One of the biggest detriments to the entire 2026 TV schedule, if not all of existence, is that we can’t properly look forward to Severance Season 3 showing up anywhere on it. Thankfully, however, the new episodes are closer than ever to coming together, with the latest production window set to kick off very soon, and star Adam Scott is as jazzed as anyone to bring the (assumedly) penultimate season to life. Perhaps even more so, since he already knows how it all ends.

Scott’s acting achievements were celebrated over the weekend, as he was on-hand to receive the Canal+ Icon award at Canneseries, where he spoke to Variety about initially vying for the dual-performance role of Mark Scout, and why it has been a testament to everything he’s wanted to do across his career. He also spoke excitedly about the upcoming season, since he’s already feasted on those scripts. Here's what he said when asked about his knowledge of Severance's future.

Speaking about Season 3 specifically, Adam Scott couldn't exactly dip into spoilers, but it really doesn't take much to send me up the hallway walls with anticipation.

Obviously the first two seasons were amazing due to all of the surprises and bazonkers reveals that popped up, from all things goat-related to Gemma's tragic experiences as a Lumon experiment. So simply hearing that Season 3 will have surprises is kind of a no-brainer. But like...the absolute best kind of no-brainer.

This is exactly like hearing Dylan's "The egg bar is coveted as f--k," because of course the assumption is that a corporate-crafted egg bar is going to be choice, but calling it "coveted as f--k" goes beyond...okay, maybe those two things aren't exactly the same. But I'm too giddy to worry about making that much sense at the moment. Not quite "Irving standing on Bert's doorstep" giddy, but close.

Adam Scott also shared his thoughts on Severance's fandom sharing quite a lot of the same Venn diagram space as fans of David Lynch and Mark Frost's Twin Peaks. At least in thematic terms of mysterious locations, mysterious deaths (or not-deaths), and oddball characters in hyper-normalized settings. As Scott put it:

Of course, Twin Peaks was infamously forced by network execs into revealing the answer to its core "Who Killed Laura Palmer?" mystery in the middle of its second season. It never recovered, critically or ratings-wise, and was thereafter canceled, to be followed by the film Fire Walk with Me and the revival series Twin Peaks: The Return.

Severance, which totally needs to add a Log Lady to the Severed Floor, has thankfully avoided any kind of similar fate thus far, and has continued to pile on intriguing mysteries even as other are answered. Even things that don't qualify as mysteries, such as whose side Ms. Cobel will be on in Season 3, are worthy of the same amount of speculation, which is a sign of a great show, at least in my (kind) eyes.

The big question I'm taking from Scott's comments, however, is how much fans should read into the actor bringing up The Sopranos' ending while addressing the Apple TV series. As he put it:

Honestly, if a third season was never in the cards, then I think Severance Season 2's finale succeeds in inspiring a somewhat similar angst-ridden need to know exactly what happened in the next few seconds as The Sopranos' much-debated ending did. Which doesn't guarantee that Dan Erickson and the creative team don't have a similar idea up their collective sleeves, but I'm hoping Scott's comparison just means fans are going to talk about Severance's ending a lot after it's over.

Even just saying "after it's over" makes me want to have a meltdown, like finding out I'm a first-draft invite to Ricken's next dinner party. Never that. Please, God, never that.

Severance Season 3 is set to start filming in mid-2026, and will hopefully be streaming via Apple TV subscription before Disney or Netflix has bought a majority share in Lumon.

Long before Thanksgiving and its Black Friday and Cyber Monday follow-ups arrive, the consumer world is already invested in cheery, snow-covered Christmas vibes. All the smiling reindeer and blinking lights may be antithetical to the general gloom and doom of the horror genre, but that doesn't mean fanatics can't find plenty of ways to take advantage of all the huge sales happening throughout the weekend.

So while waiting for all those upcoming horror movies to hit theaters, and for the small screen to be flush with upcoming horror TV series, I've rounded up some of the best Cyber Monday deals on Amazon for those who love to be creeped out. Not every single here will be a hit for every single fan reading, but I'm pretty sure everyone will find at least one option that appeals.

We're not just talking about films and shows, either, since that's obviously not the only realm where fear runs rampant. However, that does seem like the best place to start. So join me in stepping into the Red Room.

More Cyber Monday Horror Blu-Ray And DVD Deals

• The Monkey [Blu-Ray] (2025): Buy Now For $14.26 (Was $34.98, Save 59%) - We loved Osgood Perkins' bonkers horror-comedy, which would make for a gory stocking stuffer.
• Sinners [Blu-ray + Digital]: Buy Now For $10.95 (Was $29.98, Save 63%) - One of 2025's most celebrated movies of any genre, Ryan Coogler's Sinners is a must-own for any fan, and likely won't get cheaper than this.
• Final Destination: Bloodlines [Blu-ray + Digital]: Buy Now For $9.49 (Was $27.98, Save 66%) - This blood-soaked and long-awaited sequel marked a new high point in the franchise, as well as the last performance from the legendary Tony Todd.
• A Nightmare on Elm Street: 7-Film Collection [4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray]: Buy Now For $82.89 (Was $104.98, Save 21%) - Robert Englund's gnarly Freddy Krueger make-up has never looked better, or worse, depending on how you like to view things.
• Saw: 10-Film Collection [Blu-ray + Digital]: Buy Now For $37.49 (Was $64.99, Save 42%) - The entire (current) legacy of Tobin Bell's Jigsaw is available all in one time-jumbling collection.
• The Walking Dead: The Complete Series [Blu-ray]: Buy Now For $94.49 (Was $174.99, Save 46%) - The spinoffs may never stop coming, but the full original series is here for purists to rewatch at their leisure.
• Event Horizon [4K UHD + Blu-ray + Digital]: Buy Now For $14.99 (Was $25.99, Save 42%) - It's one of Hollywood's freakiest space horrors, and arguably Paul W.S. Anderson's best work. (Don't skip out on the comic book prequel Event Horizon: Dark Descent.)
• Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection [4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray]: Buy Now For $69.99 (Was $97.99, Save 29%) - No matter how many modern remakes we'll get, few will stand tall next to the iconic monsters that started it all, from Bela Lugosi's Dracula to Boris Karloff's Frankenstein.
• Tremors 7-Movie Collection [Blu-ray + Digital]: Buy Now For $19.99 (Was $24.94, Save 20%) - As much a rolicking adventure comedy as horror, this creature feature franchise doesn't get better than the Kevin Bacon-led debut, but still packs a wallop.

From one form of scripted entertainment to another, let's jump to the immersion-filled world of video games.

More Cyber Monday Horror Video Game Deals

• Silent Hill f [PS5 Amazon Exclusive Day One Edition]: Buy Now For $49.94 (Was $69.99, Save 29%) - While we're already hyping up the resurgence of Silent Hill on the video game side of things, the newest entry in the franchise is already enjoying a solid discount just two months after its release.
• Little Nightmares III [Nintendo Switch 2]: Buy Now For $44.92 (Was $59.99, Save 25%) - The latest sequel for the haunting Bandai Namco universe tasks players with guiding Low & Alone out of the Nowhere. (The same discount is available for the PS5 and XBox Series X versions of the game.)
• The Last of Us Part II Remastered [PS5]: Buy Now For $29.99 (Was $49.99, Save 40%) - It's one of the most acclaimed video games of any era, and one that is currently being adapted for the live-action HBO series, with more emotional horror than physical gore at times.
• Alan Wake 2 Deluxe Edition [Xbox Series X]: Buy Now For $39.88 (Was $59.99, Save 34%) - A sequel that digs even deeper into its David Lynchian influences, Alan Wake 2 is worth playing for the bonkers musical segments alone. (Discount also available for PS5.)
• Poppy Playtime Triple Pack [PS5]: Buy Now For $18.99 (Was $29.99, Save 37%) - With merchandise available alongside Funko and other collectibles, the Poppy Playtime game trilogy can be scooped up all in one try with this deal. Fun fact: it also includes a sheet of stickers.
• Cronos: The New Dawn [PS5]: Buy Now For $39.99 (Was $59.99, Save 33%) - This team-up between Skybound Games and the genre masterminds at Bloober Team isn't technically on sale for Cyber Monday, but the deal was too good not to mention here.

For those who prefer to read rather than watch or play anything, here are a few more applicable suggestions.

Cyber Monday Horror Novel And Graphic Novel Deals

• Stephen King's Creepshow: Buy Now For $12.60 (Was $19.99, Save 37%) - The illustrated adaptation of Stephen King's Creepshow screenplay is a feast for fans of EC Comics and similar titles from the Golden Age of pre-code Horror.
• How to Survive a Horror Story (Deluxe Edition) By Mallory Arnold: Buy Now For $8.70 (Was $17.99, Save 52%) - With a hook geared for Clue and escape room enthusiasts, this novel sees a group of horror writers attempting to secure a legendary novelist's fortune by facing his riddle-filled challenges within a house that may just be seeking something of its own.
• The Watchers by A.M. Shine: Buy Now For $9.93 (Was $18.00, Save 45%) - Adapted into a 2024 movie by M. Night Shyamalan's daughter Ishana Night Shyamalan, this fairy tale horror centers on a young woman who gets lost in the woods and is taken in by a strange group that warns of going out after nightfall.
• EC Epitaphs from the Abyss Vol. 1 by Various: Buy Now For $12.94 (Was $19.99, Save 35%) - Speaking of EC Comics, the brand's relatively recent relaunch has been a huge success, and this collection of sordid and malicious tales is best-suited for horror fans.
• 20th Century Ghosts [2025 Special Edition]: Buy Now For $9.98 (Was $19.99, Save 50%) - Joe Hill's award-winning collection of short stories, featuring the movie-inspring tale "The Black Phone," was rereleased in 2025 with a snazzy new packaging and foreword from the author.
• Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia: Buy Now For $11.85 (Was $19.00, Save 38%) - One of the most celebrated horror books stemming from south of the border, this gothic horror tale was considered a masterpiece as soon as it was published in 2021, and its legacy has only grown.

Hopefully everyone found something above either for themselves or for a loved one. Because that's what the spirit of horror fandom is all about, which just so happens to coincide with the spirit of Christmas and other holidays. Happy savings!

TV characters may often lead more exciting lives than the average person, but they're just as susceptible as anyone to relaxing on the couch while watching their own televisions. Most of the time, those shows-within-shows are completely fictional, as not to cause any copyright friction, which can lead to some hilariously weird and inspired creations.

So, in the vein of fake bands we love listening to, fictional brandings we love promoting, and commercials for faux products, let's now celebrate fake TV shows that might just be as watchable as the real ones.

Married...With Children - "Psycho Dad"

Perhaps Al Bundy's favorite TV show, the "simple saga of a guy run amok in the Old West" was somehow a PBS series (and then a Fox one), despite being one of the most violent shows on TV, which the theme song alludes to. Didn't stop the spinoff Psycho Mom from happening, though.

Gravity Falls - "Duck-tective"

If it walks like a duck and solves mysteries like a detective, it can only be Gravity Falls' fine-feathered sleuth Duck-tective, who heads up the titular mystery series that relies heavily on bad puns and cheap effects, like so many shows of the '80s and '90s.

Community - "Inspector Spacetime"

Despite Community's Abed having once worn a Doctor Who T-shirt, his preferred sci-fi time-travel saga is Inspector Spacetime, a very on-the-nose homage to the long-running UK fave. (The American version introduced years later was portrayed by Luke Perry.) I'd wager I.S. has more canonical backstory than almost any other show-within-a-show, with lots of background for fans, real and otherwise, to dig into.

South Park - "The Terrance And Phillip Show"

Two of the biggest celebrities within South Park that aren't parodies of real-world celebs are Sir Phillip Niles Argyle and Sir Terrance Henry Stoot, best known to the Canadian comedy lovers as Terrance and Phillip, who have their own TV show that's a real gas...gas...gasssss.

Extras - "When The Whistle Blows"

One of the funniest things about Ricky Gervais satirizing BBC sitcoms in HBO's Extras is how little it feels like a parody, and how believable it would be as a real-world series with its lowest-common-denominator jokes, forever cementing "Are you 'avin' a laugh?" into the annals of love-to-hate TV catchphrases.

Saturday Night Live - "TV Funhouse"

Saturday Night Live has featured loads of fake movie trailers, songs, TV shows, etc., but perhaps the only applicable recurring sketch to get spun off with its own shows-within-a-show concept was "TV Funhouse," as created by Robert Smigel. Later a standalone series on Comedy Central, the OG run gave the world the Ambiguously Gay Duo, "Bambi 2002," and other SNL classics from the '90s and 2000s.

The Big Bang Theory - "Professor Proton"

I'd have to imagine Big Bang Theory's Sheldon Cooper would have loved Mr. Wizard's World or Beakman's World if he were real, as his favorite small-screen personality was the science educator Professor Proton (real name: Arthur Jeffries). For viewers, Proton's excellence was naturally due to comedy legend Bob Newhart being cast. And you can't forget his puppet pal Gino the Neutrino, even if it's best not to bring up the puppeteer.

Parks And Recreation - "The Johnny Karate Super Awesome Musical Explosion Show"

Chris Pratt's Andy Dwyer brought Johnny Karate to life initially as a guitar-playing act for children's birthday parties, but that just wasn't musical or explosive enough, so of course he got his own inspirational TV show. Johnny may have been a doofus, but alter-alter ego Jonathan Karate is the one who has it all together.

Rocko's Modern LIfe - "Meet The Fatheads"

Within Rocko's Modern Life, the Bigheads' lives were fictionalized as The Fatheads, a family sitcom centered on pretty awful and stereotypical characters. Amusingly enough, the revival special Static Cling also featured the in-universe revival of The Fatheads, which not everyone was a fan of.

Home Improvement - "Tool Time"

One of TV's ultimate "How-Not-To" characters, Tim "The Tool Man" Taylor somehow kept his job hosting the Detroit-set series "Tool Time," despite being shockingly consistent at destroying property and electrical equipment with ease. It's just as shocking that co-host Al Borland didn't quit or suffer grave injuries during that run.

Only Murders In The Building - "Brazzos"

No one remembers the detective series "Brazzos" as well as Only Murders in the Building's Charles-Haden Savage, the actor who donned the iconic hat for its surprisingly long run. (Okay, perhaps his loyal stunt double Sazz remembered it just as fondly.) But who else could have spun these banal words into an oft-ish-repeated catchphrase: "This sends the investigation into a whole new direction." So many new directions for this guy.

Rugrats - "Oodles The Talking Poodle"

As an avid Rugrats fan during the NickToons era, it's been 30+ years since I've been able to hear the world "poodle" without hearing a light "ding" behind it, as it goes in the talking dog's theme song. "OOdles. OOdles the TALking POOdle. Ding." How is this not a movie by now?

Stargate SG-1 - "Wormhole X-Treme"

While Stargate SG-1 didn't always show off its funny bone so directly, the self-spoofing 100th episode "Wormhole X-Treme," which focuses on the action-geared sci-fi series that provided the ep's title. I wish every show I love had a parody as faithful and fan-friendly as this one.

The Simpsons - "The Krusty The Clown Show"

If not for Krusty the Clown's quality-questionable variety show, Bart, Lisa and Simpsons fans around the world might never have been introduced to the hyperviolent "Itchy and Scratchy Show," which superceded its own source clown's popularity, with former sidekick Sideshow Bob amassing more notoriety.

Murderbot - "The Rise and Fall of Sanctuary Moon"

It's easy to see why Alexander Skarsgård's sentient SecUnit just wants to spend all day, all 397 (at least) episodes of the sudsy space opera "The Rise and Fall of Sanctuary Moon." With legit talents like John Cho, Clark Gregg and DeWanda Wise heading up the How to Get Away with Murder-esque series, this is easily worthy of a standalone spinoff to keep viewers rapt.

Young Justice - "Hello, Megan!"

Who knew superheroes would get into such normalcy as the sitcom "Hello, Megan!" A by-the-books sitcom from 1979-1980, the show follows a pretty cheerleader, her BFF, hunky boyfriend, and parents, and not even for large-scale adventures, but just everyday plots like taking care of the school frog. Okay, fine, I completely understand why everyone is obsessed.

Channel Zero - "Candle Cove"

The worst kind of TV show, I think we can all agree, is one that inevitably brings you harm just by watching it. So it goes for the first season of the excellent horror anthology Channel Zero, where "Candle Cove" is a pirate-based puppet show that may only exist in the minds of its viewers. Watch out for The Skin-Taker, that's all I'm saying.

Steven Universe - Crying Breakfast Friends

If you don't know the value of watching "Crying Breakfast Friends," then I don't suggest mentioning it to Steven Universe's titular crystal being. He adores watching the various food items, leaking both tears of joy and tears of sorrow. Glum Glass and Weeping Egg Cup are all of us, really.

Supernatural - "Ghostfacers"

Supernatural, a show that legitimately crossed over with the animated Scooby-Doo gang, brought an equally silly spin to the never-ending number of paranormal investigator series that took over cable in the 21st century. Founded by the Ghostbusters-homaging Harry Spangler and Ed Zeddmore, the Ghostfacers appeared quite a few times over the years, and even sparked a web series of shorts.

BoJack Horseman - "Horsin' Around"

For as dramatically serious and maudlin as BoJack Horseman could get, none of that was to be found in the cornball hijinks of the in-series sitcom "Horsin' Around," centering on three kids adopted by a horse, obviously. It fights right alongside fare like Punky Brewster, with a slew of wonderfully groan-worthy lines perhaps best exemplified by the pun "Now, that's a horse of a different...crueller."

Twin Peaks - "Invitation To Love"

Oh, to explore around inside David Lynch's brain to see all of the things he might have been thinking about for the expertly crafted soap opera "Invitation to Love," which was a favorite amongst some of the characters inhabiting Twin Peaks' titular town. The fact that the storylines reference the characters' lives only makes it more interesting.

Seinfeld - "Jerry"

While Seinfeld's show-within-a-show "Jerry" really only existed as a pilot and not as a fully ordered network-aired series, given the actions of its characters, its ridiculous plot is enough to make it one of the more memorable faux TV series out there. Jerry gets into a car accident, and the other insurance-less driver has to become Jerry's butler, making "Because he's MY butler" one of the more logically accurate fake TV catchphrases.

Family Guy - "Jolly Farm Revue"

With an aesthetic that mashed up the Teletubbies with other pastoral children's fare, Family Guy's faux UK series "Jolly Farm Revue" became an obsession of Stewie's, as he believed its characters actually existed, only to find them to be less real than his teddy bear Rupert. I prefer the American remake with that li'l cutie Karina Smirnoff.

Arrested Development - "Mock Trial With J. Reinhold"

Arrested Development's melting pot of humor is well-exemplified by Michael Bluth having a legal case heard as part of a courtroom reality show fronted by Judge Reinhold (who definitely isn't a real judge), with a theme song sung live on-set by William Hung and a backing band. Should this have turned into an actual series? "I'm going to allow it," even if it pretty much rips on a gag from Clerks: the Animated Series.

SpongeBob SquarePants - "Mermaid Man And Barnacle Boy"

Not only was the superhero series "Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy" a fun show-within-a-show for SpongeBob SquarePants' characters, but the titular characters were a treat outside of their televised exploits as well. For one, they were originally voiced by legends Ernest Bornine and Tim Conway, and later boasted '60s Batman icons Adam West and Burt Ward in the respective hero and sidekick roles at one point or another.

30 Rock - "MILF Island"

A fake TV show that will likely exist before this sentence is finished, 30 Rock's reality TV-aping romance competition MILF Island was sold with the disturbing tagline "25 Super-Hot Moms, 50 Eighth Grade Boys, No Rules." Okay, maybe we should just keep this one hidden behind a locked door back in 2008.

Lost - "Exposé"

Lost's storylines didn't just flash backwards, forwards and sideways. They also went internal for the show-within-a-show Exposé, a '70s-esque action-adventure series in which Kiele Sanchez's Nikki was guest-starring. (With Billy Dee Williams as the lead of the faux show.) We see just enough to make me want more, although that would never happen, as audiences' dislike of Nikki and Rodrigo Santoro's Paolo was strong enough to get them killed off during the same season in which they were introduced.

DuckTales - "Ottoman Empire"

A TV parody that is too close to the real thing to be entirely comedic, DuckTales' "Ottoman Empire" centers on two twin rooster brothers, Johnny and Randy, who design custom ottomans for customers. It's like Property Brothers with a punnier title, and you know, roosters.

Drake And Josh - "Drew And Jerry"

Drake & Josh entered sitcom doppelgänger territory in Season 2 when Drake Bell and Josh Peck's namesake characters took a friendly break from each other, only to befriend someone else with the exact same personality. By the end, the titular teens were buds again, while their "others" were somehow given their own TV show that looks exactly like D&J. Presumably with its own Season 2 doppelgänger plot.

My Name Is Earl - "Estrada Or Nada"

We're at a point where real-life game shows are about as ridiculous as anything fictional, but My Name Is Earl's "Estrada or Nada" is still pretty special. Basically, anyone can challenge the CHiPs star to any imaginable challenge, from shooting basketballs to eating hot dogs to looking like Erik Estrada.

Futurama - "Everybody Loves Hynotoad"

I love Hypnotoad. You love Hypnotoad. Everybody loves Hypnotoad. Everybody loves Hypnotoad. Good show.

Garfield & Friends - "The Binky Show"

Hey, kids! No fake TV clown seemed quite as intent on waking everyone in the hosue up as Garfield & Friends' Binky the Clown, whose show seemed to be on at literally all hours. Because it was of such high production value, I can only assume.

Since debuting nearly ten years ago, Stranger Things has totally taken over our pop culture brains like a Mind Flayer. The upcoming fifth and final season is among the most hyped 2025 Netflix shows, and will wrap up the story of our favorite characters from Hawkins, Indiana, though a top-secret upcoming spinoff is in the works that may expand the franchise's future. Surprisingly, co-star Finn Wolfhard quickly predicted what the spinoff would be about, and he discussed the unofficial project with a comparison to another iconic horror show that has me pumped.

In a recent interview with Variety, Finn Wolfhard opened up about his last days on set and how emotional they were for him before the conversation switched to his thoughts on what's in store for Stranger Things going forward. The Ghostbusters: Afterlife star mentioned that he feels the Duffer Brothers might be taking some inspiration from David Lynch’s Twin Peaks for the upcoming spinoff. He explained:

An anthology series that’s like Twin Peaks? Count me in! It makes me wonder if the idea inspired the only spinoff that actually got made: the animated series Stranger Things: Tales From '85. The Duffer Brothers told Tudum it’s “an animated Stranger Things in the style of the Saturday morning cartoons we loved growing up…” But it probably doesn’t fit the anthology vibe since it revolves around the same characters.

Still, got to give props to Finn Wolfhard for figuring things out. According to Matt Duffer, one of the brothers, no one else has come close to cracking their plans. The showrunner shared:

It’s pretty much a sure thing that we’ll be getting more Stranger Things content soon, whether it's new stories or something like Finn Wolfhard’s guess, a Twin Peaks-inspired anthology. The show is super popular and really easy to binge if you’ve got a Netflix subscription. The first part of the final season premieres on the 2025 TV schedule on Thanksgiving, November 26, 2025, with more episodes rolling out on Christmas, and it all wraps up with the series finale on New Year's Eve.

What makes TV crime dramas so alluring? It could be the simple thrill of the action or the satisfaction of seeing evil brought to justice, but, for me, it's the twists and revelations that shake up the story. Let’s revisit some of the most mindblowing moments from some of the best crime TV shows, and make sure to keep our SPOILER WARNING in mind.

Omar's Murder (The Wire)

Creator David Simon's The Wire delivered a shocking death that illustrates how even the most imposing and legendary individuals can expire in an unremarkable fashion. Fans of the acclaimed HBO drama anticipated that Baltimore thief Omar Little (Michael K. Williams) might go down in a showdown against Marlo Stanfield (Jamie Hector), but, instead, was fatally shot by Kenard (Thuliso Dingwall ), a kid who worked for the gangster.

Adrian Solves Trudy’s Murder (Monk)

In the series finale of Monk, Emmy winner Tony Shalhoub's obsessive-compulsive detective, Adrian Monk, finally gets to the bottom of the case that has haunted him for years: the murder of his wife, Trudy (Melora Hardin). The car bomb that killed her was planted by renowned Judge Ethan Rickover (Craig T. Nelson) in order to prevent her from coming clean about their affair from years earlier, which resulted in a pregnancy.

Walt Poisons Brock (Breaking Bad)

One of the best episodes of Breaking Bad sees Walter White (Bryan Cranston) resorting to abhorrent measures in order to take down his most fearsome adversary, Gus Fring (Giancarlo Esposito). Jesse's (Aaron Paul) new girlfriend's son, Brock, winds up in the hospital, leading him to suspect the boy was poisoned by Walt, who insists that the poisoning was a manipulation tactic by Gus. Indeed, it was a tactic, but orchestrated by Walt, who is revealed to have poisoned Brock so he could pin it on Gus and get Jesse to help him kill the ruthless criminal.

Junior Shoots Tony (The Sopranos)

In the Season 6 premiere of The Sopranos, Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini) shows up at the home of his uncle, Junior (Dominic Chianese), who is suffering from dementia and immediately mistakes his nephew for a dead mobster who robbed him years earlier named Gennaro Malanga. Junior reacts by pulling out a pistol and shooting Tony, who passes out before he can call 911, but luckily, he is rushed to the hospital, where he is put in a coma.

Moriarty Takes His Own Life (Sherlock)

Early on in BBC's modernized reimagining of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's revered mystery stories, Sherlock, fans were introduced to Holmes' (Benedict Cumberbatch) arch nemesis, Jim Moriarty (Andrew Scott). However, in only the second season finale, their quarrel of wits came to an end when the master criminal ended his life right in front of the detective.

Love Is A Killer Too (You)

In Netflix's hit crime TV show, You, serial stalker and killer Joe Goldberg (Penn Badgley) believes he has found someone who can help tame his dark side in Love Quinn (Victoria Pedretti). However, he comes to discover that his seemingly sweet and innocent new lover has homicidal tendencies of her own.

Bones' Parents Have A Criminal History (Bones)

Emily Deschanel's eponymous forensic anthropologist from Bones, Temperance "Bones" Brennan, was abandoned by her parents when she was a teenager. Years later, she would find her mother's remains and, through subsequent investigation, discover that she and Brennan's father were career criminals.

Kristin Shepard Shot J.R. (Dallas)

One of the most iconic cliffhangers in TV history had America wondering who shot J.R. Ewing (Larry Hagman) in the Season 3 finale of Dallas. The mystery prompted an astonishing phenomenon that lasted the entire summer of 1980 before the primetime soap opera returned for its fourth season premiere, in which it was revealed that Kristin Shepard (Mary Crosby) attempted to kill the notorious oil baron.

Vic Kills Terry (The Shield)

Creator Shawn Ryan's intense, FX original police drama The Shield wasted no time in preparing audiences for what sort of startling twists and turns it had in store. The very first episode ends with the corrupt Det. Vic Mackey (Michael Chiklis) murdering federal informant Terry Crowley (Reed Diamond) in cold blood.

The Trinity Killer Murders Rita (Dexter)

Most fans of Dexter would agree that the most wicked adversary Michael C. Hall's homicidal vigilante ever faced is Arthur Mitchell (John Lithgow), a.k.a. The Trinity Killer, especially for his final kill. Dexter manages to take out the sadistic murderer, but not soon enough to prevent him from killing his wife, Rita (Julie Benz), whom he finds in a blood-filled bathtub with his infant son, Harrison, sitting on the floor nearby.

Dana Lewis Is A Murderer (Law & Order: Special Victims Unit)

Academy Award winner Marcia Gay Harden appeared on multiple episodes of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit as Dana Lewis, an FBI agent who strikes up a strong bond with Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay). However, their friendship would come to an end when Lewis is arrested for murdering a woman her ex-boyfriend cheated on her with.

The Yellow King’s Identity (True Detective)

The first season of HBO's hit, anthological mystery drama, True Detective, follows Marty Hart (Woody Harrelson) and Rust Cohle (Matthew McConaughey) as they investigate the murders of a killer known only as The Yellow King. Ultimately, the criminal is revealed to be Errol Childress (Glenn Fleshler), who is the nephew of one of the case's prime suspects, Reverend Tuttle.

Opie Sacrifices Himself (Sons Of Anarchy)

One of the most heartbreaking moments from Sons of Anarchy comes when the imprisoned Jax Teller (Charlie Hunnam), Chibs Telford (Tommy Flanagan), Tig Trager (Kim Coates), and Opie Winston (Ryan Hurst) are forced to decide which of them will face four other inmates in a brawl to the death so that Jax and Chibs can be released as part of an agreement with Damon Pope (Harold Perrineau). Opie volunteers himself and, after uttering his final words, "I got this," bids his brothers farewell before suffering a brutal end.

Cooper Is Replaced With An Evil Clone (Twin Peaks)

While all David Lynch movies are known for raising many perplexing questions, the original CBS run of the filmmaker's hit TV series, Twin Peaks, especially left audiences with a lot to ponder in the Season 2 finale, which reveals that Special Agent Dale Cooper (Kyle McLachlan) has not returned from The Black Lodge, but has been replaced with a demented doppelgänger. More than two decades later, fans were finally treated to a continuation of the story with Showtime's 2017 revival.

The Reaper Is George Foyet (Criminal Minds)

One of the most notorious criminals that the Criminal Minds cast ever took on was an elusive killer known as "The Reaper," whose only surviving victim was a man named George Foyet (C. Thomas Howell). However, the FBI Behavioral Analysis Unit comes to discover that Foyet is The Reaper after all.

Beaver Assaulted Veronica (Veronica Mars)

The season 2 finale of Veronica Mars solves the long-gestating mystery behind the young, titular amateur investigator's (Kristen Bell) traumatic assault. The perpetrator is revealed to be Cassidy "Beaver" Casablancas (Kyle Gallner), who is himself a victim of assault, which has led him to become a violent person, causing even more destruction than what Veronica had suffered.

Elliott Has Been In Prison The Entire Time (Mr. Robot)

Creator Sam Esmail's USA drama Mr. Robot is the kind of series that always keeps you guessing, thanks to central character Elliott Alderson (Rami Malek) being an unreliable narrator. In fact, the seventh episode of its second season reveals that the hacker's entire life up to that point has been a delusion, and he has really been serving a jail sentence during this time.

President Logan Is Corrupt (24)

Corruption in the White House is a horrifying concept, which Fox's 24 boldly touched on with one of its most shocking twists. At the end of the 16th episode of Season 5, President Charles Logan (Gregory Itzin) is seen having a phone conversation with Christopher Henderson (Peter Weller) that reveals he was behind the deaths of David Palmer (Dennis Haysbert) and Michelle Dessler (Reiko Aylesworth).

Helen Is Killed (Ozark)

Few Netflix original TV shows have been as subversive as Ozark, which concluded its third season in an intense way. While it seemed that Marty Byrd (Jason Bateman) was doomed to suffer a grisly fate at the hands of Omar Navarro (Felix Solis), the cartel leader instead orders Nelson (Nelson Bonilla) to take out his lawyer, Helen Pierce (Janet McTeer), who attempted to frame Marty as an FBI informant.

Hank Realizes Heisenberg's True Identity (Breaking Bad)

The first half of Breaking Bad's fifth and final season came to a jaw-dropping end when DEA agent Hank Schrader (Dean Norris) arrived at a startling, long-awaited conclusion. He is sitting on Walt's toilet when he grabs a copy of Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass, signed to "W.W." by Gale Boetticher (David Costabile). This clues him in to the fact that the drug manufacturer he has been trying to find for more than a year has been his brother-in-law the whole time.

Ryan Killed Erin (Mare Of Easttown)

Near the end of the Emmy-winning HBO miniseries Mare of Easttown, it appears that Erin McMenamin (Cailee Spaeny) was murdered by her older cousin and lover, John Ross (Joe Tippett), but the truth is much darker. John's 13-year-old son, Ryan (Cameron Mann), learned of the affair and set out to intimidate her into backing out of the romance, but it ended up resulting in a fatal end for the young woman.

Cody Hoyt Dies (Big Sky)

It was heavily implied in the marketing for creator David E. Kelley's ABC drama Big Sky that Ryan Phillippe would be the star of the mystery thriller. Thus, seeing his character, a private investigator named Cody Hoyt, fatally shot by crooked Highway Patrol officer Rick Legarski (John Carroll Lynch) at the end of the pilot episode certainly caught viewers off guard.

Amma Killed Ann And Natalie (Sharp Objects)

In HBO's limited series adaptation of Gillian Flynn's Sharp Objects, Camille Preaker (Amy Adams) comes to suspect that her abusive mother, Adora (Patricia Clarkson), was responsible for the murders of Ann Nash (Kaegan Baron) and Natalie Keene (Jessica Treksa). However, in the final scene, it is revealed that Camille's younger half-sister, Amma (Eliza Scanlen), killed the young women and even used their teeth as cobblestones for her dollhouse's patio.

Hilde Is Imogene's Mother (Death And Other Details)

For years, the hero of Hulu's clever whodunnit Death and Other Details, Imogene Scott (Violett Beane), has been haunted by the murder of her mother, Kira, which the renowned Rufus Cotesworth (Mandy Patinkin) was never able to solve. However, while investigating a mysterious death on a private cruise, Imogene discovers that Kira actually faked her death all those years ago and has been hiding in plain sight on the ship, disguised as Interpol agent Hilde Eriksen (Linda Emond).

Boyd Crowder Escapes Prison (Justified: City Primeval)

Walton Goggins denied multiple times that he was involved with Justified: City Primeval, the 2023 miniseries revival of the hit FX crime thriller starring Timothy Olyphant as old-school U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens. However, he turned out to be full of it, as a post-credit scene shows his character, Boyd Crowder, escaping prison.

Chloe Is A Godly Blessing (Lucifer)

The pairing of the Devil incarnate, Lucifer Morningstar (Tom Ellis), with Det. Chloe Decker (Lauren German), as investigative partners, as well as lovers, would prove to be a match made in Heaven... literally. It is revealed in Season 2 of Lucifer that Chloe was created by God with the purpose of being the police consultant's perfect mate.

Sydney Wakes Up Two Years In The Future (Alias)

The second season of ABC's hit espionage drama Alias ends with a real gut-punch of a twist. Sidney Bristow (Jennifer Garner) wakes up in Hong Kong with no memory of how she wound up there and eventually discovers that she has been missing for the past two years. This leads her on a journey to piece together what happened to her during all that time.

Kima Greggs Is Shot (The Wire)

Kima Greggs (Sonja Sohn) was initially conceived as a smaller role on The Wire before creator David Simon was convinced by HBO executive Carolyn Strauss to keep her around longer. In other words, the shocking moment from the end of the first season's 10th episode, in which she is shot during a bust gone wrong, almost sealed the character's fate.

Peter Is From Another Dimension (Fringe)

In the second season of Fringe, Peter Bishop (Joshua Jackson) survives a deadly shockwave that leads him to realize that he was born in an alternate universe and was forcibly brought into this dimension by his father, Walter (John Noble). The twist completely recontextualizes the character's place in the show and brings to light the impact that his cross-dimensional transfer has on the world.

