV+ movie Project Artemis on the horizon.  

In the meantime, you can catch the first Magic Mike with an active HBO Max subscription. You can view Magic Mike XXL by renting/buying the sequel through an Amazon Prime Video subscription.

It has been 10 years since Steven Soderbergh and Channing Tatum introduced the world to Magic Mike, an engaging dramedy that took a deep dive into the world of professional male strippers and the dancers who work a flashy Tampa club. A sequel to the surprise box office hit, Magic Mike XXL, followed in 2015, and continued the story of Tatum’s Michael “Magic Mike” Lane as he got back into the world he left behind. For a while there, it seemed as if the franchise would remain a one-two punch.

But, that will soon change when a third movie, titled Magic Mike’s Last Dance, hits the big screen and takes the series to the next level with an all-out festival of male stripping and the comedy and drama in that world. If you are just now hearing about the movie, don’t worry, because we’re about to break down everything we know about it!

Magic Mike’s Last Dance Will Be Released Theatrically February 10, 2023

At one point in the film’s development, Magic Mike’s Last Dance was going to be released as an HBO Max exclusive instead of theatrically, but that all changed in September 2022, when Warner Bros. Discovery announced that the upcoming threequel will be heading to the big screen on February 10, 2023, a.k.a. Super Bowl weekend, according to Deadline.

But, those with an HBO Max subscription will most likely see the title land on the platform at some point in future, as Warner Bros. releases typically land there before anywhere else upon their streaming debut.

Channing Tatum And Salma Hayek Are The First Two Additions To The Magic Mike’s Last Dance Cast

The first two Magic Mike movies saw an assortment of male strippers played by the likes of Matthew McConaughey, Joe Manganiello, Kevin Nash, Adam Rodriguez, Alex Pettyfer, and others in addition to Channing Tatum’s titular character. Though some of those actors could return for Magic Mike’s Last Dance, as of right now, Tatum is the only member of the original cast who’s signed on to appear in the 2023 movie.

Joining Tatum in the film is Salma Hayek, who will make her debut in the franchise in as a character whose identity has yet to be revealed. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the Eternals star is taking over for Thandiwe Newton in the undisclosed role. Tatum even shared a first look image of Hayek’s character touching his abs in an October 2022 Instagram post, along with the caption “All good things begin in Miami.”

Magic Mike’s Last Dance Has Been Described As ‘A Variation On All That Jazz’

Specifics about the movie's plot are being kept under wraps, but Steven Soderbergh described it as “a variation on All That Jazz,” Bob Fosse’s 1979 musical drama starring Roy Scheider as theater director and choreographer Joe Gideon, as he attempts to get a Broadway show off the ground.

In a September 2022 interview with Variety, where the All That Jazz comparisons came up, Soderbergh explained that the movie is a “sort of fictionalized procedural” that focuses on Mike coming up with an idea before dealing with all the obstacles that come with producing an over-the-top strip show.

Steven Soderbergh Is Back In The Director’s Chair After Skipping Magic Mike XXL

Soderbergh retired from film directing following the 2012 release of Magic Mike, but that didn’t last long as he went on to helm Side Effects and Behind the Candelabra the following year. Despite this, the Academy Award winner did not return for Magic Mike XXL, which was instead directed by Gregory Jacobs. But now, the filmmaker is back in the driver’s seat with Magic Mike’s Last Dance. When speaking with Thrillist in February 2022, Soderbergh revealed that it was his decision to come back to the franchise after not directing the second installment in 2015.

Magic Mike’s Last Dance Was Penned By Franchise Screenwriter Reid Carolin

Also returning for the upcoming movie is screenwriter Reid Carolin, who wrote the first two installments in the franchise, according to Deadline. Caroline has worked with Channing Tatum several times over the years, including as a producer on Logan Lucky and America: The Motion Picture. The two also co-directed the 2022 drama, Dog, which featured Tatum in a starring role and Carolin as screenwriter. 

Steven Soderbergh Decided To Make The Threquel After Seeing The Magic Mike Live Show

Back in November 2021, when it was revealed that Tatum and Soderbergh would be returning for Magic Mike’s Last Dance (still titled Magic Mike 3 at the time), EW shared a statement from the director in which re revealed the reason he decided to come back and direct the next installment. Basically, it was because of Tatum’s live Magic Mike show:

The show, which started in Las Vegas, has gone international with performances in London, Berlin, and other locations, in addition to a North American tour. How the live show will impact the upcoming movie remains to be seen.

Channing Tatum Has Teased Magic Mike’s Last Dance As The ‘Super Bowl Of Stripping’

This film will be released in early February 2023, which is rather ironic, because Channing Tatum has teased the upcoming movie as the “Super Bowl of stripping.” When speaking with People in February 2022, he made the threequel sound like an even more over-the-top version of the earlier films, stating:

Tatum would go on to explain that he wants to “create a new genre of this form” when talking about stripping in the movie, and that he wants to show professional dancers from all over, even from the world of ballet.

There are still a few months before Magic Mike’s Last Dance takes to the big screen in February 2023, but in the meantime, now’s a good time to check out the remaining 2022 releases on the movie schedule.

Gabriel Iglesias is obviously best known for his stand-up comedy, as the “Fluffy” comedian has reached a level of fame and success with said artform that very few comics have ever gotten close to. However, he has also established himself as a rather successful actor, and one franchise that he has become a staple of is the male stripper mayhem that is Magic Mike. Now he’s dishing on who the hottest of the Adonis-esque cast is, although he may have delivered the response begrudgingly.

I recently caught up with the comedian to discuss his new Netflix special Stadium Fluffy, and when I asked him who the sexiest of his famously ripped castmates from the Magic Mike movies was, he said the following:

So clearly this was one question the famous funny man didn’t want to answer, but nobody twisted his arm into admitting that he had seen them all nude! Obviously this wasn’t intentional, but when you’re working in close proximity with folks for long periods of time on set, especially folks who have to wear various revealing outfits, seeing them cycle in and out as their leather-clad characters is probably inevitable. You can watch his complete discomfort in the video at the top of this article. Despite feeling awkward, he did manage to give me an answer, and for that, I applaud him.

Said plug for Channing Tatum doesn’t hurt, as the franchise is completing its trilogy with Magic Mike’s Last Dance on the way! The director of the original film, Steven Soderbergh, is returning to the helm. Tatum is starting to hype the film by teasing a lap dance, and even showing us a steamy photo of Salma Hayek experiencing his physique firsthand. Even Lenny Kravitz wants a piece of the action, but given that they’re already filmed in London, the time to add to the cast has likely passed.

Gabriel Iglesias himself doesn’t seem to be in the new film either, and has said previously that he was too busy preparing for Stadium Fluffy. The new Netflix special is an incredible accomplishment, as Iglesias managed to fill Dodger’s Stadium with fans for a nearly three-hour set that ended up costing the comic a huge fine. Not to worry, as he would do it all over again, calling it the “greatest night of my life.” 

You can watch Stadium Fluffy on Netflix right now! If stand-up isn’t your style, you can check out our full list of Netflix movies and TV shows coming our way in 2022. 

In the world of musicians-turned-actors, Lenny Kravitz probably has one of the most unique resumes out there. Claiming roles in projects like Precious and The Hunger Games, as well a spot in the 2023 new movie releases with Shotgun Wedding, the man's shown he can do a lot on screen. Apparently Kravitz has taken that very fact to heart, as he’s doubled down on trying to become a part of the Magic Mike franchise alongside Channing Tatum.

You can blame Instagram for this chain of events, as the elder Kravitz laid down a thirst trap that got both his daughter Zöe and her boyfriend/the star of Magic Mike’s Last Dance to crack the same joke. That gag was obviously questioning whether or not Lenny would want to audition for that very sequel, which is currently in production. See the pictures for yourself below:

As ET picked up on these humorous threads, it led to Lenny Kravitz making the following statement in connection. Whether or not he's joking is something we'll leave up to you dear readers to figure out:

Oh, Lenny: if only you’d said something before Magic Mike 3’s big announcement. You know, the one where the title mentioned this third installment being the “last dance.” However, Lenny Kravitz’s hopes to get on the floor aren’t as ill-fated as you’d think. 

It wasn’t too long ago that Magic Mike’s Last Dance scored a theatrical release, shifting director Steven Soderbergh’s threequel from an HBO Max original into a full-fledged cinematic event. All of this hype and excitement could leave fans wanting more, and the No Sudden Move director has stated that there’s potential for spinoffs that aren’t centered around Mike Lane. So if Lenny Kravitz is still rocking abs like the ones in that infamous thirst trap, he might have pretty good odds when it comes to snagging a starring role.

Honestly, how could you say no to abs like those? Channing Tatum might be done with that Magic Mike life, but if Lenny Kravitz is serious about wanting to get into the franchise, the world would probably take that deal. It’s something to think about, just in case the play to send Magic Mike’s Last Dance to theaters pays off the way everyone hopes it will. In which case, Lenny had better keep up the good work, and the folks at Warner Bros better come up with a name for this potential universe.

Shotgun Wedding is set to debut on January 23rd, and it will be available only to those with a Prime Video subscription. If you needed further incentive to sign up for one, consider this your call to action. Meanwhile, Magic Mike’s Last Dance is heading to theaters, including a new lap dance from Channing Tatum, on February 10, 2023.

At this point, we’ve seen just about every inch of Channing Tatum, and I don’t see very many people complaining about it. After his Lost City (and possible Magic Mike 3?) co-star Sandra Bullock got up close and personal with his naked butt, Tatum has opened up about one-upping what he has done so far in the Magic Mike franchise in the previously announced Magic Mike’s Last Dance. Apparently he gives a lap dance in the upcoming movie, and he’s hyping up the scene. 

Channing Tatum has already said Magic Mike’s Last Dance will be like the Super Bowl of stripper movies, and in an exclusive interview with ET he reveals that he goes further in the upcoming film than he ever has before in the Magic Mike franchise: apparently we’ll see a lap dance scene. Said Tatum,

While we don’t know who Channing Tatum will be giving a lap dance to, I’m willing to bet that plenty of people would line up to volunteer as tribute to be on the receiving end. Salma Hayek has joined the cast of Magic Mike’s Last Dance, so perhaps she's a candidate as one of Mike’s patrons.

In the same interview, Channing Tatum reveals that Magic Mike’s Last Dance will open with an intense dance from his titular character and that the film starts out on a high. He also hints at a possible version of a dance that may be familiar to fans of the franchise. Said the actor,

The water dance to which Channing Tatum is referring to is one familiar from Magic Mike Live, the live performance version of the films that has toured internationally over the years and is set to play later this year in Miami. While a live performing show wasn’t in the plans when the first film was released back in 2012, it would seem the upcoming third film will make the live performance somewhat canon.

Right now, Magic Mike’s Last Dance plot details are being kept pretty well under wraps, but it certainly sounds like fans of Channing Tatum and his abs have plenty to look forward to with the promise of a lap dance scene. It also sounds like the dancing in general is going to be both intense and all together more involved than the previous two films in the franchise.

Fans of both Channing Tatum and the Magic Mike franchise will be able to watch the movie with an HBO Max subscription, as the film is going to be exclusively available on the streaming platform. There is no set release date as of now, but Magic Mike’s Last Dance has finished filming and it could possibly be released as early as this year. 

Director Steven Soderbergh took audiences behind the curtain of the male strip club scene, using star Channing Tatum's own real-life experiences working in the industry as inspiration, in the film Magic Mike. The R-rated drama made more $167 million at the box office, spawned a sequel in 2015 aptly titled Magic Mike XXL, inspired an ongoing live show in Las Vegas, and an even a reality show competition on HBO Max. Tatum also confirmed that a third installment is in the works in 2021.

Can you believe that this phenomenon first began a decade ago? If you don't believe us, take a look at how this photo slideshow of the Magic Mike cast (also including Matthew McConaughey, Joe Manganiello, Olivia Munn, and more) next to shots of them taken this year. Just click on the arrows to swipe through and let the magic  happen!

Thandiwe Newton has apparently been in a period of transition as of late. When it comes to her professional career, the actress departed Channing Tatum’s Magic Mike 3 earlier this month. And in Newton’s personal life, she’s reportedly dealing with a number of things, including a separation from her husband. The Emmy winner appears to be trying to put all of that behind her, though, as she commemorated the start of “a new day” in a social media post. 

The co-lead of All the Old Knives, one of 2022’s new movie releases, erred on the side of positivity in her latest Instagram post. The star posted a simple photo that shows a plant and a stick of sage sitting against a window. It was in her caption that she declared “a new day.” Check out the post down below:

The other term Thandiwe Newton used, “Ubuntu,” is a South African word that means “humanity” and can also be translated as “I am because we are,” or “I am because you are.” The actress, who concluded the brief caption by signing her name, seems more than ready to take a breather. And based on the reports that have surfaced over the past week or so, one can honestly understand why that would be the case.

Earlier this month, Warner Bros. released a statement, saying that the Reminiscence star left Magic Mike’s Last Dance to deal with “family matters.” Around that time, it was also reported that the actress allegedly exited after a dust-up with Channing Tatum over Will Smith’s Oscars slap. One crew member alleged that the two stars had a “tense exchange of words,” which led Tatum to get in his car and drive off. A representative for the London-born actress has since disputed the claims, calling them “completely inaccurate.” The movie, referred to as the “Super Bowl of stripper movies” has since tapped Salma Hayek to fill the role.

Other sources claim Thandiwe Newton was “acting strange on set” and that an “apparent breakdown caused so much disruption, it became clear she couldn’t play the role.” It was later alleged that Newton was looking to enter a treatment facility once she returned to the U.S. Per reports, her management team wants her to enter a facility located in Arizona. 

As previously mentioned, rumors have also been swirling around her purported split from Ol Parker, her husband of 24 years and the father of her three children. Insiders claim that the two had been “struggling” for some time ahead of their separation. As of this writing, the Westworld alum has not spoken publicly on the state of her marriage.

Kudos to Thandiwe Newton for remaining upbeat amid all of the speculation. It’s currently unclear as to whether she plans to seek out any kind of help in the midst of her reported situation. As fans await  information from the star, all they can do is wish her well and hope that she’s able to move forward in a way that’s most beneficial for her. 

Viewers can check out Thandiwe Newton in All the Old Knives, which is available to stream with an Amazon Prime subscription.

Channing Tatum’s Magic Mike 3, described by the actor as “the Super Bowl of stripper movies,” is currently in production. However, the long-awaited, Tatum-led sequel recently experienced a casting shake-up after Thandiwe Newton dropped out of the proceedings. In Warner Bros.’ official statement, it was said that this is due to “family reasons,” while sources also initially claimed that her exit was due to a dust-up with Tatum. Now, it would seem that in the aftermath of that situation and her split from her husband, Newton is reportedly heading to rehab. 