Paige Stays In America (The Americans)

In the series finale of The Americans, Paige Jennings (Holly Taylor) is seen exiting a train headed for the Soviet Union. This means that she has chosen to stay in the States, her true home, and that her undercover Soviet spy parents, Philip (Matthew Rhys) and Elizabeth Jennings (Keri Russell), will never see her again.

Georgia Trotman Is Thrown Out A Five-Story Window (Line Of Duty)

It seemed as if Detective Constable Georgia Trotman (Jessica Raine) was destined to be an important part of the second season (or, series, as they say in the U.K.) of the BBC's Line of Duty. However, the character's first episode also proved to be her last, in which corrupt DC Jeremy Cole (Henry Pettigrew) sends her plummeting to her death outside a hospital window.

Nina Myers Killed Teri Bauer (24)

By the end of the first season of 24, one of Jack Bauer's (Kiefer Sutherland) most trusted allies is not only revealed to be a mole, but the one who murdered his wife, Teri (Leslie Hope).

Some might argue that a scene from a film or TV series that turns out to have existed all in a character’s head is a cop out. Maybe that’s true in some respects, but when done right and without misleading intentions, dream sequences can be used as a great opportunity to let artists run wild with their imaginations, resulting in some of a title’s most memorable moments. Here are some of the most wonderfully surreal scenes from the big and small screen that may have had you questioning if you had entered dreamland.

Dawn Haunts Renton (Trainspotting)

Director Danny Boyle's 1996 adaptation of Irvine Welsh's novel Trainspotting follows a group of Scottish addicts trying to get clean, none of whom has a harder time with it than Mark Renton (Ewan McGregor). One signature scene sees him locked in his childhood bedroom by his parents and forced to wean off his habit cold turkey, during which he suffers an intense fever dream featuring hallucinations of his parents on a game show, his various friends, and the spirit of a deceased infant he once knew climbing on his ceiling.

Bruce Wayne's Alternate Life (Batman: The Animated Series)

One of the best episodes of Batman: The Animated Series, let alone one of the strangest, is "Perchance to Dream." As part of a scheme by Mad Hatter, Bruce Wayne finds himself living in a fantasy in which his parents were never murdered, he is engaged to Selina Kyle, and someone other than him is protecting the streets of Gotham as Batman.

Sarah's Apocalyptic Nightmare (Terminator 2: Judgment Day)

One thing that makes the classic sci-fi movie Terminator 2: Judgment Day one of the all-time greatest sequels is the way it depicts Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton) and her growth as a character following the traumatic events of the first film, especially through one wild fantasy sequence. In the dream, she witnesses her happier past self and other bystanders at a park where they suffer a nuclear blast that ends up burning off her skin, leaving her remaining skeleton clinging to a chain-link fence.

All Of Season 9 (Dallas)

Dallas delivered one of the craziest retcons in TV history when it was revealed that the death of Bobby Ewing (Patrick Duffy) and the entire ninth season of the hit primetime soap opera all happened in the head of his wife, Pamela (Victoria Principal). The retcon was prompted after Duffy, who had previously left the show, agreed to return for Season 10, which opens with Pamela waking up to find Bobby in the shower.

Happy's Happy Place (Happy Gilmore)

The classic golf movie, 1996's Happy Gilmore, stars Adam Sandler in the title role of a guy with a talent for tee time, but the rage of a hockey player, which his trainer, Chubbs (Carl Weathers), tries to help him control by envisioning his own "happy place." He imagines his girlfriend, Virginia (Julie Bowen), carrying drink pitchers, his grandmother (Frances Bay) finding the money she needs from a slot machine, and a little cowboy riding an old-fashioned bicycle, for some reason. However, a later attempt to escape into this fantasy world is interrupted by the invasion of his nemesis, Shooter McGavin (Christopher McDonald).

The Solomons Suffer From Bizarre Dreams (3rd Rock From The Sun)

The two-part Season 2 finale of 3rd Rock from the Sun tried something unique by airing in 3D, but saving that format for some incredibly insane sequences. The surreal, avant garde scenes are dreams that Dick (John Lithgow) and the rest of his extra-terrestrial comrades are experiencing, but for the first time since taking human form, which leads them to assume they are ill.

Old Blue Saves The Day (A Christmas Story)

The classic holiday movie, 1983's A Christmas Story, follows young Ralphie (Peter Billingsley) and his devotion to making sure he finds an official Red Ryder, carbine action, two-hundred shot range model air rifle under the tree. He seems to believe that it will make his life better, based on a daydream in which he, dressed as a hero named Old Blue, uses the BB shooter to rescue his family from criminals.

The Opening Scene (8 1/2)

Federico Fellini's signature 1963 film opens with a bizarre dream in which the main character gets trapped in his smoke-filled car in full-stop, literal bumper-to-bumper traffic. After he finally escapes, it cuts to him flying through the clouds until he is pulled down by his ankle by a person on a beach, and descends into the water just as he awakens.

Gutterballs (The Big Lebowski)

There are two great dream sequences from Joel and Ethan Coen's hilarious, classic '90s movie, 1998's The Big Lebowski, the first of which sees The Dude (Jeff Bridges) flying over L.A. trying to reach his stolen rug after receiving a crack on the jaw. However, the more memorable scene sees him, after being sedated by Jackie Treehorn, imagining he is the star of a Busby Berkeley-inspired adult film about bowling.

The Entire Series (Newhart)

One of the most iconic, oft-parodied, and simply best TV series finales is that of Newhart, in which the actor and comedian wakes up in bed as Bob Hartley, his role from his first hit sitcom, The Bob Newhart Show. His co-star from said 1970s hit, Suzanne Pleshette, wakes up next to him as Hartley's wife, Emily, and he explains to her that his entire life as Vermont innkeeper Dick Loudon was a dream.

Rosemary Drifts On A Mattress (Rosemary's Baby)

Some of the best horror movies include a dream sequence that sneaks up on you with its more nightmarish qualities, such as in 1968's Rosemary's Baby. The first half of Rosemary's (Mia Farrow) dream is somewhat peaceful, showing her lying on a mattress floating on a bed of water, but in the second half of the dream, she is attacked by a demon. To make matters worse, that occurrence might not be part of the dream at all.

Buffy's Slaying Is A Delusion? (Buffy The Vampire Slayer)

Sarah Michelle Gellar's title hero from Buffy the Vampire Slayer has likely wished that her life could be free of encounters with bloodsuckers, demons, and all kinds of things that go bump in the night, but she probably never wanted to experience it the way she does in Season 6's "Normal Again." Buffy becomes exposed to a demonic, hallucinogenic venom that causes her to become trapped in a fantasy in which she is a mental patient, and her life of fighting paranormal activity has been all in her head.

Nazi Werewolves (An American Werewolf In London)

Writer and director John Landis' An American Werewolf in London boasts one of the most incredible moments of body horror in cinematic history, but one could argue a crazier moment in the classic werewolf movie happens earlier. While recovering from his animal attack, David (David Naughton) dreams he is back in the States with his family when a group of gun-toting, lycanthropic SS soldiers invade.

Tony Becomes A Salesman (The Sopranos)

Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini) experienced multiple, eye-opening dream sequences throughout HBO's run of The Sopranos, including one that took place during most of an entire episode. In Season 6's "Join the Club," a comatose Tony dreams of an alternate life away from the DiMeo Family in which he is an ordinary salesman named Kevin Finnerty.

The Clown Hospital (Pee-wee's Big Adventure)

A movie scene that scared many '80s kids occurs in Pee-wee's Big Adventure when the titular man-child (played by Paul Reubens) has a nightmare about his missing bike. The prized, two-wheel vehicle is picked up in scraps by a group of horrifying harlequins who use unconventional and concerning methods to put it back together again.

Adam's Repeated Death Row Sentence (The Twilight Zone)

All of the best episodes of The Twilight Zone feel like a dream (or a nightmare), but Season 2's "Shadow Play" actually takes place entirely in one. Dennis Weaver stars as a convicted criminal trying to convince the other characters that his condemnation is merely part of a recurring nightmare.

Sue Visits Carrie's Grave (Carrie)

Director Brian de Palma's 1976 adaptation of Stephen King's Carrie ends with one of the most iconic and influential jump scares, which actually inspired the ending of 1980's Friday the 13th. A grieving Sue Snell (Amy Irving) dreams that she is visiting the resting place of her titular telekinetic classmate (Sissy Spacek) where her bloodied arm emerges from the ground and grasps onto her. Sue does not wake up from the nightmare, but is unable to stop screaming in her sleep.

Cooper's First Visit To The Red Room (Twin Peaks)

Most of David Lynch's movies and TV projects feel like long dream sequences, but when depicting Special Agent Dale Cooper's (Kyle MacLachlan) nightmare about the Red Room in an early episode of Twin Peaks, the master of surrealism really goes for it, resulting in a dream sequence more authentic than most. The inexplicably aged-up Coop meets a dancing little person who tells him, in backwards speak, "That gum you like is going to come back in style." He then meets a blonde woman resembling Laura Palmer (played by Sheryl Lee) and asks if she is the murdered teen, to which she responds, also in backwards speak, "I feel like I know her, but sometimes my arms bend back."

Lloyd And Mary's Romance (Dumb And Dumber)

In the 1994 Jim Carrey movie favorite, Dumb and Dumber, while traveling to Aspen, Lloyd Christmas (Carrey) fantasizes that his crush, Mary Swanson (Lauren Holly), will fall for him immediately after he returns her missing briefcase. The daydream continues to show highlights of their imaginary relationship, from a party where Lloyd entertains guests with uproarious tricks (like lighting his flatus on fire), to a romantic dinner where he engages in a cinematic-style kung fu fight.

Elliott '90s Sitcom Fantasy (Mr. Robot)

A top-rated Season 2 of Mr. Robot called "eps2.4_m4ster-s1ave.aes" is depicted predominantly in the style of '90s sitcom and even features a cameo by ALF. However, it is later revealed that this laugh-track-filled fantasy is Elliott's (Rami Malek) dream, and that he has been asleep in a hospital after being violently beaten by Ray Heyworth's (Craig Robinson) goons.

Beauty School Dropout (Grease)

In the 1978 movie musical Grease, Frenchie (Didi Conn) is encouraged to put her cosmetology career on hold and go back to high school by an unexpected person, Frankie Avalon, with a dreamy number called "Beauty School Dropout.'

Kevin Becomes An Assassin (The Leftovers)

In Season 2 of The Leftovers, Kevin (Justin Theroux) is told by Virgil (Steven Williams) that the only way to cure his persistent visions of cult leader Patti Levin (Ann Dowd) is to take his own life. This sends him into a bewildering reality in which he is a contract killer assigned to kill Patti, who is a presidential candidate.

Ronnie Births A Maggot (The Fly)

At one point in the tragic romantic thriller that is David Cronenberg's 1986 remake of The Fly, Ronnie (Geena Davis) discovers she is pregnant with the child of Dr. Seth Brundle (Jeff Goldblum), who has been transforming into a half-man, half-insect at this time. Her fear of what could be growing inside of her is personified in a nightmare in which, instead of a human baby, she gives birth to a giant larva.

Jeff Lives A G.I. Joe Fantasy (Community)

The best episodes of Community experiment with different genres, such as the time the series put the cast in the world of the '80s-era beloved animated series, G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero. The action-packed, cartoon setting of "G.I. Jeff" is revealed to be a fantasy Jeff Winger (Joel McHale) has created to cope with turning 40.

Henry Loses His Head (Eraserhead)

In Eraserhead, Henry (Jack Nantz) has a nightmare in which his head falls off his neck, where a new head resembling his mutant child pops out to replace it. Of course, this dream sequence is no more bizarre than anything else that happens in David Lynch's perplexing 1977 debut feature.

Rob Suspects There Is An Alien Invasion (The Dick Van Dyke Show)

In a classic episode of The Dick Van Dyke Show called “It May Look Like a Walnut,” Rob Petrie (Van Dyke) watches an alien invasion movie involving extraterrestrial walnuts and otherworldly visitors without thumbs. The next day, his life begins to resemble the film's plot, until he wakes up that night to discover it was all a dream.

Wayne Meets Jim Morrison (Wayne's World 2)

The plot of the hit 1993 SNL movie Wayne's World 2, in which Wayne Campbell (Mike Myers) and Garth Algar (Dana Carvey) put on their own concert, is set in motion when Wayne dreams he is in a desert where he meets the spirit of The Doors frontman, Jim Morrison (Michael Nickles).

Frasier Is Visited By Sigmund Freud (Frasier)

In the Season 4 Frasier episode "The Impossible Dream," the eponymous therapist and radio host (played by Kelsey Grammer) has a suggestive dream about his effeminate colleague, Gil Chesterson (Edward Hibbert). He eventually determines the dream is no more than a task his subconscious gave himself to satisfy his currently unchallenging career, but the episode ends with an even more confusing nighttime encounter with his idol, Sigmund Freud, who joins him in his bed and implies a request for intimacy.

Ray Gets Cooked (The 'Burbs)

In 1989's The 'Burbs, family man Ray (Tom Hanks) initially refuses to believe that his neighbors could actually be the murderous cult that other locals suspect they are. However, he does reach a breaking point when he dreams that they tear through his house with a chainsaw and sacrifice him on a giant barbecue pit.

Cliff's Muppet-Filled Nightmare (The Cosby Show)

One of the weirdest episodes of The Cosby Show involves Cliff Huxtable (Bill Cosby) dreaming that the Muppets have taken over his life.

Alex Gives Birth To His Doppelganger (Junior)

Arnold Schwarzenegger playing a man who becomes pregnant is a pretty intriguing concept on its own. However, things get especially bizarre in 1994's Junior when the actor's character dreams that he has given birth to the spitting image of himself.

D.J.'s SAT Disaster (Full House)

In a Season 6 episode of Full House, D.J. Tanner's (Candace Cameron Bure) stress over the upcoming SATs culminates in a nightmare in which Wheel of Fortune's Vanna White appears to inform her that she has failed the test and will go to Clown University.

Though zero major holidays are on the horizon, that isn’t stopping retailers and etailers from dropping holiday-esque sales on customers with tax refunds to spend. Anybody with an Amazon Prime subscription can take advantage of the ongoing Big Spring Sale, a broad and expansive variety of deals throughout the site, with lots of goodies for Disney and Marvel fans in the mix. So there’s no better time to shop for physical media faithfuls like myself who love a great Blu-ray or DVD sale.

You can bet that there are plenty of solid offerings to be found while scouring through the site, both popular and obscure. (With the expected smattering of “WTF even is this?” items.) By and large, though, I found the best home entertainment deals from the Big Spring Sale to come from TV Blu-ray and DVD sets for classic and modern favorites, both in live-action and animation.

And when you’re done checking out the below Blu-ray and DVD suggestions and are waiting on impending packages to arrive, take advantage of all the best streaming deals and discounts. To do otherwise would be a disservice to your wallet and your empty shelf space.

The Best TV Blu-Ray And DVD Deals From Amazon's Big Spring Sale

David Lynch will forever be missed, and Twin Peaks will always win out as my favorite of his efforts because not only do we get to enjoy his weirdness en masse, but he's always a delight on-screen as FBI Deputy Director Gordon Cole.

Check out some of the other live-action Blu-ray and DVDs on sale and imagine if each of them was directed by Lynch.

• The Twilight Zone: The Complete Series (1960s) [Blu-ray]: $57.49 (Was $76.99)
• The Twilight Zone: The Complete Series (2019): $19.49 (Was $25.99)
• Seinfeld: The Complete Series [Blu-ray]: $113.90 (Was $149.99)
• Night Court: The Complete Series [DVD]: $58.16 (Was $94.99)
• Yellowstone: The Dutton Legacy Collection (Inc. 1883) Limited Edition Giftset [DVD]: $62.70 (Was $79.19)
• Ted: Season One [DVD]: $17.99 (Was $24.98)
• Dexter: The Complete Series + Dexter: New Blood [Blu-ray]: $47.49 (Was $55.99)
• Family Matters: The Complete Series [DVD]: $44.99 (Was $114.99)
• Arrow: The Complete Series [DVD]: $54.99 (Was $119.99)
• The Expanse Seasons 1-4 [Blu Ray]: $49.99 (Was $89.95)

Check Out These Classic Animated TV Show DVD And Blu-Ray Deals

While waiting to see who James Gunn will cast as the DCU's Dark Knight, relive the magnificence of Batman: The Animated Series with a crispness that kids like me watching tube TVs in the '90s would have lost our minds over. But the true treasure of this Blu-ray set is the new feature-length documentary and all of the commentaries and other behind-the-scenes goodies. Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill are aces.

Speaking of excellent animated Batman shows...

• Batman Beyond: The Complete Series [Blu-ray]: $34.96 (Was $54.99)
• The Looney Tunes Complete Platinum Collection DVD (Volumes 1-3): $12.60 (Was $18.90)
• The Flintstones: The Complete Series [Blu-ray]: $34.99 (Was $84.99)
• The Jetsons; The Complete Series [Blu-ray]: $13.99 (Was $19.86
• Voltron: Defender of the Universe - The Complete Original Series [DVD]: $22.99 (Was $54.97)
• The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle and Friends: The Complete Series [DVD]: $21.99 (Was $26.93)
• Scooby-Doo Where Are You!: The Complete Series [DVD]: $14.99 (Was $39.99)
• Top Cat: The Complete Series [DVD]: $9.49 (Was $19.98)
• Steven Spielberg Presents Animaniacs: The Complete Series [DVD]: $28.99 (Was $69.99)
• She-Ra: Princess of Power - The Complete Original Series [DVD]: $19.97 (Was $54.97)

Check Out These Awesome Movie Box Set Deals!

Just because I favored the TV deals in Amazon's Spring Sale doesn't mean that there aren't more than a few movie deals to take advantage of, especially for family-friendly fare. With Netflix's new Scooby-Doo series in the works, there's no better time to opt in on ghoulish mystery-solving. But don't sleep on that Scary Movie set ahead of that long-awaited sequel currently in the works.

• The Secret Life of Pets: 2-Movie Collection [Blu-ray]: $10.99 (Was $29.98)
• Madagascar: The Ultimate Collection [Blu-ray]: $13.97 (Was $39.98)
• Alfred Hitchcock: The Iconic Film Collection [4K Ultra HD + Digital]: $99.99 (Was $133.30)
• How to Train Your Dragon: 3-Movie Collection [Blu-ray + Digital]: $11.99 (Was $29.98)
• The Running Man [4K UHD w/Digital Copy]: $19.52 (Was $25.99)
• Scary Movie 1-3 Collection [Blu-ray + Digital]: $13.49 (Was $17.99)
• Kung Fu Panda: 4-Movie Collection [Blu-ray + Digital]: $27.49 (Was $33.21)
• Despicable Me 4-Movie Collection [Blu-ray + Digital]: $29.99 (Was $54.99)
• Fantastic Beasts 3-Film Collection [Blu-ray]: $12.99 (Was $21.67)
• Shutter Island [4K UHD + Blu-ray + Digital]: $16.99 (Was $25.99)
• A Quiet Place 2-Movie Collection [4K UHD]: $23.49 (Was $33.99)

Since screen media was invented, music has had a symbiotic relationship with both movies and television, from musical scores that enhance their films, memorable pop songs making up some awesome movie soundtracks, and, of course, classic TV theme songs that could have been radio hits. There are also many famous songs written by artists who are clearly pop culture fans, based on the obvious or cryptic references to cinematic or small screen favorites in the lyrics. These are some of the most iconic and even most surprising examples of songs that took inspiration from a movie or TV show.

“Walk This Way” Aerosmith (Young Frankenstein)

Mel Brooks' Young Frankenstein is the source of many iconic spoof movie moments, including when Igor (Marty Feldman) tells Dr. Frederick Frankenstein (Gene Wilder) to "walk this way," referring not to their direction but to his odd limp. Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry told The Wall Street Journal in 2014 that the band saw the 1974 horror-comedy movie classic while on break from recording Toys in the Attic and were especially amused by the "walk this way" bit, which gave producer Jack Douglas a great title for a song.

“Married With Children” - Oasis (Married… With Children)

In addition to plenty of controversy during its 10-year run, Married... with Children also inspired none other than Noel Gallagher of Oasis to write a song of the same name (sans the ellipsis) that appeared on 1994's Definitely Maybe. Gallagher told Melody Maker (via Brit Pop Reunion) that he saw a lot of himself and his then-girlfriend, Louise Jones, in the classic TV sitcom's dysfunctional central couple, Al (Ed O'Neill) and Peg Bundy (Katey Segal), and channeled that into the song.

“Total of the Eclipse of the Heart” - Bonnie Tyler (Nosferatu)

The video for Bonnie Tyler's heart-aching ballad, "Total Eclipse of the Heart" – the lead single from her 1983 album, Faster Than the Speed of Night – boasts a gothic vibe that calls to mind a great horror movie like Nosferatu, which is actually no coincidence. The Welsch singer told The Guardian that writer Jim Steinman first started writing the song when he was working on an unfinished musical adaptation of the original silent-era vampire movie from 1922.

“Laura Palmer” - Bastille (Twin Peaks)

Bastille frontman Dan Smith is a huge fan of David Lynch's movies (which he discussed in an interview with Audacy), as well as the late filmmaker's most successful small-screen venture, Twin Peaks. As he revealed to 3voor12, he named the eerie fifth single from the band's 2011 debut album, Bad Blood, after Sheryl Lee's character, Laura Palmer, whose murder sets the plot of the subversive crime thriller in motion.

“Heartlight” - Neil Diamond (E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial)

Neil Diamond was faced with a lawsuit for lyrics to "Heartlight" that MCA felt was too close to the narrative of the beloved sci-fi movie that inspired it, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. The clues to the 1982 ballad's influences are not very subtle, with references to a young boy who makes a friend with a glowing chest, taking a “ride across the moon" with him, and becoming sad when that friend is forced to go away.

“Floyd The Barber” - Nirvana (The Andy Griffith Show)

A show as lighthearted and funny as The Andy Griffith Show seems like an unlikely choice as the inspiration for a Nirvana song. However, it makes a little more sense when you pay close attention to the lyrics of "Floyd the Barber," from 1989's Bleach, and realize Kurt Cobain has reimagined Howard McNear's eponymous role and other central characters from the 1960s sitcom as sadistic murderers.

"Me And Bobby McGee" - Janis Joplin (La Strada)

The most famous rendition of "Me and Bobby McGee" comes from Janis Joplin's posthumously released 1971 album, Pearl, but the song was originally written by Kris Kristofferson. His inspiration, as he told Wide Open Country in 2022, came from Federico Fellini’s Oscar-winning 1954 drama, La Strada – particularly a moment when Zampanò (Anthony Quinn) rides around on his motorcycle while Gelsomina (Giulietta Masina) plays the trombone.

“Any Friend Of Diane’s” - Weezer (Cheers)

"Any Friend of Diane's" is the name of an episode from the first season of the long-running NBC sitcom, Cheers, named after Shelley Long's character. According to an interview with The Independent, Weezer frontman Rivers Cuomo took the episode's title and based a song that pays tribute to the many women who have supported the band over the years around it.

“Space Oddity” - David Bowie (2001: A Space Odyssey)

The similarity between the title of the opening track from David Bowie's self-titled second album and 1968's 2001: A Space Odyssey is certainly no coincidence as Stanley Kubrick’s iconic space movie was the inspiration, which he revealed to Performing Songwriter. Fun fact: the release of the song, which is the tragic tale of an astronautical mission gone wrong, was actually rushed out to coincide with the Apollo 11 landing in 1969, which is a very questionable publicity method, if you ask us.

“Dragula” - Rob Zombie (The Munsters)

An essential track for every Halloween playlist is Rob Zombie's 1998 single, "Dragula," which any fan of The Munsters knows is named after a car belonging to Al Lewis' Grandpa, who is really Count Dracula. The rock star-turned-filmmaker is a lifelong fan of the early 1960s sitcom about a creepy, creature-some family and even wrote and directed a feature adaptation of the series that was released in 2022.

“Yoda” - “Weird Al” Yankovic (The Empire Strikes Back)

"Weird Al" Yankovic has released many songs that are directly inspired by pop culture, including more than one based on the Star Wars movies. For instance, "Yoda," which appears on 1985's Dare to be Stupid, is a retelling of the events of 1980's The Empire Strikes Back – particularly Luke Skywalker's (Mark Hamill) training under the eponymous, green "little runt" (played by Frank Oz) – set to the melody of The Kinks' "Lola."

“The Actor” - Jason Kimmel (How I Met Your Mother)

“The Actor” is the first single by musician Jason Kimmel and tells the story of a young man who goes to a bar and meets a woman named Sara, who admits the narrator reminds her of Ted Mosby from How I Met Your Mother, but not in a good way. Still, he is flattered by the comparison as he is a fan of “the actor,” How I Met Your Mother cast member Josh Radnor, whom Sara does not know by name, although she is a fan of Barney actor Neil Patrick Harris.

“Bad Moon Rising” - Creedence Clearwater Revival (The Devil And Daniel Webster)

Just like many other songs with "moon" in the title, Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Bad Moon Rising" contributed to a memorable musical moment in the horror movie An American Werewolf in London but was actually inspired by the 1941 adaptation of another dark fantasy story, The Devil and Daniel Webster. John Fogerty explained to Rolling Stone in 1993 how the film’s depictions of “nasty weather” as a result of a deal with Satan gave him the idea for the lead single from 1969’s Green River.

“Bloom” - Radiohead (The Blue Planet)

Thom Yorke was watching BBC's 2001 nature docuseries, The Blue Planet, narrated by David Attenborough, when he got the idea for "Bloom," which is the opening track from Radiohead's 2011 album, The King of Limbs. The English rock band would later collaborate with Hans Zimmer to record an orchestral version of the song for the docuseries' follow-up, Blue Planet II, bringing this story full circle.

“Wind It Up” - Gwen Stefani (The Sound Of Music)

As she revealed to MTV in 2006, "Wind it Up" fulfilled Gwen Stefani's dream to incorporate her favorite movie, The Sound of Music, into a song. While the lead single from the No Doubt frontwoman's second solo album, The Sweet Escape, does not have much to do with the story of the 1965 music movie classic, it does sample "The Lonely Goatherd" to impressive effect and pays tribute to it in the video.

“Mach 5” - The Presidents Of The United States of America (Speed Racer)

There may not be a pop culture car more deserving of a musical tribute than the Mach 5 from the classic animated TV show, Speed Racer, yet it would not become a reality until 1996 when The Presidents of the United States of America put it on their second album, II. However, while the song's title may reference Speed's prized vehicle, frontman Chris Ballew revealed to Songfacts that the lyrics reflect the maniacal ways he would destroy his toy cars as a child.

“Night Moves” - Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band (American Graffiti)

In 1973, Bob Seger saw a film now considered one of the best movies of the 1970s called American Graffiti – writer and director George Lucas' coming-of-age dramedy following a group of teens cruising the streets of L.A. after hours in the early 1960s. The Silver Bullet Band leader told Mix that the film inspired him to tell stories from his own youth, which led to the creation of the title track from his ninth studio album, 1976's Night Moves.

“Fingers Crossed” - Billie Eilish (The Walking Dead)

In 2017, when she was still an up-and-comer, Billie Eilish told Junkee that the first song she ever recorded was called "Fingers Crossed," which was the product of a songwriting class assignment that required her to watch a movie or TV show and write lyrics related to it. The then-12-year-old chose The Walking Dead and came up with a song that, as she describes, "sounds more like a longing heartbreak song" but is really about the zombie apocalypse.

“Godzilla” - Blue Öyster Cult (Godzilla)

While Blue Öyster Cult was best known for earnest rock 'n roll hits about love and death like "Don't Fear the Reaper," they proved they had a sense of humor with their tribute to the King of the Monsters. The opening track from their 1977 album, Spectres, alludes to the plot of the original Japanese horror movie classic, Godzilla, quite accurately but also with a few tongue-in-cheek references to the eponymous creature's destructive tendencies at Tokyo's expense.

“Bedrock Anthem” - “Weird Al” Yankovic (The Flintstones)

Only a comedic musical genius like "Weird Al" Yankovic could make a medley of Red Hot Chili Peppers song parodies with lyrics based on Hanna-Barbera's prehistoric animated classic, The Flintstones, work so seamlessly.

“Chain Saw” - Ramones (The Texas Chain Saw Massacre)

In 1989, the Ramones released a song called "Pet Sematary," which was written specifically for Mary Lambert's adaptation of the Stephen King novel. Years earlier, another classic horror movie, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, inspired the punk giants' 1976 song, "Chain Saw," which calls out Tobe Hooper's nightmarish 1974 hit by name.

"The Twilight Zone” - Rush (The Twilight Zone)

Legendary drummer Neil Peart was a huge fan of Rod Serling’s seminal horror anthology TV show, The Twilight Zone, and actually wrote several Rush tracks inspired by various episodes. One song named directly after the show, which appears on Side B of 1976's 2112, references two classic episodes, “Will the Real Martian Please Stand Up?" and "Stopover In a Quiet Town."

“The Union Forever” - The White Stripes (Citizen Kane)

Jack White was trying to learn a song that appears in 1941’s Citizen Kane called “It Can't Be Love.” Instead, he wound up writing an entirely original song for him and Meg White of The White Stripes about co-writer and director Orson Welles’ masterful debut feature called "The Union Forever." Included in the lyrics are references to the movie,

“Continental Farewell” - Hal Ketchum (Saturday Night Live)

Christopher Walken is one of those stars who has hosted SNL so many times that he has his own recurring characters, most notably "The Continental." The bumbling bachelor was popular enough to inspire a song by Hal Ketchum called "Continental Farewell," as the late singer-songwriter revealed to Songfacts.

“The Prisoner” - Iron Maiden (The Prisoner)

Much of Iron Maiden's music is known for its compelling narratives, such as in "The Prisoner." The third track off the metal band's hit 1982 album, The Number of the Beast, was inspired by an influential 1960s British sci-fi miniseries of the same name and even opens with audio clips from it.

"Motorpsycho Nitemare" - Bob Dylan (Psycho)

While largely better known for ballads sung in protest of sociopolitical oppression, it turns out Bob Dylan is a cinephile, too. His song "Motorpsycho Nitemare" from 1964's Another Side of Bob Dylan was inspired by the terrifying 1960 Alfred Hitchcock movie, Psycho, as evidenced by lyrics like, “She said, ‘Would you like to take a shower? / I’ll show you up to the door’ / I said, ‘Oh, no! no! / I've been through this before.’”

“House Of Glass” - Cage the Elephant (I Am A Killer)

The fifth studio album by Cage the Elephant, 2019's Social Cues, features an ominously titled track called "House of Glass," which is sung from the point of view of a soft-spoken murderer. According to Consequence of Sound, the song was envisioned while guitarist Brad Shultz and his brother, Matt, were watching the Netflix true crime docuseries, I Am a Killer, which interviews people on death row for homicide.

“Eyes Without A Face” - Billy Idol (Eyes Without A Face)

The 1983 Billy Idol song, "Eyes Without a Face" was inspired by the 1960 horror film of the same name about a surgeon obsessively trying to give his daughter a new face after she suffers a terrible accident. He even namedrops the original French title, Les yeux sans visage, in the lyrics

“Missing You” - Ingrid Michaelson (Stranger Things)

In 2019, Ingrid Michaelson released her eighth studio album, Stranger Songs, which consists entirely of tracks inspired by the hit Netflix original sci-fi TV show, Stranger Things. The lead single, "Missing You," specifically references the love triangle between Nancy Wheeler (Natalia Dyer), Jonathan Byers (Charlie Heaton), and Steve Harrington (Joe Keery).

“Why Didn't Rosemary?” - Deep Purple (Rosemary’s Baby)

According to Derek Lawrence, who produced Deep Purple's self-titled third album from 1969, the band went to see Rosemary's Baby and, soon after, wrote a song about it. "Why Didn't Rosemary?" asks questions about the Oscar-winning 1968 horror classic about a woman unwittingly carrying the spawn of Satan, such as, “Why didn’t Rosemary ever take the pill?”

“Man on the Edge” - Iron Maiden (Falling Down)

In an interview with Songfacts, Iron Maiden singer Blaze Bayley revealed that "Man on the Edge" from the band's 1995 album, The X Factor, is largely influenced by director Joel Schumacher's 1993 thriller, Falling Down, starring Michael Douglas as... well, a man on the edge.

“Gumby” - Aimee Mann (Hoarders)

"Gumby," from Aimee Mann's 2012 album, Charmer, actually has nothing to do with the eponymous claymation character. According to Joco Cruise, the singer-songwriter just thought it sounded like a great name for someone who would be profiled on the reality show Hoarders, which was the true inspiration for the song about a person refusing help that they clearly need.

While I talk frequently about directors on this website, there's one I rarely talk about here, and that’s David Lynch.

Now, it’s not that Lynch, who recently passed, was not one of the greatest directors who ever lived. He definitely was. In fact, aside from the great Stanley Kubrick, Lynch might be my all-time favorite director. However, the thing is, when I discuss directors here, it’s usually in comparison to other filmmakers, and, quite simply, there was no other filmmaker like David Lynch.

Sure, other directors have been compared to him, as any time a filmmaker makes a creepy, dreamlike story, it's often considered “Lynchian.” Such is the case for the A24 gem, Under the Silver Lake. Or, one of my favorite Takashi Miike movies, Gozu, which has the Lynchian stamp all over it. That said, no matter how similar other movies might have been to his films, there could still only be one David Lynch, and these projects prove it.

Eraserhead

Trying to explain Eraserhead to somebody who’s never seen a Lynch film before is like trying to explain my carpal tunnel to somebody who has never experienced burning pain shooting up and down their arms. In other words, it’s possible, but you have some work to do.

So, I’ll do my best for the uninitiated. Eraserhead is about a man with a weird haircut named Henry Spencer (Jack Nance) who lives in an industrial hellscape, and gets his girlfriend pregnant. There’s also a woman with a bubbling face living in his radiator simply named…The Woman in the Radiator. Why is she there? I don’t know, but she’s creepy as hell.

Anyway, the couple have their baby, but it turns out to be a LIZARD CREATURE, and it won’t stop crying!

Did you get all that? No? Well, I didn’t even mention the dinner scene where Spencer cuts into a chicken and it starts squirming and bleeding, or the bizarre dream he has where his head pops off when the Lady in the Radiator sings.

I mean, honestly, what IS this movie? It was Lynch’s first feature-length film, and it's still perplexing audiences, even today.

Which is just one reason why there will never be another David Lynch. A movie like this would have ended most directors' careers, but he made the most surreal independent movie ever, and it endeared him to millions. Who does that? David Lynch, which is why he'll be so incredibly missed.

Dune

Another director I’ve talked about on this site is Denis Villeneuve. And, even though Villeneuve has made several great films, I think it’s safe to say that most people know him best for his two Dune movies.

While I can't take anything from him for making an accessible version of the “unfilmable” Frank Herbert novel, I will say that I admire Lynch’s version a little bit more. That’s only because as somebody who read the book, I feel like his better encapsulates the overall “weirdness” of the novel more than Villeneuve’s adaptation.

Don’t get me wrong. Villeneuve went weird when he had to. However, I think Lynch’s movie packs more punch in condensing this sprawling story into one film.

The story of warring families over the sand planet, Arrakis, our hero, Paul Atreides, might just be the messiah…or not. It’s never made clear. He also falls in love with one of the inhabitants of the planet, drinks some psychedelic water, and rides a sandworm. So, it’s like the book…but maybe not as weird, which is a little surprising, given its director.

But, that’s the thing. Lynch himself didn’t like the movie. In fact, both fans of the novel as well as the director's fans often disapprove of it. That said, only Lynch could make a movie adaptation this weird. Yes, Villeneuve’s Dune is probably “better,” but without Lynch’s bizarre adaptation, would we even have anything to compare it to?

Twin Peaks

Even as a kid I could tell you that Lynch changed television. Twin Peaks was all anybody talked about back in 1990, and even my beloved The Simpsons riffed on the popular show.

It would take me until my 30s to actually watch it for myself, and it’s even better than I could have ever imagined. The story of the murder of a homecoming queen, Twin Peaks is one part mystery, one part horror story, and about a million parts fever dream.

The characters are great, but what’s even more interesting is the town of Twin Peaks itself. The show lasted for two seasons, and by the end of it, you don’t know what to believe…and that’s because Season 2 ended on a cliffhanger.

Thankfully, it returned for a third season on Showtime in 2017, which added even more mysteries, but also tied up some loose ends.

There's also a prequel film called Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me, which is about the last few days before Laura Palmer’s death. It didn’t get the best reviews at the time–probably because it has a different tone from the show–but it’s now considered one of Lynch’s best movies.

All of this is to say, for all the people who haven’t watched Lynch’s movies, Twin Peaks, as odd as it is, is probably one of his most accessible projects, which is really saying something since nobody else could make a series as weird as this.

The Straight Story

Not all of Lynch's movies were rated-R. The Elephant Man was PG, and Dune was PG-13.

That said, I'm quite confident that only a director like Lynch could make a hard R movie like Blue Velvet or Lost Highway, and then also a G movie like The Straight Story. And for Disney, no less!

This biographical drama is about a man named Alvin Straight (Richard Farnsworth) who drives his lawn mower across states to see his brother who recently suffered a stroke.

Like the clever title suggests, the story is pretty straightforward. It's just an old dude riding his tractor. However, most of this film's strengths lie in its beautiful scenery and its easy-going pacing.

It may seem like a multitude of directors could have done this movie, could they also have directed Inland Empire, or Wild at Heart?

No. The answer is no. The Straight Story proves that Lynch could tell a, well, straight story. He just didn't feel like it. Except on rare occasions, that is.

Mulholland Drive

Lastly, I want to close on my favorite Lynch movie, Mulholland Drive.

This is one of the scariest movies I've ever seen in my entire life. In fact, it’s so scary that it landed on our list of the 50 best horror movies of all time. Truly chilling stuff.

However, a lot of people will tell you that it is not a horror movie. They'll tell you that it's a thriller/mystery. And, why not? The story concerns an amnesiac (Laura Elena Harring) and a woman seeking to be an actress (Naomi Watts) trying to help regain the amnesiac’s memory.

That said, just like some of the scariest moments I've ever seen were in Twin Peaks, the same could be said about Mulholland Drive, which arguably has the greatest jump scare in cinema history.

This might be why Lynch can never be matched. He can make a highly regarded, and surreal masterpiece like Mulholland Drive, but it can also contain one of the greatest jump scares of all time. Because that was just who Lynch was.

Always enigmatic, constantly engaging, and brilliant in every way. I was just describing Mulholland Drive, but those comments could easily double for David Lynch himself.

The landscape of cinema will never be the same without him.

One of Hollywood's most imaginative and indecipherable filmmakers, if not one of its most prolific ones, has walked the blue-velvet carpet into the great beyond. Blue Velvet and Mulholland Drive director David Lynch has died at the age of 78.

The news of the Twin Peaks co-creator's death was first reported on Facebook by his family on his official account, where the following was shared:

No cause of death was revealed in the initial post, but Lynch's health issues were made public in August 2024 in an interview with Sight and Sound, where he confessed to having emphysema and said he was unable to leave his house, and thus would be unable to continue directing films in a traditional sense. The illness stemmed from a lifetime of smoking, with the director having claimed that he started the habit when he was 8 years old.

An artist from his earliest days, Lynch was born on January 20, 1946 in Missoula, Montana, and much of his work features elements of his upbringing, though he's addressed the fact that he had a relatively normal childhood, and that his monstrously dreamlike storytelling is more imagination-based than inspired by his own upbringing.

He began crafting shoft films and other forms of art in the 1960s, which eventually culminated in his first full-length effort, 1977's Eraserhead, a seminal release for fans of body horror and dark surrealism. Its cult success led to one of the most intriguing, whimsical and baffling careers of any popular artist. It's hard to believe that the guy who brought Twin Peaks' Bob to life is also the guy behind the lesser-celebrated but still loved Dune.

Below is a lineup of David Lynch's limited but treasure-filled filmography, which fans will no doubt dive back into in the wake of his death.

• Eraserhead - 1977
• The Elephant Man - 1980
• Dune - 1984
• Blue Velvet - 1986
• Wild at Heart - 1990
• Twin Peaks (ABC) - 1990-91
• On the Air (ABC) - 1992
• Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me - 1992
• Hotel Room (HBO) - 1993
• Lost Highway - 1997
• The Straight Story - 1999
• Mulholland Drive - 2001
• Inland Empire - 2006
• Twin Peaks: The Return (Showtime) - 2017

Shockingly, David Lynch never earned an Academy Award win for any particular film, though he did take home the honorary Oscar in 2019. He was nominated for Best Director for The Elephant Man, Blue Velvet and the arguable horror film Mulholland Drive, and shared a Best Screenplay nomination with Christopher De Vore and Eric Bergren on Elephant Man.

Of course, to speak only of his directorial successes is to ignore the joy of watching him perform on screen in several of those projects and others. Arguably his most memorable role was the loud-talking, hearing-impaired FBI agent Gordon Cole in the Twin Peaks universe. Along with a pair of memorable Louie appearances, Lynch also bizarrely co-starred on the Family Guy spinoff The Cleveland Show as Gus the bartender, and also cameoed as the same character on the flagship show.

Lynch also appeared in Elephant Man, Lost Highway, and Inland Empire among his own works, and both narrated the 2017 Bob Odenkirk dramedy Girlfriend's Day and popped up in John Carroll Lynch's Lucky that same year, among other things. His 2022 portrayal of John Ford in Steven Spielberg's The Fablemans seemingly serving as his last theatrical role.

We at CinemaBlend send our thoughts and condolences to David Lynch's family and friends during their time of mourning. Here's hoping he's already sharing bizarre exchanges with the Log Lady.

Just like there was no other filmmaker quite like David Lynch, there are not very many TV shows like Twin Peaks. The passing of Lynch in January 2024 inspired fans to revisit the most essential David Lynch movies and his most acclaimed contribution to television, which he co-created in the early 1990s with Mark Frost and later revived for Showtime in 2017.

If you have already used your Paramount+ subscription to revisit Special Agent Dale Cooper’s investigation of Laura Palmer’s murder but are now looking through the best streaming services to subscribe to for more series with a similar blend of grounded crime drama themes and dream-like atmosphere, I can help. Fire walk with me as I present my recommendations for shows (somewhat) like Twin Peaks, along with tips on where to watch them.

Wayward Pines (2015-2016)

Starring: Matt Dillon, Carla Gugino

What it’s about: A Secret Service agent’s search for two missing feds leads him to a rural community where there seems to be no exit.

Why it is a great TV show for fans of Twin Peaks to check out: One of the best horror TV shows on Hulu, developer Chad Hodge’s series adaptation of Blake Crouch’s Wayward Pines book series, received comparisons to Twin Peaks upon release, and not just because it is another story about a lawman in a strange town with big problems.

How to watch Wayward Pines

• Stream Wayward Pines on Hulu
• Buy Wayward Pines on Amazon
• Buy Wayward Pines on Blu-ray on Amazon

Breaking Bad (2008-2013)

Starring: Bryan Cranston, Anna Gunn, Aaron Paul

What it’s about: A terminally ill high school chemistry teacher turns to drug manufacturing to support his family.

Why it is a great TV show for fans of Twin Peaks to check out: While Vince Gilligan’s Emmy-winning masterwork is not quite as strange, Twin Peaks could be considered a show like Breaking Bad for its similar slow-burn structure, shocking twists and turns, and unsettling depiction of the potential dark truths hidden within the seemingly average American.

How to watch Breaking Bad

• Stream Breaking Bad on Netflix
• Buy Breaking Bad on Amazon
• Buy Breaking Bad on Blu-ray on Amazon

The Curse (2023-Present)

Starring: Emma Stone, Nathan Fielder, Benny Safdie

What it’s about: Mysterious circumstances derail a newlywed couple’s reality series chronicling their bid to create their own eco-friendly community.

Why it is a great TV show for fans of Twin Peaks to check out: Renowned filmmaker Christopher Nolan brought up Twin Peaks when voicing his praise of the acclaimed A24 TV show The Curse, which similarly boasts a subtle, malevolent aura in even the most seemingly mundane moments.

How to watch The Curse

• Stream The Curse on Paramount+ with Showtime add-on
• Buy The Curse on Amazon

Northern Exposure (1990-1995)

Starring: Rob Morrow, Janine Turner

What it’s about: An urban medical professional is forcibly relocated to a small town in Alaska where he struggles to adapt to the local culture.

Why it is a great TV show for fans of Twin Peaks to check out: Created by Joshua Brand and John Falsey, Northern Exposure is a hit series with a now obscure reputation that was often compared to Twin Peaks when it first premiered, mostly for being a fish-out-of-water story set in a peculiar town with lovably quirky characters.

How to watch Northern Exposure

• Stream Northern Exposure on Amazon Prime
• Buy Northern Exposure on Blu-ray on Amazon

The X-Files (1993-2018)

Starring: David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson

What it’s about: A skeptical FBI agent and her more open-minded partner deal with crimes that are anything but normal.

Why it is a great TV show for fans of Twin Peaks to check out: Like Twin Peaks, the protagonists of creator Chris Carter’s beloved sci-fi TV show The X-Files are FBI agents whose investigations lead them to stumble upon strange and unexplainable phenomena.

How to watch The X-Files

• Stream The X-Files on Hulu
• Buy The X-Files on Amazon
• Buy The X-Files on Blu-ray on Amazon

Atlanta (2016-2022)

Starring: Donald Glover, Brian Tyree Henry, Lakeith Stanfield, Zazie Beetz

What it’s about: A struggling father sees an opportunity for success in becoming the manager for his cousin, an up-and-coming rapper.

Why it is a great TV show for fans of Twin Peaks to check out: While mostly a satire of the music industry and of Black culture, FX's Atlanta, one of the funniest shows on Hulu, boasts undoubtedly Lynchian elements and, according to Vulture, creator Donald Glover promoted the series as "Twin Peaks for rappers" early on.

How to watch Atlanta

• Stream Atlanta on Hulu
• Buy Atlanta on Amazon

The Leftovers (2014-2017)

Starring: Justin Theroux, Carrie Coon

What it’s about: Years after two percent of the world's population mysteriously vanishes from the face of the Earth, the remaining souls struggle to maintain stability.

Why it is a great TV show for fans of Twin Peaks to check out: Teaming up with Damon Lindelof, author Tom Perrotta seems to take inspiration from Twin Peaks when adapting his bestselling novel, The Leftovers, into a twisted and visually surreal fantasy drama that keeps the mystery and suspense ratcheted high throughout.

How to watch The Leftovers

• Stream The Leftovers on Max

Lost (2004-2010)

Starring: Matthew Fox, Evangeline Lily

What it’s about: A plane crash leaves a group of strangers stranded on a desert island where nothing is quite as it seems.

Why it is a great TV show for fans of Twin Peaks to check out: For many of the same reasons The Leftovers is a show like Lost, the survival drama (also co-created by Lindelof with J.J. Abrams and Jeffrey Lieber) is also a show like Twin Peaks in the way it keeps its audience in mystery throughout by starting off mostly grounded before slowly revealing its supernatural elements.

How to watch Lost

• Stream Lost on Netflix
• Stream Lost on Hulu
• Buy Lost on Amazon

True Detective (2014-Present)

Starring: Various

What it’s about: A seasonal anthology TV show following different police officers at different periods of time investigating cases that are increasingly dark.

Why it is a great TV show for fans of Twin Peaks to check out: The crimes that Dale Cooper investigates on Twin Peaks are so bleak and bizarre that they practically border on horror, which is how some might describe True Detective — an Emmy-winning, star-studded HBO drama from creator Nic Pizzolatto.

How to watch True Detective

• Stream True Detective on Max
• Buy True Detective on Amazon

Fargo (2014-Present)

Starring: Various

What it’s about: A hitman creates a deadly ripple effect in a charming small town, a probation officer plans to rob his wealthy twin brother to afford his lover’s engagement ring, a seemingly average housewife struggles to outrun her violent past, and more stories about regular people in big trouble.

Why it is a great TV show for fans of Twin Peaks to check out: An anthology crime thriller series that has even more in common with Twin Peaks is Fargo — Noah Hawley's FX hit inspired by one of the Coen Brothers' best movies — in the sense that it is set in quaint, midwestern communities and gets progressively weirder with each season.

How to watch Fargo

• Stream Fargo on Hulu
• Buy Fargo on Amazon

Outer Range (2022-2024)

Starring: Josh Brolin, Lili Taylor, Imogen Poots

What it’s about: A Wyoming rancher makes a life-changing discovery on his land that begins to affect his career and his relationship with his family.

Why it is a great TV show for fans of Twin Peaks to check out: One of the best Amazon Prime original TV shows, creator Brian Watkins' Outer Range, is yet another sci-fi drama set in a rural community hiding some very strange secrets that deal with murder, corruption, and even time travel.

How to watch Outer Range

• Stream Outer Range on Amazon Prime

Gravity Falls (2012-2016)

Starring: Jason Ritter, Kristen Schaal, Alex Hirsch

What it’s about: After they are sent to live with their great uncle Stan, twins Dipper and Mabel find themselves at odds with a series of freaky occurrences.

Why it is a great TV show for fans of Twin Peaks to check out: Following David Lynch’s death, creator Alex Hirsch revealed on X that Twin Peaks was an inspiration for his surreal, acclaimed animated TV show, Disney Channel’s Gravity Falls, and that his voice for Bill Cipher was a “crummy Lynch impression.”

How to watch Gravity Falls

• Stream Gravity Falls on Disney+
• Buy Gravity Falls on Amazon
• Buy Gravity Falls on DVD on Amazon

Looks like you do not have to travel too far into the Black Lodge to find the Twin Peaks companion series you have hoped for.

In 2004, creators J.J. Abrams, Damon Lindelof, and Jeff Lieber introduced one of TV's all-time most intense and absorbing mysteries with Lost. Led by Matthew Fox as Jack Shepherd, the Lost cast found themselves, after a near-fatal plane crash, stranded on a desert island inhabited by more things to be concerned about than their own survival.

Now that Lost is on Netflix, you could binge through the best episodes of Lost for what might be a 37th time. Or, if you were interested in seeing what other perplexing survivalist dramas might be available on more of the best streaming services to subscribe to today (or for purchase or on physical media), read on.

Twin Peaks (1990-1991, 2017)

Special Agent Dale Cooper (Kyle MacLachlan) investigates the murder of a teenage girl in a quaint Washington town where there is even more to be suspicious about.

Why it is a great show to watch if you are a fan of Lost: Starting off relatively grounded before introducing more surreal elements, we would not be surprised if co-creator David Lynch's Twin Peaks, which ended in the '90s with one of the best TV cliffhangers before Showtime revived it decades later, had a heavy influence on Lost.

• Stream Twin Peaks on Paramount+
• Buy Twin Peaks on Amazon
• Buy Twin Peaks on Blu-ray

The Leftovers (2014-2017)

People of the world struggle to maintain happiness and stability in the years after 2% of the Earth's population mysteriously vanishes.

Why it is a great show to watch if you are a fan of Lost: Created by Damon Lindelof with original book author Tom Perotta, The Leftovers is another WTF-drenched drama involving characters who are trapped in other ways, having lost loved ones or their sense of self 

• Stream The Leftovers on Max

From (2022-Present)

A group of people try to figure out a way out to escape from a town that mysteriously imprisons anyone who enters it.

Why it is a great show to watch if you are a fan of Lost: Produced by former Lost EPs Josh Bender and Jeff Pinkner, From is another drama about a group of people struggling to survive while trapped in a mysterious, isolated area where strange occurrences threaten their lives at every turn.

• Stream From on MGM+
• Buy From on Amazon

1899 (2022)

A commercial cruise ship full of immigrants from all over the world faces a nightmarish interruption to its journey when another ship is discovered adrift.

Why it is a great show to watch if you are a fan of Lost: The unfortunately cancelled Netflix original, 1899, is another series about a diverse group of strangers brought together after their travel vessel becomes lost and begins to suffer unexplainable phenomenon.

• Stream 1899 on Netflix

Snowpiercer (2020-Present)

A self-sustaining bullet train becomes Earth's only habitable environment after a climate change experiment ends with cataclysmic results.

Why it is a great show to watch if you are a fan of Lost: Based on a French graphic novel that Bong Joon-ho made into a 2014 dystopian movie favorite, Snowpiercer is yet another series about a diverse group of strangers brought together through tragic and unusual circumstances after an accident involving their travel vessel.

• Stream Snowpiercer on AMC+

The Prisoner (1967-1968)

After resigning from his job, a secret agent (played by series creator Patrick McGoohan) is abducted and brought to a seemingly idyllic village where he cannot remember his own name.

Why it is a great show to watch if you are a fan of Lost: Many writers for Lost cited the British sci-fi thriller, The Prisoner — a hit 1960s drama that was rebooted in 2009 as an AMC miniseries — as an influence on the series, being a mysterious drama set on an inescapable island, for one.

• Stream The Prisoner on Amazon Prime
• Stream The Prisoner on Tubi
• Buy The Prisoner on Blu-ray

Severance (2022-Present)

At a company that keeps its employees' personal and professional memories surgically separate, a group of office teammates (played by Adam Scott, Britt Lower, Christopher Walken, and more) become curious about life on the outside.

Why it is a great show to watch if you are a fan of Lost: Fans of Apple TV+'s multi-layered drama, Severance, which is considered one of the best sci-fi TV shows of its time, have often compared the mysterious company it is set at, Lumen, to the Dharma Initiative from Lost.

• Stream Severance on Apple TV+

Yellowjackets (2022-Present)

Decades after a plane crash left them stranded in the wilderness, a group of former high school soccer teammates continues to be haunted by memories of that traumatic time in their lives in their adulthood.

Why it is a great show to watch if you are a fan of Lost: Also one of the best shows to watch if you like Fallout, Yellowjackets, from creators Ashley Lyle and Bart Nickerson, bears a somewhat similar plot to Lost, following a group of characters trapped in the wilderness and a boasting a non-linear narrative structure.

• Stream Yellowjackets on Netflix
• Stream Yellowjackets on Paramount+ with Showtime
• Buy Yellowjackets on Amazon
• Buy Yellowjackets on Blu-ray

Dark (2017-2020)

The lives of four German families are upended by the mysterious disappearance of two children.

Why it is a great show to watch if you are a fan of Lost: From Baran bo Odar and Jantje Friese, the creators of the aforementioned 1899, Dark is often compared to Lost for its penchant for shocking cliffhangers, supernatural elements, and an ominous tone surrounding characters who each carry a worrisome burden.

• Stream Dark on Netflix

Under The Dome (2013-2015)

The citizens of Chester’s Mill, Maine, become suddenly and inexplicably cut off from the rest of the world when a giant, transparent, indestructible force field appears and completely surrounds them.

Why it is a great show to watch if you are a fan of Lost: One of the most distinct differences between the characters in Lost and the characters in developer Brian K Vaughn's CBS TV show based on Stephen King's 2009 novel, Under the Dome, is that they actually are home, but are kept there against their will for reasons unknown.

• Stream Under the Dome on Paramount+
• Buy Under the Dome on DVD

If none of these TV shows end up satisfying the Lost fan in you, go ahead and boot up your Netflix subscription and "go back" to the original. However, you are bound to find some other great series with mysterious twists and absorbing themes of isolation at some point.

Three are a lot of places around the world that have become famous for being set locations or exterior shots from television shows. From restaurants, to prisons, to houses, to everything in between. These are just a few of these now-famous locations everyone recognizes from their favorite shows. 

Tom's Restaurant - Seinfeld

In virtually every episode of Seinfeld, the gang met up at Monk's Diner. The interiors were a set, of course, but all the exterior shots for Monk's were of Tom's Restaurant at the corner of Broadway and 112th Street in New York City. The cast of Seinfeld is enshrined in caricatures on the wall. One more fun fact about the eatery, it was also the restaurant that inspired the song "Tom's Diner" by Suzanne Vega. 

Highclere Castle - Downton Abbey

Grand houses dot the English countryside, many of which are quite famous for their ornate beauty. One house now stands out from the rest, Highclere Castle in Hampshire. As hardcore fans of Downton Abbey know, not only was it used for the exterior of the house, but many of the interiors, including the iconic library, were used in the production. 

The Painted Ladies - Full House

San Francisco was once home to thousands of grand Victorian homes, though many were destroyed by the earthquake in 1906. A notable row that survived across from Alamo Square Park is famously known as "The Painted Ladies" and is a big tourist destination for fans of Full House after they featured prominently in the show. 

Police Beach - Lost

The mysterious island in Lost was in actually many filming locations across Oahu in Hawaii. One of the most famous locations is known as Papailoa Beach or Police Beach. It is located on the North Shore and was used a lot in the show as the spot where the plane crashed and where the survivors lived for a time. 

94 Bedford Street - Friends

94 Bedford Street, at the corner of Grove and Bedford, has become one of the most popular tourist attractions in New York City. Not because anyone famous has lived there, but because that's the building used for the exterior shots of where most of the characters on Friends lived.

St. Michael's Mount - House Of The Dragon

St. Michael's Mount in southeast England is less famous than its cousin, Mont-Saint-Michel in France, but they are very similar monasteries. Both were built on little spits of land surrounded by a tidal area that leaves them completely separated from the mainland much of the time. St. Michael's Mount serves as the exterior for Driftmark, the seat of House Velaryon in House Of The Dragon.

Salish Lodge & Spa - Twin Peaks

On Twin Peaks, one of the most prominent locations is The Great Northern Inn, where Dale Cooper (Kyle MacLachlan) lives during his time in the town investigating the murder of Laura Palmer. The exterior of the hotel, located above a beautiful waterfall, is actually the Salish Lodge & Spa in Snoqualmie, WA.

The Bull & Finch Pub - Cheers

Tourists in Boston are often startled to see the exterior of Cheers as they walk around the Public Garden at the foot of Beacon Hill. The famous bar from Cheers was once called The Bull & Finch Pub and has been in that spot since the late '60s. In the early '00s, the owners changed the name to Cheers. 

Pasadena City Hall - Parks And Recreation

Parks & Recreation may be set in the town of Pawnee, Indiana, but the exterior shots of the City Hall on the show were filmed much closer to where the show was actually filmed in LA. The building is, in fact, the City of Pasadena's City Hall. A far cry from rural Indiana, but these days the building is more famous for being in a fictional TV town in the Hoosier state than the City of Roses. 

Richmond, London - Ted Lasso

A little alley in Richmond, London, has become one of the most visited tourist spots in a town chock-full of great tourist spots. That's because it served as the exterior to Coach Lasso's apartment in Ted Lasso. The pub nearby was also one of the most-used shooting locations for the show and fans of the hilarious show have been flocking ever since. 

The Belnord - Only Murders In The Building

There are a few famous apartment buildings on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, including The Belnord. The grand building is one of the most prominent of all, especially now as it serves as the titular building in Only Murders In The Building starring Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez. It's located at 86th St. and Amsterdam.

Dubrovnik Harbor - Game Of Thrones

HBO's Game of Thrones made quite a few locations around the world famous, and while the city of Dubrovnik, Croatia was already famous among historians, it entered popular culture in a big way when it was the stand-in for King's Landing throughout many episodes of the show. There is a little harbor on the city's west coast that was one of the locations used in some of the most famous scenes.  

The Waybury Inn - Newhart

In Newhart Dick Loudon (Bob Newhart) and his wife Joanna (Mary Frann) moved to Vermont to run the Stratford Inn. The real-life Stratford Inn is actually The Waybury Inn in Middlebury Vermont. And yes, it's still a hotel, and you can still stay there. 

Ranger's House - Bridgerton

The stately home of the Bridgerton family in Bridgerton is, in fact, called Ranger's House. Built in 1722 in what is now London, it's located near Greenwich Park, just a couple hundred yards from the famous Royal Observatory, Greenwich, which was where time was set for the world for centuries, but it is now a museum. 

Mr. Beef - The Bear

Chicago is famous for a lot of different foods. Pizza and hot dogs are probably the two most people think of first. Or at least, they used to. After the wild success of The Bear, one of the best shows on Hulu, the Windy City is increasingly famous for Italian Beef sandwiches, like the ones served at Mr. Beef. The small eatery stood in for The Beef on the show. 

15 Washington Street, Brooklyn - Gossip Girl

Located basically under the Manhattan Bridge in the Dumbo neighborhood, 15 Washington Street has become iconic for its use as the exterior of the Humphrey loft in Gossip Girl. 

Bell Works, Holmdel, NJ - Severance

The Bell Works building in Holmdel, NJ was locally famous for decades before the Apple TV+ show Severance made it famous everywhere. Long a favorite in architectural circles, the building, designed by Eero Saarinen, was the R&D headquarters for Bell Labs for decades starting in the early '60s. It is a perfect building to house the mysterious Lumon Industries on the show.  

Chief Joseph Ranch - Yellowstone

Some terrible things have gone down on the Dutton Yellowstone Ranch in Yellowstone. It has to be the most violent place in all of Montana, in the context of the show. Luckily, the real ranch where it is filmed, Chief Joseph Ranch is like it in looks only. It's a guest ranch and fans of the show can even stay there. Just try not to murder anyone. 

Holsten’s Brookdale Confectionary - The Sopranos

One of the most controversial and possibly one of the best endings of a show in TV history took place at Holsten’s Brookdale Confectionery in Bloomfield, NJ. The Sopranos ended when Meadow walked through the door of the diner and the screen went black. Did Tony die or didn't he? The arguments will last forever, an argument you could have over some onion rings at Holsten's.

Twisters Restaurant - Breaking Bad

A Twisters Restaurant in Albuquerque, NM is better known to Breaking Bad fans as Los Pollos Hermanos. The chain restaurant location on Isleta Boulevard in Albuquerque was re-dressed as Los Pollos Hermanos for the show and its spinoff Better Call Saul. 

Speedy’s Cafe - Sherlock

221B Baker Street is one of the most famous addresses in literary history as the home of Sherlock Holmes. On the BBC show Sherlock starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman, the flat is located next door to a cafe called Speedy's. Not only is the restaurant's exterior featured on the show, but the interior is shown on occasion, such as when Watson (Freeman) meets with Mycroft (Mark Gatiss). 

Senoia, Georgia - The Walking Dead

Senoia, Georgia is a small unassuming town on the far southwest edge of the Atlanta metro area. It's a quaint, picturesque southern town that is not a hotbed for tourism by fans of The Walking Dead as it became the setting for the settlement of Alexandria on the show. 

Buckingham Fountain - Married... With Children

The Buckingham Fountain in the heart of Grant Park in Chicago has long been a local landmark in The Windy City. When it was used in the opening moments of the credits on Fox's Married... With Children, it became a national landmark, recognized the world over. Along with having one of the most famous musicians ever singing the theme song, Frank Sinatra, it became an iconic opening. 

Mystic Grill - The Vampire Diaries

The real Mystic Grill is located in Covington, GA, and has become a must-see location for fans of The Vampire Diaries. It pre-existed the show and looks pretty much identical to what fans remember from the beloved show. 

Frist Campus Center - House

Princeton-Plainsboro Teaching Hospital, where Dr. Gregory House torments his residents and his patients on House isn't actually a hospital at all. The famous exteriors are actually of the Frist Campus Center on the campus of Princeton University. The building is also famous for Room 302, where Albert Einstein lectured when he was a professor at the school. 

Torrance High School - Beverly Hills, 90210

Without a doubt, Torrance High School in Torrance, CA, is one of the most recognizable locations in television history. It was the setting for West Beverly High on Beverly Hills, 90210, but that's not all. It was also the stand-in for Sunnydale High on Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Ulysses S. Grant High School in The Secret Life of the American Teenager, and it was used in movies like She's All That, Not Another Teen Movie, and Bruce Almighty, among others. 

Waterfords' House - The Handmaid's Tale

In The Handmaid’s Tale, the Waterfords live in Boston, but the mansion used for the exterior shots of their home is actually in Hamilton, Ontario, near Toronto. Like other houses featured in shows, it's become a popular place for selfies, but do you really want to memorialize that house after everything awful that happened inside it? 

Rosenheim Mansion - American Horror Story

The stately Rosenheim Mansion in Los Angeles has a look that is just perfect for horror stories. Most notably, it was used in American Horror Story. It's also been featured in other creepy shows like The Twilight Zone, Buffy The Vampire Slayer, The X-Files, and Dexter. Yikes! 

Franklin Square House Apartments - St. Elsewhere

The exterior of St. Eligius Hospital, the fictional hospital in the critically acclaimed '80s show St Elsewhere is actually an apartment building called Franklin Square House Apartments, in Boston's South End, where the hospital was also set. The show launched quite a few careers, including Howie Mandel's and Denzel Washington's, and like their careers, the apartment building is still around today. 

1618 Pine St., Boulder Colorado - Mork & Mindy

If you find yourself in Boulder, CO, and are a fan of Mork & Mindy, you can take a selfie in front of their apartment. The exterior used is a house that still stands on  Pine St., near the middle of town. 

Old Joliet Prison - Prison Break

If you close your eyes and picture a classic American prison, you'll probably see something that looks a lot like the old Joliet Prison in Joliet, IL. For that reason, the now-closed prison has been a popular shooting location over the years. Not only does it serve as the exterior of the jail in Prison Break, but it's also where Jake Blues (John Belushi) is released from in The Blues Brothers, and has been in numerous other movies and TV shows. 

Cincinnati Enquirer Building - WKRP In Cincinnati

Though it was really only used in the opening credits and very occasionally in the show, the studio for the fictitious radio station WKRP from the hit '70s sitcom in the Cincinnati Enquirer Building, located in downtown Cincinnati. When you're in town, you can pretend all your favorite DJs and intrepid reporter Les Nessman are hard at work in the building. 

If not absorbing storylines and appealing characters, what is it that keeps us coming back to tune into our favorite TV shows week after week, season after season? It could be the way some episodes end with a shocking final moment right before fading to black, leaving us in eager anticipation to see the mystery revealed or, at least, what comes next. Let’s take a look back at some of television’s most iconic cliffhangers that had the world buzzing.

The Finale (The Sopranos)

One of the most controversial series finales of all time is the final episode of The Sopranos, “Made in America,” which ends with the titular family meeting at a diner where Tony (James Gandolfini) looks up to see who has entered the restaurant right as it cuts to black. This non-ending, so to speak, launched countless fan theories regarding what happens next — such as, did the patron who entered the restaurant kill Tony? — but creator David Chase has never conceded to provide a concrete explanation.

Hank Discovers Walt Is Heisenberg (Breaking Bad)

The jaw-dropping ending to one of the best episodes of Breaking Bad, Season 5’s “Gliding Over All,” sees Hank Schrader (Dean Norris) using Walt (Bryan Cranston) and Skyler’s (Anna Gunn) restroom, where he comes across a copy of Walt Whitman’s Leaves of Grass given to Walt by Heisenberg’s one-time partner, Gale Boetticher (David Costabile). The look on the DEA agent’s face, when he realizes the elusive criminal he had been chasing for so long is his own brother-in-law, is priceless, but it would be another year before viewers could see the hunt really begin.

The Mother Of Dragons (Game Of Thrones)

One of the most memorable moments from Game of Thrones occurs in the first season finale, “Fire and Blood,” in which Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) emerges from the embers of a burning pyre, accompanied by three infant fire-breathers. This ends the first season of the prestige drama on a captivating note and marks the beginning of the fan-favorite character’s reign as the Mother of Dragons.

Ross Says Rachel's Name At His Wedding (Friends)

The Friends cast endures a few amusing plot twists in the Season 4 finale — such as the start of Monica and Chandler’s romance — but the biggest surprise occurred at the very end during Ross’ (David Schwimmer) nuptials to Emily (Helen Baxendale). When the officiant asks him to repeat, “Take thee, Emily…” he instead says the name of ex-girlfriend, Rachel (Jennifer Aniston), who had initially appeared at the venue last minute wanting to ruin the wedding. This, of course, marks the beginning of the end of his second marriage.

Dale Cooper’s Doppelganger (Twin Peaks)

No cliffhanger from creators David Lynch and Mark Frost’s Twin Peaks perplexed and unsettled audiences like the Season 2 finale, when it is revealed that Special Agent Dale Cooper (Kyle McLachlan) is still lost in The Black Lodge and has been replaced with an evil look-alike. Just as Laura Palmer (Sheryl Lee) foretells the real Cooper in the episode, it would be another 25 before fans got to see the story continue in Showtime’s Twin Peaks revival in 2017.

"Resistance Is Futile" (Star Trek: The Next Generation)

One of the most iconic moments in the Star Trek franchise comes from the Season 3 finale of The Next Generation when the U.S.S. Enterprise-D crew discovers Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart) has been transformed into a Borg named Locutus. Commander Riker (Jonathan Frakes) then orders an attack on the enemy's ship before the scene cuts to a caption reading, "To be continued..."

Who Did Negan Kill? (The Walking Dead)

The Season 6 finale of The Walking Dead introduced the most fearsome villain from Robert Kirkman's comic, Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan), who establishes his dominance by choosing one series regular to kill by use of "Eenie, Meenie, Miney, Moe." Before it fades to black, we see the murder occur from the perspective of the victim, who is revealed to be Abraham (Michael Cudlitz) in the Season 7 premiere, in which Glenn (Steven Yeun) is also fatally bludgeoned by Negan's barbed baseball bat, Lucille.

"We Have To Go Back!" (Lost)

Many believe Season 3's "Through the Looking Glass" is the best episode of Lost, primarily for the way it ends the season. It is revealed that the supposed flashbacks of Jack Shepard (Matthew Fox) off the island were really flash-forwards when he tells Kate (Evangeline Lilly) that they must return to the place they had seemingly escaped at some point.