It’s been alleged that during her time on the set of Magic Mike’s Last Dance, Thandiwe Newton was exhibiting unusual behavior. According to Page Six, after crew members expressed concern for her, Newton’s agent arrived on the London-based set to ease the situation. However, the star eventually departed the project and made her way back to the U.S., where she’s allegedly looking to receive treatment. Sources say the star’s separation from her husband of 24 years, Ol Parker, and other personal issues apparently affected her work on the upcoming film:

The alleged argument that was initially said to have caused Thandiwe Newton’s exit from the latest Magic Mike movie was said to have been about Will Smith’s Oscars slap. It was said that she and Channing Tatum “fell out” over the situation, with Tatum allegedly disappearing from the set after a particularly “tense” exchange. Newton’s spokesperson later refuted these claims, though, stating that the actress viewed the report as “completely inaccurate.”

Page Six’s sources also state that the Westworld star recently made changes to her management team, as she’s reportedly fired her U.K. agent, who’d been with her for 30 years. It’s been said that at this moment, her reps want to ensure that she gets the support that she needs:

Following the All the Old Knives star’s departure from the stripper flick, her role was quickly filled by Salma Hayek. The film’s plot, including details on Hayek’s role, are being kept under wraps at this time. There are still plenty of questions surrounding the project (which those with HBO Max subscriptions will be ), including whether or not Matthew Matthew McConaughey will return. One thing that seems evident, though, is that the dancing will be intense. 

As for Thandiwe Newton, it remains to be seen whether she does indeed admit herself to a treatment center. One hopes that whatever the situation, the actress will find the best path forward during this time.

Channing Tatum is in the business of driving women wild — not just with his own disarmingly good looks and amazing dance moves, which are on full display in Magic Mike and Magic Mike XXL, but also through the shows he’s not a part of, including Magic Mike Live and HBO Max’s reality series Finding Magic Mike. But that might lead to some awkward moments when the women going crazy for that lovely stripper action are the wives of your friends. That’s the situation Tatum found himself in recently, when he apologized to Dax Shepard after Kristen Bell had quite the experience at a show in London.

Kristen Bell has been married to actor Dax Shepard since 2013, and it’s a good thing this adorable couple is so secure with each other, because the Forgetting Sarah Marshall star gave rave reviews to the Magic Mike franchise after catching one of the live shows. In talking on The Ellen Degeneres Show, Bell even said the experience was on par with a couple of other big milestone moments:

Okay, so allow me to pause for a second and book a flight to London … It sounds like that was a great experience, especially since Kristen Bell said she wasn’t sure at first that Magic Mike Live would really be her vibe. It was certainly a strong enough opinion that Ellen Degeneres felt she had to bring it up when she spoke to Channing Tatum on her show a few weeks later. 

The Lost City actor told the talk show host he’d heard about the actress’ glowing praise and hilariously apologized to her husband for eliciting such a reaction:

I’m sure Dax Shepard has absolutely no hard feelings toward Channing Tatum, and the two actors apparently know each other pretty well. It’s still funny to think about Tatum having to answer to his friends about how their wives react to the stripper shows. There’s more to come, too. Magic Mike 3 is currently in production on its way to an HBO Max release. 

Though the Step Up actor had previously said he didn’t want to do a third movie, he recently revealed that his two conditions when agreeing to another sequel were to make “the Super Bowl of stripper movies” and to have a really strong female central character. 

Stay tuned to CinemaBlend for updates on Channing Tatum’s projects, and check out our 2022 Movie Release Schedule. You can also make sure you’re ready for Magic Mike 3 by getting that subscription to HBO Max before the movie’s release!

The Magic Mike 3 hype is real as Channing Tatum referred to the finale as the Super Bowl of stripper movies. While Tatum has been the only returning star confirmed to return, fans have been waiting to hear who else will be coming back for the sequel. One name viewers might be surprised to hear for a possible return is Matthew McConaughey. Of course, McConaughey’s sleazy Xquisite owner Dallas hasn’t been seen since the first film. But now it appears the Oscar winner wants to return for the final film. The Hollywood star decided to shoot his shot on social media.

The Sing 2 star wasn’t shy about wanting to return to the stripper franchise in a throwback Instagram post. McConaughey posted an image of himself and Channing Tatum promoting the first Magic Mike. It appeared the Oscar winner is ready for strip club action as he called out Tatum in the post below.

Calling out the Dog star seemed like the perfect strategy for the Hollywood star. Doing so could apply pressure on Tatum and the producers to put McConaughey in Magic Mike’s Last Dance. Seeing Dallas return for Magic Mike 3 would be a nice treat for fans of the film series after he missed out on the fun of Magic Mike XXL.

This wasn’t the first time the Gentlemen star put out his feelers to the sequel. When asked about possibly returning for Magic Mike’s Last Dance, McConaughey was down to reteam with Tatum after having fun for the first one. While Matthew McConaughey is ready to reprise Dallas, Channing Tatum seemed more skittish about bringing back the Oscar winner. He was unsure if the A-lister was willing to reprise his role while admitting the actor’s performance made the movie. The Magic Mike alum seemed more than ready to return for another round.

If McConaughey were to join the third film, it would mark only the second time he’s done a sequel. Of course, Sing 2 marked the first time in his decades-long career he had reprised a character. Matthew McConaughey felt Buster Moon was scalable as an animated character while admitting he was hesitant to reprise previous roles viewing them as sacred.

It would be nice to see what happened to Dallas and Xquisite after Mike left the club. If Matthew McConaughey were to rejoin the franchise, the dancing could be very intense, according to Channing Tatum. The Lost City star mentioned there will be more dancing than characters in the franchise finale. So, Magic Mike 3 might call on McConaughey to be more involved in the stripping aspect.

Of course, viewers will have to wait until Magic Mike’s Last Dance arrives on HBO Max to see if Matthew McConaughey will reprise his role. The production date and release date haven’t been announced for the sequel. In the meantime, you can check out other amazing movies on HBO Max.

It was a decade ago when Channing Tatum explored his past as a male stripper with Magic Mike, and it became both a critical and commercial success. One highlight of the movie was Matthew McConaughey’s Dallas, who played the strip club owner in the original 2012 film, but skipped out on the 2015 sequel Magic Mike XXL. With another Magic Mike movie officially on the way, will Dallas come back to dance another round? 

Channing Tatum is getting ready to return to the strip club stage for Magic Mike’s Last Dance, which will be directed by Steven Soderbergh, who helmed the first movie. Production is set to start next month in Europe, but is it too late for Matthew McConaughey to get on board? When asked about returning to Magic Mike, the actor said this: 

Considering Matthew McConaughey passed on Magic Mike XXL, one might imagine that he didn’t want to return to the male stripped scene after the first round. However, his recent words to Variety makes it sound like he's more open to the idea. 

Channing Tatum was asked about Matthew McConaughey’s potential return last week, to which the actor said he “didn’t know” if the actor would want to do it. Tatum shared that McConaughey loved so much what he did with the first movie that he didn’t want to touch it for Magic Mike XXL, but perhaps he’ll stop by for Magic Mike’s Last Dance.

During a recent interview with CinemaBlend’s own Jeff McCobb, Matthew McConaughey discussed that he has been “scared” to return to roles for sequels in the past and has steered away from it. McConaughey recently did take part in a sequel for Sing 2, though he did so as a voice actor. 

If Dallas does return for Magic Mike’s Last Dance, it sounds like it will be a solid decision given that Steven Soderbergh is back alongside the original script writer, Reid Carolin. According to Channing Tatum, the movie will be a “full dance-icle” with more focus on incredible dance numbers. Additionally, it will feature a “really strong female central character,” which Tatum’s The Lost City co-star Sandra Bullock recently joked he’s trying to get her on.  

Magic Mike’s Last Dance will be made to stream with an HBO Max subscription. While we wait for more details on the upcoming third Magic Mike film, Channing Tatum is set to star in The Lost City as a romance novel cover model stuck in the jungle with an author. The movie hits theaters on March 25, 2022. 

Channing Tatum has been a household name for over a decade. From his starring roles in dance movies to his work in comedies and dramas, the actor has proven that he’s capable of many different roles. With a career that’s been going strong for more than fifteen years, though, he’s had some ups and some downs. 

Today, we're going to talk about Channing Tatum movies and rank his best films. You just might have a new favorite movie to watch soon! 

11. White House Down (2013)

Action movies have always been something I’ve genuinely enjoyed. With some of the best action movies out there, like Die Hard or John Wick, they always entertain me, usually through their stupendously crazy odds, talented cast, and cool stunts and effects. White House Down attempted to do that, but in the end I feel like it fell flat in comparison to many other great action films that take place around politics. 

However, I can say that I really like Tatum’s performance in this film. I think that if given the right script, Tatum would blow an action film like this one out of the water and become the next big action-movie star, but he just hasn’t been given the chance yet. 

10. Coach Carter (2005)

If you haven’t heard about Coach Carter, it’s a great basketball movie that tells the real story of Ken Carter, a high school basketball coach who ended up suspending all of his basketball team for their academic scores in school, despite them being undefeated. This was one of Tatum's first major roles. 

The reason why I put it so low on this list is that we’ve seen how good of an actor Tatum has become over time, and how much he has improved since this movie. However, it would basically be a sin not to list Coach Carter. Tatum, alongside all of the other players on the team, really put on a great group performance, showing that smarts are just as important as basketball skills. 

9. The Book Of Life (2014)

As someone who loves her films filled with Hispanic heritage and lore, The Book of Life is brilliantly well-done, from the animation to the story, mixed in with a star-studded cast that Tatum is a part of. 

However, I don’t see him as a voice actor. 

While I do think his voice role is better than in Coach Carter and White House Down, I personally believe that the role of Joaquin could have been performed just a tad better. By whom, I’m not sure, but there’s something about Tatum’s voice in this that doesn't quite fit. 

Even so, he really gives his all as Joaquin and helped create a fun movie that entertains kids and adults, while also educating people on Mexican culture. 

8. Kingsman: The Golden Circle (2017)

The Kingsman series has shown that people are still very much interested in spy action adventures. This is what I was saying before - if Tatum is given the proper script, he can really shine in movies that are action-based. He already has the build of an action star - he just needs the perfect movie, and Kingsman: The Golden Circle, could have been that. 

But, it’s ranked at number eight because he’s barely in the movie. 

They could have done so much with Tatum’s character, Tequila. He was one of the first Statesman that Eggsy got the chance to meet and yet he got sick so quickly in the film that he basically went unused. Just his few moments were some of the best in the movie, and they squandered the opportunity by barely giving him any screen time. I’m still upset about it, as you can tell.

7. She’s The Man (2006)

She’s The Man, a teen comedy that stars both Amanda Bynes and Channing Tatum, is all about girl empowerment and trying to show that women are just as good as men in sports, specifically soccer. Tatum’s character, Duke, is the resident hot captain of the boy’s team with funny moments and tunnel vision towards girls, and while that seems superficial on the surface, the truth is, he plays the role well. 

He often has hilarious dialogue and really nice moments with Bynes' character, creating an all-around fun experience, and makes the film not only fun for younger audiences, but older ones, too. Thank God she fought for his role in the movie, because I don’t think I could picture anyone else playing Duke.

6. Hail, Caesar! (2016)

Hail, Caesar! had a crazy amount of stars in it, and Channing Tatum was just one of many. The Coen brothers struck gold again with their comedy and created a movie that is quite hard to forget once viewed, and Tatum playing Burt Gurney is one of the best parts. 

Again, it’s a moment that isn’t that big in the film, but is unforgettable. His musical performance, “No Dames,” is paired with a tap dance that's some of the funniest stuff ever, but the reason I put this specific appearance from him here is that it really shows just how talented he is. The dude acts, sings, and tap dances all in one scene. He has some serious moves, and this is definitely one of his under-appreciated movies. He deserves so much more praise for it. 

5. Magic Mike Series (2012-2015)

This had to be here. You know it does, I know it does, but let’s just say it now - Channing Tatum is great in Magic Mike and its sequel, but it’s certainly not his best. It's about mid-range.

While Magic Mike is one of the movies that really blew Tatum’s name up and made him a household name (probably because of his very shirtless performance), what makes these movies great are his dance skills. He is able to move like no one is watching and honestly, I wish I was that talented. Magic Mike is another great way of showing how skilled of a performer he is.

The story is sort of mid-tier and nothing revolutionary, but I can appreciate his sick dance moves and decent acting performance, enough that I’m looking forward to Magic Mike 3. But one amazing dance movie beats this series. 

4. Step Up (2006)

The first movie in this iconic dance movie series is truly the best, and one of Tatum’s best performances from not only his early days in film, but overall. This is the first time we really see how skillful Tatum is with his feet. His dance skills in this are off the charts, and his chemistry with his co-star, Jenna Dewan, is immaculate - which makes sense, since they were married for several years after meeting on the set of this movie. 

However, Tatum really does do well in this role. While the movie is primarily centered around dancing, Tatum’s character, Tyler, is going through a tough time in his life. He starts out as a troublemaker, but learns to become a better person through dance and the help of others. It’s a simple story arc that showed off Tatum’s ability as an actor and a performer. Screw what the critics say - I love this film and he is fantastic in it. 

3. Logan Lucky (2017)

Oh, Logan Lucky. I have to say, when I first heard about this film, I didn’t think it was going to win me over like it did, but by God, did it. This film follows the Logan family as they plan to (and do) rob the Charlotte Motor Speedway, all while avoiding people like the FBI. 

Channing Tatum stars in this film alongside a huge ensemble cast that includes big names like Adam Driver, Daniel Craig, Sebastian Stan, and more, and yet his character is who I remember the most. Not just because he’s the main character, Jimmy Logan, but because he does such a good job leading this film. 

From the moment he devises the plan to rob the speedway to the interactions with his family and everything else in-between, Tatum rocks it from beginning to end. I’m almost upset that he didn’t get more praise for this role because it shows just how good he is at comedy. I demand a Logan Lucky 2. 

2. Foxcatcher (2014)

You know, through everything on this list, I haven’t mentioned Channing Tatum in a straight-ahead drama. It’s either been comedy, dance, or action. The only other role that’s really come close to a drama is his part in Coach Carter, but he wasn’t the focal point of that movie. 

Foxcatcher is an amazing work of art for sports fans, and this movie proves that Tatum deserves to be in far more dramas than Hollywood allows him to be in. 

The film, following the story of Mark and Dave Schultz, two real-life brothers who earned gold medals at the Olympics for wrestling, is a thrilling sports movie, and while all three of the leading actors shine (Tatum, Steve Carell, and Mark Ruffalo), I love Tatum’s performance in Foxcatcher. 

His ability to show the true trauma and mental gymnastics that Mark Schultz went through to achieve greatness is astounding, and he deserved so much more love for his role. 

Hollywood, hear my plea - put Tatum in more dramas, damn it. He deserves praise. 

1. Jump Street Series (2012-2014)

Tatum’s best films so far have been the Jump Street movies, 21 Jump Street and 22 Jump Street, and there is nothing that can change my mind.

Channing Tatum is good in many things, from dramas to dance movies to heist films, but even if I like him in all of those, comedy is really where he shines. He is a badass in the Jump Street series, and his comedic timing is some of the best I’ve seen in a long time when it comes to buddy-cop films. 

I mean, I’m pretty sure the “My name is Jeff” scene from 21 Jump Street has been memed so many times it’s almost a dead meme now. His reaction to Schmidt getting with the captain’s daughter in 22 Jump Street is iconic. He just works in these movies, which is why it needs to be my number one on this list. 

If he ever decided to do a legit third movie with Jonah Hill, I’d be down. Maybe make that crossover with Men In Black that was planned? Now that would be some film. 

Regardless of what you like from Tatum, there’s no denying that the man isn’t talented, and these are just some of my favorite picks of his. There are plenty of upcoming Channing Tatum movies that we can all look forward to, and until those come out, we have these great films to watch in the meantime.   

When fans learned that Magic Mike 3 had been greenlit, it already felt like a dream come true. Now that the film is in production, there are even more reasons to be excited about the long-awaited threequel. Even though there aren’t too many details about what we can expect to see, Channing Tatum has offered up one killer hint – that it’s going to be the “Super Bowl” of stripper movies. 

It’s been nearly seven years since Magic Mike XXL hit theaters – and for most of that time, many assumed that was the last time they'd see Mike Lane in all his glory. But then late last year, Channing Tatum announced that Magic Mike 3 was in the works, this time as an HBO Max film. His recent comments on Jimmy Kimmel Live! helps make it clear why the movie is happening: 

It wasn’t that long ago that Channing Tatum shot down the idea of a threequel. He said he wanted the HBO Max series Finding Magic Mike to be the next step in the series’ narrative journey. So the fact that he’s switched gears must mean they have something extra special up their sleeves. Likening it to the biggest sporting event in America definitely doesn’t help with managing expectations. 

If you watched the first two films for the irreverent comedy and often awkward dance sequences, this might be a little bit of a disappointment. Just kidding – it’s hard not to be pumped about the idea of the next film in the series taking everything up a notch. And it sounds like in addition to the intense choreography, they’ve got plans for another narrative twist: 

Who exactly will this strong female character be? There hasn’t been much casting news for Magic Mike 3 so far, aside from knowing ahead of time that Joe Manganiello is probably out, and Channing Tatum being unable to confirm whether Matthew McConaughey will reprise his role. Sandra Bullock did joke (or “joke”?) that Channing Tatum wanted to get her on board for the latest installment. I mean, having the Oscar-winner showing up in would definitely fit the qualifications of a Super Bowl-esque movie moment. 

Since Magic Mike 3 is currently in production, we'll hopefully get some news about what – and who – else to expect to see. In the meantime, it might be a good idea to make sure you have an HBO Max subscription ahead of the release.

The original Magic Mike was a movie that surprised a lot of people. It was a strange animal to begin with, being a movie about male exotic dancers directed by Steven Soderbergh. It was unclear what audiences should expect but they clearly liked what they got. It was such a big hit that it earned a sequel, and while the second movie was still well received, it’s hard to argue it wasn’t missing something when Matthew McConaughey did not return. So what about part three?

Magic Mike’s Last Dance, the third film in the series, has been given the greenlight as an original HBO Max production, so fans will get to see the characters they love one more time, though for a long time a third film was not expected. But could we see the return of Dallas, the character played by Matthew McConaughey who went MIA for Magic Mike XXL? Channing Tatum is being a bit cagey, not giving ET a clear answer when he says...

What’s interesting about this response is that, while it implies Matthew McConaughey probably won’t be back, it doesn’t shut the door on that possibility entirely. This is most interesting because part of the announcement that Magic Mike’s Last Dance was even happening included star Channing Tatum posting the cover page of the script to his Instagram.

This implies there is a finished script, and the character of Dallas is either in it or he isn’t. Certainly that script can be changed to accommodate Matthew McConaughey if he decides to return or not, but there is also, obviously, an expectation of whether he will appear right now.

And the roundabout way of answering may be an indication that we could see the popular character return. If the answer was a simple no, we might expect Channing Tatum to say so. Considering that McConaughey didn’t appear in the last movie, it wouldn’t be that big a shock for him to not appear in the next one.

But to be sure, Channing Tatum would love to see Dallas return in the new movie. He knows the character and the performance were a big part of what made the first Magic Mike so memorable. He continues…

So will we see Matthew McConaughey in Magic Mike’s Last Dance? The answer is a definitive…maybe? To be fair, McConaughey may not even be the only star from earlier films who does not return. At some point we’ll know for sure. If he doesn’t appear, it won’t be the end of the world. The last movie was still good without him, but if he does, he’ll certainly make a lot of fans happy and maybe he’ll actually be able to top his performance.  

Folks who’ve been looking for more in the world of Channing Tatum’s Magic Mike franchise likely thought that their only hope would be trekking to Las Vegas to see the live show, seeing as how there’d been no word on a sequel since Magic Mike XXL in 2015 (until very recently, that is). But, we can all head back to “the stripperverse” now, with the release of a new reality competition based on the film franchise, airing on HBO Max. Luckily, Tatum has also given us a look at the full Finding Magic Mike family, and, of course, that means a look at a lot of shirtless men!

You don’t have to be any kind of Magic Mike devotee to know that the franchise is about male strippers and their many partially nude pursuits. Now that Finding Magic Mike has hit HBO Max, star / executive producer / Magic Mike mastermind Channing Tatum has given us a look at everyone who helped to bring the reality series to life on Instagram, and if you enjoy spying a shirtless gentleman or two (or maybe even 10), then you’re in for a treat. Take a look!

Oh, my! Look at all the…chesticles! Well, it seems like the men (none of whom are professional dancers) who signed up to take part in Finding Magic Mike at least had a solid support system to help them make their stripping dreams come true. As Tatum noted in his caption, some of the good folks in his photos (nearly naked or not) have been with the franchise since the first film. This includes choreographers Alison Faulk and Luke Broadlick, who serve as mentors for the competitors, as well as actor / movie stripper Adam Rodriguez, who played Tito in both films, and also acts as one of the show’s mentors.

If you’re wondering why the cast of Finding Magic Mike needs mentors, well, that’s because the show takes several regular men who have “lost their magic” and are looking to reclaim it, and puts them through their paces in a Magic Mike training ground to help them do just that (and potentially win $100,000) as they learn how to dance / strip. It all culminates in them performing at the end of each episode.

I’m not sure if any of the guys pictured in Tatum’s post can be seen battling it out on the series, but it’s a good bet that at least a few of them might be, and since everyone looks more than happy to be involved, it seems like a good guess that the experience of having to go from Average Joe to Magic Mike stripping superhero didn’t make them regret their decision to participate. And, that’s good. I mean, who wants to see a sad shirtless man? That would just be uncomfortable for all involved.

Seriously, though, Finding Magic Mike also promises some emotional moments, as the 10 men chosen to participate attempt to get their dearly departed romantic mojo back by learning the moves made famous by Channing Tatum, Adam Rodriguez, and others on the big screen. So, if you like to see men feeling feelings and sometimes taking their clothes off, there’s really no reason not to watch.

Season 1 of Finding Magic Mike is ready on HBO Max right now, but if you’d like to watch something (possibly) a little less stripper-based this month, you can also check out our Christmas movies and TV schedule!

A third Magic Mike film? Be still, my fluttering heart. Channing Tatum recently confirmed that production has indeed begun on a new installment in the so-called ‘stripperverse.’ While fan reactions were understandably enthused, they weren’t the only ones with thoughts: Channing Tatum’s Lost City of D co-star Sandra Bullock was asked to weigh in on a possible appearance in Magic Mike’s Last Dance, and her response was straight up hilarious. 

At the premiere for her new film The Unforgivable, Sandra Bullock simultaneously dazzled in a bejeweled Stella McCartney jumpsuit and fired off some zingy one-liners when Kevin Frazier of Entertainment Tonight brought up Magic Mike’s Last Dance. Sandra Bullock has some experience onstage (Miss Congeniality counts, right?), so she’s obviously a natural choice to star alongside Channing Tatum in the next Magic Mike movie. She even joked about fielding requests from the 21 Jump Street star: 

We all saw Sandra Bullock bust a move in The Proposal, so she’s clearly well-equipped to take on the athletic choreography of the Magic Mike series. Although, truth be told, the Ocean’s 8 star is probably right when she says that she would just steal the spotlight from poor Channing Tatum. As much as fans might like to see Bullock get down, it’s really for the best. Let Tatum have his moment. 

While a role in Magic Mike’s Last Dance may not be in the cards, Sandra Bullock can be seen next in The Unforgivable, an original Netflix thriller that she also produced. The film also stars Vincent D’Onofrio, Viola Davis, and Jon Bernthal. She also just wrapped filming on Lost City of D, a swashbuckling adventure that also stars Channing Tatum and Daniel Radcliffe. While it’s no Magic Mike’s Last Dance, there’s plenty of fun to go around for fans of Sandra Bullock. 

There’s no set premiere date for Magic Mike’s Last Dance yet, so be sure to check back here on CinemaBlend for updates as more information becomes available. In the meantime, you can check out Sandra Bullock in The Unforgivable when the movie hits Netflix on December 10. If you want to see Channing Tatum and Sandra Bullock share the screen, you’ll just have to wait for Lost City of D’s 2022 theatrical release. 

It looked like the end had already come for the Magic Mike franchise, as the film’s 2015 sequel wasn’t followed too closely with talks of a potential third entry. Even Channing Tatum himself said that if anything was going to act as the capper to the trilogy, it was going to be in some form of live stage show. Well, prepare for some twists to that particular story, folks, as not only is Magic Mike 3 absolutely happening, it has a home on HBO Max. 

Even more surprising is the fact that this new project, currently titled Magic Mike’s Last Dance, sees the return of another familiar face from the franchise. No, it’s not Joe Manganiello, as there’s been no word on whether or not this new project will entice him to rescind his previous thoughts on such a return. As you’ll see in the Twitter post from Mr. Tatum below, the director on board for this potentially final ride, Steven Soderbergh, has some unique qualifications: 

Bringing director Steven Soderbergh back is a killer move for two very big reasons. His experience bringing the first Magic Mike story to the screen is the first and most important, as he wasn’t involved in 2015’s middle entry. On top of that is the fact that Soderbergh has worked on originals for HBO Max, with his last two films, 2020’s Let Them All Talk and this year’s No Sudden Move, both debuting on the streaming service. For him to return for Magic Mike’s Last Dance is like a member of the family coming home for the holidays. 

Speaking of the holidays, if you’re looking to get your eyes on some more immediate magic, HBO Max has something special lined up in the month to come. In Warner Bros’ official announcement for the third film, it was mentioned once again that the reality competition Finding Magic Mike will be starting its 10-episode run on December 16th. Previously named The Real Magic Mike, the experience of this television expansion is part of why that the powers that be are so hyped on making another film. No one is more pleased than Channing Tatum himself, as he made the following statement in the studio’s announcement: 

While he may not have gotten to play Gambit in the MCU-adjacent world of the X-Men, Mr. Tatum has found himself building a universe of his own after all. It may not be based on the exploits of heroes in restrictive costumes, but that seems to only help “The Stripperverse” of Magic Mike projects be all the more popular. That only makes us question whether or not this will really be “the last dance” for "Magic" Mike Lane, and that's only part of the fun leading up to the film's debut.  

Magic Mike’s Last Dance will head to HBO Max at some point in the unplanned future. That just means there’s more time to check out what’s debuting on the center stage in theaters, through the 2021 release schedule. Or, if you’re more of a big picture sort of person, you can peek ahead at 2022’s movie landscape instead. Otherwise, the betting odds for the return of Big Dick Ritchie are officially open.

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Walking wrestling encyclopedia and passionate Dungeons and Dragons fan Joe Manganiello has carved out a remarkable career for himself over the years, appearing in dozens of movies and TV shows. During that time, Manganiello has played everything from an iconic comic book assassin in Zack Snyder’s Justice League to a hunky werewolf on True Blood, with anything and everything in between.

If you are looking for a good Joe Manganiello movie or TV show to help pass the time without boring yourself, you won’t have any trouble finding entertaining titles in the muscle-bound actor’s the catalog of great roles. But, deciding on one, two, or even 12 is no easy task, and that can seriously cut into your movie-watching experience. So, to help everyone out, we’ve put together a list of great movies and TV shows featuring the versatile actor which you can stream right now.

Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021) - HBO Max

The four-hour DC superhero epic Zack Snyder’s Justice League, one of the most notable comic book movies of the past few years, brought the acclaimed director’s original vision for 2017’s dismal Justice League to HBO Max subscribers in early 2021. With a more fleshed out story, much more heart and emotion, and plenty of extra scenes, this crossover event centering on DC’s league of heroes trying to save humanity from the evil Darkseid was well worth the wait. Plus, it also features an extra appearance by Joe Manganiello’s Slade Wilson, a.k.a. Deathstroke, in the much talked about “Knightmare” epilogue.

Stream Zack Snyder’s Justice League on HBO Max.

True Blood (2008 - 2014) - HBO Max

The HBO vampire drama series True Blood ran on the premium cable network for seven seasons starting in August 2008, creating superstars out of its talented ensemble cast. Detailing the intertwined relationships (both amicable and not so much) between humans, vampires, and werewolves, the show had the perfect mix of the romance, action, drama, and exaggerated Louisiana accents from the residents of the fictional town of Bon Temps. Joining the True Blood cast in Season 3, Joe Manganiello played werewolf packmaster Alcide Herveaux, a character who would become a fixture for the remainder of the series’ run.

Stream True Blood on HBO Max.

Spider-Man (2002) - Starz

Sam Raimi’s 2002 superhero origin story, Spider-Man, follows Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) as he is transformed from an intelligent yet socially inept high school newspaper photographer into the iconic webslinger, after being bitten by a radioactive spider. The second half of the summer blockbuster (which brought in $825 million worldwide) largely focuses on Spider-Man’s battles with the crazed Green Goblin (Willem Dafoe) and Daily Bugle editor J. Jonah Jameson (J.K. Simmons), but Parker’s bitter enemy in the early goings of the story is none other than Flash Thompson (Joe Manganiello). This also just so happens to be Manganiello’s first acting credit.