Dexter Discovers Rita's Body (Dexter)

Many fans agree the best season of Dexter is its fourth, especially for the upsetting way it ends when Michael C. Hall's titular, homicidal anti-hero discovers he did not get rid of his worst enemy, The Trinity Killer (John Lithgow), soon enough. He returns home to find his wife, Rita (Julie Benz), dead in their bathtub and their infant son, Harrison, sitting in a puddle of her blood.

Who Shot J.R.? (Dallas)

When it comes to TV cliffhangers, there is absolutely nothing more iconic than the Season 3 finale of Dallas (one of the top-rated TV shows of its time), which ends with Larry Hagman's double-crossing oil baron, J.R. Ewing, getting shot by an unknown assailant. For the entire summer of 1980, audiences all over the country obsessed over who shot J.R. before it was revealed to be Kristin Shepard (Mary Crosby) in the Season 4 premiere.

The Upside Down Spills Into Hawkins (Stranger Things)

Every season of Stranger Things has ended with a hint at the Hawkins Crew's next adventure, but none has been more epic than Season 4's final moment. The gang realizes that their war against Vecna is far from over as the cold, dusty world of the Upside Down begins to mend with their dimension.

Addison Is Introduced (Grey's Anatomy)

In its first year, one of the most appealing elements of Grey's Anatomy was Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) and Derek's (Patrick Dempsey) blossoming romance, which was derailed by an amusing reveal in the season finale. Meredith discovers that she is McDreamy's mistress when she meets his wife, Addison (Kate Walsh).

Buffy Sacrifices Herself (Buffy The Vampire Slayer)

The title of Buffy the Vampire Slayer's Season 5 finale (and 100th episode overall), "The Gift," refers to the titular hero (Sarah Michelle Gellar) giving her life to save Dawn (Michelle Trachtenberg) and the world by jumping into a portal and stopping a release of demons. The final shot of her tombstone left fans heartbroken until the Season 6 announcement convinced them that they had not seen the last of the Slayer after all.

"Who's Been Hit?" (The West Wing)

The first season of Aaron Sorkin's hit political drama ended with a shocking assassination attempt, leaving viewers in the dark over who from the West Wing cast may have succumbed to the violence. The Season 2 premiere revealed that President Bartlet (Martin Sheen) and Deputy Chief of Staff Josh Lyman (Bradley Whitford) were shot but, thankfully, both survived.

Rachel's Pregnancy Is Revealed (Friends)

The most shocking Friends cliffhangers seem to happen in season-ending wedding episodes, like in "The One with Monica and Chandler's Wedding," during which Pheobe (Lisa Kudrow) assumes the bride (Courteney Cox) is pregnant after finding a pregnancy test in her apartment. However, after Monica assures Chandler (Matthew Perry) that she is not with the child, a final close-up of a visibly concerned Rachel (Jennifer Aniston) hints she is the expectant mother.

Marissa Shoots Trey (The O.C.)

The second season of The O.C. ends with Marissa (Mischa Barton) shooting Trey (Logan Marshall-Green) to prevent him from killing his brother, Ryan (Ben McKenzie), after he confronts him about trying to take advantage of Marissa. The buzzed-about cliffhanger served as the inspiration for a hilarious SNL Digital Short that especially took aim at the scenes use of Imogen Heap's "Hide and Seek."

Jim And Pam’s First Kiss (The Office)

One of the most epic moments in Jim and Pam's relationship timeline on The Office takes place in the Season 2 ender "Casino Night." We would have to wait until Season 3 to learn the aftermath of Jim (John Krasinski) and Pam (Jenna Fisher) sharing a kiss after he reveals his true feelings for her.

Blowing Open The Hatch (Lost)

The mysteries surrounding the island from Lost only got more intriguing by the end of its first season when Locke (Terry O'Quinn), Jack, Kate, and Hurley (Jorge Garcia) finally got the hatch open with a bundle of dynamite. However, Hurley tried to stop the explosion after noticing his unlucky lottery numbers etched on the side of the hatch, suggesting that only more trouble might be brewing underneath.

Sherlock Jumps From A Building (Sherlock)

In the second season finale of the modern reimagining of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's most famous character, Sherlock, Sherlock Holmes' (Benedict Cumberbatch) rivalry with Jim Moriarty (Andrew Scott) comes to a head when the foe takes his own life and the detective seemingly does the same by jumping from the roof where their showdown took place. Of course, as the final shot of the episode confirms, the reports of Sherlock's death are greatly exaggerated, but how he survived the fall is not revealed for another year and and half.

Who Shot Mr. Burns? (The Simpsons)

The Simpsons (one of the all-time greatest animated TV shows) would take aim at Dallas' most iconic cliffhanger when the sixth season finale ended with Mr. Burns (Harry Shearer) getting shot by an unknown assailant. After a summer break, the following episode revealed that Homer and Marge's infant daughter, Maggie, was the culprit, and may have done it intentionally.

The Abrupt Finale (Pushing Daisies)

A cliffhanger that never received a proper resolution was at the Season 2 finale of Pushing Daisies, which sees Ned (Lee Pace) and Chuck (Anna Friel) show up at her aunt's doorstep to reveal she is alive. After ABC canceled the fantasy dramedy after two seasons, showrunner Bryan Fuller was forced to add a brief epilogue to provide some closure to the characters' arc, but it still left fans unsatisfied.

Rory Reveals She Is Pregnant (Gilmore Girls: A Year In The Life)

In 2016, Netflix revived Gilmore Girls for a four-episode limited series event called Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life, which follows the further experiences of Lorelai (Lauren Graham) and her daughter, Rory (Alexis Bledel), over the course of four eventful seasons. The final line of the final episode comes from Rory, confessing to her mother that she is having a baby.

The Death Of Jon Snow (Game Of Thrones)

Out of all the many deaths on Game of Thrones, one of the most shocking and devastating comes at the end of the Season 5 finale when Jon Snow (Kit Harrington) is assassinated by his own men. However, Fans would be delighted to see him resurrected the following season.

Jesse Shoots Gale (Breaking Bad)

One of the most mind-blowing Breaking Bad moments occurs at the end of Season 3 when a doomed Walt (Bryan Cranston) tricks Mike (Jonathan Banks) into letting him call Jesse (Aaron Paul), alerting him to kill Walt's intended replacement, Gale. While the act would save Walt's life, this was the first time the young man had ever killed someone and it would haunt him for a long time.

Helly Tells The Truth (Severance)

The Apple TV+ original TV show Severance takes place at a tech company that surgically separates its employees' personal memories from their memories at the office. In the Season 1 finale, Helly (Britt Lower), after discovering she is the daughter of Lumon's CEO, decides to reveal the miserable truth behind this process at a business gala at the same time Mark (Adam Scott) discovers that his supposed dead wife is the company's wellness counselor, Ms. Casey (Dichen Lachman). Just then, they reverted back to their "innie" form before the episode cuts to black.

Kima Greggs Gets Shot (The Wire)

In the final moment from the 10th episode of The Wire's first season, a bust gone wrong results in Kima Greggs (Sonja Sohn) getting shot. That would have been the end of the character who was meant to have a smaller role had HBO executive Carolyn Strauss not convinced creator David Simon to keep her around longer.

Zoey Gets Kidnapped (The West Wing)

In the penultimate episode of The West Wing's fourth season, it is discovered that First Daughter Zoey Bartlet (Elisabeth Moss) went missing at her graduation party. The season ended with Zoey still missing and President Bartlett stepping aside temporarily. The event echoes a premonition from the first season in which President Bartlet tells his daughter that no crisis would be worse than her kidnapping.

Mulder Vanishes From The Boxcar (The X-Files)

In the Season 2 finale of The X-Files, "Anasazi," Mulder (David Duchovny) finds a box car buried under a quarry full of alien bodies with smallpox vaccine scars, which he discovers right as the roof hatch is closed. When the Smoking Man arrives, he discovers Mulder is somehow gone and then orders for the boxcar to be destroyed, leaving fans wondering if and how the FBI agent managed to get away safely.

Logan's True Intentions Are Revealed (24)

As a series told in real-time, just about every episode of 24 ended with some sort of a cliffhanger, and one of the best comes at the end of the 16th episode of Season 5. A phone call with Christopher Henderson (Peter Weller) reveals that President Charles Logan (Gregory Itzin) was the true orchestrator between the deaths of David Palmer and Michelle Dessler.

Who Shot Agent Cooper? (Twin Peaks)

At the very end of the first season of Twin Peaks, Special Agent Dale Cooper returns to his room at the Great Northern Hotel and, after answering a knock at the door, is shot by an unknown shooter. Thankfully, he survives and it is later revealed that the assailant was Josie Packard (Joan Chen).

Junior Shoots Tony (The Sopranos)

The Season 6 premiere of The Sopranos ends with Tony (James Gandolfini) being shot by his own uncle, Junior (Dominic Chianese), who mistook him for a long-dead mobster who robbed him years earlier. Tony struggles to call 911 but, as soon as he gets ahold of them, he passes out before the screen fades to black.

Miguel’s School Fight Injury (Cobra Kai)

In the Season 2 finale for Cobra Kai, a fight breaks out between several rival high school students from the rival dojos but ends when Miguel (Xolo Maridueña) is kicked by Robby (Tanner Buchanan) over a balcony and lands on a stairway guardrail. It would be revealed later that the injury left him paralyzed but, luckily, only for a few episodes of Season 3.

One of the main things classic mystery shows like Columbo and modern crime dramas like Sherlock have in common is that they center around not just good detectives, but incredibly intelligent investigators who find unique ways to solve crimes or other mysteries.

But who are the smartest detectives to ever grace the small screen? Well, let us solve that mystery for you as we break down a few dozen of the greatest of all time.

Inspector Columbo (Columbo)

“One more thing” is a phrase that viewers of Columbo loved to hear just as much as the show’s various criminals and bad players feared it. Peter Falk’s titular detective often put on the impression that he wasn’t putting it all together, but in that brain of his, he had it all figured out, which makes him seem even brighter.

Theo Kojak (Kojak)

Telly Savalas’ Theo Kojak wasn’t just a tough-as-nails, no-nonsense detective, he was also one who had the perfect mix of street and book smarts. Don’t let his iconic lollipop fool you, this NYPD investigator didn’t mess around one bit and could stand up to anyone and everyone both with his brawn and his brain.

Luther (Luther)

John Luther, played by Idris Elba throughout the duration of the BBC series’ run plus a Netflix movie, wasn’t necessarily a morally superior detective, but the high-ranking and embattled member of London’s SCU was the best when it came to solving crimes. He always had a plan, as well as one on the back burner when stuff eventually hit the fan.

Jimmy McNulty (The Wire)

Dominic West’s Jimmy McNulty, a character from The Wire who appeared in the most episodes, could have probably been Baltimore’s greatest police officer if he didn’t allow himself to get in the way. Despite his relationship issues, insubordination, and morally questionable decisions, he was a cop through and through and an extremely intelligent investigator.

Batman (Batman: The Animated Series) 

They don’t call Batman the world’s greatest detective for no reason. Throughout Batman: The Animated Series, the Caped Crusader gets to the bottom of a myriad of crimes, disappearances, and strange happenings in his tireless fight to clean the streets of Gotham and put no-gooders in Arkham.

Jessica Fletcher (Murder, She Wrote)

There are countless reasons why we miss Murder, She Wrote, but at the top of that list is the intelligence, warmth, and pure likeability of the series’ main character, Jessica Fletcher (Angela Lansbury). The idea of a mystery writer becoming a detective and solving all manner of crimes seems far-fetched, but the qualities listed above made Fletcher one of TV’s great criminal minds.

Rustin "Rust" Cohle (True Detective)

Do you think a big dummy could come up with something like “Time is a flat circle”? Nah, Rustin “Rust” Cohle (Matthew McConaughey) in True Detective’s first season is without a doubt one of the smartest detectives to ever take the screen. This guy spent decades getting to the bottom of what some thought was an unsolvable crime. Was he odd? Totally. Dumb? Not at all.

Sherlock Holmes (Sherlock)

There have been so many different Sherlock Holmes movies and TV shows over the years, but one of the best representations of the iconic detective is Benedict Cumberbatch’s portrayal in Sherlock. Though rude and hard to deal with at times, this remarkably talented sleuth with an unparalleled intellect was in a league of his own.

Adrian Monk (Monk)

Tony Shalhoub’s Adrian Monk could very well be one of the greatest TV detectives of all time, no matter how you cut it. Tasked with solving all kinds of unconventional cases, this private detective with obsessive-compulsive disorder and a range of other issues could do just about anything unless his various phobias got in the way.

James "Sonny" Crockett and Ricardo "Rico" Tubbs (Miami Vice)

James “Sonny” Crockett and Richard “Rico” Tubbs from Miami Vice were good detectives on their own, but together they were the best South Florida had to offer. Throughout the series, the due balanced their personal issues with those of the department all while getting to the bottom of some nasty crimes requiring both their brains.

Olivia Benson (Law & Order: Special Victims Unit)

Mariska Hargitay’s Olivia Benson has been a major force on Law and Order: SVU ever since the show’s debut back in 1999, and during that time, she’s been instrumental in solving some serious crimes. Though she can sometimes lose her cool, the detective-turned-commanding officer can get to the bottom of some perilous situations better than most.

Hercule Poirot (Agatha Christie's Poirot)

There have been some great portrayals of Hercule Poirot over the years, including David Suchet’s take on the famous character in Agatha Christie’s Poirot. Throughout the show’s 13 seasons, the legendary detective used his brains and wits to bring an end to all kinds of mysteries. And just when it looked like Poirot was about to be outdone, the mustached detective would pull off some trick and bring it home. 

Lennie Briscoe (Law & Order)

If there is one character from the original Law and Order series that folks remember the most (at least on the detective side of the show), it would have to be Jerry Orbach’s Lennie Briscoe. Despite his rough-and-tumble demeanor and hardened attitude, this homicide detective had no problem solving murders, even if he had to put someone in a corner.

Lester Freamon (The Wire)

Behind just about every great idea in The Wire was Clarke Peters’ Lester Freamon, an intelligent, wise, and loyal detective from the Baltimore Police Department. Though a bit prickly at times (aren’t they all?), Lester was essentially the father figure of the Major Crimes Unit and had decades of experience.

Frank Pembleton (Homicide: Life On The Street)

Frank Pembleton, played by the late, great Andre Braughter, was essentially the key member of the Homicide: Life on the Street ensemble cast and one of the smartest characters ever created by Tom Fontana and David Simon. Both eccentric and intelligent, the young detective constantly found new and unorthodox ways to go about murder investigations.

Veronica Mars (Veronica Mars)

Don’t let Veronica Mars’ (Kristen Bell) age make you think she’s not a capable, or smart, detective, as this crafty private eye is probably one of the best to ever do it on the small screen. Throughout the original Veronica Mars series, the film adaptation, and the revival series years later, this sleuth was wise beyond her years.

Jim Rockford (The Rockford Files)

On top of having a banger of a theme song, The Rockford Files also featured one of the best TV detectives with James Garner’s Jim Rockford. Brash, daring, and wildly smart, this private eye could hold his own both physically and mentally.

Bunk Moreland (The Wire)

Though prone to make mistakes and lapses in judgment alongside Jimmy McNulty, Bunk Moreland (Wendell Piere) was honestly one of the smartest and hardest-working detectives featured on The Wire. Plus, that one scene in “Old Cases” is perhaps one of the greatest TV moments of all time.

Virgil Tibbs (In The Heat Of The Night)

Taking over a role made famous by Sidney Poitier two decades earlier was no easy task, but Howard Rollins did a masterful job of playing Virgil Tibbs on In the Heat of the Night. Not only was he great when solving cases, but his mental chess with Carroll O’Connor’s Police Chief Bill Gillespie was about as good as it gets.

Dale Cooper (Twin Peaks)

Dale Cooper (Kyle MacLachlan) is technically an FBI special agent on Twin Peaks, but there’s no way we could make a list of the smartest TV detectives and not include the iconic character. His idiosyncrasies, his love of coffee and pie, and his inability to let things go all make Agent Cooper someone anyone would want investigating a case.

John Munch (Homicide: Life On The Street)

Richard Belzer’s John Munch is undeniably one of the most annoying detectives to ever grace the small screen, but part of that is because he’s also undeniably one of the smartest. Throughout Homicide: Life on the Street and Law and Order: SVU. 

Thomas Magnum (Magnum, P.I.)

Thomas Magnum is up there in the rankings of the best Tom Selleck characters, and it’s not just because he looked cool and kicked a lot of butt on Magnum, P.I. Behind the mustache, behind the cool shirts, behind the great cars there was a big brain, one who knew that nuns don’t work on Sundays.

Shawn Spencer (Psych)

Did Shawn Spencer (James Roday Rodriguez) actually have psychic abilities that allowed him to solve “unsolvable” crimes? It’s debatable. What isn’t though is the fact that this crime consultant was outrageously smart, had a photographic memory, and used unmatched observational skills to pull off some impressive feats.

Peter Burke (White Collar)

The more by-the-books and old-fashioned member of White Collar’s FBI White Collar Crime Unit, Peter Burke (Tim DeKay) is as smart as he is thorough in anything he does. He definitely takes a more no-nonsense approach to his day-to-day than Matt Bomer’s Neal Caffrey, which makes them a dynamic duo.

Kima Greggs (The Wire)

When talking about incredibly smart characters from The Wire, Kima Greggs (Sonja Sohn) is near the top of the list. Throughout the show’s five seasons, she constantly pushed herself to the next level, both physically and mentally. One of the most dedicated members of the show’s core unit, she was also one of the most articulate and methodical.

Stella Gibson (The Fall)

Detective Superintendent Stella Gibson (Gillian Anderson) from The Fall is not only one of the smartest TV detectives, she’s also one of the best. Her tactics in tracking down serial killer Paul Spector (Jamie Dornan) were both unorthodox and ahead of the curve, and it’s hard to imagine the killings would have stopped without her.

Sergeant Philip Fish (Barney Miller)

Though some will remember the late Abe Vigoda more from his portrayal of Salvatore Tessio in The Godfather, for the sake of this story we’re going to focus on his brilliant take on Sergeant Philip K. Fish on Barney Miller and the spinoff series, Fish. He didn’t appear in every episode of the classic sitcom, but the wise-cracking detective did make his mark on the series throughout its run. Grumpy, smart, seasoned, and hilarious, Fish knew how to solve a case while also making us laugh. 

Danny Reagan (Blue Bloods)

Whenever the conversation comes up about the Blue Bloods cast, it doesn’t take all that long before Donnie Wahlberg’s Danny Reagan enters the conversation. One of the major characters throughout the show’s historic run on CBS, this hard-nosed NYPD detective has both street smarts and keen police skills up his sleeve and is ready to use both whenever and wherever needed. If there’s a CBS detective you’d want on your case (or not covering it if you’re a perp), this would be the guy.

Gil Grissom (CSI)

Even though Gil Grissom (William Petersen) is technically a forensic entomologist and not a detective, he’s still a worthy addition to this list. For the first nine seasons of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Gil was the man of the CBS crime drama. With a high level of expertise, an unmatched intellect, and attention to detail, this Las Vegas-based investigator could solve just about anything that crossed his desk.

Patrick Jane (The Mentalist)

Simon Baker, who was great in George A. Romero’s Land of the Dead, was also superb in his portrayal of Patrick Jane on CBS’ The Mentalist. Jane, a psychic-turned-consultant for the California Bureau of Investigation, used his unique set of skills and mental abilities to help the CBI solve all kinds of murders, most of which couldn’t have been wrapped up if not for him.

Jim Brass (CSI)

Played by Paul Guilfoyle, Jim Brass was a dedicated Las Vegas Police detective who worked closely with the key team on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. Though not soft on crime, Brass did play things by the book and preferred to use conversation and other non-violent police skills over more aggressive and violent methods. 

Spencer Reid (Criminal Minds)

Portrayed by Matthew Gray Gubler, Dr. Spencer Reid was a quirky and hyper-intelligent special agent who was crucial to the happenings of Criminal Minds. Though his personality rubbed some the wrong way, there’s no denying the fact that he was legitimately the smartest person in any given room.

Soap operas offer what few other TV shows really can: daily scripted drama and extremely long runs on television, with thousands of episodes over multiple decades. While some former soap opera staples like As the World Turns and Guiding Light ended well ahead of the 2024 TV schedule, others like General Hospital, Days of Our Lives, and the Young and the Restless are still going… and as dramatic as ever with some wild tropes to keep the plot going. Read on for the most ridiculous of these tropes and see if you think it’s time for any of them to be retired!

Rapid Aging Syndrome

Soap Opera Rapid Aging Syndrome – a.k.a. SORAS – refers to young characters disappearing from a storyline, only to return later much older than they should be and played by a new actor. There’s no shortage of examples, but Luke Snyder from As the World Turns holds the distinction of getting SORAS treatment twice.

Back From The Dead

Deaths don't have to stick on soap operas. Admittedly, reveals are often that the person was never truly dead and only seemed to be due to crashes, explosions, and other incidents without leaving a body behind. Resurrections aren’t out of the question in this genre, though, and Days of Our Lives’ Stefano DiMera has proven many times over that all bets are off.

Amnesia

Amnesia is a classic trope in soap operas, with prime drama coming from when it wears off over time. When romance is involved, the trope can get all the more ridiculous. The source of the memory loss tends to be some kind of head injury that can be recovered from, with some exceptions, notably including Jason Quartermaine from General Hospital, whose previous life never came back to him.

Split Personality

Sometimes a soap will add a split personality or two to spice things up for a character. The split is usually due to a trauma that they’ve either been dealing with for years or resurfaces when they’re just not prepared to process it. On One Life to Live, daughter Jessica Buchanan and mother Victoria Lord both have had storylines with multiple personalities.

Switched At Birth

It’s good that soap opera tropes often don’t apply to real life, because otherwise there might be a real-life epidemic of baby swaps! The switch could be due to nefarious reasons or just mistakenly taking the wrong infant from the hospital. The discovery of a switch can lead to juicy storylines of what might have been. Days of Our Lives is a reliable source of baby swaps, including Nicole Walker trading which infant she’d adopt.

Brain Tumors

Brain tumors are a great soapy device to allow drastic personality changes in characters without actually having to stick with them in the long run if there's a cure. This isn’t exclusive to soaps, as Amelia on Grey’s Anatomy was given the diagnosis to explain seasons of odd behavior, but special credit goes to General Hospital for using a brain tumor to redeem former serial killer Roger Howarth.

Microchips

One more modern trope is pieces of technology messing with characters. It can be surprisingly sci-fi for the genre, and suspending disbelief can be rough. That doesn’t mean the storylines aren’t wonderfully juicy if you do suspend disbelief, such as when General Hospital attempted to swap the memories between twin brothers Jason Morgan and Andrew Cain, with a chip involved and disastrous results.

Evil Twins

There are all kinds of twin tropes, but evil twins are really the classic. This one isn’t also exclusively limited to biological twins within families, but it’s hard to think about the concept without giving a nod to the nefarious Adam Chandler and his good-hearted twin Stuart Chandler on All My Children, both played by David Canary for nearly three decades.

Long-Lost Relative Reveal

In a genre of twisted relationships, viewers should never rule out a long-lost relative. In the best cases, there is juicy drama with the new branches on the family trees. In more cringe-worthy scenarios, characters have gotten a little too close to each other before finding out about the family ties. One Life to Live's Todd Manning is a fun twist on the trope, as he was revealed to be a long-lost heir.

Fainting = Surprise Pregnancy

If a woman faints on a soap opera, then the odds are pretty good that she has a bun in the oven. More dramatic than morning sickness, this trope often involves a woman who definitely wasn’t planning on getting pregnant. Days of Our Lives is a good place to find swooning pregnant women, and the trope extends into primetime dramas that pack plenty of ridiculousness themselves.

Brainwashing

There are multiple methods of brainwashing in this genre, and it’s a great way to let the audience in on a character’s dastardly plans while keeping other characters in the dark. Lucky on General Hospital is an example after his parents’ nemesis used everything from kidnapping to black magic on him, but Stefano DiMera of Days of Our Lives shouldn’t be overlooked as a perpetrator.

Extreme Plastic Surgery

Some soap operas explain recastings by giving characters major plastic surgery. It's best not to look too hard at height or eye color differences and just go with the flow. One Life to Live memorably burned the character of Max Holden severely to explain a recasting, but then brought back the original actor without any explanation.

Surprise Children

With love triangles, complicated relationships, and twisted histories galore, is it any wonder that surprise kids are revealed in soaps? Sure, characters may not be children anymore when they're introduced, but the parentage is what matters. Guiding Light's Jonathan Randall has to be one of the most memorable surprise sons in the genre.

Repressed Memories

One doesn’t need a full case of amnesia for memory melodrama, and this can apply to bad guys as well as victims. Sometimes, a character tries to forget any dark deeds they did in their past, while others just want to erase memories of bad experiences. The Young and the Restless’ Adam memorably did a bad thing for an understandable reason, and then forgot.

Catfights

Catfights aren’t exclusive to soap operas, but it’s certainly not hard to find instances of women fighting other women for reasons that can range from trivial to game-changing. This trope can be found all over soaps, but some standouts come from a rare primetime show in the genre: the original Dynasty over nine seasons.

Soap Opera Disease

Ailments don't actually need to be pulled from real life to cause problems on soaps, with symptoms that can be as generic or as specific as needed for max melodrama. These are broader than brain tumors and can be used in a variety of ways, including the classic coma option. This is big enough to extend to primetime, infamously including the How I Met Your Mother finale.

It Was A Dream All Along

Why stick with a messy storyline when it can just be undone with a good old-fashioned dream sequence? Sometimes this can just be a scene or two, while primetime soap Dallas famously turned its entire ninth season into a dream to bring back Patrick Duffy as Bobby Ewing after killing him off in the previous season finale.

Scene-To-Scene Cliffhanger

Any TV viewer has undoubtedly seen a season-ending cliffhanger or two, but no genre does a cliffhanger quite like soap operas. Instead of just ending episodes on cliffhangers, transitions between scenes can be so dramatic that there's really no better way to describe them. No other soap cliffhanger may be as huge in pop culture as Dallas' "Who Shot JR?" but scene-to-scene cliffhangers are easier to find.

Who's The Father?

In a genre full of love triangles, secret identities, affairs, and amnesia, of course, there are often pregnancies with uncertain paternities! In fact, the question of "Who's the father?" is so prevalent in this genre that a major plot of House of the Dragon Season 1 had fans comparing the high-budget fantasy drama to daytime TV.

Wild Retcons

Soap operas aren't bound by the normal rules of continuity; if an event from the past gets in the way of a juicy new story, it can just be retroactively changed. This is easier to handwave on shows that air daily for decades on end, but a bit harder for weekly primetime soaps, such as Gossip Girl by its final season and the big reveal.

Weddings Gone Wrong

If characters are getting married in a high-profile soap wedding, it's a safe bet that something is going to go wrong, possibly involving any of the other 30+ tropes compiled here. The most famous has to be the wedding of Luke and Laura on General Hospital, which reached an audience of 30 million in 1981, with Elizabeth Taylor as a guest star and Laura's ex showing up to start a fistfight with Luke.

Fires

Sometimes characters, scenes, and full storylines quite literally go up in flames in this genre. Whether it's a fire on the smaller side to disfigure a character (by soap standards) to ramp up the tension or a full inferno, many different kinds of sparks are known to fly. Guiding Light's Fifth Street (and its diner) had some particularly bad luck back in the '90s.

Infinite Love Triangles

The course of true love never runs smoothly, and that's the case for just about any relationship on a soap opera, particularly ones that have run for decades. Love triangles are reliable sources of drama and of course result in strong reactions from fans. There's no shortage to choose from, but Young and the Restless' Victor/Nikki/Jack and The Bold and the Beautiful's Steffy/Liam/Hope are memorable for a reason.

Doppelgangers

Lookalikes don't have to be evil twins to deliver the drama; sometimes there are doppelgangers of characters who look exactly like others... mostly because the same actor is playing both. A particularly entertaining version is when one is a criminal and the innocent other is blamed for it, but one iconic case of doppelgangers comes from a show that few might qualify in this genre: Twin Peaks, which did have its soapy moments.

Secret Second Family

Sometimes it's not enough to have a secret affair or secret plan; sometimes there's a whole secret family. Instances aren't always as grand as two nuclear families just separated enough for one person to keep the secret, though, as proven by Del Henry's sibling connection to Dixie Cooney on All My Children.

Controversial Relationship Origins

Soap opera couples don't have to get off to fairy tale beginnings to eventually become iconic, and becoming iconic doesn't mean that the relationships don't eventually fall apart due to their troublesome starts. This can involve anything from violence to family objections, and few daytime TV super couples got off to a more controversial start than General Hospital's Luke and Laura.

Surprise Family Ties

Rarely is there a wilder bombshell on television than a strong relationship formed between two people who didn't know they were related. There are many instances, ranging from Days of Our Lives' Cassie more than once to As the World Turns' Holden and Lily, although their family tie turned out to be a false alarm. This trope is so well known that arguably Game of Thrones' biggest (and least shocking) reveal was deemed soapy by some viewers.

The Soap Wheel

The Soap Wheel is a trope well known to plenty of fans of the genre if not necessarily the name. It's a format of arcs within episodes to guarantee that the plot keeps going at a quick pace and cycling through various storylines. Plenty of other tropes fit into the Soap Wheel, and many shows fit, but perhaps none so reliably as Days of Our Lives.

Accidental Adultery

Adultery isn’t uncommon in soap operas, but accidental adultery is much more unique to the genre. Between secret family ties, evil twins, and characters who might not actually be dead, sometimes characters will make a love connection without knowing that they’re cheating. Sometimes, a person also only seems to be cheating, making that accidental adultery more of a misunderstanding. Other times, somebody is also being framed just for an extra layer of complication.

Local Crime Lords

What would daytime TV be without some bad guys? Some of the most iconic soaps of all time have some legendary crime lords, such as Stefano DiMera from Days of Our Lives and Sonny Corinthos from General Hospital. The crime lords are definitely big threats to the locals, although the details of their dastardly deeds are often vague. They’re on the wrong side of the law, and that’s all that viewers need to know to enjoy the drama!

Comas

Comas can be a serious business in primetime TV, but they can be quite convenient on soaps. Whether for the purpose of writing somebody out without committing to killing off the character or retconning their death as them merely being almost dead, comas are well known enough as a trope in soaps to be parodied on shows like The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and – famously – Friends with Joey as Dr. Drake Ramoray.

Kidnapping

With crime lords in the mix with personal vendettas against characters, is it any surprise that people tend to get kidnapped in this genre? The abductions often don’t end in a major tragedy, and some characters have been mixed up with them on more than one occasion of their long runs on the show. Just look at All My Children’s Erica Kane, who was involved on both ends of a kidnapping over her decades on the show.

While one’s mileage may vary when it does to each season as a whole, HBO’s True Detective is undoubtedly one of TV’s most talked about shows when it’s airing, and that first season with Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson will likely forever be viewed as a Peak TV gem. With the fourth season, subtitled Night Country, having resolved its Alaska-set murders early in 2024 ahead of the Season 5 renewal, the wait is on to see where showrunner Issa López takes the dark and occult-ish series next. 

But that doesn’t mean TV audiences have to completely miss out on intense murder mysteries, attention-grabbing investigators, and all the string-covered suspect boards one can handle. Here are more than a dozen TV shows that are like True Detective enough to warrant watching an episode or two to test the waters.

Fargo

When it comes to brainy and quirky anthology series that keep audiences on their toes, True Detective shares common ground with the film-to-TV transition of Noah Hawley’s Fargo. And I don’t mean the snowy ground seen in the FX drama’s midwestern settings. Of course, Fargo works on a slightly different wavelength than the hyper-serious HBO series, incorporating far more dark and offbeat comedy into its crime-filled plots, while also utilizing star-studded ensemble casts, as opposed to focusing so squarely on a central pair of detectives. Not to mention featuring flashbacks that go back further into the past than the timeline shifts in T.D.

Stream Fargo Seasons 1-5 on Hulu.

The Missing

The two-season series The Missing, as well as the Tchéky Karyo-starring spinoff Baptiste, take a step back from murder investigations to focus on cases involving missing children, and are thus that much more emotionally charged in such ways. With James Nesbitt and Frances O’Connor leading the first, and David Morrissey and Keeley Hawes taking over for Season 2, The Missing is as gripping and shocking as it is disturbing, and tells slightly more personal stories than the HBO Emmy winner. That said, it would be amazing if Tchéky Karyo’s crime solver Baptiste was somehow able to crossover into the True Detective-verse. 

Stream The Missing Seasons 1-2 on Starz.

The Outsider

Stephen King miniseries used to be a TV mainstay, but recent years have given way to longer limited series that better suit the loquacious author’s storytelling. HBO delivered a doozy with The Outsider, based on King’s 2018 novel. Starring Ben Mendehlson, Mare Winningham and Paddy Considine, among others, The Outsider runs largely parallel to True Detective’s more occult-embracing nature, in that this horror tale actually does go full-on into supernatural territory, rather than keeping its most bonkers moments steeped in mystery. It only helps that it was created by novelist Richard Price, with the also esteemed author Dennis Lehane as part of the writing staff. 

Stream The Outsider’s lone season on Max.

Only Murders In The Building

Not everything about figuring out homicides has to be 100% dour and depraved, and Only Murders in the Building is easily one of the breeziest whodunnits imaginable, led by the comedic talents of stars Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez, with a slew of other actors making their way through the Arconia apartment building that seems to attract corpses like a magnet. (What other shows here can boast guest stars like Sting, Shirley MacLaine and Mel Brooks?) The resolutions to Only Murders’ investigations aren’t quite as vital for the narrative’s sense of worth in the way it goes with True Detective, given all the comedy. But the plethora of clues, red herrings and gotcha moments definitely spice things up.

Stream Only Murders in the Building Seasons 1-3 on Hulu.

Dexter

One of TV”s marquee serial killer TV shows, at least for most of its TV run, Showtime’s Dexter takes a different approach to corpse-filled investigations in the sense that its main character, as portrayed with self-narrating stoicism by Michael C. Hall, is both a respected Miami police officer (with an expertise in blood spatter) and a vigilante of sorts. Dexter Morgan is no angel in any respect as he attempts to rid the city of evil murderers and villains the only way he knows how: by murdering them himself. Though the show initially wrapped with one of the worst final seasons and series finales of all time, Hall’s Dark Passenger was redeemed in part by the one-and-done revival season Dexter: New Blood. 

Stream Dexter Seasons 1-8 and the New Blood revival on Paramount+.

Mindhunter

Based on the 1995 book of the same name written by John Douglas and Mark Olshaker, Mindhunter shares a similarly studious approach to investigations with True Detective, albeit while focusing on cases that actually happened in real life. With acclaimed filmmaker David Fincher as one of its creative forces, Mindhunter centers on a trio of brainiacs in FBI agents Holden Ford (Jonathan Groff) and Bill Trench (Holt McCallany) and psychology professor Wendy Carr (Anna Torv), with such killers as Cameron Britton’s Ed Kemper, Jack Erdie’s Richard Speck and Oliver Cooper’s David Berkowitz among the many killers whose infamous crimes were showcased. Unfortunately, while HBO has kept the door open for more of its mystery thriller after each season, Netflix won’t foot the bill for Mindhunter Season 3.