Stream Spider-Man on Starz.

Magic Mike (2012) - HBO Max

Steven Soderbergh’s 2012 dramedy Magic Mike follows Michael Lane (Channing Tatum), a star male stripper at the Xquisite night club as he attempts to make ends meet while also taking Adam, a.k.a. “The Kid” (Alex Pettyfer), under his wing as a protege. The movie largely focuses on the day-to-day lives of the male strippers at the club owned by former dancer Dallas (Matthew McConaughey), but it also spends a considerable amount of time showing off the physiques and moves of the ensemble cast, which includes 2021 WWE Hall of Fame inductee Kevin Nash as Tarzan, and Joe Manganiello as Big Dick Richie. If you like Manganiello walking around shirtless on True Blood, wait until you see him on stage in Magic Mike.

Stream Magic Mike on HBO Max.

How I Met Your Mother (2005 - 2014) - Hulu

The hit CBS comedy series How I Met Your Mother spent nine seasons walking its audience through the ups and downs of Ted Mosby’s (Josh Radnor) life before he settled down and had kids. With narration provided by Bob Saget, an older Ted walks his children through a series of flashbacks which involve everything from failed relationships and lifelong friendships with his close-knit friend group. In addition to the show’s core cast, How I Met Your Mother also featured a massive group of recurring characters, including Joe Manganiello’s Brad Morris. Appearing sporadically throughout the series starting with Season 2, Brad is introduced as Marshall Eriksen’s (Jason Segel) law school buddy before the two recently dumped friends go on a series of adventures which become awkward for everyone else.

Stream How I Met Your Mother on Hulu.

Archenemy (2020) - Hoopla

The 2020 mystery-thriller Archenemy tells the story of Max Fist (Joe Manganiello), a supposed superhero from another dimension who, upon arriving on Earth, has lost all of his superpowers. While everyone he comes in contact with thinks he’s a lunatic with one hell of a tall tale, a teenager named Hamster (Skylan Brooks) gives Max a chance and actually buys his story. Together, Max and Hamster set out to wipe the streets clean of a local drug syndicate led by a vicious and notorious crime boss. Not your conventional superhero action film, Archenemy, thanks in part to Manganiello, really pushes the genre to its boundaries.

Stream Archenemy on Hoopla.

Pee-Wee’s Big Holiday (2016) - Netflix

When Joe Manganiello (playing himself) strolls into Pee-wee Herman’s (Paul Reubens) Fairville diner one fine day, he quickly takes a liking to the lovable character asks him to leave his home to travel to New York City for the actor’s birthday party. What follows is the 2016 Netflix original movie Pee-wee’s Big Holiday, which sees the iconic comedy character and his signature suit travel across the country to get to the Big Apple in time for his actor friend’s party. This movie, thanks in part to Manganiello’s over-the-top performance, is absolutely bananas (in all the right ways) and shows off the oddball comedic side of the muscle-bound superstar.

Stream Pee-Wee’s Big Holiday on Netflix.

Knight Of Cups (2016) - Tubi

Terrence Malick’s 2016 experimental drama Knight of Cups follows a depressed screenwriter named Rick (Christian Bale) who struggles to make sense of the life around him in sunny Hollywood, California. Surrounded by the hustle and bustle of show business (and major stars who all make cameos throughout), Rick bounces from one episode to the next, contemplating his life, his decisions, and the meaning of success in such a superficial environment. And, while not everything works in Knight of Cups (as is the case for a lot of the later Malick films), the visuals and distinct style of the director’s eye make it worth checking out. Also, where else will you see Joe Manganiello and Antonio Banderes have an awkward interaction at a party?

Stream Knight of Cups on Tubi.

Bottom Of The 9th (2019) - Amazon

The 2019 sports drama Bottom of the 9th follows Bobby Stano (Joe Manganiello), a once-promising baseball standout whose career ended before it ever really began, after he was sent to prison for accidentally killing a gang member in an altercation gone wrong. Largely set after Stano’s release from prison, this heartfelt redemption story sees the athlete-turned-convict attempt to work his way back to the majors while also rekindling torn relationships along the way.

Stream Bottom of the 9th on Amazon.

Rampage (2018)

Based on the classic arcade game of the same name, 2018’s Rampage follows jacked-up primatologist David Okoye (Dwayne Johnson) as he tries to save the world from a global catastrophe caused by an experiment on a group of animals which goes horribly wrong. Following the experimentation, but before its effects become widespread, a team of mercenaries led by a character played by Joe Manganiello is sent in to capture Ralph, the genetically mutated wolf from the games. And, while he’s only in the movie for a hot minute, Manganiello makes the most of his appearance and looks like he’s having the time of his life despite the eventual outcome.

Stream Rampage on HBO Max.

Jay And Silent Bob Reboot (2019) - Amazon

Kevin Smith’s 2019 comedy Jay and Silent Bob Reboot is exactly what you would expect from the director at this point, but beneath the surface there’s actually a ton of heart in what is one of the best movies on Amazon. Similar to 2001’s Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, the follow-up follows the titular characters — once again played by Jason Mewes and Kevin Smith — as they embark upon a cross-country trip to stop Saban Films from making another Bluntman and Chronic movie. Most of the usual players show up again here, but with one addition: Joe Manganiello as the bailiff in the courtroom scene. This looks like a random actor to throw in, but it sounds like Smith initially had bigger plans for the True Blood star.

Stream Jay and Silent Bob Reboot on Amazon.

The Sleepover (2020) - Netflix

One of the best movies on Netflix for fans of family-friendly action-adventure mysteries, the 2020 original film The Sleepover centers on a group of kids whose parents have been kidnapped by some of the world’s most notorious thieves, and their plan to stop to the criminals in their tracks. Over-the-top in his portrayal of Leo, a character who seems helpful at first but has quite a dark past, Joe Manganiello is absolutely perfect in every way, even if he’s nothing more than a dirty rotten scoundrel.

Stream The Sleepover on Netflix.

These are just a few of Joe Manganiello’s great movies and TV shows, as the actor also has a ton of appearances in random episodes of The Big Bang Theory, Scrubs, Mom, and even WWE Raw. With the Manganiello leading the upcoming Army of the Dead: Lost Vegas animated series on Netflix, hopefully we’ll see his name pop up on the Summer 2021 TV schedule.

Magic Mike and its sequel brought male strip culture to the mainstream, while getting the public heat and bothered. While doing the films, Channing Tatum remained in top shape. But like everyone else in quarantine, the actor didn’t keep it up. He did return to form for his directorial debut Dog. Recently Tatum took to social media to show off his Magic Mike-ready abs.

Channing Tatum’s body has been his calling card since the days of Step Up. But his true peak was the Magic Mike franchise. As such, his training for the upcoming comedy got him back in shape. The actor has kept those abs as evident by his latest Instagram. Check Tatum’s post-workout selfie below:

Channing Tatum worked hard to get his sculpted body back. If you had that physique, you probably wouldn’t stop posting it on social media either. While Tatum is respected as an actor, much of his devoted fanbase has been craving shirtless pics from the star much like many of his contemporaries. And like much thirst traps, the actor’s post served its purpose as seen by Tatum’s comment section. But that seemed to not be the actor’s intention.

Channing Tatum’s Magic Mike abs seemed to be more about marking his progress rather than attracting the attention for money. Last year, the actor posted a similar selfie while filming Dog. In the post, Tatum talked about the trials and tribulations he experienced that kept him from being fit again. This latest selfie and the post from last year were more about congratulating himself for reaching a goal. They both served to remind the actor of achieving his fitness goals and maintaining them at a time where people are dealing with issues across multiple fronts.

Despite his unknown issues in 2020, Channing Tatum’s return to his Magic Mike seemed to have paid off for his Dog follow-up. The actor recently showed off his horse-riding skills for the upcoming romantic comedy The Lost City of D. As evident by that post, Tatum seemed to be in peak physical condition as he held his own during a riding lesson. But the actor might have to maintain his physique as it was recently announced the stripping blockbuster is jumping into the reality show pool. It seemed like the actor might have to maintain that body for a while.

With Channing Tatum back in Magic Mike form, it’s only a matter of time before viewers start asking him about another Magic Mike. While fans might want this, it seems everyone involved might’ve moved on, including Tatum himself. If one were to happen, co-star Joe Manganiello probably wouldn’t be back as he mentioned being “retired.” But as evidenced by the reality series, Tatum has been aiming towards television for the franchise’s return. Viewers will get to see the actor in peak Magic Mike form when Dog arrives in theaters on February 18, 2022.

Magic Mike is making a comeback, but not in the form of another movie starring Channing Tatum or even a scripted TV show. A different kind of project is on the way, and although Tatum is indeed involved, don't expect him to shed his clothes like he did in 2012's Magic Mike and 2015's Magic Mike XXL, which was arguably better than the original. A reality show is coming to HBO Max, and here's what to expect.

HBO Max has ordered a reality competition series with the working title of The Real Magic Mike, with Magic Mike star Channing Tatum on board as executive producer. The series is described by the streaming service as "exhilarating and sexy" as it follows the transformation of a group of ten men who have "lost their magic" into real-life Magic Mikes.

A goal of the series will unsurprisingly be to evolve their bodies and learn how to perform routines, but The Real Magic Mike's aim goes beyond turning them into the potential next strip show stars. In the process of competing, the men will "bare their souls" (and more) to develop self-confidence, get rid of emotional baggage, and "regain their mojo."

That said, The Real Magic Mike will be a competition, not an outlet for these men to go on emotional journeys without their eyes on a prize. The competitor who wins the title of Real Magic Mike will get a cash prize on top of an opportunity to perform in Las Vegas as part of the Magic Mike Live show.

It's not clear at this point who will be judging the competition or what criteria will be used to advance and cut competitors, but this is definitely a new kind of reality competition series, and releasing on HBO Max presumably means it can get a lot more risqué than if it aired on a broadcast network or basic cable channel. A nationwide casting search is already underway.

Channing Tatum also isn't the only Magic Mike movie veteran who will be part of the HBO Max series. Steven Soderbergh, who directed Magic Mike and worked on Magic Mike XXL, is also an executive producer for The Real Magic Mike. HBO Max Head of Original Content Sarah Aubrey had this to say about the coming reality competition show from the hit franchise:

HBO Max hasn't announced a release date for The Real Magic Mike, but the series is intended for a 2021 release. With casting already underway, the wait to see the reality competition take on Magic Mike may not be too terribly long. It should be interesting to see how much Channing Tatum appears in front of the camera, if at all. He's on board the show as an executive producer. Assuming there's a host for the show, one has yet to be announced.

For now, you can find Magic Mike streaming on HBO Max, along with plenty of other options. This isn't the first of Channing Tatum's movies to result in a TV show, but The Real Magic Mike sounds like it couldn't be much more different from the Step Up series, which originally debuted on YouTube before making the move to Starz with some additions to the cast.

It’s been almost a decade since Magic Mike was released, leaving women everywhere hot and bothered. Even though it’s been a minute since we’ve seen Matthew McConaughey and Channing Tatum dancing nearly naked on a stage, they’re still with us in spirit in the form of TikTok challenges and Halloween costumes. It’s hard to believe that the stars of Magic Mike weren’t naturals when it came to the world of male stripping, but like with any role, the actors had a lot of research to do to prepare for their roles. In fact, McConaughey and Tatum spent some time in strip clubs and they learned a good bit about the industry in the process.

Matthew McConaughey has played a wide range of roles, and he's known for doing so successfully. One factor that may go into his ability to play all different types of people is that he prepares by doing background on them, sometimes even transforming his body drastically. For Magic Mike, he and his co-star Channing Tatum took to male strip clubs to get what he calls his “light bulb moments” before becoming a new character. In his own words:

Could you imagine going in to work at your local strip club, and Matthew McConaughey just happens to come in with Channing Tatum? Then, a year or so later you see them in Magic Mike emulating you and your fellow dancers. That’s a career high right there.

Matthew McConaughey may have found the male strip clubs to be corny and to him, undesirable. If that was the case in real life, there would seem to be a disconnect to the on screen version because those who watched the film were left with a very different impression. This differentiation may be, at least in part, due to McConaughey’s ability to input new ideas when he’s doing background work on characters. In the same interview with In Depth with Graham Bensinger, McConaughey describes what he would do if he were really in the shoes of his character Dallas in Magic Mike. Here it is in his own words:

If you’re going to be a stripper, working for someone like Matthew McConaughey wouldn’t be half bad. The man sure seems like he’d look after his dancers. At least according to his observations about the industry.

Matthew McConaughey's latest projects include a bunch of voice acting, including a role in the animated series Hank the Cowdog, as well as reprising his role as Buster Moon in Sing 2. In the meantime, check out our 2021 release list to plan your next movie experience.

Any actor in Hollywood who has been around for any length of time has been offered a role that they decided not to take in a movie that went on to become a massive hit. We've heard the stories about how Will Smith could have played Neo in The Matrix or how Eddie Murphy could have been in Who Framed Roger Rabbit. James Marsden, currently shining in the new adaptation of Stephen King's The Stand, admits there are roles that he sometimes wishes he hadn't turned down. Including a spot on the stage in Steven Soderbergh's Magic Mike.

The revelation that the former Cyclops could have been in Magic Mike came in an appearance on The Late Late Show with James Corden. Marsden talked about how he was offered a role in Days of our Lives very early in his career, but decided not to do it. He seems to feel now that was still the right choice, but he's less sure about the decision to turn down Magic Mike because he gave up the chance to work with a great director. According to Marsden...

While James Marsden doesn't talk more about the role he would have had in Magic Mike, it certainly doesn't sound like it was a very important one, as the reason he decided against the role was that he thought he would eventually be cut out of the movie. If all his lines could have been cut without impacting the movie, that's certainly not a huge role. Part of him, however, still wishes he'd done it anyway, and that ending up as an extra in a G-string would have been worth it just to work with Steven Soderbergh. Marsden does say that some of his family is still very glad he did not take the role.

Magic Mike does appear to be a rare exception in James Marsden's career. Overall, he says that when he looks back at the various roles he's turned down, he's still very glad that he did so. He doesn't go into any detail on those roles. It wouldn't exactly be nice to bad mouth movies that apparently all turned out just as bad as he feared, but it Magic Mike is really the only one he got "wrong" that's a pretty solid track record. I mean, who actually thought Sonic the Hedgehog would turn out as good as it did?

Magic Mike and Magic Mike XXL were both fun theatrical romps that raked in the box office dollars. The second film may have come out five years ago and may have been about the Kings of Tampa throwing together one last major performance, but I’d certainly assume there would be interest in seeing more from the physically fit stars in the franchise should they ever want to come back for another go. However, if you were to ask Joe Manganiello how he would feel about coming back for a potential Magic Mike III, the actor has one very succinct statement for you:

His response was blunt, but it does sort of make sense for the franchise. Joe Manganiello, who played Big Dick Richie in both Magic Mike and Magic Mike XXL, was already part of the gang's last hurrah in the second movie. At the start of XXL, some members of the gang had already moved on and the remaining Kings of Tampa then decided to travel to put on one more big show. It may have only been the second movie for the franchise, but it was also a movie written in a way that implied things were changing for the characters involved.

Being "retired" from the Magic Mike biz isn’t an issue of physical fitness, mind you. Series lead Channing Tatum recently posted an ab-heavy image while he’s filming his upcoming directorial debut and he could still rock a Magic Mike movie should he want to. Joe Manganiello has also been staying pretty physically fit for roles, so the two actors getting a little bit older is certainly not what’s stopping another sequel from happening.

In fact, the actor also told admitted in the same interview with People that training does get harder as he gets older (Manganiello is currently 45), but he’s still been working hard to stay fit for movies like The Sleepover, which came out this summer and does feature some action. He works out six days a week and has a home gym to help though he notes:

Meanwhile, Channing Tatum has already promised a while back that if he ever got back into shape, there may be a little more Magic Mike in his own future, just probably not in a big screen sequel. He said he would totally “strap on the thong” again for the Vegas live show Magic Mike Live, revealing,

Spoiler: he's definitely now back in shape. Still, the closest thing we’ve gotten to a return to form is him dancing on the stage fully clothed at the show’s London premiere or that other time he went “full Magic Mike” in a gas station (also clothed). The franchise also lives on through the various live shows fans can revisit. But there’s been no forward momentum on a third movie from anyone related to the franchise, and Channing Tatum has previously been clear that he feels the show is his version of a third sequel and the next step for the franchise overall.

Still, I don’t think there’s any harm in having interest in a third Magic Mike movie, even if it’s unlikely at this point. Fanbases of a feather flock together after all and even if another project is fantasy, I wouldn’t call it a bad fantasy. So I have to ask...

This poll is no longer available.

A fresh batch of Netflix titles has arrived this morning, as the listing for September 2020 dropped with the usual pomp and circumstance. Like a farmer’s harvest, or fresh baked rolls, there’s a certain happiness that comes with a new month’s worth of movies headed to the world of streaming. Before we get too sidetracked about what the recipe to a Pineapple Express cake would look like, it’s time once again to discuss the great movies coming to Netflix in September 2020.

Unless specified, all titles below will be available at the beginning of the month, ready to make your mouth, and possibly your eyes, water with joy. Here’s what’s coming soon to a Netflix-enabled device near you when September rolls around:

Glory

Historical epics like Glory are, of course, prone to inaccuracies and other tactics used to make for a better motion picture experience. But the intent of director Edward Zwick’s story celebrating the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment and their valiant fight through the Civil War has its heart in the right place. With a cast that boasts Matthew Broderick, Cary Elwes, Morgan Freeman and Academy Award winner Denzel Washington, the performances are as riveting as the action shown on the screen.

Grease

Musicals aren’t for everyone, as it’s not every day crowds of moviegoers find themselves craving a song and a dance to tell a story. That being said, it’s kind of hard to resist the charms of the classic Grease; there’s just something about John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John’s on-screen shenanigans that’s positively electrifying. Not to mention, pretty much every school dance back in the day played the Grease Megamix, and with the upcoming prequel Summer Lovin’ also in the works, a trip back to Rydell High sounds mighty fine.

Magic Mike

Steven Soderbergh’s filmography is a wild ride when you read through what it contains. The man’s done everything from hard hitting drama like Traffic to carefree comedies like the Ocean’s Trilogy. And then there’s Magic Mike: a dramedy loosely based on Channing Tatum’s early career as a stripper. With a mix of tones balanced by well-choreographed males dancing with very little left to the imagination, it’s a movie that only Soderbergh could stick the landing to. And before you ask, Magic Mike XXL is streaming for free with ads on Tubi, so if you were planning a double feature, you’ll get your wish.

Muppets Most Wanted

It's time for what might be considered a hot take: Muppets Most Wanted is the superior film out of the duology of Muppets movies Disney experimented with early in the previous decade. Gone is the overly soppy attitude towards the legacy of The Muppets, and in its place is a cracking comedy caper where Kermit and his doppelgänger, Constantine, switch places. With one planning to rob the world’s greatest treasures, and the other just trying to get out of prison and back to his friends, the plot lends itself to hysterical jokes, appearances from all of your favorite Muppets, and yes, “long one-liner cameos” from celebrities of all stripes.

Not Another Teen Movie

Parody films are an art form that is often duplicated, but not always successful in the execution. For every Airplane! and Scary Movie, there’s an Epic Movie or Meet The Spartans to cancel it out. And then there are the ones that are unjustly buried, like the seriously funny Not Another Teen Movie. Mocking films like She’s All That, 10 Things I Hate About You and pretty much any other movie that falls under that wide umbrella, it’s a comedy that’s fondly remembered by its fans, as well as co-star Chris Evans. What, you didn’t know America’s Ass starred in a movie where he did his own version of the whipped cream bikini from Varsity Blues? Do you see how underrated this movie is?

Pineapple Express

If Seth Rogen and his team on Pineapple Express got their way, we’d have seen at least one sequel made to the buddy/stoner comedy come our way in the 12 years that have passed. But, things being as they were, Sony passed on a sequel, and another round of reefer madness with Rogen and James Franco at the center was not meant to be. Though if you happen to be a fan of this surprising blend of action and comedy, and you’re a member of that great community known as “the internet,” getting enough people to watch the original film on Netflix might put the right idea in some people’s heads. It couldn’t hurt.

The Producers (2005)

It’s hard to capture the magic of a Broadway show like The Producers in a major motion picture. But even if the staging is a bit more static and the visuals are cranked up a little, the humorous heart of Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick’s Tony Award-winning romp is still very much present. With Uma Thurman and Will Ferrell along for the ride, Mel Brooks’ record setting musical riot still plays pretty well in a more conventionally presented narrative, and the gags still play just as well as they did to sold out houses on the Great White Way. If you’re missing the stage, and you’ve already seen Hamilton one too many times, this could be the breather you’re looking for.

Red Dragon

Netflix has been on a Hannibal Lecter tear as of late. With The Silence of the Lambs and the NBC series Hannibal both landing on the platform this year, fine dining has never looked so disturbing. Now you’re about to get another piece of the puzzle, as the beginning of Dr. Lecter’s days in captivity are depicted in Red Dragon. Anthony Hopkins' third, and final, performance in the role goes back to when Hannibal was caught by Will Graham (Edward Norton), and their time together solving the case of the vicious murderer known as The Tooth Fairy. If you’re a completist, Hannibal Rising and Ridley Scott’s Hannibal film are an appetizer and dessert, respectively. But as it stands, Netflix has the complete main course of this franchise ready to dig into.

Zathura

Children’s author Chris Van Allsburg is mostly known for his work on watershed titles like The Polar Express and Jumanji. But hiding out amongst his work is a book, and its adaptation, that deserve their own praises sung. Zathura: A Space Adventure is basically in the same vein as Allsburg’s other board game caper, but this time, the action goes into the stars. Not only did this movie help build the resume of The Hunger Games’ Josh Hutcherson, as well as Kristin Stewart herself, but director Jon Favreau would rocket into another realm himself, as he went on to direct Iron Man.

How to Train Your Dragon 2

Ready for another confusing round of streaming franchise fun? How To Train Your Dragon 2 is about to head to Netflix, with the first film currently parked on Prime Video, and How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World still cooling its heels on Hulu. Now one would assume all three will eventually head to Peacock, as Universal owns the series and its home studio, Dreamworks. But for now, that’s your path to watching all three of these high flying epics. Is it worth the effort if you’re a subscriber to all three platforms? Absolutely, but make sure you’ve got plenty of tissues handy for How To Train Your Dragon 2 on hand. Trust us.

Available 9/11/20

The Netflix playground has all sorts of excitement in store for September 2020, and this isn’t even all of the action headed your way in that month. So be sure to check out the full lineup of debuts, both on the TV and movies sides of the house. Also, if you want to see what highlights came online in the month of August, we’ll provide that link for you to peruse. Until next time, stream safely, and responsibly, and we’ll see you back here next month!

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Hustlers is a movie based on the real life story of a group of strippers who drugged rich men to steal their money. This film heavily focuses on the friendship between Destiny (Constance Wu) and Ramona (Jennifer Lopez), and its rise and demise. Many movie fans consider Hustlers one of the best movies of 2019—mainly because of Jennifer Lopez’s stellar performance, a fascinating story, and the impressive cardio. Hustlers is currently not available through a subscription streaming service, but Amazon Prime Video has it available to purchase or rent.

Fans of true-life stories, stripper movies, heist films, and black comedies might enjoy Hustlers. It keeps you entertained and alert all the way to the end of the flick. If you love Hustlers, then here are a few films to add to your watchlist.

Magic Mike

What It’s About: Steven Soderbergh directed Magic Mike, a movie about the strippers of an all-male Tampa strip club. Channing Tatum, Alex Pettyfer, Cody Horn, Matt Bomer, Joe Manganiello, and Matthew McConaughey star.

Why Hustlers Fans Will Like It: Hustlers and Magic Mike both take a critical look at the world of strip clubs and stripping. Neither film glamorizes the profession. In fact, both films highlight the darker elements of the world, while also emphasizing how parts of the profession can seduce people during tough times.

Stream it on Amazon Prime here.

Rent It here.

Ocean's 8

What It’s About: Danny Ocean (George Clooney)’s sister Debbie Ocean (Sandra Bullock) wants to continue his legacy of thievery, so she gathers a group of women to help her with a heist (and a bit of revenge). Ocean 8’s cast includes Cate Blanchett, Anne Hathaway, Mindy Kaling, Sarah Paulson, Awkwafina, Rihanna, and Helen Bonham Carter.

Why Hustlers Fans Will Like It: Ocean's 8 and Hustlers involve a group of women outsmarting men for profit and revenge. Also both films aren’t anti-men movies. Instead, they’re anti-bad men movies that also show the flaws in these female characters and their crimes.

Stream it on Cinemax here.

Rent it here.

The Wolf Of Wall Street

What It’s About: Martin Scorsese directs The Wolf of Wall Street, a biographical account of Jordan Belfort’s time as stockbroker in New York City. It depicts the criminal and high rollers life of being a rich and corrupt stockbroker. Leonardo DiCaprio plays Jordan. The Wolf of Wall Street cast also includes Jonah Hill, Margot Robbie, and Matthew McConaughey.

Why Hustlers Fans Will Like It: The type of men that the women in Hustlers go after are the men portrayed in The Wolf of Wall Street. Rich men obsessed with their wealth and status types. Both films don’t portray these stockbrokers in a flattering light, but both also show some human sides to them. Hustlers and The Wolf of Wall Street also both have mesmerizing black comedy performances from the leads and supporting cast members.

Stream it on FX here.

Rent it here.

Widows

What It’s About: Three women connected through their deceased husbands who worked together in a crime gang, plot to steal $5 million from a local corrupt politician. The Widows ensemble cast includes Viola Davis, Michelle Rodriguez, Elizabeth Debicki, Cynthia Erivo, Brian Tyree Henry, Daniel Kaluuya, Colin Farrell, and Liam Neeson. It’s directed by Steve McQueen and based on a 80s television show of the same name.

Why Hustlers Fans Will Like It: Widows is another movie about women using their skills, intelligence, and strength to plot against bad men. Hustlers has a more flashy, lighter tone but both films show turning to a life of crime as a way of survival.

Stream it on Cinemax here.

Rent it: N/A

Out of Sight

What It’s About: Jennifer Lopez and George Clooney star in Out of Sight. Steven Soderbergh directs this romantic crime caper. Jack Foley (George Clooney) and Karen Sisco are on opposite sides of the law, but can’t ignore their growing attraction to one another. Out of Sight blends the stellar chemistry of Lopez and Clooney with a genuinely funny script.

Why Hustlers Fans Will Like It: Jennifer Lopez gives another standout performance in Out of Sight. Both films have Lopez in common, and they’re both crime comedies that finds humor in dangerous situations. They are also films with real moments of heartbreak because criminals rarely get happy endings, at least not in films.

Stream it on HBO Now here.

Rent it here.

Striptease

What It’s About: Demi Moore plays a former FBI secretary turn stripper who loses the custody of her daughter (Rumer Willis). She then becomes a stripper to pay for the appeal trial’s legal fees. While stripping, Erin (Demi Moore) gets involved with a corrupt congressman David Dilbeck (Burt Reynolds).

Why Hustlers Fans Will Like It: Striptease is another movie that showcases women who turn to the life of stripping to help their families. Erin and Destiny take opposite legal paths. The world of stripping leads Destiny down a dark path of crime, but Erin’s job as a stripper actually helps her help law enforcement officers.

Rent it here.

Set It Off

What It’s About: Set it Off is a movie about four women who plan to execute a bank robbery. The main four women are Queen Latifah, Jada Pinkett-Smith, Vivica A. Fox, and Kimberly Elise.

Why Hustlers Fans Will Like It: Set it Off is a tale of women who, after being abused and used by a system created for them to fail, turn to a life of crime. Hustlers has a similar “let’s burn it all down” tone, but with less dire consequences.

Stream it on Tubi here.

Rent it here.

Ocean’s Eleven

What It’s About: Steven Soderbergh also directed Ocean’s Eleven, a movie featuring a cast of skilled and specialized characters. Danny Ocean (George Clooney) is the ringleader in this casino heist film. Ocean’s Eleven’s ensemble cast also includes Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Don Cheadle, Andy Garcia, Bernie Mac, and Julia Roberts.

Why Hustlers Fans Will Like It: Hustlers is a fascinating movie about a real life event, but the heist elements give it an extra layer of entertainment. If you enjoyed Hustlers for the heist portion, then the Ocean’s Eleven trilogy are some of the most entertaining heist movies.

Rent it here.

9 To 5

What It’s About: 9 to 5 is a comedy about three secretaries who kidnap their boss and run his business. Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda, Dolly Parton, and Dabney Coleman star in this hilarious comedy.