Stream Mindhunter Seasons 1-2 on Netflix.

Sherlock

Anyone aiming to watch a gripping mystery would be remiss to skip over the most famous detective who’s ever existed (at least in a fictional sense): Sherlock Holmes. While a countless number of series, specials and films have been crafted over the years, arguably the crown jewel belongs to Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss’ Sherlock, with Benedict Cumberbatch as the titular brainiac and Martin Freeman as his equally adept sidekick Watson. To date, four three-part (three-case) seasons have aired, and though hopes for a fifth season have gone unheeded so far, fans will no doubt continue hoping for a return to 221B Baker Street. 

Stream Sherlock Seasons 1-4 on BritBox.

Mare Of Easttown

Obviously not all of HBO’s prestige mystery dramas are the exact same, but viewers can take assured comfort in knowing that most are of an equal level of quality. Such as it goes with the single season of Mare of Easttown, with Kate Winslet earning an Emmy as the titular Pennsylvania detective who tries to keep her personal and professional life afloat after the death of her son, while investigating the questionable murder of a young local woman. With excellent performances from co-stars like Jean Smart, Evan Peters and Julianne Nicholson, Mare of Easttown digs into the mindsets that creep through smaller communities, taking a more localized approach to the murder-mystery genre.

Stream Mare of Easttown’s lone season on Max.

The Woman In The Wall

A flip from the usual investigative narrative, The Woman in the Wall features Ruth Wilson as Lorna Brady, an Irish woman whose life is upended after she finds another woman’s dead body inside her home. In trying to figure out what happened, the show travels back in time to Lorna’s past, where some of her sleepwalking-sparking traumas took place, specifically how it all relates to the country’s notorious Magdalene “laundries,” which were essentially prison-esque workhouses for impoverished females and sex workers. Its dark and brooding nature, mixed with the mysteries and timeline shifts, make it a great watch for True Detective fans.

Stream The Woman in the Wall on Paramount+ with Showtime.

Broadchurch

Those Brits really know how to turn on the emotionally debilitating plot points when putting together its mystery-driven crime dramas, and Broadchurch is no exception. Starring the always excellent duo of David Tennant and Olivia Colman as its core detectives, the series revolves around the death of an 11-year-old boy, and the negative effects it has on the surrounding community, in part due to all the media attention. Though the second season’s court case and third season’s rape investigation are solid enough, it’s that first season’s heavy whodunnit tale that feels the most like a True Detective installment.

Stream Broadchurch on Plex (as well as on Tubi and PBS Passport).

The Afterparty

One of the most intriguingly crafted murder-mysteries is easily Apple TV+’s genre-hopping comedy The Afterparty, co-created by the superb duo of Phil Lord and Chris Miller of LEGO Movie and Clone High royalty. Across its two seasons — led by stars Tiffany Haddish, Sam Richardson and Zoë Chao — The Afterparty centered on deadly events that took place after a high school reunion (Season 1) and after a billionaire’s wedding (Season 2). Unlike True Detective, this show features wacky comedy, musical moments, animation, themed episodes and more unique details, while also still managing to deliver pulp-style murders and explanations. 

Stream The Afterparty Seasons 1-2 on Apple TV+.

Twin Peaks

It’s rather impossible to voice the words “kinda weird murder mystery” without immediately thinking about David Lynch and Mark Frost’s seminal and relatively short-lived phenomenon Twin Peaks. Like True Detective, the Kyle McLachlan-starring drama gets a lot of its personality from its setting, the Pacific Northwest, and the details surrounding the main case. For Twin Peaks, the core mystery surrounded the death of Laura Palmer, portrayed by Sheryl Lee, but tied back into deeper and darker characters and events that I’m sure True Detective’s Tuttle family would voluntarily get mixed up in. Though the network-forced resolution midway through Season 2 doomed its initial network run, this twisted universe returned anew 26 years later for Showtime’s Twin Peaks: The Return.

Stream Twin Peaks Seasons 1-2 and Twin Peaks: The Return on Paramount+

For as long as the medium has been around, TV has given audiences unforgettable characters, iconic moments, and beloved storylines we still talk about months, years, and even decades later. In addition to all of that, these small-screen staples have introduced us to some big businesses that we cherish just as much. That being said, here are 32 TV shows with fake businesses that everyone knows…

Dunder Mifflin (The Office)

Dunder Mifflin Paper Company, Inc. from The Office is undoubtedly one of the most well-known fake businesses from a TV show, even by those who’ve either never watched the beloved workplace sitcom or only caught a few episodes here and there. Central to many of the best episodes of The Office, this paper and office supply wholesaler might not have the best products, but it’s got the best people.

Moe's Tavern (The Simpsons)

The Simpsons has given fans countless fake businesses over the years, so much so you could build an entire list with nothing but locations from Springfield. One of the most iconic, and most prolific, is Moe’s Tavern. Homer’s favorite watering hole and Bart’s favorite prank call target, this dimly-lit, smoke-filled bar has been central to many episodes of the long-running animated series.

Cheers (Cheers)

As noted in the timeless opening credits song, the titular bar in Cheers is a place “where everybody knows your name, and they’re always glad you came.” Over the course of 11 seasons, this Boston pub became one of the most well-known sitcom settings thanks to its cast of bartenders and extremely faithful patrons. 

Waystar Royco (Succession)

Waystar Royco, the massive conglomerate at the center of most of the drama in Succession, has become one of those corporations like Ewing Oil or the Bluth Company that prove that family and business don’t always mix. In fact, the mergers, acquisitions, deals, and in-fighting are enough to rip a family apart. 

Los Pollos Hermanos (Breaking Bad)

On the surface, Los Pollos Hermanos was a fast-food chain owned and operated by Gustavo Frig and Max Arciniega, but we all know it for its money laundering and various other schemes on Breaking Bad. It would be nice to try some of that tasty fried chicken, but only if we keep our wallets and heads intact.

Planet Express (Futurama)

With a slogan like “Our crew is replaceable, your package isn’t!” it’s hard not to find the humor in Planet Express’ business model on Futurama. This futuristic intergalactic delivery service was at the center of a large portion of the animated series’ best episodes and created some unforgettable moments along the way.

Central Perk (Friends)

Besides Monic and Rachel’s apartment, there are no locations from Friends that are more recognizable as Central Perk. This New York coffee shop, which is a play on Central Park, gave audiences all kinds of great moments, both scripted and improvised like Billy Crystal’s hilarious appearance alongside Robin Williams.

Sterling Cooper (Mad Men)

Sterling Cooper, and its various incarnations and name changes, made the world of advertising look like the coolest profession when the agency was introduced alongside Mad Men back in 2007. Sure, a lot that went on at the New York-based company wouldn’t fly today, but the ‘60s were a much different, smoke-filled time when nothing was off the table.

Good Burger (All That)

Before there were two movies set at this fast-food restaurant, Good Burger got its start on an unforgettable skit on the Nickelodeon sketch comedy show, All That. Kel Mitchell’s Ed could be the most dim-witted and frustrating cashier known to man, but there is no denying his charm or those delicious burgers and shakes (just as long as he’s not in the ice cream tank again).

Pendant Publishing (Seinfeld)

Pendant Publishing, Elaine’s longtime employer on Seinfeld popped up quite often during the show’s run. This includes some hilarious episodes like the one where Kramer tries to get a coffee table book published and another where George briefly gets a job, one of many career changes for the neurotic and opinionated character.

Strickland Propane (King Of The Hill)

Strickland Propane, known for its propane and propane accessories, could very well be the most well-known gas-based company in the history of animated television. It’s hard to not quote Hank Hill whenever going to refill a propane tank, or when you just randomly pass a rack of them when going to the grocery store.

The Bluth Company (Arrested Development)

Sure the Bluth Company helped Saddam Hussein, committed all kinds of fraud, and was led by an extremely wealthy family who lacked self-awareness or a connection to normal society, but it had a lot of charm, and that’s what matters. Can you imagine Arrested Development without this massive headache of a company?

Paddy's Pub (It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia)

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia has been on the air since 2005, and it’s hard to find an episode that doesn’t at least partially take place in Paddy’s Pub. That gang’s bar, which somehow manages to stay in business despite small crowds and various other issues, is essentially the sixth lead on the long-running comedy series.

Vandelay Industries (Seinfeld)

Okay, Vandelay Industries doesn’t really exist, even in the context of Seinfeld, but there’s no way we were going to leave one of George’s best schemes off this list. One of the best jokes from the show’s long run on NBC, this fake latex company is classic Seinfeld.

The Android's Dungeon & Baseball Card Shop (The Simpsons) 

The Android’s Dungeon & Baseball Card Shop, home to the Comic Book Guy, is one of those locations from The Simpsons everyone had to find on the once-booming The Simpsons: Tapped Out mobile game more than a decade ago. Host of several great episodes, and even more hilarious interactions, this comic book store is a staple of Springfield.

Casa Bonita (South Park)

Okay, Casa Bonita exists in real life, but we would be remiss to leave it off our list of great TV businesses. This over-the-top and absurd Mexican restaurant is at the center of one of the best South Park episodes and remains one of the most well-known businesses in the show’s massive universe.

Vought International (The Boys)

Who doesn’t love an evil, pompous, destructive, and merciless corporation filled with villains who’ve convinced the world they are the good guys? Well, Vought International from The Boys definitely falls into that category. We just wouldn’t want to visit the headquarters or cross paths with any of its executives, especially Homelander.

Ewing Oil (Dallas)

One of the most well-known TV shows of the latter part of the 20th century, Dallas gave audiences so many unforgettable moments involving J.R. Ewing and his Ewing Oil company. This is another company we wouldn’t want to do business with, considering all the scheming, murder, and whatnot.

ACME (Looney Tunes)

Decades before all the drama surrounding Coyote vs. Acme, Wile E. Coyote used the fictional company’s products time and time again in his endless quest to capture that pesky roadrunner. Acme, Corp. had it all: dynamite, bird food, excavating equipment, you name it, but the products just never seemed to work. 

WKRP (WKRP In Cincinnati)

WKRP in Cincinnati will forever be remembered as one of the best sitcoms from the ‘70s and ‘80s, and not just because it gave us the best Thanksgiving episode of all time. The AM radio station at the center of this beloved classic was full of all sorts of misfits and outcasts trying to give you the news and some tunes you could find in a small-market Midwest town.

Bob's Burgers (Bob's Burgers)

Maybe it’s the charm that makes the titular restaurant in Bob’s Burgers so beloved because it certainly can’t be the location (right next to a crematorium) that’s bringing in its admittedly small customer base. Regardless of its issues and trappings, Bob’s Burgers is a fast-food joint that many of us know all too well.

Sanford And Son Salvage (Sanford And Son)

Sanford and Son Salvage, the family business on the classic sitcom, Sanford and Son, could very well be the most recognizable junkyard in the history of television. Sure Fred G. Sanford was more prone to faking a heart attack than giving someone a deal on some junk, err treasures, but he sure did make it all the more fun.

Gary's Shoes & Accessories For Today's Woman (Married... With Children)

One of the best aspects of Al Bundy’s character on Married… with Children was the fact that he worked at Gary’s Shoes & Accessories for Today’s Woman. This manly man who liked to drink, bowl, and sit a certain way on the couch would spend his days peddling shoes for the “modern” woman. Oh, the irony. Oh, the comedy.

MacLaren's Pub (How I Met Your Mother)

Can you count how many nights we spent with the How I Met Your Mother cast at MacLaren's Pub, their main hangout spot? It has to be dozens upon dozens, if not more. Several of the characters first met at this iconic New York City bar, a place we would certainly like to visit if it existed in the real world.

Kruger Industrial Smoothing (Seinfeld)

Jerry had all the girlfriends but George had all the jobs on Seinfeld, including a stint at Kruger Industrial Smoothing. Following his stint with the New York Yankees, George lied his way into a job with this company, which would ultimately lead to Festivus, one of many phrases Seinfeld introduced to the English language.

The Max (Saved By The Bell)

Every sitcom has a go-to hangout for its cast of characters, and Saved by the Bell had The Max. Over the course of the series’ run in the early ‘90s, the students of Bayside High treated this neon-filled diner as their personal hangout where A.C. Slater would do the coolest and most ‘90s thing ever by turning his seat backwards before sitting down.

The Smash Club (Full House)

Uncle Jesse was always up to something to not lose touch with his younger and more daring self on Full House, whether it was running away from his family for a weekend in Tahoe to starting the Smash Club. This San Francisco nightclub was a major location during later seasons of the ABC sitcom’s run and gave us some hilarious, and thoughtful moments along the way.

MomCorp (Futurama)

Though the leader of MomCorp puts on the appearance of a gentle, kind, and good-natured elderly woman running a robot company, behind closed doors she’s anything but. Throughout Futurama, Mom runs her business with an iron fist. Well, except for whenever the Professor is around.

Mega Lo Mart (King of the Hill)

Mega Lo Mart, a clear parody of the real-life Walmart, came up time and time again on King of The Hill, including with its trademark commercials starring flugelhorn icon Chuck Mangione. Appearing in the first and last episodes of the long-running Fox animated series, the store was a major part of several arcs and unforgettable moments.

Outdoor Man (Last Man Standing)

Tim Taylor had “Tool Time” on Home Improvement but Mike Baxter, also played by Tim Allen, had Outdoor Man on the popular sitcom, Last Man Standing. As its name suggests, this outdoor and recreation store had everything an adventurer, fisherman, or hunter would want in life.

Packard Sawmill (Twin Peaks)

One of the great things about Twin Peaks was the fact that the Pacific Northwest town and its various businesses and industries had a tremendous amount of lore. This includes the Packard Sawmill, which was at the center of several of the major subplots and arcs in David Lynch’s mystery thriller. It was also predominantly featured in the Twin Peaks title sequence, which is one of the best in the history of TV.

Krusty Krab (Spongebob Squarepants)

We may never really know what’s in a Krabby Patty, but one thing that is for sure is that the Krusty Krab is one of the most well-known locations on Spongebob Squarepants. The better of two burger joints in Bikini Bottoms, Mr. Krab’s signature sandwich has to be one of the tastiest-looking food items in the history of animated television.

Though these fake businesses can’t be visited in real life (aside from an occasional pop-up shop marketing ploy), we can go back and watch these various shows time and time again.

A good plot twist can send shivers down your spine and give you a nice hit of dopamine as it changes everything you thought about a movie or TV show. Here is our list of some of favorite mind-blowing plot twists that shook us to our core. 

WARNING: MAJOR Spoilers ahead!! 

Vader Is Luke’s Dad - Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back

Darth Vader telling Luke that he is Luke’s father is maybe the #1 most mind-blowing plot twist in film history. It seems quaint to many of us now because it’s always been a part of our lives, but think back to what it was like when you first saw the revelation. It was crazy, no one saw it coming. The Empire Strikes Back had a few surprises, including the bad guy winning in the end, but this moment tops them all. 

The First Flashforward - Lost

The final two episodes of Season 3 of Lost were intense, and when they got to the end, audiences were treated to one of the most “what the!” moments in TV history when they realized what they thought was one of Jack’s flashbacks was actually a flashforward when he tells Kate they “have to go back” to the island. It changed the show forever and it's hands down the best episode of Lost.

It Was Earth All Along - Planet Of The Apes

The original Planet of the Apes from 1968 started with Charlton Heston’s character, George Taylor awakening from hibernation after a long space journey when he and his fellow astronauts crashed into an unknown planet. Apes of different kinds rule the planet and humans are treated more or less like animals. The shock comes in the last show when Taylor discovers he traveled through time, not space, and awoke on Earth many years in the future. 

Off With The Main Character’s Head - Game of Thrones

For fans of Game of Thrones, the penultimate episode of Season 1 proved anything in the show was possible and it would be smart not to get too attached to any one character. In the episode, the hero of the story, Ned Stark (Sean Bean) is executed and nothing would be the same for the rest of the show’s epic run. 

The Greatest Trick The Devil Ever Pulled - The Usual Suspects

It’s true that some viewers latched on to the idea that Verbal Kint (Keven Spacey) is an unreliable narrator, but very few anticipated the twist at the end revealing Verbal to be the mysterious Keyser Soze. Just when everyone puts it together, poof…he’s gone. Brilliant. 

He’s Been Dead This Whole TIme - The Sixth Sense

Director M. Night Shyamalan has made an entire career out of twists and turns and last-minute revelations. It’s a formula that goes way back in his filmography, most notably with the film that established him as a big-time director, The Sixth Sense. The twist, of course, is learning Bruce Willis’ character, Malcolm Crowe, is one of the dead people who Cole (Haley Joel Osment) sees. 

The Unexpected Mole - 24

Nina (Sarah Clarke) was a fan favorite in the first season of 24. She helped Jack (Kiefer Sutherland) get out of a lot of tight spots as his eyes and ears at CSU’s headquarters. A fan favorite, that is, until it turns out she’s been a mole along. It only gets worse when she kills Teri Bauer, Jack’s wife. Nina goes from a hero to a villain in a matter of minutes. 

She’s Safe! - Gone Girl

Gone Girl smartly hides its first twist, that Amy (Rosamund Pike) was not kidnapped or killed, but set the whole thing up herself. That’s not the only turn the movie takes though. Later, Amy also framed Desi (Neil Patrick Harris) for her kidnapping, clearing Nick of suspicion. The twists don’t end there, either. As Nick prepared to expose Amy’s crime, she told him she was pregnant with their first child. Nick changes his mind, keeping Amy’s secret, and staying in their marriage. It’s dark, but it’s a heck of a ride. 

Surprise, They Are Triplets - This Is Us

The pilot episode of This Is Us sets up its twist brilliantly with an interstitial explaining how many people are born on the same day, right before meeting Jack (Milo Ventimiglia) and Rebecca (Mandy Moore) when Rebecca goes into labor with triplets on Jack’s birthday in 1980. In the present day, audiences meet Randall (Sterling K. Brown), Kate (Chrissy Metz), and Kevin (Justin Hartley), but it’s not until the final scene of the episode that it all comes together that Rebecca lost one of the triplets, but she and Jack adopted Randall the same day after he was abandoned at a fire station. 

Rosebud - Citizen Kane

One of the most famous twists in cinema history is also one of the earliest. In 1941, Citizen Kane tricked audiences into wondering for the entire movie what Charles Foster Kane’s (Orson Welles) final word, “Rosebud,” meant. At the end of the movie, they learn it was a beloved sled from his innocent youth, things he had lost a long time ago. 

Bernard Is A Host - Westworld

Jeffery Wright’s performance as Bernard in Westworld was one of the brightest spots on an uneven show. Audiences loved him and when it turned out he was a “host”, it was mindblowing for many. As is the nature of shows like Westworld plenty of people “called it” in online discussions, and there were clues to Bernard’s true nature, but for the rest of us, it was a real “wow” moment. 

Who Exactly Is Norman Bates? - Psycho

Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho created a template for modern horror movies that directors are still following today, to great success. One of the most influential moments in the movie is the reveal at the end just who is Norman Bates’ (Anthony Perkins) mother. Before the end, we just see glimpses of her in windows, and comments by Norman. It’s not until the final scenes that we learn she’s been dead for years and Norman has been dressing like her, or even becoming her? 

Agatha All Along - WandaVision

Another TV show that drops plenty of hints for the big twist is Marvel’s WandaVision. As audiences were left wondering who was behind all the weird things happening in Westview. It turns out, it was Wanda’s neighbor Agnes – or Agnes (Kathryn Hahn) all along. It’s one of the most fun reveals on this list as well. 

The Wizard Is A Conman - ​​The Wizard Of Oz

When Dorothy (Judy Garland) finds herself transported to Oz in The Wizard Of Oz, the only way home, as she understands it, is to visit the Wizard, who can help. Along the way, she meets some friends who all need something from the power Wizard. Of course, when they arrive in the Emerald City, they learn the truth, the Wizard is just a conman. What a nightmare! 

The Bad Place - The Good Place

The reveal at the end of Season 1 of The Good Place is just a lot of fun. It’s not so much of a “holy cow” moment as it is an “I love it! moment. Instead of being in the “good” place, aka Heaven, it turns out Eleanor (Kristen Bell) is in the other place, the “bad” place. 

The Big Reveal - The Crying Game

The Crying Game is an emotional movie that takes place during The Troubles in Northern Ireland, but it’s the reveal that Dil (Jaye Davidson) is transgender. Davidson, who retired after only acting in two movies, won all kinds of awards for the role that shocked audiences everywhere, but in retrospect, opened up a new, better, more honest understanding of transgender people. 

Sharon Lives - Once Upon A Time In Hollywood

It’s pure Quentin Tarantino to reveal a twist that not only changes the movie, but history itself. He did in Inglourious Basterds with the death of Hitler and he does it again, perhaps to better effect, in Once Upon A Time In Hollywood. Instead of Charlie Manson and his crazy followers killing Sharon Tate (Margot Robbie), Dalton, and Booth unwittingly save her by distracting the family. 

Waking Up In A Different Show - Newhart

Newhart in the ‘80s was Bob Newhart’s second sitcom that hit big, after The Bob Newhart Show in the ‘70s. Although neither show was connected at all, with Newhart playing completely different characters, in a different place, they both came together in the final episode when Bob Newhart awakens in bed, on his old show, revealing the second show was all just a dream of his first character. People talked about it for weeks. 

John Doe’s Plan Is Revealed - Se7en

Se7en is a movie that sticks with you long after the credits roll. Kevin Spacey’s performance as the serial killer John Doe is perfect, and it all comes together in the end when he finally reveals his grand plan. Audiences never expected David’s (Brad Pitt) wife, Tracy (Gwenyth Paltrow) to be as involved as she was and what a tragedy it is, setting in motion the end of Doe’s plan, to make David “wrath” and himself as “envy.”

The Whole Family Is In On It - Get Out

Jordan Peele got everyone talking about his directorial debut Get Out when it was revealed to the audience that not only were Rose’s (Allison Williams) parents performing twisted experiments on African-Americans, but Rose herself was involved, tricking her boyfriend Chis (Daniel Kaluuya) into going home with her to be a victim. Always question things when they seem off.

Helly’s Outie Is An Insider - Severance

One of the most talked about shows of 2022 was Apple TV+’s Severance. Questions abound throughout the first season, but what makes the twist so good is that it’s a huge reveal, that viewers didn’t even know they needed to know. Helly’s (Britt Lower) “outie” is in fact part of the family that is responsible for the twisted company’s project in the basement. 

The Narrator Is Tyler Durden - Fight Club

David Fincher is a master of late reveals and his movie Fight Club, based on the book by Chuck Palahniuk, is no exception. Though the movie was a box office disappointment it’s since become a quintessential cult film. It’s a mindblowing moment when you put together that Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt) is just an alter-ego of The Narrator (Edward Norton).

Dan Is Blogger - Gossip Girl

For six seasons, fans wondered who was behind the Gossip Girl blog in Gossip Girl. Finally, after years of speculation, it’s revealed that Dan (Penn Badgley) is actually the voice behind the screen, despite being voiced by Kristen Bell throughout the show. Of course, other characters filled the role of the Gossip Girl, but Dan was the man, it turned out. 

Leland Palmer Killed Laura - Twin Peaks

The central mystery of David Lynch’s Twin Peaks is the murder of Laura Palmer. For one and a half seasons, it’s all the fans talked about it. When it was finally revealed in Season 2 that it was Laura’s father, Leland who did the deed. David Lynch wasn't happy with Season 2, but audiences loved it. 

It’s All In The Title - The Game

The Game is not one of David Fincher’s most talked about movies, but it should be. It has a fantastic, mindblowing reveal at the end when Nicholas (Michael Douglas) learns that all the craziness that he’s been through is all part of an elaborate game set up by his brother (Sean Penn). The rush for the characters and fans of the movies is intense when we learn the truth together. 

It’s People - Soylent Green

Soylent Green is a movie that is almost exclusively known for its plot twist. In a dystopian future, people subsist on a food called Soylent Green. It’s a mysterious food that in the end, is revealed to be human. Soylent Green is people! It’s become part of pop culture, but it’s a movie few people have actually watched. 

Parasite

The South Korean drama Parasite took the world by storm upon its release and a big reason why is the fantastic twist. On its surface (literally) the movie is a comment on the class struggle in South Korea, but below, it's a wild story about a poor family literally living in the basement of a wealthy family's house. The reveal is truly mindblowing and what sets it apart from other films dealing with the struggle. 

Earth Isn’t All That - Battlestar Galactica

For the first three seasons of Battlestar Galactica, the last remaining humans searched for their home Earth while battling the Cylons along the way. In the final episode of the penultimate season, they finally arrive home, ending their journey. When a group from the Galactica travel down, however, they find the planet in ruins, and uninhabitable due to nuclear radiation from a war centuries earlier. It’s a devastating moment, but in the end, they do find a home. 

The Deed Was Done - Memento

Director Christopher Nolan’s Momento has a lot of twists and turns, given the nature of the film, as Leonard (Guy Pearce) searches for his wife’s killer and the structure of the film's forward and backward timeline. When Leonard finally puts the pieces together, he finds that he got vengeance a year early and had been manipulated by Teddy (Joe Pantoliano) to do dirty work for him. Teddy becomes Leonard’s next target. 

Irene Is Moriarty - Elementary

In Elementary, Sherlock Holmes (Jonny Lee Miller) has an ongoing battle with Jane Moriarty (Natalie Dormer) and often feels the pain of his lost love with Irene Adler. The twist is that Irene and Jane are, in fact, the same person. The relationship between them is very complicated and continues through the run of the show to present problems for Sherlock. 

Modern Times - The Village

M. Night Shyamalan's The Village has one of the better twists in the director’s filmography. The movie is set in 19th-century America, or so we think. The elders of the titular village do everything they can to keep the people in the village because only they know that it’s actually the 21st Century.

Jason’s Mom - Friday The 13th

In one of the all-time great plot twists in horror movie history, Jason Vorhees, the killer of summer campers is not actually Jason, but his mother. She is bent on murdering the campers to avenge her son’s death years earlier. 

Twists and turns and shocking moments are why we love great TV. There is nothing like a moment on your favorite show that sends a cold shiver up your spine and has you thinking about it for days, weeks, or even months after it happens. The moments that get everyone talking and sometimes change pop culture completely. This is our list of just some of our favorite times television shows left us speechless. 

Warning! Major Spoilers Below!

Omar's Last Moments - The Wire

Omar Little from The Wire is one of the greatest characters in TV history. For most of the show, Omar is the ultimate survivor in a dangerous game of life and death on the streets. Then suddenly, in the third-to-last episode of the series, he is gunned down in a convenience store by Kenard, a mere child. It's shocking and tragic for viewers who had come to love the troubled character. 

Matthew Crawley's Crash - Downton Abbey

The Season 3 finale of Downton Abbey pulls the rug out from under its fans in a hurry. It seems like the season will end on a happy note, with Lady Mary coming through a tough delivery of her first child and issues with the estate settled. That's when it happens, Matthew Crawley, out for a drive, comes head-on with a truck and is killed. It's sudden and shocking. 

Not Penny's Boat - Lost

Lost provided weekly twists and turns that the loyal fans of the show obsessed over for days. One moment that caused months of discussion came in the Season 3 finale when Charlie, on the verge of drowning, used his last moments to convey that the boat they thought belonged to Desmond's fiancee, was not, in fact, Penny's boat. 

Mrs. Landingham's Car Crash - The West Wing

The final episode of Season 3 of The West Wing, called "Two Cathedrals" is often cited as one of the show's best episodes. It's also one of its most tragic for something that actually happens off-screen, Mrs. Landingham's death in a car crash. Dolores Landingham was beloved by her fellow characters and fans of the show, and her death, as she drove her new car back to work, is probably the saddest moment in West Wing history. 

Ned Stark's Loses His Head - Game Of Thrones

We could populate this entire list with just shocking Game of Thrones moments and the first really "holy cow" moments came in the penultimate episode of Season 1 when the hero thus far of the story, Ned Stark, met his swift end on the order of King Joffrey. It was one of the most meaningful deaths of the series and showed viewers that no character was ever safe. 

Negan And His Baseball Bat - The Walking Dead

In the final episode of Season 6, The Walking Dead introduced its most terrifying villain of the whole series, Negan. To show just how terrible he was, the show provides possibly the most shocking moment of the series, when Negan takes his baseball bat to Abraham and Glenn's heads in one of the goriest moments in TV history. Audiences lost two of their favorite characters and gained a villain to despise. 

Helly's Outie - Severance

Throughout all of Season 1 of Severance, viewers are left pondering what exactly the purpose of the workers is. We also see the newest team member, Helly, fight and claw to get out, a rebel against the system. In the finale, we learn who Helly's "outie" is, and it's shocking, as she's the daughter of the company founder, but her "innie" is ready to take down the system. 

The Red Wedding - Game Of Thrones

The Red Wedding has been hailed as one of the most shocking moments in all of TV history. Coming in the penultimate episode of Season 3, Walder Frey's betrayal of the Starks led to the terrible deaths of Robb Stark, his wife Talisa, and his mother Catelyn. It truly shook the entertainment world.  

Dr. McDreamy's Car Crash - Grey's Anatomy

Dr. Derek Shepherd's death at the end of Season 11 of Grey's Anatomy was a brutal, stunning moment that broke millions of fans' hearts. While on the surface it seemed like a heartless way to end a show favorite's run on the show, for showrunner Shonda Rhimes, it made more sense than discarding all that was wonderful about Shepherd's relationship with Meredith. 

Walter Watching Jane - Breaking Bad

One of the most brutal scenes in the brutal show that was Breaking Bad was Walter coldly watching Jesse's girlfriend take her last breath without lifting a finger to help. He needed her out of the picture, but it was a glimpse into how far gone Walter was at that point. 

Who Shot Mr. Burns? - The Simpsons

Season Six of The Simpsons ended with one of the all-time great cliffhangers after most of Springfield was angry with Mr. Burns for one reason or another and he winds up shot. Was it Homer? Mr. Smithers? Tito Puente? No, it was none of those, when it was revealed in the Season 7 premiere that it was... Maggie? Eh, best not to think about it too much. 

"We Have To Go Back" - Lost

It was five words that sent shivers up the backs of fans in the Season 3 finale of Lost. For almost three seasons, fans were used to the flashback element of the show, and in that finale, it seemed like a regular Jack flashback. That is until Kate appears and Jack implores her to go "back" to the island with him, revealing that we'd all been watching a flashforward. 

Nina's The Mole - 24

Fox's 24 took the world by storm in its first season with its white-knuckle action and near-constant cliffhangers. One reliable part of the team was Nina Myers, Jack Bauer's righthand woman at CTU. That is until it's revealed that she'd been a mole all along and was working with the enemy, which Jack learned when he found that Nina had killed his wife. 

Tony And Ralph - The Sopranos

For much of its run, The Sopranos relied on twists and shock-endings less than other shows of the time. That doesn't mean the show didn't have them. One prominent example was when Tony Soprano suddenly attacked Ralph Cifaretto, offing him a brutal fit of rage over a number of Ralph's past deeds. 

Rosiland Shays' Elevator Fall - LA Law

Going way back to the 1980s, when shocking twists were few and far between, one of the most surprising moments on TV was the death of Rosiland Shays' on LA Law. Shays was a polarizing character, but she walked into an empty elevator shaft in Season 5 and fell to her death, it shocked everyone. 

Zoe In The Subway - House Of Cards

Zoe Barnes was a key character in the first two seasons of House Of Cards. The reporter was both an antagonist and a friend of Frank Underwood. In what seemed like a relatively benign moment as Zoe waited for a subway, she was suddenly pushed by Frank in front of an oncoming train.

Poussey Gets Suffocated - Orange Is The New Black

On Orange Is The New Black, Poussey was a fan favorite. She was thoughtful and caring, so when she was killed by a guard during a protest, it shocked and saddened everyone watching. One of the hardest moments in the show. 

The Purple Wedding - Game Of Thrones

King Joffrey Baratheon was one of the greatest villains on Game of Thrones and in TV history. By the time Season 4 rolled around, fans had had enough of the evil brat. That's why his death in Episode 2 of Season 4 was both shocking and satisfying. 

Dylan's Father's Car - Beverly Hills, 90210

Most of the twists and turns on Beverly Hills, 90210 were about teenage love triangles or midterms. Very rarely did the show ever tackle more serious issues, but when it did it usually involved Dylan. Like when Dylan's father was blown up in his car as Dylan watched. Intense. 

Bernard The Host - Westworld

Westworld was never shy about shocking fans, and although the signs were there, and fan theories abounded over Bernard's real place in the robot theme park when it was revealed he himself was a host, it still came as a huge surprise to many. Not as shocking as some on this list, but one heck of a twist. 

The Sopranos Blink To Black - The Sopranos

It's one of the most hotly debated moments in television history. The final scene of The Sopranos. While Journey plays on the jukebox, the tension builds if for no other reason than audiences knew something had to happen as the show wrapped up. Then it happens – or doesn't happen – when the scene suddenly goes black, the music stops, and the credits roll. Did Tony die? It doesn't matter, the discussion is what matters. 

The Plane Crash - MASH

In a lot of ways, MASH changed television, and one thing they were pioneers of was having a beloved character suddenly die. Such was the case in the finale episode of Season 3 when Colonel Blake gets discharged from the army and is headed home, only to suddenly die in a plane crash off camera. Famously, the cast was not told of this detail until the scene was shot and in many ways, their reactions were the same as the audience's, shock and sadness. 

John Locke's Wheelchair - Lost

Lost really set up early that it would be full of big reveals and one of the biggest in the first season was discovering John Locke was in a wheelchair in his flashbacks. It comes in the fourth episode of the series after Locke has been well-established as one of the most capable survivors on The Island and it was mind-blowing. Just what was going on, on this island?

Laura Palmer's Father - Twin Peaks

Twin Peaks wrote the book on spooky murder mysteries and set a new standard for appointment TV back in the 1990s. For most of the short series, the one question everyone needed to know, of course, was who killed Laura Palmer? We finally got our answer in Season 2 when we found out it was Leland Palmer, Laura's father. Had there been an internet in 1991, the revelation would've broken it.

Stringer Bell's Last Stand - The Wire

Stringer Bell is one of the most consequential characters in the early seasons of The Wire and while his growing tension with his partner Avon Barksdale showed no signs of abating, you got the feeling that Stringer was going to win the battle for control of the organization. That all suddenly and violently came to an end when Omar and Brother Mouzone team up to take Stringer out. 

Not The Good Place - The Good Place

Sitcoms aren't often noted for their dramatic plot twists, which is what makes the one at the end of Season 1 of The Good Place so great. Eleanor and her friends never felt like they belonged in the Good Place and in the finale, they learn it's because they are actually in the Bad Place.  