Why Hustlers Fans Will Like It: 9 to 5 is a female empowerment movie that just happens to involve the small crime of kidnapping. Despite their crime, they make positive changes to the business, and gain their confidence. Hustlers doesn’t justify the actions of the main characters, but it shows that many of these men were corrupt, so they were victims but also aggressors.

Stream it on Starz here.

Rent it here.

The Boiler Room

What It’s About: The Boiler Room is a crime drama about stockbrokers who engage in illegal activity to make millions. Giovanni Ribisi, Vin Diesel, Nia Long, Ben Affleck, Scott Caan, and Jamie Kennedy star in this drama.

Why Hustlers Fans Will Like It: This movie also examines the immoral behavior of stockbrokers and Wall Street culture. It shines another light on the type of men scammed in Hustlers. It helps give perspective of why Ramona may have felt vindicated in her actions towards them.

Rent it here.

The Big Short

What It’s About: The Big Short is the Adam McKay film that explains the 2007-2008 financial crisis. It uses many different techniques to get the story across. Some of the ensemble cast include Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, and Brad Pitt.

Why Hustlers Fans Will Like It: Hustlers takes place during the 2007-2008 financial crisis, which is the catalyst for Destiny, Ramona, and others to start committing crimes to make enough money to survive. The Big Short does a great job of explaining the financial crisis to those completely unaware. The film helps contextualize the situation that was going on around the Hustlers’ characters, and why things seemed so dire. It also helps show why they targeted a certain type of rich men.

Stream it on IMDbTV here.

Rent it here.

Rounders

What It’s About: Matt Damon and Edward Norton star in Rounders, a film about two young men who are gifted poker players and gamblers. After some bad decisions, they find themselves in a huge amount of debt. The two then engage in high stakes poker games to try to make enough money to repay the debts.

Why Hustlers Fans Will Like It: Hustlers is all about risky behavior that has a high reward possibility. The women win big from stealing from these men, but the tables eventually turn and they lose it all. It’s a major gamble for all of them. Rounders is a movie with the same intensity. Matt Damon’s character risks everything to win, but has major losses. His and Edward Norton’s gambling puts them both at risk of losing their lives and financial ruin.

Stream it on Netflix here.

Rent it here.

Hustlers is a film that allows you to experience the highs and lows of Destiny and Ramona without ever completely letting you forget the eventual consequences of their actions. It doesn’t glorify crime life, but tries to explain the enticing nature of it. The film definitely deserved more award season attention.

It’s been close to thirty years since we first heard Matthew McConaughey utter the words “alright, alright, alright” in Dazed and Confused. The phrase not only remains in the actor’s tool belt but, in our collective pop culture. McConaughey could have become a legend for just that right then and there, but throughout his career he’s challenged himself with a ton of impressive movie performances.

Matthew McConaughey has been a frequent leading man of rom-coms, a capable adventure star, a comedic talent and in-demand drama actor. He has 70 acting credits to show for it and a Best Actor Oscar. As he steps into Guy Ritchie’s ensemble flick, The Gentlemen this weekend with the likes of Colin Farrell, Hugh Grant and Henry Golding, check out these essential McConaughey movies, ranked!

10. Magic Mike (2012)

Throughout the history of Hollywood, it’s often been on the shoulders of female actresses to look sexy and bare it all. Channing Tatum switched things up when he decided to star and produce Magic Mike, a male stripper film loosely based on his own experiences in the industry when he was 18 years old. Magic Mike was a phenomenon when it came out, making $167 million globally on a measly $7 million budget.

Matthew McConaughey plays the club owner of the Tampa strip club being explored in the film. He’s a greedy businessman and confident dancer in his own right. Although a strip scene was not originally written for his character, the actor actually asked for one that was later written in. His role was so celebrated that he even got some Oscar buzz for Dallas, though he was snubbed – just like J-Lo’s Hustlers stripper role.

9. Contact (1997)

McConaughey really began to gain prominence back in the ‘90s. It would later lead into a string of rom-coms still replayed on cable all the time. The movie that best showed off his ability to be the supportive man to a woman’s leading story was perhaps Robert Zemeckis’ Contact. The science-fiction classic follows Jodie Foster’s Dr. Ellie Arroway as she finds proof of alien intelligence and sets out to make “contact” with it.

Matthew McConaughey plays a writer and Christian philosopher named Palmer Joss, who challenges Dr. Arroway’s atheist beliefs and makes for an interesting polar opposite to Contact’s heroine. The pair’s conversations inject romantic tension as they have a powerful discussion between science and God. The actor adds weight to Jodie Foster’s performance and challenges the audience too.

8. Amistad (1997)

In the same year, Matthew McConaughey found another one of his early best performances in Steven Spielberg’s Amistad alongside heavyweight co-stars Morgan Freeman and Anthony Hopkins. The four-time Oscar nominee told the true story of the 1839 legal battle involving the rights of a group of African tribesmen who were abducted to become slaves by a Spanish owned ship.

McConaughey plays the role of lawyer Roger Sherman Baldwin, who is hired to defend the African men in court and proves they were sold to the Americas illegally. Today, Amistad is an underrated historical drama that is worth a look back on. The now more famous Djimon Hounsou and Chiwetel Ejiofor have roles and McConaughey rocks an awesome colonial wig!

7. The Lincoln Lawyer (2011)

Speaking of Matthew McConaughey playing a lawyer, he does it a few more times in his career, in 1996, in A Time To Kill and more recently in The Lincoln Lawyer. Between 2011 and 2014, when the actor moved away from rom-coms are started picking up some serious work, it was coined as the “McConaissance”. As you’ll see, a majority of this list takes place during this era and The Lincoln Lawyer was the first movie that marked its beginning.

Brad Furman’s 2011 neo-noir legal thriller centers on Mickey Haller. He’s a fictional lawyer who literally operates his business out of his Lincoln Town Car. The movie follows Haller as he defends the son of a wealthy LA businessman’s assault case. However, he connects the dots to a previous case. It twists into an intense legal ride and McConaughey’s performance is gripping.

6. The Wolf Of Wall Street (2013)

Matthew McConaughey has a knack for stealing the spotlight in supporting roles too, and his role in Martin Scorsese’s The Wolf of Wall Street is a prime example. In the critically-decorated crime drama, the 50-year-old actor plays senior broker Mark Hanna, who introduces Leonardo DiCaprio’s Jordan Belfort to the sex and drug-filled life of excess the movie taps into.

The actor plays a real-life person who really did tell Belfort about his ideals focused on cocaine, masturbation and hookers. McConaughey’s role is incredibly memorable in a movie full of memorable performances. Especially, that memeworthy chest thump that is nothing short of iconic.

5. Kubo And The Two Strings (2016)

Another supporting role McConaughey crushes is in Laika’s Kubo and the Two Strings. This is the stop-motion studio’s best entry and the actor is a vital part of the comedic and emotional balance the movie must strike. Set in feudal Japan, a young boy named Kubo goes on an adventure to find his father’s armor with the assistance of a wooden snow monkey come to life (played by Charlize Theron).

McConaughey plays a large beetle in the film, who has a quirkiness about him that you just wouldn’t expect a performance by the actor could reveal. His character breaks a lot of tension that the film’s dire circumstances set up and has a glowing chemistry with the rest of the voice cast as Kubo learns about a stunning connection between them.

4. Mud (2012)

One of McConaughey’s most critically-acclaimed and most little-seen movies is 2013’s Mud. The coming-of-age drama from Jeff Nichols follows the curious adventure of two boys (played by X-Men’s Tye Sheridan and The Maze Runner’s Jacob Lofland), who come across a fugitive named Mud, hiding out on an island in the Mississippi. Of course, Matthew is Mud.

He tells the boys a series of fantastic stories about how he ended up in his solitude, and they agree to help him reunite with the love of his life (played by Reese Witherspoon). The movie completely bombed at the box office but boasts a near-perfect 97% on Rotten Tomatoes. McConaughey plays between his history of being the hero and villain well here, blurring the lines between what to expect from Mud.

3. Dazed And Confused (1993)

Coming into the top three and cream of the crop of Matthew McConaughey’s movies, of course Dazed and Confused earns a place here. It’s the most McConaughey movie to ever McConaughey. It was the big break that propelled the actor into where he is today – even if he’s just one of many huge names in Richard Linklater’s comedy, also including Ben Affleck, Milla Jovovich and Parker Posey -- it’s certainly still most associated with the actor’s David Wooderson.

McConaughey plays a 20-something charmer who still hangs around the high school crowd. The movie itself revolves around the last day of school happenings of a Texas high school in 1976. It’s got nostalgic elements of the era, such as hazing, getting high, parties and a bit of romance. It’s his breakout role.

2. Interstellar (2014)

And how can we forget Matthew McConaughey’s collaboration with Christopher Nolan for his 2014 space epic, Interstellar. The movie was the director’s first project after finishing the Dark Knight trilogy and it tells a particularly emotional story about fatherhood across time and space. Once you’ve seen McConaughey’s Cooper break down in tears as he watches his beloved “Murph” grow up in front of his eyes from far away in space, you’ll never forget it.

The actor plays a NASA pilot and engineer who goes on an important mission. He is wrestling with leaving his two children behind and they are wrestling with feelings of abandonment. Between Han Zimmer’s incredible scoring and it’s weird third-act twist, Interstellar is definitely among the best movies he has ever done.

1. Dallas Buyers Club (2013)

At No. 1 of Matthew McConaughey’s best movies is his Oscar-winning role in Dallas Buyers Club. Not every distinguished actor gets a gold trophy for his best performance, but in his case, they hit the nail on the head. McConaughey is absolutely heartbreaking as Ron Woodroof, an AIDS patient who smuggled unapproved pharmaceutical drugs into Texas to treat himself and other patients and meets Jared Leto’s HIV positive, trans woman, Rayon.

Here, McConaughey leans into his strengths as a cowboy-donning Texan, but pushes it to the absolute extreme of his acting potential. It’s highly-regarded as his best performance to date and without him at the center of the flick – which included a huge physical transformation – it feels like cinema would have suffered a great loss.

There you have it. He’s had quite a career thus far, hasn’t he? Do you agree? Are these Matthew McConaughey’s best movies? Or would you have included another? Sound off in the comments and vote for your favorite of his movies in the poll below! McConaughey stars in The Gentlemen, in theaters on January 24.

This poll is no longer available.

Hustlers pretty much came out of nowhere to become a big box office win. It had a quick filming schedule earlier in 2019 on a production budget of roughly $20 million. It already made a lot more than that in its domestic opening, with Jennifer Lopez earning the best reviews of her career. There's even early Oscar talk? Hot damn. Hustlers is more than a stripper movie, it's a crime drama, but all movies about strippers are about more than just that.

To celebrate the big release of STX Films' most prominent movie to date, I've decided to look at some of the other stripping-centric movies that came before Hustlers. Without further ado, here are a few such films -- some sexy, most silly -- ready and waiting for you to take it all off and stream.

The Full Monty

Like 2003's British comedy Calendar Girls, 1997's The Full Monty gave fans a wonderfully different and irreverent take on taking it all off. Six unemployed men -- not exactly Chippendales types -- decide to start a male striptease act to make money after their local steel mills in Sheffield are shut down. The Full Monty is about a lot more than tittering at grown men taking their clothes off and dancing. The hugely successful movie also has some serious subtext about unemployment, working class culture, body image, fathers' rights, and more. It was considered one of the best British films of the 20th Century and was later adapted into a play.

Stream The Full Monty now on Cinemax Go or from $4 on Amazon Prime, Vudu, iTunes, YouTube, or Google Play.

Showgirls And Striptease

I don't know what to think about the mid-to-late '90s that it was such a big time for stripper movies. Showgirls came out first, starring Elizabeth Berkley, who shocked fans with a BIG departure from Jessie Spano on Saved by the Bell. Showgirls was trashed on impact but became a cult classic. The very next year, Demi Moore starred in Striptease as a former FBI secretary who turned to stripping to afford to appeal a custody agreement to get her daughter back. (So many movie characters have such lofty reasons for stripping.) Striptease managed to get even worse reviews than Showgirls -- with Demi Moore seeming to be in a different more serious movie than everyone around her -- but dammit, at least the Razzie Awards liked it!

Stream Showgirls on Starz or Hulu. You can watch the "uncut" international version of Striptease on Amazon Prime video for $3 to rent or $10 to buy.

Magic Mike And Chocolate City

Channing Tatum showed real star power in Magic Mike, which was loosely based on his own experience as an 18-year-old stripper in Tampa. Like so many stripper movies, it managed to attract a great cast, and these guys looked like they were having the time of their lives -- including Matthew McConaughey as former stripper Dallas, plus Joe Manganiello, Matt Bomer, and Alex Pettyfer. The film was made on a reported production budget of $7 million and made more than $167 million in 2012. It was a phenomenon that launched a sequel. It also inspired the 2015 movie Chocolate City, which got its own sequel on Netflix. Director Jean-Claude La Marre said a lack of people of color was one glaring omission in Magic Mike, and they jumped on it. But Tyson Beckford, who co-starred in the movie, told HIV Plus magazine he didn't like comparisons to Magic Mike because Chocolate City is about a "different kind of experience."

Stream Magic Mike for $3 on Amazon Prime, YouTube, Google Play or Vudu. Or stream Chocolate City on VOD and On Demand, and watch Chocolate City: Vegas Strip on Netflix.

BONUS: Zombie Strippers

Of course it's bad. This campy 2008 B-movie horror comedy is set in a dystopian future with too many wars and too few soldiers, so a virus is developed to bring soldiers back to life. A test subject escapes and heads to a strip club, infecting a stripper and making her a zombie. Turns out, being a zombie makes strippers even more popular (there's a metaphor in there if you look for it) so the club's owner -- played by Robert Englund, because why not -- suggests the other strippers to go zombie too. Jenna Jameson plays the club's star dancer. Because seriously, why not. This is one of those movies you should just go along with, preferably late at night when you wouldn't be doing anything better anyway.

Stream Zombie Strippers ... if you dare, bwahaha ... for $3 on Amazon Prime, or $4 on YouTube, iTunes, or Google Play.

If you'd rather skip the stripping and just watch more Jennifer Lopez after Hustlers, you can stream Lila & Eve, An Unfinished Life, and The Cell on Netflix. You should also re-watch Out of Sight, which is available to stream right now on HBO Go. There are more JLo movies to stream out there, but in most cases you have to pay to rent/buy. Also, if you're looking for more streaming recommendations from other stars and genres, check out these past features:

• 5 Excellent Keanu Reeves Roles Worth Streaming On Netflix And Amazon

• 5 Sci-Fi TV Shows To Watch On Netflix: Our Streaming Recommendations

• 5 Documentary Series To Watch On Netflix: Our Streaming Recommendations

• 5 British TV Comedies On Netflix You Should Bloody Well Watch: Our Streaming Recommendations

• 3%, Occupied, Harlots, and Other Streaming Recommendations

• 5 Robert Downey Jr. Movies To Love 3000 On Netflix

• 5 Chris Evans Movies Worth Streaming On Netflix And Amazon

• 5 Ryan Reynolds Roles Worth Streaming On Netflix And Amazon

• 5 Will Smith Movies Worth Streaming Right Now On Netflix And Beyond

• 5 Refreshingly Non-Toxic Reality TV Shows Worth Streaming On Netflix

• 5 Joaquin Phoenix Movies Worth Streaming On Netflix And Amazon Ahead Of Joker

Keep up with everything still heading to the big screen this year with our 2019 movie release date schedule. And be sure to check out the list of upcoming Netflix originals.

It's been over three years since we saw Channing Tatum's abs get splashed all over posters and trailers for Magic Mike XXL. The actor has since taken a slew of different roles that have not required shirtless scenes, including voice work in Smallfoot and The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part. However, he recently revealed he'd be totally down to slap on a thong to surprise fan at a Magic Mike Live show under one condition, noting:

It's hard to imagine Channing Tatum not being in rock solid shape (while I suppose it's easy to imagine him in a thong thanks to his previous Magic Mike work); regardless, per his comments to ET we'll only see him try out some Magic Mike Live work if he gets into quote-unquote "shape."

Channing Tatum has been open fairly recently about gaining weight for Logan Lucky, the Steven Soderbergh movie he starred in in 2017. He's previously mentioned weight gain and getting soft related to the movie, noting that no one wants to see his character, Jimmy Logan, with his shirt off. Literally that's what he said about his weight gain as part of the role:

In the time since, Channing Tatum has said he's "started eating better" as he prepares for roles like the oft-mentioned Gambit release. For now, though, he's set to play Superman in The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part, which in all honesty is probably the most ideal superhero role, as it means he gets to be Superman without dealing with all of the weight and working out crap.

So, perhaps getting in thong shape for Magic Mike Live will be left for another day. As it stands, the live show based on the movie franchise is very popular. In fact, it recently opened a second run in London and is set to play 5 nights a week at the London's Hippodrome Casino. And it's safe to say that Channing Tatum enjoys revisiting Magic Mike moments on occasion.

The movie franchise was originally even inspired by Channing Tatum's own work as a stripper in Florida when he was only 18. He's come a long way since then, and apparently, so has his waistline.

If there's one thing we know about Channing Tatum, it's that he likes to dance. However, we had no idea that he just did it randomly in the middle of gas stations. Recently, the Magic Mike actor went live on Facebook while picking up some snacks at a gas station convenient store and somehow ended up dancing with the cashier, because, why not? Check out the video below. The goods stuff gets started at about the 3:15 mark.

One of the most interesting things about the popularity of social media is the way that famous people can just share a piece of their lives with all of their fans with nothing more than a cell phone. That's what Channing Tatum did on Facebook a couple days ago when he just started broadcasting himself in a gas station picking up some snacks. Of course, that's not all that happens as Tatum starts chatting with the clerk, who apparently is happy to give him the run of the place. He chills in a chair and puts his feet up. Though, before long they've got the radio turned up and Tatum and the cashier are bumping and grinding together.

Of course, now we have to wonder if this is something Channing Tatum does everywhere he goes. Unless this entire thing was scripted, and it doesn't look like it was, he certainly had no expectation that he was going to start dancing when the broadcast started. He was just going to grab a candy bar and head out. Instead, he takes pictures with some other folks and just generally hangs out at a gas station.

My favorite bit has to be when Channing Tatum tries to spin around on the chair, which doesn't go nearly as smoothly as he was probably hoping.

While the entire exchange is probably not scripted, it is something of a "promotional" video Channing Tatum includes a hashtag for Sonoco Racing and mentions early in the video that he's in a Sonoco gas station. Tatum's new film, Logan Lucky is the story of a heist that takes place at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. The connection between a movie that has racing at its core and a video from a place that sponsors racing is clearly no coincidence. Also, Tatum probably doesn't have somebody walking around ready to film him for Facebook all the time, though we suppose it's possible. We won't be surprised to see more videos on the way over the next week prior to Logan Lucky being released in theaters next Friday.

Still, the video is no less entertaining just because it has an ulterior motive. Everybody involved is clearly having fun and Beatrice the cashier now has a great story to tell.

Believe it or not, it's almost February. And with a new month comes the pre-requisite shake-ups to the Netflix Streaming line-up, with this upcoming month looking like one of the most fruitful addition cycles in quite some time. Take a look below at the titles that'll be streaming to a living room near you below, and remember, titles are subject to change at any point and time.

Titles and dates are, as always, subject to change...

Week of February 1

Ashley Madison: Sex, Lies, and Cyber Attacks (2016) -- February 1

Babe (1995) -- February 1

Babe: Pig in the City (1998) -- February 1

Balto (1995) -- February 1

Balto 2: Wolf Quest (2001) -- February 1

Balto 3: Wings of Change (2004) -- February 1

Contact (1997) -- February 1

Corpse Bride (2005) -- February 1

Disney's Finding Dory (2016) -- February 1

Eleven P.M. (1928) -- February 1

From This Day Forward: A Trans Love Story (2016) -- February 1

Gun Runners (2015) -- February 1

Hell-Bound Train (1930) -- February 1

Highly Strung (2015) -- February 1

Hot Biskits (1931) -- February 1

I Am Sun Mu (2016) -- February 1

Invincible (2006) -- February 1

Les beaux malaises: Season 1 - 4 (2014) -- February 1

Magic Mike (2012) -- February 1

Masha's Spooky Stories: Season 1 (2012) -- February 1

Mother with a Gun (2016) -- February 1

Paris Is Burning (1990) -- February 1

Project X (1987) -- February 1

Silver Streak (1976) -- February 1

The Blair Witch Project (1999) -- February 1

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe (2005) -- February 1

The Five Heartbeats (1995) -- February 1

The Furchester Hotel: Season 1 - 2 (2014) -- February 1

The Girl from Chicago (1932) -- February 1

The Longest Day (1962) -- February 1

The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) -- February 1

Twilight (2008) -- February 1

Women in Gold -- February 1

American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson (2016) -- February 2

Frequency: Season 1 -- February 2

Daniel Sosa: Sosafado -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL -- February 3

Imperial Dreams -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL -- February 3

Santa Clarita Diet -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL -- February 3

Superbad (2007) -- February 4

Week of February 5

Elvira I Will Give You My Life but I'm Using It (2014) -- February 5

Los herederos (2015) -- February 5

Girls Lost (2015) -- February 6

Me, Myself and Her (2015) -- February 6

Michael Bolton's Big, Sexy Valentine's Day Special -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL -- February 7

Tiempos Felices (2014) -- February 8

Girl Asleep (2015) -- February 8

Abstract: The Art of Design -- February 10

David Brent: Life on the Road --- NETFLIX ORIGINAL-- February 10

Crazy Ex-Girlfriend: Season 2 (2016) -- February 11

Stronger Than The World --- NETFLIX ORIGINAL -- February 11

Week of February 12

Clouds of Sils Maria (2014) -- February 12

Code: Debugging the Gender Gap (2016) - February 13

Magicians: Life in the Impossible (2016) - February 13

Girlfriend's Day -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL- February 14

Katherine Ryan: In Trouble -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL- February 14

King Cobra (2016) - February 14

Project Mc ²: Part 4 -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL- February 14

White Nights -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL - February 14

Aram, Aram (2015) -- February 15

Before I Go to Sleep (2014) -- February 15

Fire Song (2015) -- February 15

Milk (2008) -- February 16

Sundown (2016) -- February 16

Chef's Table: Season 3 --- NETFLIX ORIGINAL -- February 17

DreamWorks Dragons: Race to the Edge: Season 4 -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL-- February 17

Kill Ratio (2016) -- February 17

The Seven Deadly Sins: Season 2 -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL-- February 17

Week of February 19

Girl Meets World: Season 3 (2016) -- February 19

Growing Up Wild (2016) -- February 19

Tini: El Gran Cambio De Violetta (2016) -- February 19

When Calls the Heart: Season 3 (2016) -- February 19

Sausage Party (2016) -- February 23

I Don't Feel At Home In This World Anymore - NETFLIX ORIGINAL -- February 24

Legend Quest: Season 1 -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL-- February 24

Ultimate Beastmaster --- NETFLIX ORIGINAL-- February 24

Ultimate Beastmaster Mexico ---NETFLIX ORIGINAL -- February 24

VeggieTales in the City: Season 1 --- NETFLIX ORIGINAL -- February 24

Week of February 26

Night Will Fall (2016) -- February 26

Brazilian Western (2013) -- February 27

Be Here Now (2015) -- February 28

Michael Birbiglia: Thank God for Jokes -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL -- February 28

Movie fans have a lot to be thankful for this month, as recent films like Finding Dory and Sausage Party are both finding their way to the streaming platform this month. In the realm of classics, Robert Zemeckis' Contact has found its way back to the library, as well as The Nightmare Before Christmas and The Blair Witch Project.

As far as TV shows are concerned, two really big updates are coming this month, as Crazy Ex-Girlfriend Season 2 and American Crime Story: The People vs. O.J. Simpson are both joining the fray in the first couple of weeks of February. Meanwhile, Netflix Original fans will have a lot to look forward to, as anime The Seven Deadly Sins comes back for a second season, with Dreamworks Dragons: Race To The Edge entering its fourth season as well.

Finally, speaking of Netflix Originals, Ricky Gervais' spin-off movie from the British version of The Office will be hitting the service's servers, as David Brent: On The Road makes its American debut. But perhaps the most curious programming we're looking forward to partaking in is a special we've never heard of until now: Michael Bolton's Big, Sexy Valentine's Day Special. Tell us, how are we supposed to live without something that hysterical?

Professional wrestlers don't get a lot of credit when they make the jump from performing for live crowds to performing for the stage. However, some of them have put up solid performances in some absolutely fantastic movies. Really, they've always been actors, the only thing that's changed is the medium.

This list is for great movies that contain former professional wrestlers in significant roles. As such, cameos like the "Macho Man" Randy Savage's turn in Spider-Man or similar roles are not included. Even the best movie about wrestling, The Wrestler, doesn't make the cut as the actual wrestlers in the movie have much smaller parts. However, for those who put in a bit more time on screen, here are the top 10.

10. They Live

There may be no cinematic partnership more perfect in the world than director John Carpenter and "Rowdy" Roddy Piper. The film is an endlessly entertaining romp as Piper tries to prevent an alien invasion that nobody else even knows is taking place. Piper gets to go just as overboard as his classic wrestling character, though he trades the kilt for jeans. The movie is a bit nuts but that doesn't harm the quality, as it's truly a great movie. The line about chewing bubble gum and kicking ass is one of the most quotable in movie history. For that reason alone, They Live makes the list.

9. Magic Mike

It's difficult to say if anybody really expected Channing Tatum's film about male strippers to be any better than most of the movies about female strippers. Although, when you have Steven Soderberg directing you, there's a pretty good chance you'll turn out alright. Amongst the numerous actors who run around with no shirt on is one guy who was mostly used to that. The role of Tarzan was played by "Big Sexy" Kevin Nash. He was a former WWE Champion before dipping his toe in acting. He's had several notable roles over the years, but this was by far the best of his films.

8. The Rundown

After getting noticed for his cameo in The Mummy Returns and filming the spinoff The Scorpion King, The Rock left professional wrestling to pursue a movie career full time. His first movie out of the gate is still one of his best. The Rundown allowed Dwayne Johnson to be the action hero tough guy that he was obviously going to be cast as, while still showing that he had some range. He could be funny too, and he was. There've been some rumblings about potential sequels recently. We'd love to visit this character again.

7. Trainwreck

On WWE TV, John Cena is the all-American superhero who is fun for the whole family. His character in Trainwreck was not that. Amy Schumer's comedy about why monogamy sucks was hilarious and a large part of that was because of John Cena playing one of her boy toys. Cena basically played an over-the-top douchebag version of himself, which is what made it so funny. The role was the last thing you'd expect him to play and he nailed it. Cena looks to just be hitting his stride now when it comes to acting, so we're keeping our eyes on him for the future.

6. Predator

Before there was a Hulk Hogan, there were a couple of guys who paved the way for him, and one of those guys was Jesse "The Body" Ventura. Jesse was a solid wrestler throughout the late 70s and early 80s, but most that know him from the wrestling business probably know him from his years of work on commentary. It was there that he created his voice, a voice that he then carried over into film. Ventura stayed in supporting roles overall, but his largest role was also in his best movie, Arnold Schwarzenegger's Predator. It's by far the best of Schwartzenegger's 80s action work, and Ventura does a great job in it, right up until he gets murdered by a big game hunting alien.

5. Fast Five

The Fast and the Furious franchise is an odd film series. While it never had any problem making money, few would argue that the early entries are actually all that good. Then, around about the fifth entry in the series, they became a whole lot better. Is the entire reason the movies are now worth watching because they added The Rock? We're not saying that's the case, but we're not saying that isn't the case either. Fast Five is probably the highlight of the entire series and we will say that Dwayne Johnson's performance is a shot in the arm that the franchise was in need of.

4. Guardians of the Galaxy

A funny thing happened to Dave Bautista during his last run in the WWE, just before Guardians of the Galaxy came out. He was booed out of the building. The issues that caused that were almost entirely not of his making, but if that run had occurred after this movie came out, he probably would have received a very different reaction. The success of Guardians was a bit of a shock to a lot of people considering its comic basis wasn't as well known, but the movie was excellent and Bautista is fantastic in it. While comedy has always been a part of pro wrestling, that was never really Bautista's deal. Maybe it should have been.

3. The Princess Bride

Andre the Giant is one of the most beloved men to ever step foot in the squared circle. The Princess Bride is one of the most beloved movies ever made. If you somehow think this a coincidence, then you're not paying attention. Andre just makes the fairytale aspect of the movie come to life like nobody else. Probably because the man himself is as unbelievable as any bedtime story. Today the movie would have used green screens to make some other actor appear huge. Thank God we didn't miss out on an opportunity to see Andre look even bigger than he actually was.

2. Ed Wood

George "The Animal" Steele retired from wrestling in 1988, but he didn't make his acting debut until 1994. In point of fact, Ed Wood is the only movie Steele ever made, which means he's got a perfect record when it comes to his choices of roles. Fittingly, Steele plays Tor Johnson, a Swedish actor and wrestler. Even more fittingly, the two actually shared a remarkable resemblance with Steele getting mistaken for Johnson in his early career on a fairly regular basis. Tim Burton's biopic of film director Ed Wood is a stellar piece of filmmaking. Seeing a guy who used to eat turnbuckle pads co-starring is just a bit of added fun.