Bobby Ewing Reappearing - Dallas

Of course, Dallas is most famous for its "Who shot JR?" cliffhanger, the resolution of which led to one of the highest-rated TV episodes of all time. That wasn't the only big surprise to come from the show though. JR's brother, Bobby, died at the end of Season 8 and much of Season 9 is about his widow Pam dealing with it. Then, in the final scene of the season, Bobby suddenly reappears in the shower as if nothing had happened. It turns out, the whole season was a dream by Pam. Yeah, no one was really happy with that revelation. 

Brody Comes Back From The Edge - Homeland

For the entire phenomenal first season of Homeland, viewers are torn on whether to trust Brody is a good guy or believe Carrie that he's a bad guy. When it's revealed which side he stands on, one of the tensest scenes ever occurs when Brody almost goes through with his plot, but at the last second, decides not to. 

Janice And Richie - The Sopranos

Janice Soprano and Richie Aprile are an odd couple from the beginning and while it's not surprising that Janice would finally snap, it was still shocking when she did and shot Richie after a serious fight. 

Trinity Gets The Last Word - Dexter

Dexter on Dexter spends more time chasing the Trinity Killer than any other of his victims. When he finally catches the serial killer, it's supposed to be a win. Sadly for Dexter and Rita, Trinity has already killed Rita and it's a shocking reversal of emotions. 

For The Watch - Game Of Thrones

Even by Game of Thrones standards, the Night's Watch turning on Jon Snow and ambushing him was incredibly shocking. In the finale of Season 5, viewers were left to ponder if Jon Snow was actually dead. It was a long year of waiting for that answer for fans. 

Lawrence Shocks Everyone - House

It's rare for procedurals like House to have any really shocking moments, but towards the end of Season 5, provides one. Due to actor Kal Penn leaving the show to go work for the Obama administration of all things, his character Lawrence Kutner dies by his own hand off screen and leaves his co-workers, and fans of the show, devastated. 

There are, of course, many other examples, especially now, in the Golden Age of Television, but few can match the completely shocking moments on this list. 

Two of the big names circling around award season have been Oppenheimer director Christopher Nolan and Poor Things star Emma Stone, with both being recognized amongst this year’s Oscar nominees. As it turns out, the filmmaker is a huge fan of Stone’s Showtime series The Curse, which left critics impressed and baffled by its high-level cringe, to the point where he shared his praise directly with co-creators and co-stars Nathan Fielder and Benny Safdie during an on-stage event. And as a huge fan of the show myself, I'm in full agreement. 

The Curse (available to stream with a Paramount+ subscription) was the subject of a recent Showtime Q&A, with Nolan moderating a spoiler-free chat with Fielder and Safdie about where the show’s concept came from, and what inspired the off-kilter storyline and the unsettling ways its characters lives played out. And the Dark Knight director wasn’t reticent with the compliments, either, starting off by calling the series “incredible,” and saying it excites him because he thinks it could only exist “in the anarchy of the streaming era,” in terms of how different it is. 

While he spoke highly of The Curse throughout the Q&A, Christopher Nolan closed the discussion out with a string of plaudits, including the second time a reference was made to David Lynch and Mark Frost's beloved television oddity Twin Peaks. In Nolan's words:

I have to imagine it feels uniquely amazing to have one's creative efforts lauded by someone like Christopher Nolan, regardless of one's opinions about the director's filmography. It's inarguable that he's crafted some of the biggest blockbusters of the past 25 years, and has a way of pleasing giant swaths of moviegoers. So if he was interested in putting together a project that compared in any way to The Curse, studios would bend over backwards to be the ones to fund and release it. 

Emma Stone and Nathan Fielder's work as the married reality TV hopefuls Whitney and Asher haven't experienced quite the same kind of widespread embrace as, say, Oppenheimer, even with the fan-pleasing trio at its center. On the one hand, that's a travesty, since it's such a one-of-a-kind experience that deserves as many eyeballs as there are Showtime and Paramount+ customers. But on the other, it's totally understandable, since the show is intentionally uncomfortable and inscrutable and presumably not ideal for the masses. (Their loss, I say.)

Earlier in the talk, when Nolan brings up Twin Peaks for the first time, he addresses precisely what makes The Curse feel so unique despite its actual story and themes not being overtly outside-the-norm. In his words:

It's the kind of show where, if you know Fielder and Stone's characters are in weird headspaces, anything they do from that point on is drenched in tension and unease, particularly when it comes to Safdie's director/producer character Dougie, whose penchant for small-scale chaos often seems to override his hunger for success. Even if nothing exciting or surprising actually happens, The Curse can make a short walk across a parking lot feel like a Michael Mann shootout is imminent. 

As one of the most esteemed directors in and beyond the Hollywood system, Christopher Nolan knows that his words hold weight with audiences, especially since he doesn't take part in press opps quite as often as others on his level. And he tends to spend a lot of that time talking about movies, his own and those made by others, without an abundance of time going to his small-screen interests. As such, it was relatively wild just to see him heading up a panel devoted specifically to a TV show. 

While The Curse likely isn't destined to return for a second season, here's hoping something just as impactful will arrive on the 2024 TV schedule. And if Christopher Nolan decides that he'd like to join brother Jonathan for a new highbrow TV show, they can have all my monies. 

Yellowjackets Season 3 feels like it's ages away – but luckily, there are plenty of great shows to check out in the same vein. 

It only feels like last year we were constantly on our couches each week, waiting for the new episode of Season 2 to drop and theorizing about who the Pit Girl is - that’s because it was last year, and 2024 is now upon us. 

However, since the twists of the Yellowjackets Season 2 finale, I have been craving shows like Yellowjackets to watch, and thankfully, there are plenty of great ones out there. Here are some of the best. 

The Last Of Us (2023 – Present)

Twenty years after the world has ended due to an infection that turns people into mindless fungal creatures, The Last of Us follows the dramatic tale of Joel as he escorts Ellie, a teenage girl, across the United States while trying to survive. 

As someone who loved this video game series and can’t wait for The Last of Us Season 2 so it can adapt the second game, this is one of the best shows to watch if you’re missing Yellowjackets. 

Both are about surviving in the wilderness and facing unexpected threats, and you’ll end up loving Joel and Ellie regardless. You just can't leave this series and not want to join them on their adventures - but I think I'll enjoy having Joel as my protector more than doing the protecting.

Stream The Last of Us on Max.

Santa Clarita Diet (2017 – 2019)

Santa Clarita Diet was a horror comedy series from Netflix. It tells the story of a woman who ends up becoming a functioning zombie, craving human flesh after eating something ancient, and now her family has to deal with it. 

This was a Netflix show canceled far too soon and is one I enjoyed so much. For fans of Yellowjackets, you’ll love this show for the crazy amount of gore it shows, but it’s also displayed in such a hilarious way that you’ll be laughing your butt off. Also, Drew Barrymore is a national treasure in this show.

Stream Santa Clarita Diet on Netflix.

Cruel Summer (2021 – 2023)

Cruel Summer is the teen thriller you’ve been looking for. Both seasons follow teenagers, the first detailing the story of a girl who went missing and her friend who took her place, and the second following the new friendship between two teenagers and how their world eventually turns upside down. 

For fans of Yellowjackets, this series is perfect if you’re looking for good mysteries. While the premise may feel a tiny basic at first glance, I assure you that the twists and turns you see are anything but. Plus, you also get to see the mysteries told through different timelines. 

Stream Cruel Summer on Hulu.

The Leftovers (2014 – 2017)

There’s nothing like a good supernatural thriller, and The Leftovers certainly is that. This HBO series that only lasted for three seasons tells the story of what happens to the people on Earth when 2% of the world’s population suddenly vanishes. 

Yellowjackets certainly has points of realism, but there are also plenty of supernatural aspects of it as well that would make watching The Leftovers feel like a great substitute TV show. It’s a dramatic, engaging, and critically acclaimed show that was somehow never nominated for Best Outstanding Drama. Seriously, watch this show. It’s so good. 

Stream The Leftovers on Max.

Twin Peaks (1990 – 1991)

If you’re looking for a more grounded mystery, then Twin Peaks is the series for you. This popular two-season show from the 1990s follows an FBI special agent and a sheriff teaming up to solve the murder of a homecoming queen in a small town. 

David Lynch and Mark Frost created the show. While plenty of supernatural elements are mixed into it, it’s a lot more of a grounded mystery than The Leftovers. However, the horror aspects, as well as the humor of the show, make it great. There was a third season in 2017, but I love the first two the most. 

Stream Twin Peaks on Paramount+.

Lost (2004 – 2010)

I mean, you can’t get more supernatural mystery than Lost. This series follows the lives of plane passengers who crash on a mysterious island that throws their lives into disarray in a number of crazy ways. 

Lost is one of those shows that I believe everyone should give a shot to. If you love Yellowjackets for the aspect of people surviving in the wilderness, you’ll like Lost. If you love the supernatural elements, you’ll like Lost. Even if you love the character interactions, you’ll like Lost. There’s so much to enjoy – except for the Lost finale, but we don’t have to talk about that. 

Stream Lost on Amazon Prime.

Nine Perfect Strangers (2021 – Present)

Starring Nicole Kidman, Nine Perfect Strangers is based on the novel of the same name and follows nine strangers who visit an odd wellness resort that is not what they imagined. 

I put Nine Perfect Strangers on this list because it reminds me of Season 2 of Yellowjackets, specifically with adult Lottie and her wellness resort. There’s plenty of suspense, interesting characters, and drama that everyone reading this would love. 

Stream Nine Perfect Strangers on Hulu.

Wayward Pines (2015 – 2016)

Taking place over two seasons, Wayward Pines is a mystery science fiction series that follows a special agent who is searching for two federal agents who go missing, and how this one mystery leads him to uncover something massive: that he cannot leave Wayward Pines now that he has entered, and he has to figure a way out. 

Wayward Pines is another excellent example of a mystery show that can capture your attention immediately, just like Yellowjackets. While it only ran for two seasons, it’s a mystery you’ll love to rewatch repeatedly. 

Stream Wayward Pines on Hulu.

The Wilds (2020 – 2022)

This Amazon Prime original series, The Wilds, follows a group of girls who are left on a deserted island after a plane crash and must survive, but the secret is that they are actually part of a social experiment that has people watching their every move. 

This one was an obvious choice. The Wilds has the same premise as Yellowjackets, except their plane crash was planned, not an accident. But, I assure you that this series is more than meets the eye and will have you on the edge of your seat the entire time. 

Stream The Wilds on Amazon.

The 100 (2014 – 2020)

Last but not least, we have The 100. One of the best CW shows, The 100 follows a group of 100 degenerates sent down to a post-nuclear war Earth to reclaim it, only to discover that they are not alone. 

The 100 is a great show, and while I’m not a huge fan of Season 7, I think the first six seasons are great television and fun to watch, and it takes chances in the sci-fi genre. For fans of Yellowjackets, you’ll like the survival aspect and the teenage bonds, but there’s a lot more to enjoy besides that. And, The 100 cast is excellent, as well.

Stream The 100 on Netflix.

Now I have to watch all these shows while I wait for Yellowjackets Season 3 - time to go on a binge-fest of great television. 

On October 14, 2023, the world lost Piper Laurie, who passed away at the age of 91 due to natural causes. The veteran performer began her screen acting career in the early 1950s and went on to earn three Academy Award nominations — one of which was for a performance that saw the beginning of her reputation as a top-notch Scream Queen, which she honored by starring in even more great horror movies over the years.

We cover those achievements and more as we pay tribute to the actor by presenting our picks for the best Piper Laurie movies and TV shows below.

The Hustler (1961)

A talented pool shark (Paul Newman) finds his self-destructive tendencies get the best of him when he takes on a seasoned billiards player (Jackie Gleason).

Why it is one of the best Piper Laurie movies: Piper Laurie earned her first Academy Award nomination (in the Best Actress in a Leading Role category) for her performance as “Fast” Eddie Felson’s love interest, Sarah Packard, in The Hustler — director Robert Rossen’s acclaimed adaptation of Walter Tevis’ 1959 novel which eventually got a sequel in 1986 in the form of Martin Scorsese’s The Color of Money.

Stream The Hustler on IndieFlix.
Rent or buy The Hustler on Amazon.

Carrie (1976)

As her more popular, vindictive classmates plan to pull a cruel prank on her during the senior prom, a shy, sheltered high school student (Sissy Spacek) discovers that she has telekinetic powers.

Why it is one of the best Piper Laurie movies: Both Spacek and Piper Laurie earned Academy Award nominations for their performances in Brian de Palma’s adaptation of Stephen King’s first novel, Carrie — Spacek for playing the empathetic titular role and Laurie for shocking us as one of the scariest female horror movie villains: Carrie’s religious fanatic mother, Margaret White.

Stream Carrie on Max.
Rent or buy Carrie on Amazon.

Return To Oz (1985)

Convinced that her adventures in a far away, magical land were real, a young girl (Fairuza Balk) manages to escape cruel psychological treatment and is called back to Oz for another fantastical journey.

Why it is one of the best Piper Laurie movies: What could be considered one of Piper Laurie’s horror titles, considering it contains scary scenes, despite being a kids movie, is Return to Oz — a sequel to the 1939 classic fantasy film and one of the weirdest movies on Disney+ in which the actor stars as Dorothy’s Aunt Em.

Stream Return To Oz on Disney+.
Rent or buy Return To Oz on Amazon.

Children Of A Lesser God (1986)

After starting a job at a school for the non-hearing, a speech teacher (Academy Award winner William Hurt) falls in loves with one of its former students (Marlee Matlin, in a famous example of deaf actors portraying deaf characters that earned her an Oscar win), who now works there as a custodian.

Why it is one of the best Piper Laurie movies: Piper Laurie received her third Academy Award nomination for starring as the mother of Matlin’s character, Sarah Norman, in Children of a Lesser God — director Randa Haines’ adaptation of Mark Medoff’s romantic stage play.

Stream Children Of A Lesser God on Showtime.
Rent or buy Children Of A Lesser God on Amazon.

Appointment With Death (1988)

A renowned Belgian private investigator (Peter Ustinov) is tasked with figuring out who among his many suspects is responsible for the murder of a domineering former prison warden (Piper Laurie), who was found dead near the Red Sea at an archaeological dig.

Why it is one of the best Piper Laurie movies: Laurie had the honor of playing the victim at the center of an Agatha Christie novel adaptation — namely director Michael Winner’s Appointment with Death, which features an acclaimed supporting cast including Lauren Bacall, Carrie Fisher, David Soul, and more. 

Stream Appointment With Death on Tubi.

Twin Peaks (1989-1991)

An FBI agent (Kyle MacLachlan) with unconventional methods of investigation is tasked with solving the murder of a teenage girl in a small town plagued by dark secret hidden beneath its seemingly quaint exterior.

Why it is one of the best Piper Laurie TV shows: In addition to winning for the 1986 TV movie Promise, Piper Laurie also received multi Emmy nominations during her career — two of which were for her role in creator David Lynch’s Twin Peaks cast as Catherine Martell.

Stream Twin Peaks on Paramount+.
Buy Twin Peaks on Amazon.

The Faculty (1998)

A mismatched group of high school students are forced to band together when the teachers at their high school start acting wildly out of character.

Why it is one of the best Piper Laurie movies: One of Piper Laurie’s more recent and noteworthy horror movies is director Robert Rodriguez and writer Kevin Williamson’s Body Snatchers-esque teen thriller, The Faculty — an epic kids vs. grown-ups battle in which she plays one of the many teachers possessed by aliens.

Stream The Faculty on Paramount+.
Stream The Faculty on Peacock.

The Dead Girl (2006)

The lives of seemingly unrelated individuals begin to intersect amid the investigation of a young woman (Brittany Murphy) found dead years after she was reported missing.

Why it is one of the best Piper Laurie movies: Yet another whodunnit on Piper Laurie’s resume is writer and director Karen Moncrieff’s intense drama The Dead Girl, which also boasts yet another portrayal of hers as an abusive mother to a central character — in this case the woman who found the titular murder victim on her property, played by Toni Collette.

Stream The Dead Girl on Starz.

Hesher (2010)

A teenager (Devin Brochu) grieving his mother’s death crosses paths with a homeless metalhead (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) who makes a destructive impact on his already dysfunctional family when he moves into their home.

Why it is one of the best Piper Laurie movies: Piper Laurie, thankfully, plays a more kindly motherly figure in co-writer and director Spencer Susser’s dramedy, Hesher — also one of Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s best movies — but, more accurately, she plays the homely, supporting grandmother of the fragile family at its center.

Stream Hesher on Starz.
Rent or buy Hesher on Amazon.

White Boy Rick (2018)

A teenager (Richie Merritt) is enlisted by the FBI to become an FBI informant in 1980s Detroit.

Why it is one of the best Piper Laurie movies: Another one of Piper Laurie’s more notable and recent performances as a grandmother to a central character appears in White Boy Rick — director Yann Demange’s dramatization of the tragic true story of Rick Wershe Jr.

Stream White Boy Rick on Starz.
Rent or buy White Boy Rick on Amazon.

Piper Laurie leaves behind a treasured legacy on the big and small screen that you can relive by streaming the acclaimed titles above.

Loads of spoilers below for Scream VI, so tread very lightly if you haven’t yet watched Ghostface’s latest reign of terror!

The Scream franchise has always served as a reflective microcosm of the entire horror genre, with iconic director Wes Craven and Kevin Williamson initially honing in on slasher flicks. Scream VI filmmakers Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett continued expanding on that concept in the most meta ways possible, opening up a Pandora’s Box of far-reaching horror references and easter eggs, all while confidently weaving through Ghostface’s own Stab-tethered history to build out their latest gore-soaked whodunnit. This is not a movie to look away from for even the slightest second. 

To name every single outside reference within Scream VI would take many more viewings (which would boost its franchise-topping weekend box office), and likely a ton of insight from everyone involved behind the scenes. So for now, we’ll have to settle with the selection of favorites laid out below while waiting on that next trip to the theater. 

References Galore Part 1: Wes Craven

Considering 2022's Scream featured a full-on "For Wes" celebration scene, it stood to reason that the directors would find new ways to honor Wes Craven’s cinematic history in their latest feature. And boy howdy, were there a lot of nods, with most popping up at the subway station and within the trains. Obviously A Nightmare on Elm Street’s Freddy Krueger was on display, but keen-eyed fanatics likely also caught costumes based on Craven’s other work, including Shocker, The Last House on the Left, Deadly Friend, The People Under the Stairs and even Eddie Murphy and Angela Bassett’s Vampire in Brooklyn characters made an appearance.

Inarguably the best Wes Craven winky-wink, though, is the name of the store that Samantha and Tara run into while being chased by Ghostface: Abe’s Snake Bodega. A suggestion that came from the singer of the band Ice Nine Kills, as explained by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin to Dread Central, Abe Snake refers to the one-off pseudonym that Craven used when he co-wrote, directed and produced the X-rated 1975 film The Fireworks Woman, which was crafted between Last House on the Left and The Hills Have Eyes. He also had a role in the porn flick as an otherworldly entity, but went uncredited for it.

The Addams Family Figures And Costumes

Before anyone involved with Scream VI could possibly know Jenna Ortega's Wednesday would go on to become one of Netflix's most successful original series, the crew slipped a pair of callbacks to the creepiest, kookiest clan around, the Addams Family. Not only was one of the frat party attendees dressed up as Wednesday, but Tara's psychologist Dr. Stone (Henry Czerny) had a collection of Addams Family figurines on a table in his office. 

Invasion Of The Body Snatchers Footage

Speaking of Tara’s doc, he was busy watching the 1956 original Invasion of the Body Snatchers when Ghostface rudely interrupted with a knife to the face. This was a particularly fun and on-the-nose reference, as it was the scene in which Kevin McCarthy’s Dr. Miles Bennell is screaming “You’re next!” at the drivers whizzing by. Additional horror connection: the scene is also featured in Joe Dante’s Gremlins, while the 2011 film You’re Next was directed and written by Adam Wingard and Simon Barrett, respectively, who both worked on V/H/S, which also boasted Scream VI’s directors as part of its creative collective. That last part is probably an incidental callback, but still worth bringing up.

Psycho 2 Praise

Anyone who celebrated the sight of the Psycho poster inside Samantha and Tara’s apartment was in for a bigger treat later in the film, as Mindy and Kirby’s horror movie convo taps into the idea that Richard Franklin’s surprise sequel Psycho II is a pretty damned great and underappreciated franchise offering. Norman Bates’ motherly obsessions clearly don’t have direct ties to Scream VI’s vengeful daddy twist, but I imagine Detective Bailey had some Bates-adjacent issues as a strapping young lad.

Appreciation For Friday The 13th Beyond The First Movie

Mindy and Kirby’s chat delivered another applause-worthy moment when the topic of Friday the 13th favorites was broached. Kirby noted the original, which is itself almost a nod to the question that got Drew Barrymore’s character killed in the first Scream’s cold open. But Mindy shared that she liked Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter the best for its Corey Feldman-ness, which is a barely-ever-expressed opinion in the world at large, much less within scripted worlds where the first two Friday films are the only ones to ever draw praise. Which isn’t to say I agree with Mindy on that front, but I love some variety, so I also applaud the use of Jason Takes Manhattan footage popping up early on as a fun welcome to New York City. (Not to mention the Jason costume on the subway train, and the early nods to Friday in one of the trailers.)

Twin Peaks Font

Richie’s fan movies, which played on the Ghostface shrine’s sheeted screen during the final sequence, wrapped with credits that used the same two-toned font as David Lynch’s Twin Peaks logo. He also used Scream and Stab’s signature needle drop, Nick Cave’s “Red Right Hand,” as the accompanying tune, further proving Richie didn’t have a bone of originality in his body.

Flowery Midsommar Nods

Ari Aster's heady psychological horrors are on largely different wavelengths than the Scream films, but that didn't stop the directors from paying homage to the hyper-disturbing 2019 folk horror Midsommar. Not only was someone wearing a modified version of the flower dress worn by Florence Pugh's Dani, but the first time Jack Quaid's Richie appears via online picture, a similarly colorful flower crown was drawn around his head.

References Galore Part 2: Stephen King

Even though Stephen King doesn’t intrinsically have anything to do with the Scream-verse, it would be genre blasphemy to bring out this many visual easter eggs without at least a handful paying respect to the King of Horror and the plethora of adaptations he’s inspired. Viewers can see costumes paying homage to Carrie’s titular blood-covered teen, IT’s Pennywise and Georgie, The Shining’s Grady twins (which were exclusive to Stanley Kubrick’s film), and Children of the Corn characters. I believe The Black Phone’s Grabber mask also popped up at one point, with that film being adapted from the story by Joe Hill, King’s like-minded son. 

A Nope Callback Just Eight Months After Its Release

Hollywood isn’t always great with timing and references, but in wisely paying homage to modern-day horror mastermind Jordan Peele, Scream VI managed to feature a character dressed as Keke Palmer’s character Em from Nope, despite releasing just eight months after the sci-fi thriller hit theaters. To be sure, the costume designers also deserve props for the characters donned in Us jumpsuits.

The Directors' Own V/H/S Short

For anyone who wondered why Jenna Ortega was dressed up as a pirate during Scream VI's frat party, that was one-third of a reference to Tyler Gillett and Matt Bettinelli-Olpin's aforementioned work on the found-footage anthology V/H/S. Their segment, titled "10/31/98," featured a foursome of friends who made a fatal mistake in seeking out a costume party, instead stumbling upon a cultish ritual. In the segment, the camera-holding Gillett was dressed in a teddy bear costume (which can also be seen at the frat party), while Bettinelli-Olpin was in pirate garb. EP Chad Villella appeared as the Unabomber in V/H/S, which was also meant to be represented in Scream VI, but that plan fell through. 

Murder Party Costume

Arugably the least intuitive easter egg in Scream VI was delivered by Jack Champion's Ethan, who went to the frat party dressed as Chris Sharp's put-upon protagonist in the 2007 horror comedy Murder Party. That enjoyable (if not entirely wonderful) micro-budget feature was written and directed by Jeremy Saulnier, who went on to deliver the inarguably great and hard-hitting Blue Ruin and Green Room. 

Criminally Rare In The Mouth Of Madness Sighting!

One of John Carpenter's least celebrated genre works, In the Mouth of Madness has earned a cult following in the years since its under-appreciated arrival in 1994, but still remains one of his least referenced flicks compared to such influential flicks as They Live, Escape from New York and The Thing (among others). So I think I can speak for Sutter Kane when showing appreciation for whoever chose to dress someone on the train up like Sam Neill's John Trent during the point when he's in the asylum and has drawn crosses all over himself. 

While not a reference to movies or franchises, per se, Scream VI also gets props for giving a spotlight to the wide world of horror podcasts. The core apartment's living room features a big poster for The Last Podcast on the Left, which not only references Wes Craven's first horror flick in its title, but is also likely the horror/true crime podcast with the most brand awareness at this point, boasting various multimedia tie-ins. (One can only assume that the guys would have tackled the Woodsboro case at some point.) As well, one of the characters' bedrooms has a poster for the podcast We Hate Movies, which also isn't strictly about horror, but has covered a wide variety of genre efforts over the years, from The Prophecy to Halloween Ends.

Again, this wasn't a fully exhaustive and comprehensive list of all the references that popped up in Scream VI, but rather just the ones that I personally enjoyed the most. Not that I didn't also love seeing Pinhead, Chucky and Tiffany, the Babadook and more being represented. Now how long do we have to wait to see how all of this gets topped in Scream VII?

It’s a mystery - a murder mystery. 

Like it or not, lots of people are into murder mysteries. We like the adventure that it brings, the questions that are raised, and everything else involved. And while there are plenty of murder mystery movies out there, such as Murder on the Orient Express or Knives Out (which is getting a 2022 sequel on Netflix), sometimes, we want a mystery that takes place over several episodes and not just two hours. 

That’s where these fantastic “whodunnit” TV shows come into play. From hits coming from the 2022 TV schedule, such as Only Murders in the Building, to older shows that you’ll surely love just as much, these are 10 of the best “whodunnit” TV shows that you should most certainly check out. 

Only Murders In The Building (2020 - Present)

If you want an amazing show that’s recent, you need to check out Only Murders in the Building. Starring Selena Gomez, Martin Short, and Steve Martin, the series tells the story of a group of true crime fans who decide to create their own murder mystery podcast when a murder occurs in their building, and also attempt to solve the case.

Truly, this has been one of my favorite shows of 2022 overall, and a fantastic whodunnit show. Not only is the chemistry between the three lead stars spectacular, but the story itself is full of twists and turns that you would never expect, and it makes you wonder what could possibly happen next. As someone who has been a fan of all of these actors for many years (especially Selena Gomez, since I grew up watching her), this is one of their best projects in years. And, a third season is already on the way for 2023 - with Paul Rudd!

Stream Only Murders in the Building on Hulu.

Twin Peaks (1990-1991)

Next up, we have Twin Peaks, an older show from the nineties that is an amazing whodunnit series. In this show, we follow Dale Cooper, the detective on the case of the murder of Laura Palmer. But, as the mystery starts to unravel, he begins to notice that things aren’t all that they seem. 

The series, while it originally only lasted for two seasons, returned for a third in 2017 after it gained a cult following. The show itself is such a staple in whodunnit television and a series where you have no idea what the heck is going to come next. And, let me talk about the cinematography, some of the shots in this series are beautiful. It’s done so well and is a series you should certainly check out if you’ve never seen it before. 

Stream Twin Peaks on Paramount+.

True Detective (2014 - Present)

This HBO anthology series is one of the best out there. True Detective is a crime drama where, in each season, we follow a new cast and a new story as they take on a new mystery that somehow gets even crazier than the last, from serial killers to corrupt politicians to so much more. 

This show is seriously so good, and the fact that each season has a completely new plot makes it even better. The stories themselves are widely different and really capture your attention right away, and the casts are always star-studded. The latest season of the show (which released in 2019), stars Mahershala Ali. Season 4 is already confirmed with several new stars. 

Stream True Detective on HBO Max.

Pretty Little Liars (2010 - 2017)

If you want to talk about a landmark in teen television dramas, this is the one. Pretty Little Liars tells the story of five best friends in a clique that falls apart when Alison, their leader, suddenly vanishes. But, a year later, they begin receiving messages from an unknown source called “A,”  threatening to expose their past and secrets. Now, it’s up to them to figure out what happened to Alison and who A is. 

God, this series. I remember distinctly when this show came out when I was in middle school that it was so popular, to the point where I didn’t even want to watch it. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve given the show a shot and honestly, it’s a lot of fun. I do enjoy the mystery behind it and I believe that it was worthy of the hype. It even got a new HBO Max spinoff, Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin, years later, so it’s worth your time. 

Stream Pretty Little Liars on HBO Max.

Dexter - Season 1 (2006 - 2007) 

Dexter is one of the best Showtime shows out there. Featuring the titular character, Dexter Morgan, the first season of this series follows a blood spatter analyst for the Miami Police Department, who has a habit of killing bad people to soothe his carnal desire for blood. However, when another killer begins to play games with him, he takes it upon himself to figure out who it is. 

While I would mainly consider the first season of Dexter a “whodunnit” show for the purpose of this list, the rest of the series is great (minus that ending, but Dexter: New Blood made up for it). Michael C. Hall is a great leading man for the role of Dexter, and the show has plenty of moments that will shock and amaze you all at once. The mystery of the first season, though, is one of the best. And, the ending will leave you with your jaw hanging wide open. 

Stream Dexter on Showtime.

Mare Of Easttown (2021)

Next up on this list, we have Mare of Easttown, an HBO limited series starring Kate Winslet. In this drama, we follow a detective in Pennsylvania who is struggling with her own issues and her world is rocked when a murder occurs in her small town. Now, it’s up to the detective to figure out who did this, as well as the link between the murder and a suspicious amount of missing women who have been reported. 

I think what I love about the Mare of Easttown is that it’s a very condensed story. It doesn’t get too crazy or out of this world, mainly just takes place in this small town, and features some truly amazing actors. The Mare of Easttown cast is great, too, offering very compelling performances. The mystery is believable, and you won’t be able to put down the remote after you start watching it. 

Stream Mare of Easttown on HBO Max.

Veronica Mars (2004 - 2019)

Next up, we have the popular CW series (which returned later on Hulu), Veronica Mars. Starring Kristen Bell, this teen drama follows her story as the titular character who also tries to solve mysteries as a private investigator, with her father’s help. And while each season she tries to solve smaller mysteries, there’s always one major case that she’s working towards solving by the end of the season. The first focuses on her friend’s murder, the second on a group of students killed in a bus crash. 

The first two seasons of Veronica Mars are truly the “whodunnit” seasons of the show and the best, but the other two seasons have interesting mysteries that people can enjoy. It’s really Kristen Bell in her lead role that makes this show so fun, because she’s just so good as Veronica Mars. Truly, one of Bell's best characters. 

Stream Veronica Mars on Hulu.

One Of Us Is Lying (2021 - Present)

If you’re looking for a Peacock original series, check out One Of Us Is Lying. In this teen mystery, five students go into detention one day, and only four come out. Now, we're along for the ride to see who of the four students is lying about the death of one of their classmates. 

As someone who read the book, this was such a good adaptation that I actually ended up watching it twice. The One Of Us Is Lying cast is outstanding in their roles, and the mystery is played out very well over the course of the first season. There’s even a Season 2 coming out very soon, so you might as well check it out now. 

Stream One Of Us Is Lying on Peacock.

The Afterparty (2022) 

AppleTV+ has been coming out with some awesome shows, and The Afterparty only adds to that. This Apple TV+ original stars plenty of famous names, such as Tiffany Haddish, Dave Franco, Sam Richardson, and more, and tells the tale of a high school reunion gone wrong when someone is murdered. 

The Afterparty is such a distinct murder mystery, and what I like about it is that it tells the night from different perspectives. You don’t really know who to trust at first because everyone seems to have a reason as to why they aren’t the killer, but seeing it through the eyes of everyone else is so cool, and it helps that the show is seriously funny. Season 2 is on the way, so you might as well watch it now. 

Stream The Afterparty on Apple TV+.

How To Get Away With Murder (2014 - 2020)

Last but not least, we have How To Get Away With Murder. Starring Viola Davis, this series starts off when a local sorority girl is murdered. A law professor and five of her students end up getting all caught up in it, and not everyone is being so truthful about who knows what. 

This show is so unbelievably good. The murder mystery is done so well and I truly am astounded at what they were able to do. The How To Get Away With Murder cast is amazing - and of course, Viola Davis is always a win. She ended up winning an Emmy award for her portrayal in the show, so you know she is just astounding.  

Stream How To Get Away With Murder on Netflix.

Honorable Mention: Riverdale In Its Earlier Seasons (Seasons 1 And 2, 2016-2018) 

Okay, hear me out. 

Riverdale is a CW show that takes place in the town of Riverdale where strange things happen all the time, mainly following Archie Andrews and his friends. Don’t watch Seasons 3-6. They’re just bad, and the twists and turns have gotten even stranger - and some don’t even make any sense. 

However, the first two seasons of the show are actually pretty good television. The murder mystery surrounding the death of Jason Blossom, and the Black Hood killings really captured attention, and I think that for anyone who is into whodunnits, this would be entertaining to watch. Give it a shot. Just don’t see the rest of the show after, ugh. 

Stream Riverdale on Netflix.

With so many amazing choices, you’ll be swimming in murder mysteries for ages. It’s time to get on your detective hat and retrieve your notepad - we got some murders to solve!

Never has a drama been quite as indescribable as Twin Peaks - a murder mystery with a lot more to offer, as well, such as teen romance, adult romance, spiritual possession, and extra-dimensional travel, to name a few prevalent themes. 

Even after more than 30 years since its initial debut on ABC, and a third season on Showtime, so many questions continue to surround the groundbreaking drama from co-creators David Lynch and Mark Frost, like what is going on with the original Twin Peaks cast these days? Luckily, that is one question that we can answer and will below, starting with the Golden Globe-winning lead.

Kyle MacLachlan (Special Agent Dale Cooper)

After launching his career by casting him as Paul Atreides in 1984’s Dune, David Lynch made Kyle MacLachlan a TV icon by casting him on Twin Peaks as Dale Cooper - an idiosyncratic FBI agent sent to the titular town to investigate the murder of Laura Palmer. The former Desperate Housewives cast regular will next star in a reboot of the Fletch movies called, Confess, Fletch, with Jon Hamm in the tile role, and in Joe Exotic - a drama based on the events that inspired the Netflix docuseries Tiger King - as Howard Baskin.

Michael Ontkean (Sheriff Harry S. Truman)

The self-described “Dr. Watson” to Coop’s Sherlock Holmes is Twin Peaks sheriff Harry S. Truman, played by Michael Ontkean, who was previously best known for one of the great hockey movies, 1977's Slap Shot, and is one of the few original Twin Peaks cast members to not appear in Season 3. In fact, the Canadian actor’s final onscreen credit is Twin Peaks: The Missing Pieces (a feature-length 2014 prequel that consists of deleted scenes from 1992’s Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me) having retired from acting after appearing in The Descendants in 2011.

Lara Flynn Boyle (Donna Hayward)

Also not appearing in Showtime’s Twin Peaks revival was Lara Flynn Boyle as Laura Palmer’s best friend, Donna Hayward - which is easily the actress’ best known role outside of her Emmy-nominated turn as Helen Gamble on the ABC legal drama The Practice or the villain of 2002’s Men in Black II, Serleena. We last saw her appear in the 2020 crime thriller Death in Texas - her first acting gig in five years since the low-budget comedy Lucky Dog.

James Marshall (James Hurley)

Following Laura Palmer’s death, Donna would develop a romance with her best friend’s secret boyfriend, James Hurley, which is also the best known role for actor James Marshall outside of, perhaps, the classic courtroom drama A Few Good Men as Pfc. Louden Downey, and the boxing film Gladiator opposite Cuba Gooding Jr. in 1992. After he was last seen reprising James on the Twin Peaks revival, Marshall is now in post-production on two TV series: the crime drama Three Knee Deep and the post-apocalyptic epic The Pact.

Mädchen Amick (Shelly Johnson)

One of the prime suspects in Laura Palmer's murder on Twin Peaks was Leo Johnson, the abusive husband of Double R Diner waitress Shelly - played by Mädchen Amick, who would become a bit of a scream queen after the 1992 Stephen King-penned cult favorite Sleepwalkers, and later appearing on American Horror Story in Season 5. Her current claim to fame is playing Alice Cooper in the Riverdale cast, but her feature-length directorial debut, Reminisce is now in post-production.

Dana Ashbrook (Bobby Briggs)

Shelly would indulge in an extra-marital affair with Laura Palmer’s public boyfriend, Bobby Briggs, who would be revealed as Shelly’s (apparently former) husband and a deputy at the Twin Peaks police department when Dana Ashbrook reprised the character in the revival. Since then, he would guest star on hit medical drama The Resident in 2018, starred in the partially-dramatized documentary Framing John DeLorean, and land a recurring role on the Netflix dramedy Insatiable, with his next movie, Please Baby Please, currently in post-production.

Richard Beymer (Benjamin Horne)

The most wealthy and, quite frankly, slimiest citizen of Twin Peaks (at least, initially) is Horne Industries Inc. CEO and Great Northern Hotel owner Benjamin Horne, played by Richard Beymer - star of the original West Side Story in 1961 and hit crime procedural Murder, She Wrote as various characters. The actor and filmmaker would come back for the third Twin Peaks season as a more sympathetic Mr. Horne, which was his most recent acting role and first in nine years.

Sherilyn Fenn (Audrey Horne)

As Benjamin Horne’s daughter, Audrey, we have Sherilyn Fenn, who I kind of felt was given the short end of the stick in the Twin Peaks revival, but I realize now that she was actually pretty busy at the time (having also appeared in the horror film Wish Upon and debuted her recurring role in the S.W.A.T. cast in 2017, for instance). The Emmy nominee remains busy to this, with day five projects in the works - including movies Losing Addison and Silent Life, and TV series The Last Saturday Night and In the Cards.  

Everett McGill (Big Ed Hurley)

James Hurley’s uncle, local mechanic Big Ed, is played by Everett McGill - who has not done any acting (outside of reprising his role for Twin Peaks Season 3) since appearing in an episode of J.A.G. in 1999. That same year, however, the Quest for Fire star reunited with David Lynch (who also cast him as Stilgar in his Dune adaptation) for a small role in his Oscar-nominated, Disney-produced biopic The Straight Story.

Wendy Robie (Nadine Hurley)

Everett McGill would also reunite with Wendy Robie, as her incestuous brother in the underrated 1991 Wes Craven film The People Under the Stairs, after playing both halves of a loveless marriage on Twin Peaks. Since reprising the one-eyed Nadine Hurley (her debut role) on Showtime’s revival, the actress appeared in the 2020 film Dreaming Grand Avenue and will next star in the 2022 family dramedy, Relative.

Harry Goaz (Deputy Andy Brennan)

Harry Goaz also debuted on Twin Peaks as the eccentric Deputy Andy Brennan - the most prevalent and consistent role of his filmography outside of playing another cop on another show about a town plagued by strange events (Sgt. Knight on the cult favorite Eerie, Indiana) and a modest number of films (including Steven Soderbergh’s The Underneath in 1995). After releasing a picture book chronicling his time on the Twin Peaks revival called Ballroom Harry: Volume II in 2020, Goaz would return to the screen in two short films released in 2021 called The Vandal and Shelter Abraxas. 

Kimmy Robertson (Lucy Moran)

Andy shared an on-and-off romance with the even more eccentric sheriff’s department receptionist Lucy Moran - the best known live-action role of prolific voice actress Kimmy Robertson. She has played the titular human character of the animated web series Ollie & Scoops since 2019 and lends her voice to the upcoming sci-fi/comedy Michael & Maria vs. the Multiverse as a police dispatcher, which could be a reference to her Twin Peaks character.

Joan Chen (Josie Packard)

Harry S. Truman shared a romance on Twin Peaks with the widowed Jocelyn “Josie” Packard, played by Joan Chen, who more recently starred alongside Jessica Chastain in the assassin thriller Ava, and appeared in the Netflix original Tigertail in 2020. The Chinese-born actress has two upcoming acting roles in the works (in Kiss, His First and Tonight at Noon) as well as two directorial efforts (English and the Covid-19 inspired Hero). 

Michael Horse (Deputy Chief Tommy “Hawk” Hill)

Deputy Chief Hawk, whose expertise in Native American spiritualism proved a big help in Agent Cooper’s investigation, was played by Michael Horse, who actually made his debut as Tonto in a 1981 reboot of The Lone Ranger. Since returning for Showtime’s Twin Peaks, he appeared on the Netflix western miniseries Godless in 2017, appeared opposite Harrison Ford in 2020’s The Call of the Wild, and has five upcoming credits - including Spirit Water with Twilight cast member Alex Rice.

Sheryl Lee (Laura Palmer/Maddy Ferguson)

As the young woman whose murder kicks off the events of Twin Peaks (and also her nearly identical cousin, Maddy Ferguson), we have Sheryl Lee, who, in 2019, played mother to Jessica Biel on Facebook Watch’s Limetown - another series about a strange mystery in a close-knit community, based on a podcast drama. Following her voice role on J.J. Villard’s Fairy Tales for Adult Swim in 2020, Lee will next appear in the short film Down to Nothing and the psychological thriller, The Redeemer

Ray Wise (Leland Palmer)

Laura Palmer’s distraught father, Leland, is played by the illustrious Ray Wise, who recently leant his distinct voice to HBO Max’s podcast drama Batman: The Audio Adventures - one of a few comic book adaptations on his resume and several notable credits of his from 2021 alone, such as Psych 3: This Is Gus on Peacock. Next, he will star in the horror-fantasy The Blue Rose and will reunite with Sherilyn Fenn on the series In the Cards.

Grace Zabriskie (Sarah Palmer)

Leland Palmer’s wife, Sarah, is played by Grace Zabriskie, whom fans of the Seinfeld cast may also recognize as Susan Ross’ mother. In 2021, the actress starred in the strange animated film Cryptozoo and the Bill Burr-led Roku original anthology series Immoral Compass, and is set to play Camille D'Amato in Iron Mike - an upcoming miniseries chronicling the life of former boxer Mike Tyson. 

Peggy Lipton (Norma Jennings)

A Twin Peaks cast member who is no longer with us, but whom I felt obligated to mention, is Peggy Lipton - otherwise known for her four-time Emmy-nominated role as Julie Barnes on The Mod Squad, or as the mother of Rashida Jones. After reprising the role of Norma Jennings - Double R Diner owner and true love of Big Ed - on the Twin Peaks revival, Lipton played Jane Levy’s onscreen mother in the 2017 miniseries, There’s Johnny (a fictionalized behind-the-scenes exploration of The Tonight Show during the 1970s), before passing away two years later after a long battle with cancer at the age of 72.

The Twin Peaks cast would have to say goodbye to some other co-stars over the years, including Eraserhead star Jack Nance (Pete Martell), Warren Frost (Dr. Will Hayward), and Miguel Ferrer (FBI Agent Albert Rosenfield), who actually got to film his scenes for the the revival before he passed in January 2017. The rest continue to carry on the legacy of one of David Lynch’s most celebrated achievements.

Ah, the ‘90s. A decade that is not so old (I mean, what’s two decades at this point, really?), but brimming with nostalgia for how much of a mixed bag it was in terms of pop culture, especially on the small screen. In fact, I would call something of a golden age of television for shows like Seinfeld, Friends, The X-Files, or other programs that defined the era of a nearly endless variety. See for yourself with our nearly endless list of ‘90s TV shows that you can stream right now, starting with what could be the greatest sitcom of all time.

Seinfeld (Netflix)

From creators Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David, this Emmy-winning NBC series (which ran from 1989 to 1998) follows the increasingly bizarre misadventures of a comedian (Seinfeld), his ex-girlfriend (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), his eccentric next door neighbor (Michael Richards), and his neurotic childhood buddy (Jason Alexander), which often serve as inspiration for his stand-up material. With an expansive universe of supporting characters, a dictionary’s worth of quotable lines, and a groundbreaking sense of brutally honest wit, Seinfeld is much more than nine seasons of nothing.

Stream Seinfeld on Netflix.

ER (Hulu)

Also boasting an expansive and ever-evolving cast (including George Clooney and many other future A-list guest stars) is the Emmy-winning ER, which covers the daily grind at Chicago’s County General Hospital and the personal lives of its staff. What keeps the long-running NBC hit which premiered in 1994 from creator Michael Crichton one of the most influential TV medical dramas of all time is its grounded sense of realism that never goes off life support for all 15 seasons.

Stream ER on Hulu.

Batman: The Animated Series (HBO Max)

One of most influential superhero TV shows (and animated programs in general) also boasts what many fans consider to be the finest portrayal of the iconic DC Comics character in any screen adaptation. Kevin Conroy voices the title role of Batman: The Animated Series (later rebranded as The New Batman Adventures in 1997), which also features the iconic performances of Mark Hamill as The Joker and Arleen Sorkin as Harley Quinn in her very first appearance in any medium.

Stream Batman: The Animated Series on HBO Max.

Friends (HBO Max)

Could there be a more celebrated ‘90s comedy than Friends? Honestly, few sitcoms which debuted in the era have gone on to achieve as much lasting relevance in pop culture as co-creators David Crane and Marta Kauffman’s seminal, Emmy-winning NBC hit. The secret would have to be the glowing Friends cast (who recently reunited for an HBO Max special) and the enduring, genuine sense of sweetness and sentimentality brimming in all 235 episodes.

Stream Friends on HBO Max.

Living Single (Hulu)

Of course, we should also give credit where it is due to another series about six twenty-something New Yorkers struggling to navigate their personal and professional lives which first aired on Fox in 1993 - a year prior to the debut of Friends. While it only lasted five seasons, the snappy writing of creator Yvette Lee Bowser’s hit and the Living Single cast (including a pre-Oscar-nominated Queen Latifah) still made a grand impression on Hollywood. 

Stream Living Single on Hulu.

NYPD Blue (Hulu)

New York was also the setting of one of the darkest, grittiest, and most captivating police procedurals of the decade, which co-creators Steven Bochco and David Milch brought to ABC in 1993. As the gruff, rebellious cop Andy Sipowicz, Dennis Franz led the constantly interchanging NYPD Blue cast for 12 seasons and to four-time Emmy-winning acclaim.

Stream NYPD Blue on Hulu.

Saved By The Bell (Netflix, Peacock, Hulu)

Mark-Paul Gosselaar would join the cast of NYPD Blue in the later seasons after first rising to fame as Zach Morris, the fourth wall-breaking de facto leader of the Saved by the Bell cast, from 1989 to 1993. The zany misadventures of Bayside High School’s students became a big enough hit to inspire a few spin-offs - most recently on Peacock with most of the original cast coming back to reprise their iconic characters.

Stream Saved By The Bell on Netflix.
Stream Saved By The Bell on Peacock.
Stream Saved By The Bell on Hulu.

Dawson’s Creek (Netflix)

Of course, high school is not always so funny, which the Dawson’s Creek cast would be forced to come to grips with on a weekly basis. Created by Scream writer Kevin Williamson and debuting in 1998 when The CW was still called The WB, this primetime soap opera was one of the most captivating dramas about growing up at the time and launched the careers of James Van Der Beek, Katie Holmes, and Michelle Williams, to name a few.

Stream Dawson’s Creek on Netflix.

Beverly Hills, 90210 (Hulu)

If you thought high school was hard, college is no picnic and adulthood is practically impossible as the original Beverly Hills, 90210 cast would be forced to come to grips with on a weekly basis. From Sex and the City creator Darren Starr and debuting on Fox in 1990, this primetime soap opera would launch several careers, with the original premise centering on twin teens who move to California and face many of the challenges of growing up, while also adapting to life in Beverly Hills. 

Stream Beverly Hills, 90210 on Hulu.

Frasier (Hulu)

One of the most unsurprisingly successful spin-offs of all time followed Kelsey Grammer reprising his role from the Cheers cast after he relocates to Seattle where he hosts a radio show, while also regularly facing his own relationship issues. I would actually hope that we could see a reunion of the Frasier cast one day, either as a way to relive the sitcom’s greatest memories or as a full-on revival to see what they have been up to since the 2004 finale.

Stream Frasier on Hulu.

Rugrats (Hulu, Paramount+)

A more fun and imaginative, yet still undeniably honest, take on the trials and tribulations of growing up was Nickelodeon’s Rugrats, which recently became one of the latest ‘90s properties to get a revival on Paramount+ in 2020. The backyard adventures of Tommy, Chucky, Phil, Lil, and Angelica would also inspired three big screen spin-offs - one of which would introduce Chucky’s step-sister Kimi onto the cast.

Stream Rugrats on Hulu.
Stream Rugrats on Paramount+.

The Real World (Paramount+)

What could provide a more honest portrayal of America’s youth, however, than a reality show (when that term really meant something) that puts a diverse group of people living together in the spotlight? The groundbreaking docuseries The Real World, which has not quite ended after decades since its 1992 debut, was just what MTV needed to gain recognition as more than TV about music.

Stream The Real World on Paramount+.

Walker, Texas Ranger (Pluto TV)

Justice is best served with a roundhouse kick to the face, as Chuck Norris’s titular, Lone Star State lawman would prove over and over again from 1993 to 2001. Essentially a B-movie of irresistible lunacy extended over 196 episodes, the power of Walker, Texas Ranger could never be replicated, even though The CW seems to have done pretty well with its reboot starring Jared Padalecki.

Stream Walker, Texas Ranger on Pluto TV.

Ally McBeal (Hulu)

The TV legal drama genre would never be the same after the debut of Ally McBeal, which starred three-time Emmy-nominee Calista Flockhart as the title character who often gets lost in her own wild imagination while practicing at a law firm that also happens to the be the workplace of her ex-boyfriend. Created by David E. Kelly, the hit series is a profound time capsule of the dramatic changes at the end of the 20th Century and beginning of the next.

Stream Ally McBeal on Hulu.

Touched By An Angel (Paramount+)

Some people, when they are at their lowest, tend look up to the sky for inspiration. However, the rotating guest stars of the long-running CBS drama Touched By An Angel were able to find it right in the backyards with the help of three spiritual entities sent from Heaven to provide whatever assistance necessary. 

Stream Touched By An Angel on Paramount+.

Buffy The Vampire Slayer (Hulu)

The spiritual entities and strange creatures that “Chosen One” Buffy Summers (Scream Queen Sarah Michelle Gellar) would encounter in Sunnydale from 1997 to 2003 were anything but helpful. In a way, you could argue that the old school fantasy elements of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer series served as an exciting and witty metaphor for the modern teen’s struggles to balance school with some very demanding extracurricular activities. 

Stream Buffy The Vampire Slayer on Hulu.

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (Netflix)

Because Buffy had a penchant for being extremely dark and disturbing quite often, younger viewers in the 1990s had another fantastic (and deliciously campy) metaphor for the struggles of adolescence to turn to. Originally a Japanese show re-edited with footage of an American cast of teens when not in their colorful uniforms, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers was the start of an ongoing cultural phenomenon which perfectly captures every child’s dreams of saving the universe.

Stream Mighty Morphin Power Rangers on Netflix.

3rd Rock From The Sun (Tubi)

The ‘90s would also prove that the average and mundane can be just as scary, especially when seen through the eyes of extraterrestrials who have taken human form to observe our species. Such is the plot of the unique and thoroughly fun NBC sitcom 3rd Rock from the Sun, which sees John Lithgow at his zaniest and future A-lister Joseph Gordon-Levitt at his most reserved by comparison.

Stream 3rd Rock From The Sun on Tubi.

The X-Files (Hulu)

The 3rd Rock from the Sun cast would have been in a lot of trouble if they ever crossed paths with FBI agents Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson), who constantly found themselves on a journey to find “the truth” behind the strange cases they investigated. In addition to being easily one of the best sci-fi TV shows of its time, The X-Files has practically become synonymous with the genre itself since debuting in 1993.

Stream The X-Files on Hulu.

The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air (HBO Max)

Thanks to roles in Independence Day and Bad Boys, Will Smith would eventually become synonymous with the world “blockbuster.” However, to get there, the rapper-turned-actor proved his chops and his hilarious charisma as the star of the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air cast, playing a Philly native who moves in with his aunt, uncle, and cousins in Bel-Air after one little fight got his mom scared.

Stream The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air on HBO Max.

Everybody Loves Raymond (Peacock)

Little fights of the verbal variety would happen on a regular basis among the stars of the Everybody Love Raymond cast, whether it was between Ray Barone (Ray Ramano) and his wife, his brother, or his parents. We would not have had it any other way because this long-running sitcom likely helped any person who has ever butted heads with their own family realize it could be much worse in the most hilarious fashion.

Stream Everybody Loves Raymond on Peacock Premium.

My So-Called Life (Hulu)

Speaking of, My So-Called Life would provide some very profound examples of how things could be worse either in a cleverly funny or simply unapologetically bleak way, as seen through the eyes of Angela Chase (Claire Danes). Short-lived, but much-loved and groundbreaking for the ways it tackled social issue unlike series before, the ABC drama would earn Danes a Golden Globe and launched future Academy Award winner Jared Leto’s career.

Stream My So-Called Life on Hulu.

Boy Meets World (Disney+)

While never particularly groundbreaking for the social issues it highlighted, the moral lessons offered in this classic coming-of-age sitcom (especially when coming from William Daniels’ Mr. Feeny) were undeniably valuable. It is always a joy to witness the Boy Meets World cast grow up while rewatching Cory Matthews evolve from a charming, underachieving pre-teen to a neurotic, married man-child, even if the overall narrative does not always add up.

Stream Boy Meets World on Disney+.

Martin (HBO Max)

Nothing ever really had to make sense on Martin, which aired on Fox from 1992 to 1997. As long as star and co-creator Martin Lawrence kept the laughs coming (either as the titular radio and TV personality Martin Payne or any of his other characters), you were guaranteed a good time.

Stream Martin on HBO Max.

Twin Peaks (Hulu, Paramount+)

Now if you really want to talk about entertainment in lieu of things not always making much sense, look no further than Twin Peaks - the story of an eccentric FBI agent (Golden Globe winner Kyle MacLachlan) tasked with solving a murder that has shaken a small town in Washington. Co-created by the incomparable David Lynch, this is one bizarre, inventive mystery that will have you hooked until its shocking cliffhanger ending… that you can see “conclude” in the 2017 revival from Showtime.

Stream Twin Peaks on Hulu.
Stream Twin Peaks on Paramount+.

You know, I was about to say that they don’t make television like they do in the ’90s anymore, until I remembered that many of these shows have been rebooted or revived in recent years. What I will say, however, is that none of these ‘90s shows could ever be done the same way, and thank God for it because the unique feeling you get from rewatching them on streaming is one-of-a-kind.

Kyle MacLachlan has certainly had an interesting career, having had stints on both the big and small screens. When it comes to the latter, he’s had stints on Sex and the City, Desperate Housewives and Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. However, his most famous role is arguably that of eccentric FBI agent Dale Cooper on Twin Peaks. Many no doubt know just how trippy and strange the original show and the revival miniseries could get but, now, the actor is arguably heading into other strange territory. That’s right, he’s joining Kate McKinnon’s Joe Exotic series in a key role.

Peacock’s currently untitled Joe Exotic series has been steadily building its cast over the past few months. So far, it’s found some strong actors to portray the eclectic array of figures that were present in the former zoo owner’s orbit. Kate McKinnon is portraying Exotic’s rival Carol Baskin, and now, Kyle MacLachlan is set to play Baskin’s husband, Howard Baskin, according to THR.

Now, just to be clear, Kyle MacLachlan is playing Carole Baskin’s third husband, who appeared prominently in Netflix’s docuseries. Some may be quick to mistake the role for Baskin’s second husband, Don Lewis, the businessman who infamously disappeared back in 1997 and was declared dead in 2002. That situation has put Baskin at the center of massive speculation, and it’s also resulted in a few legal issues for her as well.

Joining Kyle MacLachlan and Kate McKinnon on the Joe Exotic series are Wiliam Fitcher (replacing Dennis Quaid) in the role of producer Rick Kirkham, Dean Winters as Exotic’s former business partner Jeff Lowe, Joel Marsh Garland as Exotic’s friend James Garretson, along with newcomer Lex Mayson in the role of Saff, an employee at the Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park. And last but not least, Exotic himself will be portrayed by actor, director and playwright John Cameron Mitchell, who seems eager to sink his teeth into the role.

While not quite as old as Howard Baskin, Kyle MacLachlan does slightly resemble the man, but MacLachlan’s acting abilities should certainly allow him to effectively embody the role. It’ll also be fun to see him play off of Kate McKinnon and, with this being a Carole Baskin-centric series, the two are sure to share a lot of screen time.

Believe it or not, this isn’t the only scripted Joe Exotic-related production that’s currently in the works. Another project is currently in the works at CBS and is set to premiere on Amazon Prime Video at some point in the future. And the eight-episode series has managed to land Nicolas Cage in the role of Exotic.

It’s pretty much a given that Kyle MacLachlan and his co-stars have a wild ride ahead of them but, thanks to his past work, MacLachlan should be prepared for the weirdness. But I honestly think the jury is still out on whether the exploits within the town of Twin Peaks, Washington actually top a bitter war between two animal enthusiasts.

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Stranger Things became a phenomenon when it first came out, capturing the eyes and hearts of viewers across the world with the supernatural aspects, a great story, and the childhood innocence of uniting with your friends to fight for a better purpose. The '80s look, plus the atmospheric music, paired beautifully to create a beloved series that has been going strong since the Stranger Things premiere in 2016.

However, with Season 4 seemingly taking forever to debut (which isn't totally the show's fault), some people might be craving something similar to watch. Sometimes you don’t need the best movies on Netflix or the best movies on Amazon Prime to get you through your day. Sometimes, all you need are TV shows like Stranger Things, and these are the ones you should keep an eye out for.

Dark (Netflix)

When I think of shows like Stranger Things, Dark is always one of the first series’ that come to mind. This German science-fiction thriller covers the story of a child disappearing in a small fictional town. However, with the disappearance of this child, there are several conspiracies that are revealed, all linked back to several generations of families.

Dark is one of those shows that, at first, will most likely make you scratch your head in confusion. There are just so many twists and turns that sometimes, it’s hard to keep up. However, that doesn’t change the fact that it’s still a fantastic and super intriguing show, and for fans of Stranger Things, it will definitely fulfill your craving for something a bit supernatural.

Stream Dark on Netflix.

The Society (Netflix)

In The Society, we accompany a group of teenagers who are thrown into a whole new world. Out of nowhere, it seems that the whole entire population of their town has disappeared. Now, it’s up to them to somehow find their way again and learn how to live for themselves.

I always look to this group of teenagers as sort of an older version of the main gang from Stranger Things, because it’s all about teens figuring things out and not having the adults to rely on. Is there plenty of drama infused into something like this? For sure, and that's one of the reasons why this is an extremely entertaining show.

Stream The Society on Netflix.

Fringe (IMDB TV)

Fringe is the best option for Stranger Things fans who also like a bit of investigation mixed in with their sci-fi. In Fringe, we follow the casework of the Fringe Division, which is a Joint Federal Task Force that is supported by the FBI. They investigate cases which relate to fringe science. Some examples would be looking into transhumanist experiments that have gone horribly wrong, or investigating the collision of parallel universes.

Let me tell you that Fringe will turn you into a little agent yourself. There is nothing more satisfying than sitting down on the couch and acting like you are one of the agents of the Fringe Division, and trying to figure out what’s going on while watching the show. I believe that’s what makes this show such a great pick for Stranger Things fans – the mystery is fantastic to follow. Plus, who doesn’t love a good parallel universe story?

Stream Fringe on IMDB TV.

Rent Fringe on Amazon.

GLOW (Netflix)

The '80s aesthetic is real with this one. In GLOW, the viewers get to learn about the 1980s syndicated women’s professional wrestling circuit, called the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling, otherwise known as GLOW, and follows the stories of the fictionalized characters and their everyday struggles with trying to be taken seriously in their field of work.

While the story itself is super empowering and a lot of fun, with plenty of great jokes and drama, Stranger Things fans will love the aesthetic that GLOW brings to the table. One episode in and it will already feel like you were thrown straight back into the '80s, and your hair might poof up as though you've used a decade appropriate amount of hairspray. Not only that, but the cast itself is amazing, with stars like Alison Brie, Britney Young, and more.

Stream GLOW on Netflix.

Wayward Pines (Hulu)

Going back to mysterious shows, Wayward Pines is one of those series that I feel Stranger Things fans would really enjoy. In this science-fiction show, we first follow the story of Ethan Burke, a U.S. Secret Service Agent who is investigating the disappearance of two fellow agents. However, once he gets into a car accident and wakes up in the town of Wayward Pines, Idaho, Ethan finds out that he is unable to leave the town, or contact anyone else outside.

Wayward Pines only had two seasons, but in those two seasons, we really got to see a great science-fiction show. It had everything you would expect, from strange happenings in a small town, to a great mystery, and some paranormal shenanigans – what more could you ask for?

Stream Wayward Pines on Hulu.

Rent Wayward Pines on Amazon.

I Am Not Okay With This (Netflix)

I will never forgive Netflix for only making this fantastic show one season. I Am Not Okay With This tells the story of Sydney Novak, a seemingly boring and normal 17-year-old-girl, but after some trauma in her life, she realizes that she has uncontrolled psychokinesis, something her father may have had, as well.

While I’m sure the idea of her having powers quite similar to Eleven intrigues you, let me say that I Am Not Okay With This, is so ridiculously funny. While the drama and the story itself are full of super interesting plot points, you’ll probably find yourself laughing more and more over the course of the one season the show has. I really wish there were more seasons – maybe one day Netflix might revisit this amazing gem of a show.

Stream I Am Not Okay With This on Netflix.

Twin Peaks (Hulu)

I think everyone who loves supernatural-like shows has watched the classic, Twin Peaks, at least once. In this popular mystery show, Twin Peaks tells the story of FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper and the local sheriff, Harry S. Truman, as the two of them investigate the murder of the homecoming queen, Laura Palmer, in the fictional town.

A great mystery? Check. Plenty of plot twists? Check. Supernatural elements and eccentric characters? Double-check. Twin Peaks is the textbook definition of what a campy yet entertaining mystery show should be, and for fans of Stranger Things, it’s everything you could probably look for. It even had a Season 3 developed recently because the show became such a cult classic. Give it a shot.

Stream Twin Peaks on Hulu.

Rent Twin Peaks on Amazon.

The X-Files (Hulu)

To me, I’ll always remember the theme song more than the actual show, but that doesn’t mean that The X-Files itself isn’t still fantastic. In The X-Files, Fox Mulder and Dana Scully, two FBI Special Agents, work together in different circumstances revolving around oddball mysteries and the possibility of extraterrestrial life. Mulder is a big believer, but Scully is a skeptic.

There’s so much that happens in The X-Files that it’s hard to put into one big paragraph, but there are dozens of reasons why you as a Stranger Things fan should watch the show. The world-building of The X-Files mysteries is extremely intriguing, and the chemistry and dynamic between Mulder and Scully is to die for. A believer and skeptic team is something that always works well in my eyes, but The X-Files is one of those shows that truly mastered it.

Stream The X-Files on Hulu.

Rent The X-Files on Amazon.

The OA (Netflix)

Going back to Netflix for a bit, we take a look at another one of their originals, titled The OA. In this sci-fi mystery, we get to know the story of Prairie Johnson, a young woman who was adopted and had been missing for seven years, but suddenly resurfaces out of nowhere. However, she now calls herself the “OA,” otherwise known as the Original Angel, has scars on her back and can now see, despite previously being blind.

The OA is another one of those shows that fell under the Netflix curse of getting canceled far too soon. The character arc of Prairie is engrossing and will capture your interest within a matter of minutes if mysteries are your thing. Plus, as a Stranger Things fan, you’re most likely looking for some supernatural elements, and The OA has that and more. I mean, a woman who literally appears out of nowhere? Who claims she can open other dimensions? I don’t know how that wouldn’t intrigue you.

Stream The OA on Netflix.

Twilight Zone (Paramount Plus)

While I will always have a place in my heart for the original The Twilight Zone, there is just something so much creepier yet better about Jordan Peele’s version which recently came out. In The Twilight Zone, based on the 1959 television series created by Rod Sterling, Peele is the narrator, guiding the viewer through strange and unusual storylines, ones that could only happen in the realm known as “The Twilight Zone.”

Each episode is its own story entirely, so you can go directly to where the show streams and watch whatever episode you like. And, for mystery fans, these stories might only span one episode, but they will draw you in like no other. There are so many different stories, from a timeline repeating itself, to the classic inclusion of aliens, and weird occurrences – The Twilight Zone series is a masterclass in science-fiction TV in my opinion, and the new show improves on that amazingly well.

Stream The Twilight Zone on Paramount Plus.

Rent The Twilight Zone on Amazon.

Which show are you looking forward to watching the most? For me, I’ve always been a big Twin Peaks fan, but with how long this Stranger Things hiatus has been, I’m this close to watching all of these in succession. Whatever the case, hopefully, you found a new show to obsess over – at least until Stranger Things Season 4 finally releases.

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With every new streaming platform, there are several great dramas for people to turn to when they want to spice up their lives with the problems of fictional characters. Paramount+ is no stranger to that, even though it’s sort of new to the scene. Already, it sports awesome shows, with some of the best dramas out there. While you wait for your new shows to premiere from the 2021 TV schedule, streaming is the way to go.

We have shows that have been going on for what feels like forever, such as NCIS and Star Trek, and others that still have dedicated fans, like Blue Bloods and The Good Wife. No matter what you’re into, Paramount+ is sure to have some sort of drama for you to wrap your head around. These are some of the best that the streaming service has to offer.

NCIS Shows

If you haven’t heard of NCIS at this point, I don’t know what rock you’ve been hiding under.

NCIS is one of the quintessential cop dramas out there. The phrase stands for Naval Criminal Investigation Service, and the series has been going on for years, since 2003.

Because of the popularity of this military and police procedural show, there have been a couple of spinoffs in this franchise that have also been put onto Paramount+ for your viewing, including NCIS: New Orleans and NCIS: Los Angeles. For all you procedural fans, this is most certainly the one for you.

Stream the NCIS franchise on Paramount+ here.

All Rise

Moving onto a more recent entry in this list, All Rise follows the stories, cases, and personal lives of a judge, a persecutor, and a public defender in the beautiful world of Los Angeles, and all the crime that comes along with it.

Obviously, if you’re already a fan of legal shows like Your Honor and Better Call Saul, this drama will be right up your alley. Even if you’ve never given series like this a chance, I’d say keep an eye out for this show. It’s an intriguing look at the legal system, which does a great of of illuminating and entertaining.

Stream All Rise on Paramount+ here.

The Good Wife

Another legal and political drama, The Good Wife, kept a steady reputation as one of the best shows on TV for seven seasons. Produced by Ridley Scott, this show covers the story of Alicia Florrick, the wife of Cook County State’s Attorney, who returns to her career in law after her husband is found guilty of a public sex and political corruption scandal.

The show received critical acclaim and was nominated for multiple Primetime Emmy Awards for how fantastic it was. Sometimes shows like this need to be viewed to really grab you, and once you start that first episode, it’s like a drug. You’ll find yourself rooting for Alicia in ways that you never thought you would – truly worth the time to view.

Stream The Good Wife on Paramount+ here.

Clarice

Think of one of the best films you’ve ever seen – did you think of The Silence of the Lambs? Because I did, and that’s exactly what Clarice is based on. We return to the world of Clarice Starling a year after the events of Silence of the Lambs, as we dive deep into the personal, untold story of the detective.

This series has everything from the movie that you loved and more, with that same psychological aspect that made Silence of the Lambs so intriguing in the first place. Along with that, you’ll get some prime hunting down of other serial killers and sexual predators, in a high-stakes world all around Washington D.C. If you loved the original, you’re sure to love the show as well.

Stream Clarice on Paramount+ here.

Star Trek Shows

Alright, there are far too many to tell you the individual plot of each Star Trek show, but know that there are so many for you to explore. The Star Trek franchise – which has been around since the 1960’s – is all about going “boldly where no man has gone before,” through the channel of space and (sometimes) time. Trust me, there are several stories which have been told throughout the years.

From the Star Trek franchise, you could watch the original Star Trek, Star Trek: Picard, Star Trek: Discovery and so much more. While the series is rooted in science-fiction, there is still plenty of drama for you to enjoy. With each of the new shows that this franchise has turned out over the years, you’ll have entertainment for months.

Stream the Star Trek franchise on Paramount+ here.

The Equalizer

Moving onto another show based on a movie, The Equalizer is a brand-new TV series inspired by the original series of the same name from the 1980s. The show, now starring the fabulous Queen Latifah, tells the story of a vigilante who wants to help with social justice and pursues cases where the people aren’t helped by the law – which is where the “equalizer” steps in to help them out.

After the success of the series (and films starring Denzel Washington), it was only a matter of time before they decided to reboot the idea, and Queen Latifah holds up in the main role, along with several other shining costars alongside her. The crime-drama has only has a few episodes so far, so it’s easy to catch up, and who doesn’t love a good vigilante story?

Stream The Equalizer on Paramount+ here.

Blue Bloods

Blue Bloods focuses on the Reagan family, a group of individuals who largely work in law enforcement. The father is the New York City Police Commissioner, followed by family members that play other pivotal roles in the daily ongoings of the NYC Police Department.

With eleven seasons to binge, there’s plenty of you to enjoy on this popular cop show. Whether you’re a city dweller or someone who’s really into the law, there are parts of this show that will satisfy any viewer. Tom Selleck, Donnie Wahlberg, and several others star in this popular show, so there’s also plenty of talent to watch during the long-running series.

Stream Blue Bloods on Paramount+ here.