1. The Godfather

We finish up this list with one of the greatest movies ever made, and the least generally well-known wrestler on this list. Still, if you need to cast the role of Luca Brasi, a mobster's personal muscle, who better to cast than a former wrestler, who was, at the time, a bodyguard for a mobster. Lenny Montana wrestled throughout the old territory system as The Zebra Kid throughout the 1950s. He won numerous championships, mostly throughout the southern US. When mobster Joe Colombo visited the set of The Godfather, Montana was along with him, and the producers realized they needed him to play the enforcer. From there, Montana left wrestling to become a full-time actor.

There are all sorts of reasons why an actor may pass on a role. They may not think much of the script or of the film's potential for success. James Marsden turned down a part in Magic Mike, but his explanation is very different. He wasn't worried about the movie. He was afraid that he wouldn't be good enough for the director.

So often we think of Hollywood stars as these perfect people with egos to match. However, it looks like James Marsden may be telling GQ that he's a little too humble for his own good. He's apparently such a fan of Steven Soderbergh that he didn't necessarily think he was good enough to for the director. Now, it looks like Marsden views this role as "the one that got away," the role he wishes he had taken. It's a feeling that many actors have had over the years.

It's not surprising that the actor was considered for a role Magic Mike. The entire GQ profile in which he discusses turning down the part gushes over how amazingly handsome he is. He would have fit in nicely will all of the other ridiculously good looking people in Magic Mike. It's part of what made him such a good Cyclops in the X-Men films. He actually looks like what a comic book artist would draw when trying to make a superhero.

James Marsden doesn't mention which role specifically he would have played had he taken the part. If I were to make a guess I'd go with Matt Bomer's character of Ken. It was a smaller role, which fits with the Marsden's comment that the role only had a few lines. Plus, Matt Bomer also has the "so bloody handsome as to be unfair" thing going on. At a convention, I once heard his White Collar co-star Mark Sheppard call Bomer "the prettiest man in the world." Phoning up Bomer after Marsden said no makes perfect sense.

Regardless of what might have been, it doesn't appear to impact James Marsden very much. He always seems to have work to do. His next major role will be in the new Westworld series from HBO.

Did James Marsden make the right call in saying no to Magic Mike or would you have rather seen him alongside Channing Tatum than one of the other actors? Let us know what you think below.

All female reboots are all the rage now, so it's only fitting that every all male ensemble make way for an all-female replacement. Apparently, Magic Mike is no exception. Ellen Degeneres has put together her own band of exotic dancers for a parody of a female reboot to Channing Tatum's male stripper movie. Say hello to Magic Michelle.

As Ellen says in her intro, we've had a female Ghostbusters movie, and we're about to get an all-women Ocean's 11. Knowing that, we can expect to see more reboots in a similar fashion. Of course, Magic Mike is the perfect fodder for parody because Magic Mike itself is essentially the "all-male reboot" of every movie about strippers that's ever been made.

The best part about the parody is that most of the actresses used would likely be considered on the short list for any actual movie like this if it were being made, yet they all do a stellar job of looking completely out of place. Olivia Munn's Honeydew, and her obvious, um, enhancement, is played for perfect comic effect. Chrissy Teigen is a Sports Illustrated swimsuit model, but you wouldn't know it the way she's done up here. Also, adding Jenna Dewan-Tatum to the mix is a masterstroke. Including her gives the whole thing a sort of seal of approval. Also, since we know she can dance, she'd be perfect for the movie anyway.

Of course, the real purpose of the bit is to spotlight Ellen Degeneres being awkward as a stripper. At the same time, it's well done. With her "sexy repairwoman" outfit, she's the one who really takes the male stripper parody seriously. The rest of the women aren't doing a spoof of male strippers, they're just poking fun at female stripper stereotypes.

What puts this entire video over the top, however, is the random Oprah appearance. Not exactly the first name you'd think of, but at the same time, that's what makes it work.

As a straight comedy, this wouldn't actually be the worst idea ever. They have already done the female stripper comedy, it was called Striptease and it starred Demi Moore. Of course, that film is fairly old, and one thing Hollywood likes even more than gender swaps, is remakes. Maybe there's an opportunity for Magic Michelle after all.

Well, all you ladies and gents who were hoping to feast your eyes on some more hot strippin' men whenever Magic Mike 3 came around are about to be completely disappointed. Mister Magic Mike himself, Channing Tatum, has decreed that no third film will follow, and he's got a good reason.

Channing Tatum spoke to an audience at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity this week, which was attended by The Hollywood Reporter, and revealed that his future plans for the half-naked-man-filled franchise do not focus on movies at all. He spoke about bringing Magic Mike to the stage, and that certainly explains why more movies are out, at least at this point. There's not a whole lot of room in this story for more Mike and friends in a new film, and having the story "evolve past" the original Magic Mike team. Also, it does make sense that Tatum wouldn't want to spend his life talking about his stripper past, so I can see him wanting to take the basics of the story and have it morph into something deeper.

Does that sound too highfalutin for a story about male strippers to you? I get it; while the first film in the franchise did manage to mix some general hunky good times with a story about a guy who'd rather not be stripping anymore, but is, nonetheless, very skilled at it, the sequel was goofy as all hell. Magic Mike XXL reveled in all the absurd aspects of the male stripper world, but at least made the experience fun by having all the actors be in on the joke. But, to go from that back to a more serious story is a turn around that I think most fans of the second film could not have expected.

Not that most Magic Mike fans would even be able to see what Channing Tatum has in store next. He's currently working on ideas for an actual Broadway musical, which is, presumably, the show that will deal with "who we all are." Tatum is also helping to assemble a Las Vegas dance show, which had better basically be a male stripping revue or there is no point to it at all.

Hopefully, Channing Tatum and the rest of the creative team behind the Broadway show will be able to instill the right amount of fun into the heavier relationship aspects of the musical. Because, really, I don't think most people can talk about male strippers and not have smiles on their faces for at least 70% of the time.

Theme park attractions based off of popular movies are pretty much de rigueur these days, but for the most part those sorts of efforts are focused on four quadrant "family" films. But what about the adults? Surely an R-rated film like Magic Mike could eventually spawn a live experience that would entertain audiences from around the world? Well, Channing Tatum has announced just that, as Magic Mike Live is headed to Vegas next spring!

During an announcement on Channing Tatum's Facebook page, the existence of Magic Mike Live was officially kicked off, complete with a video that showed Tatum introducing the crop of dancers that would be introduced during the club's inaugural run. Starting in March of 2017, the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino will be the aptly named home to Tatum's pleasure palace, inspired by the hit franchise that semi-autobiographically told the story of his own days as a male dancer. You can check out Tatum's announcement, as well as a brief introduction to his Magic Mike Live dance crew, in the video below:

As if Magic Mike Live wasn't exciting enough, there's also a sister site, Magic Mike Asks, which serves the sole purpose of gathering feedback from potential patrons of the club. This comes from Channing Tatum's desire to make the Magic Mike Live experience as rewarding as it can be for those who dare to walk among the chiseled dance gods and partake in the entertainment experience of a lifetime. All they ask is that you be truthful with what you want, and they'll take it from there.

Other than what we've told you, there's not a lot of details about how Magic Mike Live is going to pan out just yet. However, it has been mentioned that tickets for the anticipated experience will be on sale soon. But besides what we've already told you, all that's been offered by Channing Tatum and his band of manly men is this hysterical pitch video, which showcases some of the dancers in better detail – as well as among a gaggle of puppies.

Magic Mike Live opens at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas at some point in March of 2017 - which might make for an interesting press tour stop, as Kingsman: The Golden Circle is slated to open on June 16th, 2017, and includes Channing Tatum himself as one of the cast members.

Jenna Dewan-Tatum recently landed a huge gig on CBS’ comic book property Supergirl, but it’s safe to say she isn’t as well-known as her husband, Magic Mike XXL star Channing Tatum. But when she gives her husband a lapdance while lip syncing to “Pony” by Ginuwine, we definitely take notice. You can catch the first clip from the upcoming lip sync battle, below.

Fans of the Magic Mike franchise should love this performance. If you’ve watched either Magic Mike or Magic Mike XXL, you should know Channing Tatum’s character, Mike Lane, has a very special relationship with the song pony, and performs it onstage in the same get-up that Jenna Dewan-Tatum has on for her battle. The song also convinces him to get back in the game in Magic Mike XXL. Dewan-Tatum’s onstage performance is more than a little raunchy, but it’s also excellent because she’s giving Channing Tatum a chance to get a taste of his own medicine. He doesn’t look too upset, honestly:

If you want to see how the Supergirl star’s onstage antics compare to the original, you can check it out, below.

Man, this is bound to be one intense episode of Lip Sync Battle. We already know that Channing Tatum is going to pull out the big guns when he literally puts on an Elsa costume from the hit Disney original movie Frozen and belts out “Let it Go,” the song that nearly every child over the age of 1 is completely enamored with. It’s not even the jumps and dress that make that performance look so spectacular, it’s the way Channing Tatum gives the performance his all. If you haven’t caught the preview for that episode, yet, please do so.

Lip Sync Battle is currently gearing up to return to the air on Spike. The series has had huge viral potential since its inception last year, and has gotten a bunch of really popular celebrities to leave it all on the stage, including Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen, Terrence Howard, Emily Blunt, Anne Hathaway and many, many more. You can catch Lip Sync Battle when it premieres on January 7 at 10 p.m. ET. You can find out when the rest of your favorites are returning with our midseason TV premiere schedule.

While most of the cast of the original Magic Mike returned for the sequel, one actor, noticeably absent from the follow-up was Alex Pettyfer, who played "The Kid" in the original film. While there are numerous business reasons for why this was, the reason is none of those things. Pettyfer says he wasn’t asked back because of personal issues between him and the franchise star Channing Tatum.

While you’d expect personal problems to result in a lot of finger pointing between the two parties, that doesn’t appear to be happening here. Pettyfer is actually pointing the finger at himself, at least for some of the issues.

The comments came on Bret Easton Ellis’ B.E.E. Podcast. According to Pettyfer, Tatum never wanted the young actor cast in the role to begin with, as Pettyfer apparently had already built something of a reputation for being difficult to work with. The reputation led Pettyfer to mostly keep his mouth shut on set, in order to avoid upsetting people, but this appears to have had the opposite effect as it instead led people to think Pettyfer thought he was too good to talk to them.

The problems did not end when filming wrapped either. Alex Pettyfer and his girlfriend moved into a new apartment following the movie which was owned by a friend of Channing Tatum’s. They didn’t stay a full month because of allergy issues Pettyfer had with the place, but Tatum’s friend wanted a full month’s rent, which the actor ended up refusing to pay. He now admits that was the wrong move and he should have paid it. Pettyfer was dealing with the death of a family member and so ignored the issue for a while. Eventually, Tatum stepped in to try and resolve the issue, apparently sending Pettyfer a pretty negative email, which Pettyfer then responded to in a less than positive way himself.

For his part the actor denies the rumors that he’s difficult to work with, rather he insists the difficulty comes with the film’s promotion later because he hates the flying that is required to do media appearances.

Ultimately Pettyfer says Channing Tatum was looking for a reason not to like him, though it appears the actor gave the man who will be Gambit plenty of reasons. "The Kid" calls Channing Tatum "an incredible influence," so he really does seem to be apologetic about the issues. Actors not getting along is hardly a new phenomenon, though it’s always upsetting to see. Hopefully, these two can put their issues behind them at some point down the road. Though it likely won’t be for Magic Mike 3.

We have been engaging in a number of interesting conversations regarding sequels, as they apply to the current summer blockbuster season. Certain sequels – like Colin Trevorrow’s Jurassic World -- seem to be earning the right to continue telling their story, earning more than enough at the box office to justify exploring where BD Wong flew off to near the end of this adventure. Others – and I’m looking in the general direction of Terminator: Genisys -- failed to ignite the North American box office, leaving their potential future in jeopardy.

Where, though, does that leave the lithe, limber and lovable male strippers from Gregory Jacobs’ Magic Mike XXL? The sequel to Steven Soderbergh’s surprise indie hit earned far less in its opening frame ($11 million over three days, and $26 million over 5 days) than its immediate predecessor, which banked a healthy $39.1M back in 2012, en route to a $113M domestic total. Even more distressing is the fact that Magic Mike XXL earned far fewer supportive reviews from the same critics who embraced the original, and helped turn it in to a smash hit. Jacobs’ sequel, which he inherited from Soderbergh (but worked closely with the director to bring to the screen), currently has a 64% grade on the popular aggregation site Rotten Tomatoes. The original film powered to a robust 80%.

What happened? It’s hard to pinpoint, exactly. Most critics didn’t plug into the shaggy road-trip format of the new movie, which had Channing Tatum, Joe Manganiello, Matt Bomer and the boys traveling from Tampa to Myrtle Beach for an annual stripper’s convention. However, the movie’s marketing played up exactly what it seemed that audiences – particularly female audiences – loved about the first movie: male dancing. And lots of it.

But this time, less people were interested. Strike that: less men were interested. As we reported, the statistics on Magic Mike XXL’s opening weekend showed that 96% of the audience was female. But the sequel couldn’t appeal beyond that willing demographic… and, unlike with Terminator: Genisys, this likely means that it’s the end of the road for Mike and his crew.

Why? Because Magic Mike XXL, as much as I enjoyed it, wasn’t made because the next chapter of the story needed to be told. Nor was the sequel a cash grab, by any stretch. You could just tell that the team behind the second movie wanted to see if the same audiences who checked out the original wanted to spend more time with the glistening, glittery and oiled-up dudes of the dancers’ stage. Costs were kept in check in case of a sophomore slump. But XXL isn’t part of a larger story. It was as much of an experiment as the first movie, an attempt to answer the question, "Hey, just how far can we take this series?" The answer now appears to be, "Two movies, tops."

Channing Tatum has been saying all along that the fate of a third Magic Mike movie would be in the hands of the fans, and Joe Manganiello cleverly teased the possibility of a 3D sequel. Alas, unless Magic Mike XXL shows incredible legs over the next few weeks – against looming competition like Ant-Man, Trainwreck and Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation -- the cast will move on to the likes of Gambit movies, Jump Street sequels and various other projects. Don’t cry for the gyrating, undulating dudes of the Magic Mike two-fer, is what I’m saying. But do wonder what might have been, if more people skipped Jurassic World for the fifth time and danced the night away, instead.