Twin Peaks

This is one of my all-time favorite dramas, and it's been popular for such a long time that it’s clear others feel the same way. Twin Peaks, while short-lived, has a cult following for a reason. The series tells the tale of a murder investigation of a homecoming queen, in the fictional town of Twin Peaks, Washington.

While it sounds like just some normal everyday crime show, there are so many elements to Twin Peaks that stand out. For example, every episode is a standard day in the show, so each season only chronicles a month – therefore, as the viewer, you really get to dive deep into these investigations and see all of the horror, mystery, and killers that appear during these cases. It’s super interesting, extremely entertaining, and worth the watch for any crime fan, even if it's a short series.

Stream Twin Peaks on Paramount+ here.

Madam Secretary

Back to the political spectrum, we take a look at a role that isn’t usually covered that often from the White House in scripted TV – the secretary of the United States. Madam Secretary is the story of a secretary of state, and the internal struggles that she has while trying to drive diplomacy, and the politics of not just the country, but the office as well.

I know that there are so many political shows out there, but this was is super complex. It really digs deep into this position and the troubles that anyone in the White House can face. I feel like in the last couple of years, we’ve all had our fair share of politics, but for a show that was around for six seasons, it’s clear they must have been doing something right. The character development is great, the stories interesting, and the politics aren’t too hard to understand for someone who’s new to shows like this.

Stream Madam Secretary on Paramount+ here.

The Stand

Based on the Stephen King novel of the same name, The Stand is basically what we’re living right now – through a pandemic.

Nah, I’m just joking, but that is a main plot-point of this miniseries. In this show, we see the beginning of a pandemic that is a result of a mishap in a military biological research station – this, in turn, leads to the people who are left fighting a true battle of good against evil.

With this great show, we see awesome actors like James Marsden and Odessa Young take the lead, really providing us with a rich story – I mean, it’s Stephen King, the same guy who wrote The Shining. We all know that this story is going to be great. There’s no better time than now to watch it.

Stream The Stand on Paramount+ here.

The Twilight Zone

While the new Twilight Zone that Jordan Peele hosts is fun and all, there’s nothing that can quite compare to the original The Twilight Zone from the ’60s. The Twilight Zone is an anthology, often dealing with strange and unusual events and the people who get caught up in those events.

While the show can lean a little bit more into the horror and mystery aspect, the episodes always end with some sort of lesson being taught. Even though some of the issues can be a bit dated (this show did debut in 1959), many of the stories are still mysterious enough to be thoroughly entertaining.

Stream The Twilight Zone on Paramount+ here.

Under The Dome

Another Stephen King adaption here, Under The Dome, tells the story of a small town which is suddenly trapped under a glass dome. No one knows why, but it’s up to the townspeople to figure out exactly how to get out – and why it might have happened to them in the first place.

I know that this sounds a little bit like the plot of The Simpsons Movie, but I promise you that the story of Under The Dome is much more fleshed out and entertaining – and a lot less comical. This is the epitome of what a drama should be, with a nice science-fiction twist.

Stream Under the Dome on Paramount+ here.

Jeez. I’m already biting my nails imagining the stress I would feel watching all these dramas – but, I suppose that’s the fun part about it. You can sit on the couch and view it all on Paramount+, without having to deal with any of the consequences that the characters did.

Sometimes, all you need to do to make a great escape is put on one of the best sci-fi movies of all time for a glimpse at a whole different kind of world. But, if you are wishing for an extended stay in these far off galaxies, futuristic societies of a utopian or dystopian nature, or even ordinary, modern places encountering extraordinary phenomena, we recommend some of the small screen’s most beloved contributions to the genre. Allow us to point you in the direction of where the most die-hard sci-fi fans have gone before with our following guide to the best sci-fi TV shows now streaming.

Doctor Who (1963-Present)

The last member of an immortal, human-looking alien species with regenerative abilities travels to different times, dimensions, and planets, often with a companion at their side.

Why it is one of the best sci-fi TV shows: One of the small screen’s longest-running, most influential franchises of all time is Doctor Who, which stars a frequently changing rotation of actors – from Tom Baker to David Tenant to Jodie Whitaker and more – as the titular Time Lord.

Stream Doctor Who on Max.
Stream Doctor Who on Tubi.

Severance (2022-Present)

A group of office workers (played by Adam Scott, Britt Lower, Christopher Walken and more) start to develop suspicions about the true nature of their company, which keeps its employees' personal and professional memories separate.

Why it is one of the best sci-fi TV shows: From creator Dan Erickson and executive producer Ben Stiller, Severance is one of the most inventively bizarre, absorbing, and simply best TV shows on Apple TV+, let alone in recent memory, and has a highly anticipated second season in the works.

Stream Severance on Apple TV+.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008-2020)

The chronicles of the vicious war between the Republic (as aided by the Jedi) and the oppressive Separatist army in a galaxy far, far away.

Why it is one of the best sci-fi TV shows: Taking place between the events of Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith on the Star Wars timeline, Star Wars: The Clone Wars is one of the most widely beloved installments of the franchise as a whole.

Stream Star Wars: The Clone Wars on Disney+.

Cowboy Bebop (1998-1999)

The adventures of a crew of bounty hunters in space in the distant future.

Why it is one of the best sci-fi TV shows: As far as Japanese anime TV shows go, Cowboy Bebop – which was later adapted for live-action by Netflix – is an essential for its dazzling blend of cosmic action with noir-inspired tonal elements.

Stream Cowboy Bebop on Hulu.
Stream Cowboy Bebop on Crunchyroll.

Quantum Leap (1989-1993)

A freak accident sends a brilliant scientist (Scott Bakula) on a journey inhabiting the bodies of strangers from different time periods to right wrongs of the past.

Why it is one of the best sci-fi TV shows: Later rebooted for modern audiences with Raymond Lee in the lead, Quantum Leap is one of the most unique stories about time travel ever conceived, and only made greater by the wonderful chemistry between Bakula and the late Dean Stockwell as his holographic guide, Al.

Stream Quantum Leap on Peacock.
Stream Quantum Leap on The Roku Channel.

Silo (2023-Present)

A woman (Rebecca Ferguson) from a community of people driven to live underground questions what she has been told about the uninhabitable environment above.

Why it is one of the best sci-fi TV shows: Showrunner Graham Yost’s adaptation of Hugh  Howey’s bestselling book series is a wonderfully suspenseful dystopian treat, especially with killer performances by the Silo cast, which also includes Common, Tim Robbins, Rashida Jones, and more.

Stream Silo on Apple TV+.

Andor (2022-Present)

A man (Diego Luna) becomes part of a secret movement to overthrow the oppressive imperial authority over his and other planets.

Why it is one of the best sci-fi TV shows: One of the most beloved Star Wars spin-off TV shows, Andor – which has a second season in the works – serves as a prequel to one of the franchise’s most acclaimed prequels, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.

Stream Andor on Disney+.

Black Mirror (2011-Present)

The best Black Mirror episodes so far include futuristic cautionary tales, morality dramas, and even bizarre supernatural fantasies.

Why it is one of the best sci-fi TV shows: This list is meant to highlight science-fiction shows, but most stories featured in Charlie Brooker’s Netflix exclusive, technophobic horror anthology series, Black Mirror, feel almost too frighteningly plausible to be considered “fiction.”

Stream Black Mirror on Netflix.

Firefly (2002-2003)

Centuries after mankind left Earth to colonize the rest of the galaxy, a ragtag crew of smugglers and fugitives led by a rebellious ship’s captain (Nathan Fillion) offer their services to those in need while on the run from the government.

Why it is one of the best sci-fi TV shows: Oddly enough, most sci-fi series with the most devoted fan bases are the kind of shows that were cancelled too soon, like Firefly –  a groundbreaking of space operas with the Western, which later spawned a feature-length follow-up called Serenity.

Stream Firefly on Hulu.

Mystery Science Theater 3000 (1988-Present)

The sole human aboard an interstellar satellite is forced by his captors to watch cinema’s worst with his sarcastic robot companions.

Why it is one of the best sci-fi TV shows: No series pokes fun at low-tier B-movies better than Mystery Science Theater 3000, which has gone through various hosts and distributors and even spawned a theatrical movie in 1996. 

Stream Mystery Science Theater 3000 on Peacock.
Stream Mystery Science Theater 3000 on Pluto TV.
Stream Mystery Science Theater 3000 on Netflix.

Rick And Morty (2013-Present)

A dysfunctional grandfather-grandson duo embark on increasingly dangerous and potentially cataclysmic adventures – including planet-hopping, reality-swapping, and even just trying to impress a classroom crush.

Why it is one of the best sci-fi TV shows: Despite being a crude, blatant send-up of Back to the Future at its surface, co-creators Dan Harmon and Justin Roiland (who formerly voiced to title characters) made Adult Swim’s Ricky and Morty into something special that many consider to be one of the best animated TV shows of all time.

Stream Rick and Morty on Max.
Stream Rick and Morty on Hulu.

Stranger Things (2016-Present)

Ordinary children and adults take on extraordinary matters (such as telepathic beings and interdimensional beasts) happening in their small Midwestern town in the 1980s.

Why it is one of the best sci-fi TV shows: Heavily inspired by classic ‘80s movies like E.T. or The Goonies, the magnificent Stranger Things cast and creators Matt and Ross Duffer have pushed this blockbuster-level Netflix hit beyond just another fun piece of nostalgia

Stream Stranger Things on Netflix.

The Mandalorian (2019-Present)

An interstellar bounty hunter (Pedro Pascal) becomes a fugitive after he takes it upon himself to be the protector of his own bounty: an innocent child of extraordinary ability. 

Why it is one of the best sci-fi TV shows: From creator Jon Favreau, the Emmy-winning Disney+ exclusive series, The Mandalorian, is unique to previous stories to come from a galaxy far, far away for its western-style tone, moving, character-driven plot, and, above all, the cutest alien baby you have ever seen.

Stream The Mandalorian on Disney+.

The X-Files (1993-2018)

Two FBI agents (David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson) investigate cases a little stranger than your typical homicide – such as alien abductions, interspecies mutation, or extra sensory perception, among other things.

Why it is one of the best sci-fi TV shows: Originally lasting nine seasons before its two-season revival in 2016, creator Chris Carter’s Emmy-winning hit The X-Files has the tone of a crime procedural and pulse of an eerie midnight movie, resulting in one of the genre’s most exquisitely constructed and phenomenally original creations. 

Stream The X-Files on Hulu.
Stream The X-Files on Freevee through Amazon.

Twin Peaks (1990-2017)

A special agent of the FBI (Kyle McLachlan) is sent to investigate the death of a young woman in a small Washington town, which proves to be the site of an even stranger variety of mysteries.

Why it is one of the best sci-fi TV shows: Winner of the Golden Globe for Best Drama Series in 1991, creators David Lynch and Mark Frost’s Twin Peaks became a touchstone of addictive episodic television in only two seasons before its short 2017 revival on Showtime for its unprecedented idiosyncrasies and delicious surrealism.

Stream Twin Peaks on Paramount+.
Stream Twin Peaks: The Return on Showtime through Paramount+.

Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987-1994)

The crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise-D continues Starfleet’s exploration of uncharted areas of space.

Why it is one of the best sci-fi TV shows: Widely considered to be a spin-off as good as the original – or even the strongest iteration of Gene Roddenberry’s iconic franchise overall – is the multi-Emmy-winning Star Trek: The Next Generation, especially with Sir Patrick Stewart as Enterprise captain Jean-Luc Picard.

Stream Star Trek: The Next Generation on Paramount+.
Stream Star Trek: The Next Generation on Pluto TV.

The Expanse (2015-2022)

In an entirely colonized and seemingly peaceful solar system, a space freighter crew makes a dark discovery that gives them a reason to rebel and become heroes.

Why it is one of the best sci-fi TV shows: Based on James S.A. Corey’s celebrated novels, The Expanse is lauded by critics and audiences alike as one of the best sci-fi TV shows on Amazon Prime and one of the genre’s smartest shows of its time in general.

Stream The Expanse on Amazon Prime.

The Twilight Zone (1959-1964)

A collection of fantastic, mind-bending character studies that are often reflective of the pressing matters from the era.

Why it is one of the best sci-fi TV shows: While it would later inspire multiple reboots, most would agree that nothing beats Rod Serling’s original classic anthology series, The Twilight Zone, in terms of its outstanding depth and imagination.

Stream The Twilight Zone on Paramount+.
Stream The Twilight Zone on Freevee through Amazon.
Stream The Twilight Zone on Pluto TV.

The Jetsons (1962-1987)

An average family gets themselves into bizarre situations in a futuristic utopia.

Why it is one of the best sci-fi TV shows: After receiving (probably inaccurate) lessons about the Stone Age from Hanna-Barbera, children could also indulge in the animation studio’s vision of the future with The Jetsons – one of the most beloved marriages with the traditional sitcom structure with the sci-fi genre.

Stream The Jetsons on Max.
Stream The Jetsons on Tubi.

What do you think? Are these the best sci-fi TV shows of all time (that are available for streaming) or do you find our lack of your favorite series disturbing?

Who would've thought that Riverdale, a mature-minded, twist-friendly teen drama based on Archie Comics characters, would be one of the hottest, most popular shows on television? Certainly, it's a credit to the showrunners for turning what some people thought would be a laughing stock into a series that continues to appeal to viewers young and old. With the fourth season currently airing on The CW and a fifth season already ordered, Riverdale is a huge hit. If you're looking for another TV show to stream that's in a similar vein, we have some recommendations that'll suit your fancy.

The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (Netflix)

What The Show Is About: A bold new take on the popular Archive comic book character, The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina is a supernatural horror series centered around Sabrina and the difficulties she faces balancing her identities as a half-mortal, half-witch fighting forces haunting her waking life.

Why Fans Of Riverdale Would Like It: It only makes sense. Sabrina the Teenage Witch was originally a character from the Archie comics. Naturally, if you liked the revamped take of The CW's Riverdale, you'll probably be interested to check out Netflix's The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. Particularly with its charming lead performance from Kiernan Shipka as the title character, this Netflix hit doubles down on everything people love about Riverdale. It also helps that it comes from Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, i.e. the creator of Riverdale. Basically, if you are looking for recommendations, this is a given.

Where To Stream: The first season and the first half of the second season of The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina are now available on Netflix.

Veronica Mars (Hulu)

What The Show Is About: A teen noir mystery centered around a high school girl who moonlights as a private detective with her father in California.

Why Fans Of Riverdale Would Like It: If you love watching teenage detectives trying to solve mysteries around town, you'll definitely get a kick out of Veronica Mars. In the title role that propelled her into stardom, Kristen Bell gives a tremendous performance as the young ace detective, one who must balance her investigations with school life. Thanks to its sharp writing and strong performances, it's no mystery why Veronica Mars gained a following.

Where To Stream: Every season of Veronica Mars, including the new fourth season and the movie, is available to stream on Hulu.

Teen Wolf (Amazon Prime)

What The Show Is About: A modernized spin on the 1985 movie of the same name, Teen Wolf follows a high schooler who turns into a werewolf.

Why Fans Of Riverdale Would Like It: The blend of high school drama and supernatural elements typically serves as a fun way to get viewers enticed, as you'll see from a few other shows listed in this article, and Teen Wolf's mix of intrigue and drama fits in line with what you can expect from Riverdale.

Where To Stream: All six seasons of Teen Wolf are available on Amazon Prime.

Titans (DC Universe)

What The Show Is About: A re-imagining of the DC Comics crime-fighting team, Titans takes a grittier, darker spin on the crime fighting young superheroes as they band together once more to take down evil forces found in various different places, with their base centered in San Francisco.

Why Fans Of Riverdale Would Like It: Similar to Riverdale, in the days leading up to Titans' premiere, the Internet was ready to write it off as an overly brooding, direly humorless take on a beloved comic book property. But when the first season of Titans was unveiled, it surprised critics and audiences alike with its strong ensemble and its fresh take on the material, which is similar to how people felt when Riverdale finally premiered its first season on The CW. Titans is often criticized for its tonal problems and its inconsistent writing, but these are often criticisms that are lobbied against Riverdale. If you don't mind the flaws of Riverdale and you enjoy its campy, moodier take on the familiar Archive comic books, Titans might be worth your while too.

Where To Stream: The first two seasons of Titans are now available on DC Universe, with the third season expected to premiere sometime this year.

True Detective (HBO Go)

What The Show Is About: An acclaimed anthology crime drama series, with each season containing different characters, striking backdrops, and self-contained, non-linear narratives, True Detective follows angst-ridden detectives as they try to solve a crime that has haunted them for decades on end.

Why Fans Of Riverdale Would Like It: During a Reddit AMA, Cole Sprouse made an unlikely comparison. As Season 2 was getting ready to air, the TV actor compared Riverdale to HBO's acclaimed True Detective, which seems like an odd point of reference at first glance, but it does make an okay bit of sense upon reflection. Sprouse noted that the dynamic shared between Jughead, the role he plays on The CW show, and KJ Apa's Archie is similar to the relationship shared between Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey in True Detective's first season. Indeed, if you like the more brooding, ponderous aspects of Riverdale, specifically in the oddball friendship between Jughead and Archie, you'll find a lot to like in True Detective. Notably in the show's excellent first season. While Season 2 isn't quite as strong, Season 1 and Season 3 have a lot going for them. You should check them out.

Where To Stream: All three seasons of True Detective can be found on HBO Go.

Twin Peaks (Netflix/Showtime)

What The Show Is About: Twin Peaks follows FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper in his attempt to find out who was behind the murder of homecoming queen Laura Palmer in the quaint, strange little town of Twin Peaks, Washington. From there, well, let's just say that a lot of weird stuff starts to happen.

Why Fans Of Riverdale Would Like It: If you're a fan of all the kooky, bizarre antics and plot twists that ensue throughout Riverdale, particularly in the newer seasons, you might want to give Twin Peaks a try. In fact, the two shows mirror each other at times. While Riverdale is way more conventional than the often outright-bizarre Twin Peaks, if you find yourself grooving with The CW's show commitment to weirdness, you should give this one a spin.

Where To Stream: The first two seasons of Twin Peaks can be found on Netflix. The third season, Twin Peaks: The Return, is available on Showtime.

Buffy The Vampire Slayer (Hulu)

What The Show Is About: Based on the 1992 movie of the same name, Buffy the Vampire Slayer follows the latest in a line of vampire slayers, known simply as "the Slayer," who fights demons, vampires (naturally), and other dark forces while also dealing with the challenges that come with high school.

Why Fans Of Riverdale Would Like It: The immensely popular supernatural drama series is, in some ways, what Riverdale was for earlier generations. The series blended horror elements with the day-to-day troubles of being a high schooler, and it was critically and commercially acclaimed for its witty dialogue, stylish filmmaking, and winning characters. Suffice to say, Buffy the Vampire Slayer is an appealing TV series for viewers who love Riverdale.

Where To Stream: The complete seven-season series can be found on Hulu.

Scream (Netflix)

What The Show Is About: Based on the slasher film series of the same name, MTV/VH1's Scream is a serialized anthology series which follows a similar plot to the movies that inspired it: it centers around a group of self-aware teenagers who become targeted by a serial killer with a white mask.

Why Fans Of Riverdale Would Like It: In terms of story, there are quite a few similarities between Riverdale and Scream. In fact, it's fair to say that Riverdale is probably at least somewhat influenced by the original Scream movies, to the point of including a reference to Scream in a recent Season 3 episode. Both shows center around small towns with looming mysteries that teenagers need to solve, include camp value in frequent measure, have a winking meta tone, and pay reverence to the past while also trying to establish their own footing. Riverdale and Scream share common grounds.

Where To Stream: All three seasons of MTV/VH1's Scream are available to stream on Netflix.

Fargo (Hulu)

What The Show Is About: An anthology series based on the the Coen brothers' 1996 masterpiece of the same name, Fargo is a darkly comedic crime drama focused on the interconnecting misdeeds and criminal activities of the off-beat citizens of Fargo, North Dakota, throughout numerous decades.

Why Fans Of Riverdale Would Like It: Beyond being one of the sharpest, funniest, stylish, and most entertaining shows on television, Fargo is another series centered around small-town characters revealing the insidious nature of their seemingly-friendly surroundings. In the midst of these very well-mannered humble folk are dangerous games of deception, untrustworthy characters, and delightfully dark moments of pitch-black comedy. While it might not appeal to the sensibilities of every Riverdale fan, Fargo will certainly win over anyone who enjoys the sensibilities of the original '90s movie.

Where To Stream: All three seasons of Fargo are available on Hulu, with the fourth season soon set to premiere in April.

Stranger Things (Netflix)

What The Show Is About: In 1980s Indiana, a group of small-town youngsters investigate the disappearance of their friend while also connecting with a mysterious young girl with a shaved head and psychokinetic powers. They soon discover a series of supernatural oddities happening around them.

Why Fans Of Riverdale Would Like It: Certainly, if there's a chance that you've seen any show on this list, it's most likely Stranger Things. The hugely popular Netflix series, meshing elements of sci-fi, horror, drama and comedy into one package, has been immensely successful for the streaming site, and it continues to endear viewers with its influences of John Carpenter, Steven Spielberg, and Stephen King. Certainly, if you like the plucky spirit of Riverdale and its mix of horror, drama, and comedy centered around school-age protagonists, you'll find a lot to enjoy in this immensely popular show.

Where To Stream: All three seasons of Stranger Things are now available on Netflix, with the fourth season set to premiere later this year.

These are just a few shows currently available to stream that you might like if you love Riverdale. Which are you favorites? Tell us in the comments!

Mild spoilers ahead for El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie.

Legendary actor Robert Forster died today (Friday, October 11, 2019) at his home in Los Angeles after suffering brain cancer. He was 78.

Robert Forster earned an Oscar nomination as Max Cherry in Quentin Tarantino's 1997 movie Jackie Brown. His lengthy movie and TV filmography started in the late 1960s and really took off with the lead role in Medium Cool in 1969. He was known for dozens of other roles -- including in Mulholland Dr.; Me, Myself & Irene; Twin Peaks; Heroes; The Descendants; Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle; Firewall; Lucky Number Slevin; Olympus Has Fallen; and London Has Fallen.

The timing of Robert Forster's death was particularly shocking for Breaking Bad fans, since he co-stars in El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie, which just premiered today on Netflix. Many fans just finished binging the movie only to find out Forster was gone. In the movie, Forster returns to his Breaking Bad role as a vacuum repairman who specializes in "disappearing" and relocating people. I was just saying I wanted the next Breaking Bad spinoff after Better Call Saul to follow Forster's Ed Galbraith. How quickly that dream ended.

Tributes started pouring in immediately for Robert Forster, including from his former Heroes co-star Greg Grunberg:

Fans were quick to honor this epitome of cool:

He was also the epitome of a tough guy:

The news broke fairly late for East Coast fans, and it certainly made for a dark end to the day:

El Camino fans in particular were struck by just finishing a binge of the new Breaking Bad movie only to discover Robert Forster was dead:

The Hollywood Reporter posted a life-and-death quote from Robert Forster that resonated with grieving fans:

According to THR, Robert Forster's survivors include his third wife Evie and his children Elizabeth, Kathrine, Maeghen, and Robert. He will be missed.

We just lost another legend. Peggy Lipton -- model, "It" Girl, and Golden Globe-winning actress -- has died at age 72. The Mod Squad and Twin Peaks star is survived by her two actress daughters, Kidada and Rashida Jones, her children with ex-husband Quincy Jones.

Peggy Lipton revealed in 2004 that she had been diagnosed with colon cancer. The disease took her life on May 11, 2019. Rashida and Kidada shared a statement confirming their mother's death:

At least Peggy Lipton's daughters got to be there for her in the end, as they told the L.A. Times. Lipton was married to musician/producer Quincy Jones from 1974 to 1990.

Peggy Lipton started her career as a Ford Agency model in New York before moving to Los Angeles to start her acting career on shows like Bewitched, The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, and The John Forsythe Show. She shot to fame as Julie Barnes in the 1968–1973 series The Mod Squad. She was nominated for four Emmys and four Golden Globes for the role, picking up one Golden Globe win.

Peggy Lipton also had a successful singing career, but she stepped away from the spotlight a bit after her marriage to Quincy Jones to focus on raising her family.

About 20 years after The Mod Squad, she shot back to TV fame as Norma Jennings in David Lynch's Twin Peaks from 1990-1991. She also came back to the role for the 2017 Showtime return.

In a nice bit of mother/daughter synergy, Peggy Lipton also played Peggy Tribeca, mother of title character Angie Tribeca in Rashida Jones' TBS comedy. Rashida Jones followed her mother into acting, most famously as Ann Perkins in Parks and Recreation. She also made the documentary Quincy, about her father, Quincy Jones, for Netflix, winning a Grammy for Best Music Film.

Rashida Jones recently shared a throwback photo of her parents:

Last year, Rashida Jones also shared this beautiful set of photos in honor of Mother's Day:

It's tragic that Peggy Lipton passed just one day before Mother's Day 2019. But she leaves a fantastic legacy behind her, from her work to her children. Fans have been flooding social media with memories of her on Twin Peaks or The Mod Squad, or from meeting her in person, if they were so lucky. She will be missed.

David Lynch has recently been busy over at Showtime making new episodes of Twin Peaks (with hopefully more to come!), however, he is still well-known as a filmmaker and talks out about the movies and other media from time to time. The director, writer and producer recently spoke out at the Festival of Disruption in New York to talk about not needing to justify himself to anyone, even a new generation who takes to social media and writes about their thoughts instantaneously---and often, not so kindly. He said:

David Lynch feels so strongly about social media that he didn't allow video recordings of his talk at the Festival of Disruption (via Rolling Stone), but he did talk about his feelings regarding instant responses to works of art, especially films. He doesn't seem to feel the need to justify himself or his decision-making process when creating a new movie project.

However, he also mentioned that the reason he feels that way about not taking in a movie and just throwing your thoughts out there right after you've seen it is because every screening of a movie is different. Still, while he has some strong thoughts about criticizing movies, he also said he isn't trying to invalidate those feelings.

David Lynch hasn't been putting together many big screen endeavors of late, but he is still active in Hollywood, and he's not the only director to have strong feelings about how film criticism has been exacerbated by the ability users and critics alike have to transmit their thoughts out into the universe without much thought or effort. Director Eli Roth even made a movie about people overreacting on social media, so it's definitely a germane topic in Tinseltown. James Cameron previously has also said that he's not a fan of Twitter, and doesn't even have a Facebook account. He joins actors like Nic Cage, who aren't big fans of the social media experience. Movies often live or die by their opening weekend box office, and word of mouth on social media arguably plays a role in that; so, the stakes are definitely high for everyone.

Twin Peaks has never really been about the endings. Season 2 infamously ended on Evil Cooper escaping the Black Lodge, and 25 years later, Season 3 ended with Cooper and (maybe) Laura Palmer confused and trapped in a different (maybe) timeline. So, it stands to reason that the series itself is never truly over, as we once again are left to wonder the fate of Twin Peaks. David Lynch was unsure if another season would happen, and now co-creator Mark Frost has weighed in. Here's what he had to say about a possible Season 4:

It seems like no one is really quite sure yet if they want to continue Twin Peaks. In an interview with IndieWire, Mark Frost said that he hasn't "decided yet" on if he wants to make another season of his cult classic series Twin Peaks. Showtime at least seems open to the idea of more episodes, but ultimately at the end of the day, the final decision really lies with Frost and co-creator David Lynch.

Mark Frost's comments line up with what David Lynch said about making Season 4 back in September. During an event at Belgrade Culture Centre in Serbia, Lynch told a crowd of people that it was too early to tell and that the time it takes to develop the series is a big factor. It took Lynch and Mark Frost four and half years to write and film the 18 episode third season, so any new seasons would likely take a long time to produce. Perhaps Lynch and Frost have wiped the dust off since then and would be able to write faster, but Twin Peaks is a careful and deliberate show. It's not exactly something that warrants speed.

At any rate, Showtime does have some incentive to greenlight a new season. Twin Peaks: The Return drew in big numbers for them and was their most watched new show ever, driving up there subscription numbers. Plus, Twin Peaks was a big topic of conversation in the film world, so having a series that can drum up that kind of unique buzz is something any network would want.

The fate of Twin Peaks is still a mystery but you can always watch the new season over at Showtime. If you got a TV itch you just can't scratch, then there are other alternatives. Hit up our fall season TV premiere guide to find what else is out there on the air. For more TV news, make sure to keep it right here at CinemaBlend and we'll update you with new information as soon as it's available.

The long-awaited return of Twin Peaks has come and gone, and viewers are still trying to figure out just what it was they were watching for 18 episodes. The ending certainly didn't pull any punches and it's up for debate whether or not the ending was a cliffhanger or not. Regardless, people are already talking about a potential new season of the show. There doesn't seem to be much serious talk about it at the moment, and David Lynch isn't quite sure what's in store. If there will be a fourth season, we shouldn't expect it to get here anytime soon. According to Lynch...

People have been wondering about the future of Twin Peaks for some time now and were likely hoping that the finale of Season 3 would fill in some blanks. In true David Lynch fashion, Twin Peaks didn't feel like answering any questions, so what are the chances that it'll be coming back? Lynch, who infamously never answers questions about his work, doesn't seem to know yet. While supporting his "Small Stories" exhibition at the Belgrade Cultural Center in Serbia, Lynch appeared via Skype and told the audience (via Danas) that if a new season were to happen, it would be quite a few years before it would premiere. After all, it took him four and a half years to just do the one season.

As to whether or not another season should or should not happen is up for debate. There's definitely an argument to made that Season 3 said all that was needed to be said and there's no need for a new season. On the other hand, people have no less than one million questions about everything that happened (or didn't happen). Even Kyle MacLachlan doesn't get what happened! However, I doubt a new season of Twin Peaks would deliver those answers. If anything, it'll just create even more questions with no answers.

Twin Peaks: The Return was a major topic of conversation within the film community throughout its whole run, so one can understand if Showtime is considering another season. Twin Peaks was good business for Showtime. The series was its most-watched new show ever and it drove up subscriber numbers. Supposedly, there haven't been any conversations about a new season, but the question is still floating in the air like a weird BOB cloud.

We don't know what the future has in store for Twin Peaks, but stick with CinemaBlend and we'll let you know new information as soon as it's available. In the meantime, there's still lots of good TV on the way, so stay in touch with our fall season guide.

For any TV viewers out there who have a sizable distaste for series that end runs without tying off storylines with neat and perfectly crafted bows, then Showtime's Twin Peaks: The Return was likely a powder keg, since it created far more questions than it eventually answered. In particular, the scenes between Sherilyn Fenn's Audrey and her "husband," Clark Middleton's Charlie, were mind-bogglingly confusing, given their mostly standalone nature. But don't expect to get any answers from Middleton, who recently spoke with CinemaBlend about his Twin Peaks performance. Here's why he thinks:

With an answer as lofty and knotted as Twin Peaks itself, Clark Middleton makes a fine point there, as Twin Peaks is one of relatively few shows that exudes such an array of fantastical qualities and characters that trying to wrap it all up with a singular explanation would be a bad move. (Especially with that wacky finale.) Assuming it would even be possible in the first place. Twin Peaks has always had a plot, surely, with Laura Palmer's murder serving as a catalyst for TV viewers to enter this frightening, surreal and oddly vaudevillian world, but I don't think anyone would necessarily consider the drama as being "plot-driven" throughout any of its seasons.

Especially with this latest batch of episodes, Twin Peaks lives in its individual moments, whether those moments are offering a story about a dude with a green hand or showcasing an arm-wrestling match. Or, in the specific case of Audrey and Charlie: a series of confusing and angst-driven conversations that inevitably lead into a hypnotic dance scene, which then leads into a last-second shocker that turns everything on its head. Viewers were already filled to the coat collar with theories about what was happening between Audrey and Charlie, with some guessing that she was still in the hospital following that explosion that sent her there in the Season 2 finale, and that Charlie was her doctor. And others guessed different scenarios of all flavors.

Each explanation provides its own subset of questions and potential problems, though, and so even if Clark Middleton or David Lynch or anyone else actually did give a legitimate explanation, would it really make everyone content and happy? Or would viewers just continue questioning things to the point of frustrated absurdity? (Absurdity is quite the fitting destination for conversations about Twin Peaks, but only the White Lodge kind is preferred.) In that way, it's easy to understand Middleton's point about scenes being completely relative to the person who's watching them.

To that end, here's another fitting and poignant bit that Clark Middleton told me that will no doubt make some want set the world aflame.

So basically, if you thought that Audrey was in some kind of hospital or psych ward and only having delusions about a husband named Charlie, you're right. If you think that she got stuck in some other-world after being impregnated by Evil Cooper, you're right. If you think that Charlie is actually the only person that actually exists in this world, with everyone else being a figment of his imagination, you're right -- you're also kinda weird and apparently comfortable with making hyperbolic creative leaps, but you're still right.

Without any more Twin Peaks episodes left to air on Showtime, apparently fans' own imaginations are the only way to learn what all of it was really about. (At least until the next Twin Peaks book comes out and possibly explains it.) While we're waiting for that, check out everything else that's coming to TV in the near future with our fall premiere schedule.

For over 25 years, Twin Peaks has been a show that has polarized TV viewers, but David Lynch & Co. somehow upped the ante exponentially with Showtime's revival series, which left audiences reeling from the far-flung mysteries and unanswered questions. But as it turns out, it wasn't just those outside the madness that took issue with the show's return. Actress and musician Julee Cruise, who sang the memorable theme song and performed at the show's Roadhouse, took to social media to brutally slam both Twin Peaks and Lynch.

Now, if you only paid attention to that post itself and moved on with your life, it looks like Julee Cruise was just throwing some general shade at Twin Peaks during the night of its two-episode finale, probably after watching herself in "Part 17," in which she was seen performing the"Falling" theme. But one need not go very far into that post's comments to stumble across some far more inflammatory thoughts and comments. (Many of them contain typos as well, which is attributed to her doing all of her responses on her phone, but one can assume that her self-reported anger may have played a part.)

For instance, after one fan made a speculative mention about Julee Cruise returning for another potential Twin Peaks seasons, she responded with "Never!" Elsewhere, she gave a David Lynch-specific burn by saying "I Will Never Work for The Emperor Again, thank God!" When another fan said that he/she didn't need a TV show to appreciate Cruise's music, Cruise responded by saying she hadn't signed up for that, or any of "the whole nightmare, 28yrs of it." And she had lots of things to say whenever fans commented on how short the "Falling" performance was, especially in comparison to the season's other big musical moments, which served as many episodes' final scenes. Cruise called Lynch out for intentionally doing that to "slap me in the face."

Now, before anyone thinks that Julee Cruise's rage was all about a scene being shortened in editing, that wasn't the case, as the actress alleges she'd changed her phone number and email address, implying that she didn't want to even be part of the casting process when the revival was announced. Cruise also claimed that she has been treated very unkindly where Twin Peaks was concerned over the years, but especially during the production for The Return. And while many of her comments were free from degrading insults, she called out producer Sabrina Sutherland several times, usually alongside Lynch's name, and here was arguably the most salty response she put out there: