It’s kind of shocking that Adam Sandler has never been nominated for an Oscar, especially given how many times he’s absolutely delivered in dramatic roles. If you ask me, he should have been in that conversation years ago. But with a new project on the horizon, there’s a real sense that might finally change, because it sounds just like exactly the kind of role The Academy usually pays attention to.

Per Deadline, Sandler is teaming up with director Scott Cooper for a new psychological drama, Time Out, and it sounds very much in his wheelhouse, in the best way. The film follows a man who loses his job and, instead of telling his family, builds an increasingly complicated web of lies to hide the truth. It’s a premise that leans heavily into shame and desperation, all things he's proven he can play incredibly well.

Adam Sandler fans know that having a Netflix subscription is the easiest way to find his best movies. But if you need a reminder, let’s take a quick walk through some of his strongest dramatic roles, the ones that should have earned him a nomination, if not full-on Oscar gold, and prove he’s always been more than a comedic actor.

Adam Sandler Roles That Deserved An Oscar Nomination

For years, Adam Sandler has been stuck in this strange spot where everyone agrees he’s capable of great work, but the awards recognition just hasn’t followed. So let’s run through a few performances that easily could have been contenders for Oscar gold:

1. Punch-Drunk Love: This is still probably my favorite of his dramatic roles. Sure, Paul Thomas Anderson just picked up a Best Picture win for One Battle After Another, but Punch-Drunk Love is a modern masterpiece in its own right, and a big part of that is the Sand Man. He’s awkward, a little unhinged, then suddenly sincere and romantic. It’s such a specific, strange performance, and it totally works. I love that movie.
2. Reign Over Me: Sandler plays a man dealing with the loss of his family after 9/11. It’s heavy, emotional, and a clear reminder of just how much range he has when he leans into this kind of material.
3. The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected): Here, he plays a divorced man moving back in with his father. It’s quieter, more grounded, and full of those small, lived-in moments that don’t always get flashy recognition but absolutely should.
4. Uncut Gems: This one feels like the biggest miss, as, for my money, it's not just one of Sandler's best movies but also A24's best flicks. That performance is pure anxiety in human form, chaotic in a way that’s almost impossible to pull off, and yet, no nomination.
5. Hustle: Even his more recent work continues to prove the same point. In Hustle, he plays an NBA scout on his last shot, bringing a worn-down, believable edge to a role that could’ve easily felt formulaic in someone else’s hands.
6. Jay Kelly: In Jay Kelly, Sandler stars alongside George Clooney in a Noah Baumbach drama about fame and legacy. Clooney plays an aging movie star, while Sandler plays his longtime manager. It’s another example of him settling into that more restrained, character-driven space he’s been quietly excelling in.

At this point, it’s not really a question of whether Sandler can deliver a great performance. He’s done it, over and over again. It’s more a question of why those performances haven’t translated into Oscar nominations yet.

Why 'Time Out' Gives Me Hope

Time Out is a remake of the French psychological drama L’Emploi du temps, and it feels like a slightly different lane for Adam Sandler. He’s been bouncing between broad comedies and more grounded roles for years now, and what’s always stood out is how easily he shifts between the two. One minute it’s something as big and silly as Happy Gilmore 2, the next it’s Jay Kelly, and it never feels like you’re watching two different actors. But this one sounds heavier.

Director Scott Cooper has been circling the project for nearly 25 years and has described Sandler’s character as someone “on the brink.” He didn’t have to pick something this intense, but he did.

There’s also something about the story itself that just clicks. Cooper has talked about how it explores identity, work, and self-worth, the kind of themes that tend to stick with you longer than your average drama. And then there’s the cast. Willem Dafoe, Gaby Hoffmann, F. Murray Abraham, Steve Zahn, Adam Horovitz. That’s not a casual lineup. That’s the kind of group you bring together when you’re aiming a little higher.

Look, predicting Oscar stuff is always a gamble. Great performances slip through every year. But this one? It feels like the right kind of project. The kind that gives Sandler space to do what he does best when he locks in, which is make something messy, human, and a little uncomfortable in the best way. I, for one, cannot wait to see what he does with this part.

Time Out doesn’t have a release date yet, so it’s still unclear whether it’ll land on the 2026 movie calendar. But as soon as that gets locked in, we’ll keep you posted.

Adam Sandler missed out on his nomination again. The beloved comedian’s name was consistently thrown around throughout the awards season. He even picked up some lesser nominations, most notably at the Critics Choice Awards, but this morning, he was once again shut out at the Oscars.

I’m not terribly surprised. His role in Jay Kelly was widely praised by both fans and critics, but over the past few months, the larger movie has faded from potential Best Picture nominee to longshot. George Clooney’s Best Actor chances suffered a similar fate, which left Sandler hanging on as the only hopeful still in at least semi-serious conversation. Ultimately, the whole movie got ignored.

From a personal standpoint, I’m not nearly as confused and angry as I was when the Academy overlooked his all-time turn in Uncut Gems. I still think about how unhinged and memorable he was in that movie. His work in Jay Kelly was much more subtle, and given the strength of competition in the Supporting Actor category, he probably didn’t have enough stand out scenes to make the top five. That happens, and I certainly don’t blame the voters.

As someone who grew up watching Adam Sandler movies while also mainlining weird artsy movies on IFC, I have loved watching Sandler get a bit more daring and take on different roles later in his career. It feels like two of my loosely related interests are giving me a crossover I didn’t realize was possible. He’s been rewarded for branching out with the best critics reviews of his career, but I was hoping he would be more formally rewarded by the Academy with an Oscar nomination. That still hasn’t happened. So, let’s talk about the chances it does happen in the future.

Only Adam Sandler knows what his career goals look like long-term, but if we judge by the last few years, it seems like he’s now in a good rhythm of mixing in more serious projects with the goofy comedies he’s known for and which more recently have starred his friends and family members. Even though I’m a shameless movie snob, I think that’s a good balance. I don’t ever want Sandler to completely get away from what we all love him for, but I want to see something that pushes him outside his comfort zone at least every other year.

If Sandler continues that back-and-forth genre-hopping, I think there’s a strong chance he winds up with an Oscar nomination at some point. We know filmmakers with really strong track records at the Oscars want to work with him. Four time Oscar nominee Noah Baumbach just cast him in Jay Kelly. Josh Safdie, who just picked up a Best Director nomination for Marty Supreme, cast him in Uncut Gems. Paul Thomas Anderson, arguably the most acclaimed director of his generation, cast him in Punch Drunk Love. We know Safdie is planning to work with him again on an upcoming project, and other major A-list directors have expressed interest in collaborating in the past.

He’s also really good. People who haven’t watched his artsier projects might not fully get that, but like many SNL legends and renowned comedians, he has a fantastic sense of timing (think Oscar nominees Eddie Murphy and Bill Murray). He’s also able to convey a lot of emotion in his face. He’s mostly used that during his career in over-the-top comedic ways, but that same skillset translates well to showing other emotions like loneliness, anxiety and anger. The same charisma and aura that makes him so magnetic in Happy Gilmore works just as well for stealing scenes in dramatic movies, and he seems to have a really good sense for when to do less, which is something a lot of comedians don’t ever develop.

I don’t think Sandler is making more serious movies because he’s trying to win an Oscar. I think he’s making them because he wants to reach people in a different way, and he wants to push himself as an actor. In that way, he’s already won. He’s contributed great performances in some fantastic movies that will live on for people to discover decades from now. As long as he keeps doing that, it’s going to be worth the effort, whether he’s nominated or not. That being said, I’d like to see him get nominated at some point, and if he keeps working with high end directors at least every other year, I think he’s got a strong chance of doing that.

Few stars are as funny as Adam Sandler, as the beloved funnyman just has a unique sense of humor. With that quirkiness, Sandler occasionally has a tendency to make a funny declaration or two during an interview or within some other context. Several years back, he actually made a hilariously jokey promise while on Howard Stern’s show. And, as the actor explained when he recently spoke to CinemaBlend, that joke is still following him around.

Back in 2019, Adam Sandler received rave reviews for his performance in the Safdie Brothers’ crime thriller Uncut Gems. With Sandler getting that considerable praise for his work, many industry analysts speculated, at the time, that he could land an Oscar nomination or even win. Sandler famously said on The Howard Stern Show that if he didn’t land a nod or win, he would purposely make bad movies for a while. Ultimately (and unfortunately), Sandler didn’t win a gold statuette or get nominated for one.

While speaking with CinemaBlend, “The Sandman” promoted his latest film from the 2025 movie schedule, Jay Kelly. He was reminded of the fact that since Uncut Gems he hasn’t stuck to his humorous mantra, given that he’s continued to churn out excellent movies. That led the stand-up comedian to share the following thoughts on his Stern comments:

Fans seem to have a knack for remembering certain comments made by celebrities. In fairness, Adam Sandler’s faux desire to make bad movies was incredibly funny, so it’s not hard for me to understand why that would stick. In all seriousness, though, he has made some excellent flicks such as Hustle and Happy Gilmore 2. Jay Kelly – which is one of the marquee Netflix 2025 movie releases – may include one of Sandler’s finest performances, though, and he’s already receiving Oscar buzz.

So far, Sandler has been downplaying any kind of awards recognition and just seems happy to be a part of this latest film, which stars George Clooney and is directed by Noah Baumbach. Sandler has shown appreciation for the love he’s receiving, though, and that was also the case when it came to the compliment CB gave him:

As someone who thought Adam Sandler should’ve won an Oscar for his work in Uncut Gems, I’d love to see him win an Academy Award. The man is more than a comedic actor, and George Clooney holds that belief as well. I’d love to see Sandler don a suit and hear his name called alongside fellow nominees at the Oscars this coming March. It would not only be a great honor for Sandler but also a nice capper to this Howard Stern Show saga.

Jay Kelly is now playing in select theaters and the film will be available for Netflix subscription holders to stream starting on December 5.

SPOILER WARNING: The following article contains major spoilers for the movie Uncut Gems. If you have not yet seen the film, proceed at your own risk!

If one is having a discussion about the wildest endings in 21^st century cinema, Josh and Bennie Safdie’s Uncut Gems is a film that demands recognition. The third act is a masterclass of cinematic tension as Adam Sandler’s Howard Ratner traps a pair of loan shark goons in his jewelry shop’s security door while he waits to see if a life-changing bet pays off. Howard’s fate is ultimately sealed, as he wins the bet but gets shot in the head (dying with a smile on his face) – but there is one major question that the film doesn’t answer: what happens to Julia Fox’s Julia De Fiore and all of Howard’s winnings?

At the end of Uncut Gems, Julia doesn’t know what has happened to Howard, but she successfully avoids the hired thugs that have been dispatched to search for her at the casino where she placed Howard’s bet. Her final scene has her getting into a limo with plans on flying back to New York City to reunite with the protagonist, but it’s not revealed in the movie what happens when she learns that he is dead. There are many possibilities, but when I spoke with Julia Fox this month during the Los Angeles press day for HIM (as captured in the video above), she expressed a very positive outlook:

Let’s be real: it’s a good person who takes a share of gambling winnings and gives them to the family of a man with whom she has been carrying on an affair – but Julia Fox evidently sees Julia De Fiore as a good person of that caliber.

For those who don’t recall, Julia is an employee at Howard’s store, and they have a complicated romantic relationship thanks to his infidelity and a bad mix of paranoia and jealousy. By the end of the film, however, she comes through for him in a big way by successfully placing his massive bet on the success of Kevin Garnett in the 2012 NBA Championships. She perhaps doesn’t “earn” every single cent of the winnings, but I suppose that’s why it’s fair to think that she gave some of the money to Howard’s family.

Uncut Gems is not a movie that is easy to watch multiple times (there’s only so much extreme tension that the body can take), but if you’re now feeling in the mood to revisit the insanity, there are plenty of options. The film is available for both digital rental and purchase from all major online outlets, and physical media fans would be doing themselves a favor by adding the Criterion Collection’s Uncut Gems 4K UHD to their collections.

Gambling scenes in movies are a great way to add some tension to a movie. Movies about gamblers are almost all about tension! Some of the movies on this list are great gambling movies, others are movies with one great gambling scene. Either way, if you need your fix to see some bets get laid on the table, this is the list for you.

The Sting

One of the best gambling movies ever is, without question, the 1973 caper film, The Sting. Obviously, the whole plot involves betting and gambling, or, at least, cheating to win big. There are a bunch of great scenes that would fit on this list, but for my money, the card game on the train in which Robert Shaw's character is out-cheated by Paul Newman's character is the best. It's such a fun scene.

21

The MIT Blackjack Team became the stuff of legends when it operated for decades starting in the 1980s, for the amount of money it took off casinos. 21, starring Jim Sturgess, Kate Bosworth, and Kevin Spacey, was inspired by the team and told a fictionalized version of the team's story. The movie keeps the pace high while still managing to explain the rather mundane realities of blackjack card counting,

Ocean's Eleven

There may be no better movie about Las Vegas than Ocean's Eleven. The 2001 remake starring an incredible ensemble cast led by Brad Pitt and George Clooney is based on an early movie of the same starring The Rat Pack. Both are a ton of fun, but for my money, the remake is a far superior movie.

Casino

It's right there in the name! Of course, Martin Scorsese's Casino is going to be on this list. It's not like most gambling movies in that it's told from the perspective of the casino, rather than the gamblers in the casino, but there are some great gambling scenes, like the one with the two cheaters who are caught and roughed up in the backroom, like it supposedly was back in the day in Las Vegas.

Rounders

Rounders has been hailed as the best poker movie of all time by a number of critics and pro poker players. Though the final showdown between Matt Damon's character and John Malkovich's gets a little silly, there is the obvious "tell" that Malkovich has, and let's be honest, it's a pretty bad accent from Malkovich as well. Still, the movie is harrowing and intense, like a great gambling movie should be.

Hard Eight

Paul Thomas Anderson's debut film, Hard Eight, definitely lets audiences in on the darker side of gambling and addiction. If I'm honest, it's not my favorite Anderson movie, but it's a remarkable debut and holds up really well, decades after it was released in 1998.

The Gambler (1974)

Not to be confused with the series of made-for-TV movies based on a song by Kenny Rogers, 1974's The Gambler stars James Caan as a college professor who is locked in a serious gambling addiction. It's a gritty movie that doesn't have many light moments as Caan's character gets deeper and deeper into debt, riding the huge highs and harrowing lows of sports betting.

Casino Royale

So, there are any number of James Bond movies that I could have put on this list. Almost all of them have gambling scenes. We're even first introduced to the 007 character in the first movie, Dr. No, as he sits down at a baccarat table. And even though Casino Royale's poker scene is kind of ridiculous in how unrealistic the high-stakes poker game is, this one still felt like the one to include to represent all the Bond films.

Uncut Gems

If you ever need to be reminded just how addicting and harrowing sports betting can be, watch Uncut Gems again. In what I would consider Adam Sandler's best role by far, the comedian plays a straight role with incredible pathos as we watch him fall apart under the weight of addiction and debt. It's a masterpiece.

The Hangover

Any movie that includes a trip to Las Vegas is probably going to include a great gambling scene or two, and in The Hangover, that scene is when Zach Galifianakis hits the blackjack table to count cards and make a ton of money. It's one of the most memorable scenes in a movie all about the things the main characters forgot.

The Hustler

There haven't been a lot of movies about pool hustling made, and that might be because the granddaddy of them all, The Hustler, starring Paul Newman and Jackie Gleason, is so darn good. It has all the elements of a great gambling movie, like a young hotshot who gets in way too deep and has to find his way out of growing debt, and to do that must take on the best player in the world. It's a classic for a reason.

The Flamingo Kid

The Flamingo Kid is an underrated and oft-forgotten rom-com from the 1980s. The movie stars Matt Dillon as a kid who gets a gig working at an upscale beach club and is soon playing gin rummy for a penny a point with some of the members. Though the gambling stakes aren't exactly through the roof in this one, it still leads to some intense and fun moments.

Goodfellas

To be fair, the poker scenes in Goodfellas are less about the card games themselves and more about Joe Pesci's character's violent tendencies. If you've forgotten, remember that the first game results in Spider (Michael Imperioli) getting maimed in the leg, and the second ends in his death. Talk about high stakes!

Rain Man

Long before card counting entered mainstream consciousness, Rain Man has one of the most memorable scenes of all time when Tom Cruise's character teaches his autistic brother, played by Dustin Hoffman in an Oscar-winning turn, how to count cards at the blackjack table. Though it's obviously not a movie about gambling, there is no way I could leave it off this list.

Honeymoon In Vegas

Though not everyone will agree, I will always go to bat for Honeymoon In Vegas, being one of Nicolas Cage's best movies. Not only does Cage kill it as a hapless amateur gambler that James Caan takes advantage of, but the whole thing is just hilarious. The poker scene even includes a great cameo by former UNLV basketball coaching legend Jerry Tarkanian. It doesn't get more "Vegas" than that.

Molly's Game

Molly's Game is based on the true story of Molly Bloom, played by Jessica Chastain. Bloom ran a legendary underground poker game in LA for years before she was taken down by the FBI. The movie features one of the best poker scenes in film history. Though it wasn't as big a hit as it should have been, it's well worth seeking out if you've never seen it.

Cool Hand Luke

Sure, Cool Hand Luke is really a prison movie rather than a gambling movie, but there was no way I could leave it off this list for the legendary egg-eating bet in the film. And it's not just the egg scene that earns it a spot on this list, the title of the movie comes from a line Paul Newman delivers after winning a hand of poker: "Yeah, well... sometimes nothin' can be a real cool hand."

Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery

Austin Powers (Mike Myers) is a man who likes to live dangerously, like staying on 5 in a game of blackjack. The James Bond spoof, Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery, had to include a ridiculous gambling scene, and it pulls it off perfectly with the most ridiculous hand of blackjack ever.

Vegas Vacation

Vegas Vacation is the weakest entry in the Vacation franchise, in my opinion, but I have to admit I think the subplot of Clark (Chevy Chase) going deeper and deeper into gambling addiction does make me laugh a lot. His back and forth with a card dealer played by Wallace Shawn results in some of the funniest moments in this disappointing movie.

The Parent Trap

Even classic kids movies like 1998's The Parent Trap starring Lindsey Lohan can have fun gambling scenes. Here, in a game of 5-card draw poker, Lohan's characters play each other as enemies, but it's this game that eventually leads to their friendship and all the hijinks that follow. The poker scene also has a fun needle drop with George Thorogood's "Bad To Bone" accompanying the game.

The Color Of Money

Director Martin Scorsese's The Color of Money is what we would call today a "legacyquel." It's almost-but-not-quote a sequel to The Hustler as Paul Newman returns as "Fast" Eddie Felson to teach the next generation (Tom Cruise's character) how to be a great pool gambler, two and a half decades after the first movie. Let's just say it takes a while for the lessons to sink in.

John Wick: Chapter 4

In John Wick: Chapter 4, we find our anti-hero John Wick (Keanu Reeves) playing poker for his life against a villain who has more tricks up his sleeve than a magician in Vegas. Of course, the game, one hand of 5-card draw, ends with Reeves holding the so-called "dead man's hand (a pair of aces and a pair of eights), but that doesn't matter as Wick shows how deadly a playing card can be.

Tombstone

Not only is Tombstone the most quotable Western ever (and one of the best Westerns overall), it also has some fantastic gambling scenes. Cards, specifically poker and faro, are what the old west preferred, and we get both in Tombstone. Plus all that great banter.

The Ballad Of Buster Scruggs

The famous "dead man's hand," so named because it was supposedly the hand Wild Bill Hickok was holding when he was shot dead in Deadwood, plays a big role in one scene in The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, which you can watch with a Netflix subscription. The titular Buster (Tim Blake Nelson) sits down at a poker game mid-hand, and while the game doesn't get very far, any movie with a famous poker hand in it should be included here.

Easy Money

One of the more ridiculous horse racing scenes in 1980s cinema comes in the Rodney Dangerfield classic Easy Money. This isn't Dangerfield's best movie, but for a guy famous for one-liners like Dangerfield, there are plenty here as he plays a degerate in almost every way, including as a gambler.

Eight Men Out

Eight Men Out's gambling scenes are a little different than most of the movies on this list. There are no casinos or underground card games, just shady characters concocting a scheme to rig the 1919 World Series by paying off players of the Chicago White Sox. Of course, it's based on a true story, one of the most famous stories of gambling in American history, so it has to be included in this list.

The Cooler

A "cooler" in gambling terms is a gambler who is so unlucky that he is considered poison to be in any game by other hardcore gamblers. William H. Macy plays this role in The Cooler, where he is such bad luck that he is employed by a casino to step into games where players are winning a lot. Things start to reverse themselves when Macy's character meets a woman and starts falling in love. Can a cooler whose luck seems to have turned around make it in life? You'll have to watch to see how it turns out!

Maverick

While Maverick is a silly movie with a great cast, the poker scenes are actually pretty realistic. The movie, which was a decent hit when it came out in 1994 based on the strength of its charming cast, led by Mel Gibson, Jodie Foster, and James Garner reprising his role as Bret Maverick, Sr, from a TV show he starred in in the 1960s, is a pretty underrated gambling movie.

Lucky You

2007's Lucky You was Hollywood's attempt to cash in on the poker craze that swept the nation in the '00s. Based on its dismal box office returns, it failed to capture the attention of the public like the world it was trying to portray. It's not a terrible movie if you like poker, but it is a little dull, especially compared to many of the other movies on this list.

A Bronx Tale

While A Bronx Tale, directed by Robert De Niro, wasn't a huge hit when it came out, it has a fantastic legacy in the years since. The movie, starring Chazz Palminteri, has a great scene of a basement craps game where Palminteri's character teaches his protege how to play dice.

The Cincinnati Kid

Steve McQueen's The Cincinnati Kid is a classic gambling movie about a poker player in the 1930s. It's one of the earliest movies to show poker in a more or less modern take, and it remains as fun today as it was seven decades ago.

Two For The Money

I'll fully admit that Matthew McConaughey's Two For The Money is not exactly my favorite movie on this list; however, it does do a great job of showing the highs and lows of sports gambling, which in my mind is the most nefarious of all betting.

Back in 2019, Benny and Josh Safdie unleashed Uncut Gems, an electrifying, stress-inducing thriller that made audiences see Adam Sandler in a different light thanks to his portrayal of Howard Ratner, one of the decade’s most unforgettable characters. It felt like the arrival of a new directing duo to rival the Coen Brothers. However, since then, much like the Coens, the filmmaker siblings have chosen to go their separate ways creatively, and now Benny is explaining why.

In a new interview promoting his 2025 movie release with Empire, Benny Safdie addressed why he and his brother Josh decided to pursue separate projects after the success of Uncut Gems. The director explained that the decision wasn’t the result of a falling out, but rather a natural progression in their careers. He expounded:

The Good Time co-director went on to say that, with no clear next step mapped out, each brother followed his own creative interests. The filmmaker continued:

The result is two highly anticipated Safdie projects arriving within months of each other. Benny has stepped behind the camera for the upcoming The Smashing Machine, where he has directed Dwayne Johnson in what’s shaping up to be one of his most transformative performances yet.

Meanwhile, Josh has been working on the upcoming A24 movie Marty Supreme, a film about a ping-pong champion starring Timothée Chalamet. While that sounds like not the most thrilling of premises, the flick looks far more intense based on the trailer than I would have expected.

The Heaven Knows What filmmakers aren’t the first acclaimed sibling directors to pursue separate paths. The Wachowskis, the Farrelly brothers, and most recently the Coens all made headlines when they stopped co-directing. Most notably after The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, fans were left questioning why the Coen Brothers ended their decades-long run of iconic collaborations like Fargo and No Country for Old Men. In each case, the split wasn’t about conflict but about exploring new creative directions individually.

Even while working separately, the Safdies’ films still carry the same DNA. Benny compared their creative process to therapy, describing filmmaking as a way of laying all your thoughts and emotions on the table, examining them, and then putting them back together. He recalled a metaphor from a therapist:

The split between the filmmaking brothers may seem negative to their fans. However, there's no need to worry. For audiences, this separation means even more storytelling from the Safdies, which is certainly something to look forward to.

Benny’s The Smashing Machine arrives in theaters on October 3, while Josh’s Marty Supreme is expected on December 25. The frantic rush of Uncut Gems may be behind them, but the Safdie brothers are still moving full speed ahead, just on different tracks.

Typically, audiences can rely on seeing a movie’s protagonist make it to the end unscathed. However, every so often, filmmakers like to defy expectations by having the character we have been following meet their maker, usually at the story’s conclusion, but sometimes even earlier. Beware of SPOILERS as we revisit some iconic movies that shocked the world by showing the main character’s demise.

Ghost (1990)

The acclaimed romantic “horror” movie Ghost is a prime example of a film in which the main character is dead for the majority of the story. Sam Wheat (Patrick Swayze) is murdered about 20 minutes in, but his spirit remains to solve the truth behind his death and reach out to his longtime girlfriend, Molly (Demi Moore), with the help of a medium named Oda Mae Brown (Whoopi Goldberg, in an Oscar-winning performance).

Titanic (1997)

The fictional romance at the center of James Cameron's Titanic comes to a tragic end when Jack (Leonardo DiCaprio) succumbs to the ocean's freezing temperatures – a death many believe could have been prevented if Rose (Kate Winslet) shared her makeshift liferaft. She is later reunited with her lover, however, when she succumbs to old age at the end of the Best Picture Oscar winner based on a true story.

Saving Private Ryan (1998)

Tom Hanks' Captain John H. Miller does, indeed, accomplish his eponymous mission in Steven Spielberg's harrowing war movie classic, Saving Private Ryan. Unfortunately, he does not survive the task, but not before urging Private John Francis Ryan (Matt Damon) to "earn" the life he has been given, thanks to this rescue.

Avengers: Endgame (2019)

Avengers: Endgame comes to a bittersweet conclusion when the team is forced to say goodbye to the hero who kicked off the Marvel Cinematic Universe in the first place, Tony "Iron Man" Stark (Robert Downey Jr.), after he saves the universe. Using nano-bot equipped armor to form a makeshift Infinity Gauntlet, he erases Thanos (Josh Brolin) and his army from existence with a finger snap that is, unfortunately, too much for his mortal body to handle.

Gladiator (2000)

Director Ridley Scott's Gladiator is the story of Roman general Maximus (Russell Crowe), who is sold into slavery by corrupt emperor Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix), who also murders his family. However, he does reunite with them in the afterlife after defeating Commodus in a duel that he does not survive, having been previously and unfairly wounded by his opponent.

Beetlejuice (1988)

The title character is not the main character in Tim Burton's ghoulish comedy, Beetlejuice, although Michael Keaton's mischievous bio-exorcist (whose name is actually spelled "Betelgeuse") is dead throughout. The plot kicks off when Adam (Alec Baldwin) and Barbara Maitland (Geena Davis) suffer a fatal accident and then try to rid their house of its new living tenants.

Alien (1979)

We all think of Scream Queen Sigourney Weaver's Ellen Ripley as the hero of the Alien movies, but that is not quite the case at the beginning of the saga. Ripley is promoted to the hero of the story and captain of the Nostromo after the Xenomorph attacks Dallas (Tom Skerritt) in a shocking twist.

Pulp Fiction (1994)

There is not exactly one true protagonist in Quentin Tarantino's Pulp Fiction, as each of its three non-linear stories ultimately has a different lead. However, John Travolta does get top billing for the Oscar-winning drama and his character, Vincent Vega, is mowed down with an uzi by Butch (Bruce Willis) in the second chapter, which is also the film's chronological finale.

No Country For Old Men (2007)

Technically, Tommy Lee Jones' Ed Tom Bell is the true central character of Joel and Ethan Coen's Oscar-winning adaptation of author Cormac McCarthy's No Country for Old Men. However, much of the modern Western movie classic follows Josh Brolin's Llewellyn Moss and his struggle to outrun and outwit the sadistic Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem), up until his abrupt murder.

Psycho (1960)

It at least seems like Janet Leigh's Marion Crane is the central focus of Alfred Hitchcock's masterful horror movie, Psycho, until about halfway through the story. After the real estate secretary is brutally killed while taking a shower in her motel room, we realize the true "psycho" is Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins), who murders Marion and others while subconsciously taking on the identity of his dead mother.

Logan (2017)

Hugh Jackman's retirement from the role of Wolverine was confirmed by the end of Logan, in which the former X-Men member, whose healing ability had been diminishing, gives his life to protect Laura (Dafne Keen) and other young mutants. Of course, seven years later, a variant of the Adamantium-clawed mutant would star in Deadpool & Wolverine, but the emotional conclusion of James Mangold's Oscar-nominated film is no less effective for it.

Citizen Kane (1941)

The first scene of co-writer and director Orson Welles' revolutionary drama, Citizen Kane, depicts the death of the megalomaniacal title character, Charles Foster Kane (Welles). The succeeding story follows an investigation regarding the meaning of his final word, "Rosebud."

Hereditary (2018)

The marketing for first-time feature director Ari Aster's stunning A24 horror movie, Hereditary, made it seem as if the story would follow young Charlie (Milly Shapiro), making her demise all the more shocking. The unsettling twist confirmed that Charlie's mother, Annie (Toni Collette), was the film's true protagonist, but, of course, she would end up losing her head as well.

The Departed (2006)

Director Martin Scorsese's The Departed is the story of two men on opposite sides of the law, namely undercover cop Billy Costigan (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Sgt. Colin Sullivan (Matt Damon), who has ties to Boston's Irish Mob. Both lose their lives by the end, with Costigan getting killed by James Badge Dale's also corrupt Trooper Barrigan, and Sullivan getting killed by Staff Sergeant Sean Dignam (Mark Wahlberg).

The Sixth Sense (1999)

In The Sixth Sense, child psychologist Malcolm Crowe (Bruce Willis) tries to help a young boy (played by Haley Joel Osment) come to terms with his ability to see ghosts. At the end, in just about the best M. Night Shyamalan movie twist, it is revealed that Malcolm himself is a ghost, but neither he nor the audience knew the entire time.

Promising Young Woman (2020)

The Oscar-winning Promising Young Woman is a unique type of revenge movie, following Cassie (Carey Mulligan) and her bid to punish those involved with the assault that drove her friend, Nina, to take her own life. In the end, she achieves her goal, but by allowing herself to get murdered by the man who assaulted Nina, Al Monroe (Chris Lowell), which finally incriminates him.

The Place Beyond The Pines (2012)

The Place Beyond the Pines is widely considered one of the best Ryan Gosling movies, despite the fact that the actor is not actually in the film for very long. Roughly halfway through the story, his character, Luke, dies whilst struggling to get away from a bank robbery job gone wrong.

A Quiet Place (2018)

In the heartbreaking final act of the acclaimed post-apocalyptic sci-fi thriller, A Quiet Place, Lee Abbott (John Krasinski, who also co-writes and directs) lets out a loud scream to attract the vicious, sound-hunting aliens away from his children, ultimately sacrificing himself for them. In addition to returning to helm the sequel, A Quiet Place Part II, Krasinski reprises the role in a flashback to the day the Death Angels' invasion begins.

Uncut Gems (2019)

Josh and Benny Safdie's Uncut Gems sees self-destructive jeweler Howard Ratner (Adam Sandler) jump through hoops to pay off his insurmountable debt. At the shocking end of the intense, acclaimed A24 movie, just after finally landing the big win he needs, he is abruptly shot in the head by his brother-in-law's unstable goon, Phil (Kevin William Richards).

Train To Busan (2016)

An essential reason why South Korean import Train to Busan is regarded as one of the greatest zombie movies ever made is its heartbreaking conclusion in which Seok-woo (Gong Yoo) is bitten trying to protect his daughter, Su-an (Kim Su-an). The father is seen reminiscing about Su-an's birth right before he becomes one of the undead and, with all the humanity he has left, makes the decision to throw himself off the train and not bring harm to anyone else.

One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest (1975)

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is not only a film that gets real about mental health, but depicts one of the bleakest realities imaginable for an asylum patient, as seen in the eyes of criminal Randle Patrick McMurphy (Jack Nicholson), who only ended up in the institution by pleading insanity. After discovering that McMurphy has been lobotomized and that life has left his eyes, "Big Chief" Bromden (Will Sampson) mercifully suffocates his friend to death before escaping.

Soul (2020)

One of Pixar's best movies, Soul, tells the story of a jazz musician (voiced by Jamie Foxx) who dies in an accident just after landing the gig of his life. He then explores the afterlife, struggling to figure out a way to return to Earth.

Terrifier (2017)

Terrifier 2 introduces one of the most beloved horror movie Final Girls in Sienna Shaw (Lauren LaVera), but the woman you expect to make it out alive in its predecessor is not so lucky to be called a Final Girl. In fact, Tara Heyes (Jenna Kanell) even dies in a subversive way, as it seems she is about to put an end to Art the Clown (David Howard Thornton) before the sadistic harlequin pulls out a pistol and shoots her in the head.

300 (2007)

Zack Snyder's 300 is an intense, highly fictionalized account of events surrounding the Battle of Thermopylae. One detail that the film does get right is that the Spartan King Leonidas (Gerard Butler) was killed in battle.

To Live And Die In L.A. (1985)

Director William Friedkin's intense crime thriller, To Live and Die in L.A., follows Secret Service agent Richard Chance (William Petersen) and his determination to find Rick Masters (Willem Dafoe), a counterfeiter who killed his partner. Unfortunately, Masters manages to escape as Chance and Masters' associate, Jack, fatally shoot each other.

Deep Blue Sea (1999)

One of the most essential reasons why Deep Blue Sea is a classic shark movie is the moment when the film takes a literal bite out of its biggest star, Samuel L. Jackson. The actor's character, Russell Franklin, is in the middle of a heroic speech when a genetically engineered shark leaps out of the water, pulls him underneath the surface, and eats him alive.

Life Is Beautiful (1997)

A movie dad we would be proud to have is Guido Orefice, played by co-writer and director Roberto Benigni in the heartbreaking Holocaust-era drama, Life is Beautiful. The Jewish-American man remains committed to using humor to shield his young son from the unspeakable tragedy surrounding him up until the very moment he is shot by Nazi officers.

Carnival Of Souls (1962)

In the cult horror film Carnival of Souls, Candace Hilligoss stars as Mary Henry, who takes a job as an organ player for a traveling carnival after suffering a terrible car accident. However, as the final scene reveals, Mary never actually survived that accident.

The League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen (2003)

Sean Connery was open about how much he disliked one of his last movies, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, which is based on a comic book by Alan Moore that groups various iconic figures of literature together, including Captain Nemo and Tom Sawyer. At least, if there had been a sequel, the former James Bond actor would not have needed to show up for it as his character, legendary adventure hero Allan Quatermain, passes away at the end.

15 Minutes (2001)

15 Minutes is a buddy cop action flick in which veteran New York detective Eddie Flemming (Robert De Niro) teams up with fire marshal Jordy Warsaw (Edward Burns) to investigate the crimes of two Eastern European convicts seeking fame and fortune by selling off video recordings of their violent acts. One video they successfully sell to a popular news program is the murder of Flemming, who is suffocated to death roughly halfway through the film.

Alien 3 (1992)

Sigourney Weaver explained to the Chicago Tribune that she only agreed to star in Alien 3 if Ellen Ripley is killed off, which does occur when she jumps into a burning furnace as a baby Xenomorph bursts from her chest. Of course, the actor would come back just once more for Alien: Resurrection, but as a clone of Ripley.

The Lovely Bones (2010)

Many critics and audiences agree that director Peter Jackson's The Lovely Bones is not a great movie despite its interesting plot. Based on author Alice Sebold’s novel, it stars Saoirse Ronan as a teenage girl watching over her family, and the man who murdered her, from the afterlife.

Life is full of choices, and there’s always pressure to choose the right option - no matter how small the matter. In the examples we're about to discuss, it only took one bad call to lead to unnecessary drama, and in some cases, death. While not all of them are tragic, beware of some old wounds that may be opened up in the process.

Mayor Larry Vaughn Keeps Amity’s Beaches Open - Jaws

Ok, let’s just get this out of the way: Mayor Larry Vaughn (Murray Hamilton) should have never won re-election. Amity Beach’s big wheel politician should have been legislative dust after keeping the beaches open in Jaws. Yes, beach towns depend on revenues from summer tourists - but if there’s no surviving tourists that want to shop, is it really a win?

Dr. Mann’s Hasty Docking With The Endurance - Interstellar

Scientific minds are supposed to be among the smartest and most rational in the world, especially if you’ve been chosen to colonize a potential new home for Humanity. That fact just makes the manner of death that befalls Interstellar’s Dr. Mann (Matt Damon) all the more fitting. Perhaps one should check that the airlock seals are properly aligned before launching into a speech about “all mankind.”

Rose Leaves Jack To Freeze - Titanic

Ok, so Kate Winslet’s 2024 Titanic revelation that it wasn’t a door Rose DeWitt Bukater was clinging to for life kind of changes the equation of whether or not she could have saved Jack Dawson. That being said, it still doesn’t change the fact that people are going to argue there was still room on “the door” for old Jack.

Peter Quill Socks Thanos On The Brink Of Victory - Avengers: Infinity War

Every time someone watches the Marvel movies in order, this moment, in particular, is the definition of an "own goal." As Avengers: Infinity War almost saw the reason for a second half nullified by taking the Infinity Gauntlet away from Thanos, a moment of emotion from the ever-impulsive Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) allowed the Mad Titan to keep his magic glove, and get away.

Marty McFly Buys Gray’s Sports Almanac - Back To The Future: Part II

Oh Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox). Even when you’re greedy, you’re just trying to protect the future. While our lessons in how Back to the Future’s time travel works have taught us time and again that fooling with the past is dangerous, Marty’s decision to buy Gray’s Sports Almanac was one of the greatest mistakes in pop culture history. Who really wants to live in Biff Tannen’s alternate 1985?

Someone Read The Latin - The Evil Dead Movies

This is the movie most people think of when you hear the phrase, “Don’t read the Latin.” The Evil Dead series has seen Ash (Bruce Campbell) and many others learn that lesson the hard way, as a Deadite plague tends to result after this grievous error. What did they think was going to happen when reading from a book bound by human flesh?

Iosef Tarasov’s Gang Kill John Wick’s Dog - John Wick

Iosef Tarasov (Alfie Allen) made two huge mistakes in the John Wick movies. The first was thinking that he could convince retired hitman John Wick to sell his 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429. The second, and more costly mistake, was to kill John’s dog, Daisy. The criminal underworld still hasn’t recovered from the actions of that night, so yeah: we’re thinking that’s a bad decision.

Walter Donovan Chooses Poorly - Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade

Who did you honestly put your money on when it came to winning Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade’s game for the Holy Grail? A professor of archeology who has a similarly learned father, or an industrialist aiding the Nazis? If you bet on Walter Donavan (Julian Glover) winning the day, I think you know how the Grail Knight would comment on this particular choice.

Howard Ratner Can't Stop Winning - Uncut Gems

One has to wonder if A24 set up microphones during preview screenings of Uncut Gems if only to measure the decibel level of audience yelling. The moment when Howard Ratner (Adam Sandler) makes what would be his final bet had to have been one where people shouted at the screen in terror - which would have only been outdone by shock at the picture’s fatalistic ending.

General Ripper Starts A Nuclear War - Dr. Strangelove Or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb

If any of us normal people think something’s wrong with our bodies, we usually consult a specialist. But Dr. Strangelove’s General Jack D. Ripper (Sterling Hayden) isn’t quite normal, as he decided to initiate “nuclear combat toe-to-toe with the Russkies,” using only a paranoid hunch as his basis. If only the internet had been invented, so WebMD could have debunked his theories.

Icarus II Goes To Visit Icarus 1 - Sunshine

You can almost always count on a bad day in space if you’re the second expedition to venture out on a mission, and you suddenly discover the wreckage of the first. Sunshine’s Icarus II crew is put through the wringer after making the decision to visit the Icarus I. On the literal bright side, at least Capa (Cillian Murphy) saved the day, despite being the deciding vote that caused a chain reaction of deadly events.

Vincent Kapoor Tells Mark Watney His Messages Are On Live TV - The Martian

Never tell a rabble-rouser they’re on live TV, they’re just going to use the moment to misbehave. The Martian’s Vincent Kapoor (Chiwetel Ejiofor) did just that as NASA’s Director of Mars Missions, and it led to astronaut Mark Watney being so creative with his swearing his colleagues had to look it up. Which led to a double whammy of regret, as learning what those phrases meant was quite a shock.

Don Kisses His Wife - 28 Weeks Later

Ok 28 Weeks Later fans, which is the bigger mistake made by our good friend Don (Robert Carlyle): abandoning his wife Alice in the wake of an Infected attack, or kissing her without reservation as she’s in medical quarantine? That second choice seems to be the greater error, as while their reunion did patch up their marriage, the act of kissing and making up turned Don into a very special victim of the Rage Virus.

Dr. Alice Krippin Cures Cancer With Measles - I Am Legend

To be clear: curing cancer is not the poor decision that kicked off I Am Legend’s horrific apocalypse. Not to mention, the idea of Dr. Alice Krippin (Emma Thompson) to use genetically modified measles was a pretty clever twist to this medical marvel. But something suggests that there were not nearly enough human trials, as it only took three years to decimate humanity with the Krippin Virus.

Preston Reveals His Wife’s Secret - Tales From The Darkside: The Movie

Here’s a loophole you could argue until the gargoyles come home: if you confess to your wife a near-lethal encounter with such a creature of stone, but she turns out to be the cryptid in question, is it really breaking your vow not to tell the world? It sadly doesn’t matter as the Tales from the Darkside: The Movie segment “Lover’s Vow” sees James Remar’s struggling artist losing his life - as in this case, it technically counts.

Evelyn Reads From The Book Of The Dead - The Mummy (1999)

“No harm ever came from reading a book.” One of The Mummy’s funniest lines is also a statement that Egyptologist Evelyn Carnahan (Rachel Weisz) should have known not to make. Then again, could it really be that bad of a decision if it led to a rollicking adventure that ended up with her falling for the dreamy Rick O’Connell? Oh, let us think…YES!

Dr. King Schultz Won’t Shake Hands - Django Unchained

Yes, Calvin Candie is a despicable slave owner, and one could hope he’s burning in Hell. But at the same time, Django Unchained’s big bad was in a position where a simple handshake would have allowed Django (Jamie Foxx) and his rediscovered wife to escape happily. Unfortunately, mentor/moral compass Dr. King Schultz (Christoph Waltz) couldn’t bring himself to do so…at least, not without taking his foe out with a hidden pistol.

Tony Stark Creates Ultron - Avengers: Age Of Ultron

Could we please put some more safeguards on genius billionaire philanthropist playboys using artificial intelligence to save the world? Avengers: Age of Ultron almost ushered in the promise of that dangerous title, as vindictive creation Ultron (James Spader) snipped his strings and almost destroyed humanity. Worse: his antics indirectly led to the Sokovia Accords, a set of laws so restrictive, yet so useless that all they could really do was set up a couple of Marvel sequels.

Batman Severely Underestimates Bane - The Dark Knight Rises

Bane (Tom Hardy) is a physically imposing villain so buff, that your dimension’s version of Superman might think twice before beefing with him. Perhaps the Batman of The Dark Knight Rises should have called the Kryptonian boy scout before tangling with the man in the mask, as he could have saved himself a lot of trouble, and all of the medical expenses incurred from a broken back.

Logan Nelson Misreads John Kramer’s X-Rays - Jigsaw

Do you want Jigsaw? Because this is how you get Jigsaw! Careless medical examiner Logan Nelson (Matt Passmore) turned out to be the person who wronged John Kramer in the Saw franchise, which led to his place as one of the first victims turned apprentice to the criminal mastermind. As soon as Mr. Nelson made that mistake, one of the many movie retcon that confused us was born.

Daniel Hillard Creates Mrs. Doubtfire - Mrs. Doubtfire

Some people will create Scottish alter egos to avoid therapy. While Mrs. Doubtfire is still a bittersweet bundle of laughs, and though Robin Williams’ Daniel Hillard did create a fantastic children’s show host, Euphegenia’s creation should have never come from the need to see his kids. It’s kind of a case of the best intentions leading straight into legal hell, isn’t it?

Peter Parker Tries To Erase His Friend’s Memories - Spider-Man: No Way Home

If you’re a genius like Spider-Man: No Way Home’s Peter Parker (Tom Holland), you should probably know better than to bork up your request to a Sorcerer Supreme to erase that knowledge from everyone’s minds. This kid really is Tony Stark’s protege, isn’t he?

David Drayton Gets Impatient In The Apocalypse - The Mist

If David Drayton (Thomas Jane) had waited just five more minutes in The Mist, we may have seen a wildly different ending where everyone lives and learns a powerful lesson about the dangers of mob mentality. Alas, Frank Darabont’s adaptation of Stephen King’s iconic novella did teach us that lesson, but with much deadlier consequences.

Kay Takes Compound Z - Alien: Romulus

We’re not a bunch of medical experts here at CinemaBlend, and we’ll readily admit that. But 9 out of 10 writers would agree that if we were given the choice to take the sketchy and untested Compound Z, we’d pass it up. That didn’t stop Kay (Isabella Merced) in Alien: Romulus, and the results were as messy as you'd think.

Madeline Ashton Forgets To Ask About Potential Side Effects - Death Becomes Her

The first thing that Madeline Ashton (Meryl Streep) could think to ask after being propositioned with eternal youth is “How much is it?” But what she should have asked is “What are the side effects,” as Death Becomes Her sees the “fading actress” panicking after she drinks the mysterious glowing pink liquid that makes it possible. Oops.

Fuller And Lewis Get Flirty With Rusty Nail - Joy Ride

You never know who’s on the other end of a CB radio. While it’s an antiquated form of communication, it didn’t stop brothers Fuller (Steve Zahn) and Lewis (Paul Walker) from having some fun with a random trucker with the handle of “Rusty Nail” in Joy Ride. What began as a flirty prank turned into a game of death…so don’t forget to screen your calls, and watch who you lead on.

The Daltons Turn Back For Hoppy - Speak No Evil

Kids. At some point, they have to grow up, and we’d like to think that the events of the horror remake Speak No Evil helped young Agnes Dalton (Alix West Lefler) get wise pretty quickly. Her family was free and clear from the murderers trying to adopt her for their own, but since she convinced them to turn back for her stuffed rabbit Hoppy, salvation was delayed throughout a long, awkward night.

Paul Hackett Goes On A Date - After Hours

Who says Martin Scorsese doesn’t have a sense of humor? 1985’s After Hours saw the legendary director land one of the best dark comedies of history, thanks to the film putting poor office worker Paul Hackett (Griffin Dunne) through the night from hell. And it’s all thanks to a blind date, which leads to a tragic death, which only spirals further into a nightmarish farce across New York City.

Harry And Lloyd Get Involved In A Kidnapping - Dumb And Dumber

No one would mistake Harry (Jeff Daniels) and Lloyd (Jim Carrey) for being the most brilliant minds of any time. However, Lloyd’s love-sick quest to chase the woman he loves leads Dumb and Dumber’s dynamic duo into a dance with death. Stumbling into the kidnapping of a wealthy businessman, it never becomes a concern until Lloyd realizes the girl of his dreams happens to be that man’s wife.

Marty Bryce Goes Out For Pizza - Sneakers

Chance led to young Marty Bishop (Gary Hershberger) going out to pick up pizza for himself and his dear friend Cosmo (Jo Marr). If only Cos didn’t use his magic trick to force his friend to leave for dinner, he might have had a chance to save his friend from prison, and an eventual grudge.

General Brewster Activates Skynet - Terminator 3: Rise Of The Machines

Artificial intelligence is dangerous, kids. But you have to give Skynet credit, as it used a computer virus to trick Lieutenant General Robert Brewster (David Andrews) into giving it full control of the United States’ weapons apparatus. And that is why Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines ends with the most shocking ending of the series, as Judgement Day is allowed to happen because the U.S. government wouldn’t spring for a Norton subscription.

Eli Sunday Begs For Help From Daniel Plainview - There Will Be Blood

Eli Sunday (Paul Dano) and Daniel Plainview (Daniel Day-Lewis) are a pair of foes for the ages. So when There Will Be Blood sees the young preacher begging his oil tycoon rival for financial help, the result is a monologue we could still quote by heart - and a fatal encounter with a bowling pin.

We believe that beauty is only skin deep and that true love is defined by a profound emotional connection that makes each person feel whole. However, we also cannot deny that some marriages in movies — particularly ones between a traditionally attractive woman and a man of not quite the same stature — made us go, “What? How?” The following are some of the most notable examples of beautiful wives in cinema whose choice of a husband got the best of our most superficial thoughts.

Donna Newman (Click)

English actor and model Kate Beckinsale stars in the 2006 sci-fi comedy — and one of Adam Sandler’s best movies — Click as Donna Newman, the wife of overworked father, Michael (Sandler). Christopher Walken’s character, Morty, who gives Michael a universal remote that really lives up to its name, is the one who speaks for the audience when he wonders how a woman as attractive as she is fell for him.

Mona Lisa Vito (My Cousin Vinny)

To be fair, technically, Mona Lisa Vito (Marisa Tomei in her Academy Award-winning role) is only the fiancée of Joe Pesci’s titular attorney in the classic 1992 courtroom comedy, My Cousin Vinny. However, even that is enough to get heads turning in the jury box.

Margot Tenenbaum (The Royal Tenenbaums)

Looks aside, it is clear that Margot Tenenbaum (Gwyneth Paltrow) does not truly love her older husband, Raleigh St. Clair (Bill Murray). That is part of why, when she and her adoptive brother, Richie (Luke Wilson), finally form a relationship in Wes Anderson’s, The Royal Tenenbaums, we actually find ourselves rooting for the unlikely romance.

Kelly Radner (Neighbors)

One of the first times we ever saw Seth Rogen portray a married man was in the 2014 comedy Neighbors, in which his character, Mac Radner, is wed to Kelly, who is played by Rose Byrne. This is also one of the few times the Australian actor keeps her natural accent, which begs the question of why her character chose this American schlub over some Crocodile Dundee-type she could have bumped into at some point.

Karen Gaffney (Keeping Up With The Joneses)

There is a scene in the 2016 spy comedy Keeping Up with the Joneses when Karen Gaffney (Isla Fisher) pretends to be in love with her secret agent neighbor Natalie Jones (Gal Gadot) as a ruse to discreetly pass a knife to her in the middle of a standoff. However, considering the red-headed bombshell’s husband is the stocky, square Jeff (Zach Galifianakis), we could have easily believed their marriage was a ruse in itself.

Lauren Price (The Hangover, Parts II And III)

In The Hangover Part II, at the rehearsal dinner for Stu Price (Ed Helms) and Lauren Srisai’s (Jamie Chung) wedding, Lauren’s father compares his soon-to-be son-in-law to tasteless white rice in his speech and, to be perfectly honest, we kind of see where he is coming from. However, the fact that a gorgeous woman like Lauren fell for the dentist and certainly treated him a whole lot better than Melissa (Rachel Harris) in the 2009 original, there is clearly more to him than meets the eye (and we are not talking about his inner demon).

Dinah Ratner (Uncut Gems)

There are actually a multitude of reasons why Adam Sandler’s Howard Ratner does not deserve Dinah (Idina Menzel) and why she chose to leave him in 2019’s acclaimed A24 movie, Uncut Gems, and his looks have the least to do with it. The New York City jeweler’s undesirable nature has most to do with his compulsive gambling habits, nigh-pathological dishonesty, and many other self-destructive tendencies.

Marge Simpson (The Simpsons Movie)

Her hair may be a little unusual, but I think anyone would agree that Marge Simpson (voiced by Julie Kavner) probably could have done better than Homer (voiced by Dan Castellaneta), but not just because of his thinning hair and accentuated gut. In fact, a major plot point of 2007’s The Simpsons Movie sees the homemaker actually make the decision to leave her husband after putting up with his immature behavior for too long, until he does manage to redeem himself in the end.

Dr. Sheila Gamble (The Other Guys)

In the 2010 cop comedy The Other Guys, Detective Terry Hoitz (Mark Wahlberg) refuses to believe that his more square partner, Allen Gamble (Will Ferrell), is married to a beautiful dancer-turned-doctor named Sheila (Eva Mendes). What is even more surprising is how the nerdy detective does not seem to appreciate her or even admire her as much as Terry clearly does.

Diane Szalinski (Honey, I Shrunk The Kids)

We imagine it was Wayne Szalinski’s (Rick Moranis) intelligence that made his wife, Diane (Marcia Strassman), fall in love with him. Of course, it is also the scientist’s intelligence that leads to the bizarre trouble in Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, but at least they can say their marriage rarely has a dull moment.

Jessica Rabbit (Who Framed Roger Rabbit)

In Robert Zemeckis’ brilliant 1988 comedic crime thriller Who Framed Roger Rabbit, private investigator Eddie Valiant (Bob Hoskins) is puzzled when he discovers that the plucky, titular toon (voiced by Charles Fleischer) is married to the most desirable bombshell to come out of Toon Town. What is even more shocking is that Jessica Rabbit (voiced by Kathleen Turner) never actually two-timed Roger with Marvin Acme, and deeply loves her husband, particularly for his ability to make her laugh.

Vanessa Kensington (Austin Powers: International Man Of Mystery)

Despite urging to keep their relationship platonic for both personal and professional reasons, at the end of 1997’s hilarious spy movie spoof, Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery, secret agent Vanessa Kensington (Elizabeth Hurley) actually elopes with her unusually hairy, hygienically challenged, and egregiously crass titular partner (Mike Myers). However, as we discover in the sequel, she turns out to be a robot clone, which actually explains quite a lot.

The Fives Wives (Mad Max: Fury Road)

The Splendid Angharad (Rosie Huntington-Whiteley), Toast the Knowing (Zoë Kravitz), Capable (Riley Keough), The Dag (Abbey Lee), and Cheedo the Fragile (Courtney Eaton) would have never agreed to marry and bear the children of Immortan Joe (Hugh Keays-Byrne) had they not been force to against their will. Fortunately, the ladies managed to escape the Wasteland warlord’s clutches, with help from Furiosa (Charlize Theron) and Max Rockatansky (Tom Hardy) in 2015’s post-apocalyptic movie masterpiece, Mad Max: Fury Road.

Roxanne Chase-Feder (Grown Ups)

While branded as a pretty mindless comedy upon release in 2010, Grown Ups actually provides a pretty clever explanation behind the marriage and Adam Sandler’s Lenny Feber and Salma Hayek’s Roxanne. Lenny is a Hollywood talent agent and Roxanne is a fashion designer — both of which are professions that could plausibly overlap in some way.

Carley Bobby (Talladega Nights: The Ballad Of Ricky Bobby)

If Ricky Bobby (Will Ferrell) had not been a successful NASCAR driver, his wife, Carley (Leslie Bibb), would have never been interested in him, and that is not just by our own analysis. This is actually confirmed in 2006’s Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby when, after a post-accident loss of confidence cost him his career, she leaves him.

Bunny Lebowski (The Big Lebowski)

One of the most essential elements that makes Joel and Ethan Coen’s The Big Lebowski a genuine noir disguised as a screwball comedy is the marriage of Jeffrey Lebowski (David Huddleston) and Bunny (Tara Reid). Theirs is a classic pairing of the wealthy schlub with a vivacious femme fatale whose only interest in her partner is his money.

Mia Wallace (Pulp Fiction)

We do not necessarily think Uma Thurman’s Pulp Fiction character, Mia Wallace, is in a whole different league from crime boss, Marsellus (Ving Rhames). However, we just find that her husband’s employee, Vincent Vega — the brother of Reservoir Dogs’ Vic Vega — is a better match for her and their undeniable attraction to each other is clear evidence.

Sara (The Toxic Avenger)

While Melvin Junko never had much luck with women when he was a 98-lb weakling (played by Mark Torgl), it seemed even less likely that he would find romance after an accident made him a hideously deformed creature of superhuman size and strength (played by Mitch Cohen). However, the beautiful, non-seeing Sara (Andree Maranda) falls for the titular hero of 1984’s awesomely cheesy classic, The Toxic Avenger, because of who he is inside and most definitely not for his rough, radioactive exterior.

Audrey Krelborn (Little Shop Of Horrors)

At the end of the 1986 horror musical comedy classic — the theatrical ending, that is — Seymour Krelborn (Rick Moranis), after destroying Audrey II, marries his longtime crush (played by Ellen Greene), whom he actually named the evil alien plant after. Despite being taller and more desirable than Seymour, Audrey reciprocates the feelings of her co-worker, who is a far better person than her sadistic former boyfriend, Orin Scrivello, DDS (Steve Martin).

Charlotte Field (Long Shot)

The title of the surprisingly delightful 2019 comedy, Long Shot, refers to the chances that Seth Rogen’s Fred Flarsky might have with presidential hopeful Charlotte Field (Charlize Theron), who happens to be his former babysitter and childhood crush. However, after she hires him as her speech writer, strong chemistry flows between them and, by the end, he becomes her First Mister when she enters the White House. 

Audrey Spitz (Murder Mystery)

The hit, 2019 Netflix original comedy, Murder Mystery, actually marked the second time Jennifer Aniston played the romantic lead in an Adam Sandler movie, but the first time the actors played a married couple. We imagine the Friends cast member’s character, a hairdresser named Audrey, became attracted to Sandler’s Nick Spitz because he was an NYPD Officer.

Bree Friedman (You Are So Not Invited To My Bat Mitzvah)

After Uncut Gems, Idina Menzel would join the You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah cast to play Adam Sandler’s onscreen spouse a second time. The SNL star’s character, Danny Friedman, bears far more redeeming qualities as a husband and father to justify Bree’s attraction to him.

Sally Lamonsoff (Grown Ups)

One of the ultimate examples of a wife too hot for her husband in television history is Carrie Heffernan (Leah Remini), who is married to Kevin James’ Doug on The King of Queens. James would also level-up on the big screen when he starred in Grown Ups as Eric Lamonsoff, who is married to Sally (Maria Bello).

Sara Whitaker (Daddy’s Home)

In 2015’s Daddy’s Home, Linda Cardellini’s Sara was married to Dusty (Mark Wahlberg) — the tough, rugged biological father of her two children, Megan and Dylan. Following their split, she married Brad Whitaker (Will Ferrell), who is absolutely no match for Dusty as far as looks go, but does prove to be the most committed stepfather she could have hoped for.

Sandy Chester (Summer Rental)

There are few comedic actors in history as beloved on and off screen than the late John Candy, which is why we can totally see why Karen Austin’s Sandy Chester would fall in love with his character, Jack, from the 1985 vacation comedy, Summer Rental. One person surprised by his lovely wife’s attraction to him, however, is Jack himself. 

Deborah Clasky (Spanglish)

It is not the difference in physical attractiveness that causes a rift in the marriage between successful chef John Clasky (Adam Sandler) and his wife, Deborah (Téa Leoni), but, instead, the laid-off businesswoman-turned-stay-at-home mom’s personal insecurities. In fact, it is her troubling mother (played by Cloris Leachman) who pleads with her to stop her extramarital affair and be with John, claiming she will never find anyone better, even though he even finds himself tempted by their housekeeper, Flor (Paz Vega).

Susan Huffman (Parenthood)

Not only is scientist Nathan Huffman (Rick Moranis) not quite as attractive as his wife, Susan (Harley Jane Kozak), but his overbearing approach to raising their young daughter, Patty (Ivyann Schwan) eventually causes her to leave him. Luckily, he manages to win the middle school teacher back by serenading her in her classroom with “Close To You” in one of the most heartwarming scenes from Ron Howard’s 1989 comedy, Parenthood.

Bonnie Dimmick (Pulp Fiction)

Co-writer and director Quentin Tarantino appears in his 1994 masterpiece, Pulp Fiction, as Jimmy Dimmick, who urges Vincent (John Travolta) and Jules (Samuel L. Jackson) to get Marvin’s dead body away from his house before his wife, Bonnie, comes home. While we only see Nurse Bonnie from the back in a hypothetical scenario, that image alone might be enough to determine that she was out of Jimmie’s (Quentin Tarantino) league.

Erin Sadelstein (Jack And Jill)

There are a lot of reasons why the 2011 comedy Jack and Jill does not work in the eyes of most critics and audiences. We will count the marriage between Katie Holmes’ Erin and Adam Sandler’s Jack as one of them.

Mae Capone (Capone)

Many of Linda Cardellini’s onscreen spouses have been a level or so down in terms of attractiveness, including when she played Mae, the wife of Tom Hardy’s Al Capone, in Josh Trank’s Capone. Normally, we would never put model-turned-actor Hardy in this sort of category, but his heavy makeup as the titular notorious gangster certainly fits the bill.

Maggie Faris (Alien: Covenant)

One of the few times we have seen Danny McBride play a husband was when he starred as Tennessee in the eighth of the Alien movie installment (but second, chronologically), 2017’s Alien: Covenant, in which most of the main characters are married couples. Amy Seimetz plays McBride’s onscreen wife, Maggie Faris,  who sadly dies in an explosion she accidentally triggers while trying to kill the Xenomorph. 

Helen Truby (Men, Women & Children)

Rosemarie DeWitt stars in Jason Reitman’s 2014 dramedy Men, Women & Children as Helen Truby, who is dissatisfied with her marriage to Don (Adam Sandler) and goes on to use the website, Ashley Madison, to have outside affairs. Unbeknownst to her, Don has also been meeting with escorts on his own time, in a unique twist on their dynamic.

The anticipation for the follow-up to one of the best Pixar movies, the upcoming Inside Out 2, is palpable, especially with the recent revelation that the intense cinematic equivalent of a heart attack, Uncut Gems, served as a major influence. Director Kelsey Mann and the creative team have shed light on how this inspiration has been woven into the fabric of the sequel, particularly through the new emotion and character of Anxiety, who's voiced by Maya Hawke.

The new trailer for Inside Out 2 teases a ton of new emotions, but none take center stage quite as much as the orange frizzled-haired Anxiety. In a recent interview with Animation Magazine, Kelsey Mann discussed the intricacies of the new character’s role in the sequel and how they’re always “two steps ahead” of the loveable Joy. Delving into this new character, the filmmaker revealed:

The sequel will see Anxiety serve as a pivotal figure, shaping the narrative with her strategic and hyper-vigilant nature. The interplay between the newcomer and Amy Poehler’s Joy is expected to be a highlight. Kelsey Mann's analogy of Anxiety playing chess while Joy plays checkers underscores her strategic prowess, adding a layer of complexity to the film. This strategic maneuvering promises to keep the other emotions on their toes and engage audiences with her intricate and undoubtedly humorous mind games.

The decision to draw inspiration from one of A24’s best movies, Uncut Gems, is a bold move for Pixar, which is known for its heartfelt and often whimsical storytelling. However, this direction makes sense when you hear how the filmmakers used the tension-filled and high stakes of the Adam Sandler-led thriller to examine the anxiety  associated with puberty.

The creative team drew inspiration from the Safdie Brothers' frenetic drama to craft the visual language for the upcoming animated feature. The animation team, inspired by the shaky, immersive cinematography of Uncut Gems, constructed static sets and placed their digital characters within them. They then utilized a virtual camera, manipulating it as if they were shooting a live-action scene. This innovative approach allowed them to experiment with angles and shot setups, ultimately finding the best ways to visually convey the heightened emotional stakes of Riley's journey through adolescence.

Amy Poehler, Lewis Black and Phyllis Smith are all back for Inside Out 2, ready to bring Joy, Anger, and Sadness to life once again. However, fans might be disappointed to learn that the original voices of Disgust and Fear were confirmed not to be returning for Pixar's sequel. Rumor has it that Bill Hader and Mindy Kaling, who nailed those roles in the 2015 hit, passed on reprising their characters this time around due to reported pay discrepancies. Kaling and Hader’s characters are being taken over by Liza Lapira and Tony Hale, respectively.

Fans of the original Inside Out and newcomers alike are in for a treat this summer. Mark your calendars for June 14th because this film isn't just about entertainment—it's a deep dive into the intricacies of the human mind, with Anxiety taking the lead in a high-stakes game of emotional chess. And if you need a refresher before the sequel drops, you can catch the first movie with a Disney+ subscription. Plus, don’t forget to check out our 2024 movie release calendar to see what other family-friendly hits are coming to a theater near you!

For starters, I am not necessarily saying that any of these movie characters are outright “bad,” nor am I trying to make a case against any of the films they lead. However, I personally believe that these characters are deeply flawed for one reason or another — either because of the way they are written, the way their respective actors portray them, or even just their moral weaknesses — and what makes matters worse is that they are supposed to the protagonists of their stories. Please bear with me as I explain my reasoning for why these characters make the movies they lead just a bit more of a struggle to follow.

Rick Deckard (Blade Runner)

One of my all-time favorite actors is Harrison Ford who has played some of the most charming characters in cinematic history, but I do not believe Rick Deckard is one of them. Ford does not give a bad performance at all in Blade Runner, but his role — a cop assigned to “retire” artificial humans in a dystopian future — is the least interesting and likable character in Ridley Scott's 1982 film, the real hero of which is Roy Batty (Rutger Hauer), if you ask me.

Rose (Titanic)

On The Ringer podcast, The Rewatchables, Bill Simmons and Van Lathan spend more than 10 minutes discussing why Rose (Kate Winslet) is the worst character from James Cameron's Titanic. The spoiled socialite's unimpressed reaction to first seeing the titular ship, her reluctance to immediately explain Jack (Leonardo DiCaprio) saved her life as he is being arrested, and her hogging the makeshift lifeboat (a door) that likely could have prevented Jack's death are just a few reasons.

Scott Pilgrim (Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World)

Michael Cera's title character from Edgar Wright's hilarious and visually stunning 2010 comic book movie is a smug, selfish, and lazy oaf whose troubles — notably having two unassuming girlfriends at once — are no one's fault but his own. I will say, however, that a main point of Scott Pilgrim vs. the World is that the protagonist is deeply flawed and, through defeating Ramona's (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) evil exes, thankfully learns to be a better person.

Bella Swan (Twilight)

It is a shame that Kristen Stewart's stint in the Twilight movies cast cursed her with an undeserving reputation for wooden acting because, in retrospect, it was clearly not her fault. In fact, you could say the future Academy Award nominee's performance as the cinematic version of Bella Swan perfectly suits the role’s astonishing lack of personality and emotional depth in a romance about vampires.

Raleigh Beckett (Pacific Rim)

Charlie Hunnam has turned in many wonderful performances in his career, especially in the Sons of Anarchy cast as Jax Teller. Yet, he gives a decidedly one-note performance in 2013’s Pacific Rim as the hero of Guillermo del Toro’s monsters vs. machines epic, Raleigh Beckett, who certainly does not have his aggressively generic and unmemorable characterization.

Jupiter Jones (Jupiter Ascending)

There are many reasons why The Wachowskis' Jupiter Ascending is one of their most infamous flops and among them is Mila Kunis' title role. The young house cleaner who discovers she is the heir to a royal, intergalactic kingdom is written as not much more than a disengaging damsel in distress.

Jake Sully (Avatar)

The reason why anybody went to see 2009's Avatar, or rewatches it to this day, and showed up for the 2022 sequel, Avatar: The Way of Water, was to experience the wondrous world of Pandora. The groundbreaking success of James Cameron's franchise has absolutely nothing to do with its hero, Jake Sully (Sam Worthington), whom many regard as one of the most generic action movie protagonists you could imagine.

Julianne Potter (My Best Friend's Wedding)

As the Queen of Rom-Coms, Julia Roberts has played many charming and lovable characters, but Julianne Potter is not quite one of them. The whole plot of My Best Friend's Wedding sees her conspire to ruin the impending nuptials of her lifelong buddy, Michael O'Neil (Dermot Mulroney), after realizing she wants to have him for herself.

Luke Skywalker (Star Wars: A New Hope)

I really, truly hate to include one of the most beloved heroes from George Lucas' galaxy far, far away on this list, but it is a decision that I believe many die-hard fans of the Star Wars movies might be able to understand. They may especially agree that Mark Hamill's performance as Luke Skywalker in the 1977 original is not exactly one of his best and the farmer-turned-resistance-fighter's characterization — specifically at that time — is a bit bland and, at times, annoying.

Ariel (The Little Mermaid)

Is there a single character who represents the most egregious tropes associated with Disney Princesses more than Ariel in 1989’s The Little Mermaid? For one, she literally and willfully silences herself all for the chance to be with her crush, which is far from role-model behavior, as far as I am concerned.

Teth-Adam (Black Adam)

Let alone the fact that Teth-Adam was originally created for DC Comics as a Shazam villain, Dwayne Johnson gives a tonally uneven and one-dimensional portrayal of the extremely powerful Kahndaq "champion" whose verbal rejection of being called the hero of his story grows tiresome. Personally, I would have rather seen a movie that centers on the members of the Justice Society of America than what Black Adam turned out to be. 

Christine McPherson (Lady Bird)

Greta Gerwig's feature-length directorial debut, 2017's Lady Bird, is one of the sharpest coming-of-age dramedies of its time, anchored by a spellbinding, Oscar-nominated performance by Saoirse Ronan. Yet, even the acclaimed A24 movie's biggest fans agree that Ronan's title character (whose real name is Christine McPherson) is often too rude and self-absorbed to enjoy watching.

Bruce Wayne (Batman Forever)

When it comes to the best Batman actors, the bottom of the list, for me, is occupied by Val Kilmer. The normally charismatic and dynamic actor implants little to nothing of his signature talents in 1995's Batman Forever, resulting in one of the most bland and forgettable portrayals of the Dark Knight on record.

Cinderella (Cinderella)

I realize that Cinderella is, essentially, the ideal fairy tale character, and her age-old story inspires people to not give up on their dreams. However, her depiction in the 1950 classic does not have much of a distinct personality, causing it to be one of the few Disney animated movies that pales in comparison to its live-action remake, in my opinion. 

Sam Witwicky (Transformers)

To be fair, Shia LaBeouf really puts his heart and soul into playing Sam — an awkward, nervous teen caught up in a war between shape-shifting alien robots. However, the performance is just a little too convincing and often tends to distract from the true mechanical heroes of 2007's Transformers.

Evan Hansen (Dear Evan Hansen)

While the cinematic adaptation of Dear Evan Hansen certainly has its fans (many of whom already loved the original stage musical), its toughest critics agree the title role is a hard person to warm to by the end. The consensus has less to do with actor Ben Platt (reprising his Tony Award-winning role) being nearly twice Evan's age, and more with how he allows himself to benefit from a classmate's suicide after being mistaken for his friend.

Dante Hicks (Clerks)

I am sure there are many convenience store workers who strongly empathize with Dante (Brian O'Halloran), but his incessant whining and lack of gratitude for his girlfriend, Veronica (Marilyn Ghigliotti), kind of makes it hard to. Not to mention, in competition with Randal (Jeff Anderson), Jay (Jason Mewes), and Silent Bob (writer and director Kevin Smith), he is easily one of the least memorable characters from 1994's Clerks despite being the center of it all.

Sandy Olsson (Grease)

No one can deny that the late, great Olivia Newton-John is phenomenal in Grease, as both an actor and a musical performer. Yet, you could make the argument that her role, Sandy Olsson, is not a great character, especially for the way she submits to changing her personality to be more like her crush, Danny Zuko (John Travolta), while he gets to stay the same at the end.

Adam Jones (Burnt)

If not for a charismatic actor like Bradley Cooper in the lead role, the otherwise delicious food movie, Burnt, might not have been worth taking a bite out of. Cooper's character, a talented chef named Adam Jones, pretty much revels in treating people like scraps and boasts little to no redeeming qualities.  

Leo (Mute)

Duncan Jones, director of acclaimed sci-fi films Moon and Source Code, did not receive as much love in 2018 for his Netflix original futuristic noir, Mute. Much of the complaints were centered around Alexander Skarsgård's lead role, Leo, whose otherwise intriguing trait as a non-speaking character becomes a disadvantage as the role offers just about nothing else of interest to the table.

Steven (The Cable Guy)

Jim Carrey's demented performance is meant to convince you that his character is the "villain" of 1996's The Cable Guy. However, in retrospect, the pathetic, self-centered, hypocritical Steven (Matthew Broderick) is the one we should really be rooting against. 

Newt Scamander (Fantastic Beasts And Where to Find Them)

For a film in which the main draw is watching wondrous creatures run amok, it makes sense that the lead performance would be as understated as Eddie Redmayne's portrayal of Newt Scamander. Yet, even some major Harry Potter fans agree that the Magizoologist is, ultimately, too awkward and dull of a protagonist to carry Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.

Tom Hansen ((500) Days Of Summer)

To be clear, my main reason for including Joseph Gordon-Levitt's character from 2009's (500) Days of Summer in this list is because many often misinterpret the point of his arc in the modern romantic-comedy classic. Tom is so obsessed with living the perfect love story that he selfishly ignores Summer's (Zooey Deschanel) request to keep things casual and blames her for their breakup.

Ford Brody (Godzilla)

If I am being honest — and the same goes for many examples of disaster and/or monster movies, really — the human characters are easily the weakest part of 2014's Godzilla. However, the otherwise talented Aaron Taylor-Johnson's lead role as Lt. Ford Brody makes less of an impact on the story than anyone else. To be fair, though, I imagine it was hard to stand out amid Bryan Cranston's brief, but memorable, performance as his father.

Frodo Baggins (The Lord Of The Rings)

By the end of Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings trilogy, Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood) does achieve the end goal by destroying the One Ring, but is he really the true hero of this saga? When you look at how often Samwise (Sean Astin) came to his rescue and compare him to the fearless Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen), the hobbit really does come up short.

P.T. Barnum (The Greatest Showman)

Hugh Jackman's portrayal of P.T. Barnum in The Greatest Showman is, for the most part, extremely charming, and that is precisely the problem. The otherwise dazzling 2017 musical is not at all historically accurate, especially in the way it depicts the founder of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, who, in real life, was a greedy schemer known for exploiting an enslaved woman for his show.

Valerian (Valerian And The City Of A Thousand Planets)

Luc Besson's highly inventive, visually stunning, and admirably optimistic utopian adventure, Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets, could have gone down in history as a modern sci-fi classic. Unfortunately, the one-note, generic, frustratingly unimpressionable title hero, played by the otherwise very talented Dane DeHaan, resulted in an ultimately forgettable experience.

Albert Stark (A Million Ways To Die In The West)

Writer and director Seth MacFarlane also stars in 2014's A Million Ways to Die in the West as Albert Stark — an aimless, perpetually dissatisfied oaf whose main character trait is lengthy complaints. If the character was not just, essentially, a live-action, human version of one of MacFarlane's Family Guy roles, Brian Griffin, he might have been stronger protagonist for the Western-Comedy. 

Jack Burton (Big Trouble In Little China)

I can't deny that I have nothing but love for Kurt Russell's hilarious performance as California trucker Jack Burton in Big Trouble in Little China. Yet, did you ever notice just how imbecilic he is, not to mention, the fact that he achieves not a single heroic act until he kills Lo Pan (James Hong) at the end? His bumbling nature does give the many Asian cast members their chance to shine as the true heroes, but even that only further earns him a lower ranking among Russell’s best characters.

Howard Rattner (Uncut Gems)

Adam Sandler gives one of his most electric performances as Manhattan jeweler Howard Rattner in the Safdie Brothers' 2019 thriller, Uncut Gems. Honestly, if a less likable movie star had played the selfish, self-destructive gambling addict than the charismatic comedy icon, we would have no reason to root for him and the story could have suffered as a result.

Mimi (Psycho Goreman)

The ancient extraterrestrial warrior (voiced by Steven Vlahos and portrayed physically by Matthew Ninaber) may be the title character of Psycho Goreman, but the true protagonist is Mimi (Nita-Josée Hanna). However, as far as I am concerned, the 2020 horror-comedy would have been much more enjoyable if the young girl who awakens "PG" were not such a spoiled, rotten, loudmouthed bully.

Britt Reid (The Green Hornet)

Director Michel Gondry's 2011 reboot of The Green Hornet reimagines L.A. news publisher Britt Reid (producer Seth Rogen) as an absent-minded man-child whose vigilante aspirations seem completely out of place with his character. While this does work as a parodic commentary on Kato (played here by Jay Chou) always being the more obviously capable one in the 1960s series (which starred Bruce Lee in the role), it is a one-note joke that quickly loses steam.

I promise that my intention was not to ruin any of these main movie characters for you, but at least offer some additional perspective regarding how they fit into their stories.

You know a movie is doing something right when it elicits a truly emotional reaction from you. Often that might be tears welling in your eyes. Sometimes it’s a feeling of elation when a hero succeeds. And sometimes it’s the desire to punch somebody right in the face. You’re supposed to hate the bad guys and want them to get defeated, but sometimes the person who needs a smack is the hero.

A thread on Reddit recently asked fans what protagonist they would most like to punch in the face, either because they were whiney, generally annoying, or just an actual terrible person. And there are some choice answers here. It turns out that a fair number of heroes need a decent smack.

There are plenty of characters in the Harry Potter cast worthy of a smack, but one is one of the main three heroes. Harry's buddy Ron Weasley is a popular choice for a human punching bag that people who want to just beat the hell out of. A lot of people think that, especially in the later films, he ends up perpetually stupid and jealous and he just needs to get over himself. It doesn’t make him a good friend to the people he’s supposed to be friends with.

Shia LaBeouf’s Sam Witwicky in the Transformers movies is another popular choice. Maybe it was the fact that the movies focused so much on his character, while most people watching the movies just wanted to see the giant robots, that made him so completely annoying. Maybe that's why the Transformers franchise seemingly killed him off. It's certainly true that the best Transformers movies are generally the ones he's not in.

One choice that is perhaps controversial is Ferris Bueller. While Ferris Bueller’s Day Off is an incredibly popular comedy, there is a contingent of people who see Ferris as a spoiled, entitled ass, and think that maybe what Ferris needs is a good ass-kicking. While I don’t necessarily agree, I can see why some people feel that way. 

There are some cases where even though a movie character is ostensibly the protagonist of a film, you’re not necessarily supposed to like them. Adam Sandler’s character in Uncut Gems comes up in the discussion. He certainly has a pretty bad life for the duration of the film. Of course, that’s all because of the choices that he makes, which makes you want to wring his neck. This is by design, but that doesn’t make it any less true. 

If a movie makes you want to punch the hero in the face, there’s an argument that the movie still works, that you’re invested enough in the story for the character’s actions to make you want to smack them. In many cases, this does mean that a character you were supposed to like is one you don’t, but as long as you weren’t bored, I guess that’s something. 

Adam Sandler is the definition of a multi-talented creative. He has starred in classic comedy movies like Happy Gilmore and Billy Madison, and continues to put out silly comedies for those with a Netflix subscription. But he also has another side to him, and has impressed with his dramatic performances in movies like Paul Thomas Anderson’s Punch Drunk Love and The Safdie Brothers’ 2019 film, Uncut Gems. While often written off in his younger years as a goofball comic, he has since gained the respect of many, including the director of Sandler’s latest Netflix movie, Spaceman, who recently opened up about why the comedian is great in serious roles. 

Spaceman is helmed by Swedish filmmaker Johan Renck, who is known for his work on the hit series Chernobyl. The film is based on the novel Spaceman of Bohemia, where the protagonist Jakob is sent into space to collect ancient dust. Meanwhile, his life on earth is falling apart and Spaceman's trailer show a space spider helping to put it back together. The film relies a lot on the central performance of the lead actor, and for Renck, Sandler’s previous work proved to him that the Hustle star could handle the task. The filmmaker told ScreenRant: 

Renek also revealed he believes a comedian at the center of a serious film actually ends up working to a film’s advantage. This is because he believes that if an audience already has a lighthearted connection to an actor, they will be more moved when that actor shows their vulnerable side. The director explained: 

There may be some truth to this statement, as it is always a pleasant surprise to see traditionally comic actors enter into the dramatic realm. Dramatic performances by actors like Bill Hader, Steve Carrell, and Jim Carrey in particular come to mind. There’s a longstanding sentiment by actors that comedy is often even harder than drama, so this is potentially why so many funny actors shine when they experiment with different kinds of roles. 

Adam Sandler has been doing more experimenting with dramatic roles as he enters a new phase of his career, but Spaceman is a first for the actor in many ways. The film does hinge on a dramatic performance by the SNL alum, but this film also has Sandler going to space and acting alongside a CGI spider. The movie is more within the realm of a sci-fi/adventure film rather than a straight drama or dramedy. The movie requires him to flex a new muscle for the unique performance. Critics are mixed on Spaceman as a whole, but Sandler’s dramatic performance has been the recipient of much praise, so the actor seems to have succeeded. 

You can see Adam Sandler giving his all to Spaceman, when the film finally becomes available to Netflix subscribers on March 1st, 2024. Fans of the actor should also check out our feature on other films coming down the pike from The Wedding Singer star. For more information on other buzzy titles heading to Netflix this year, make sure to consult our 2024 Netflix release schedule. 

Every major sport has its own movie. Some of the most popular spectator sports – baseball, football, basketball, and soccer – have multiple films that use competition as the backdrop. But which films constitute the best sports movies ever made? There are so many factors at play. Is it an underdog sports story, about loveable losers who overcome the odds to achieve greatness? Or is it a story about the greatest to ever play a game, and an analysis of what drove them to be elite?

As we debated over the best sports movies ever made, CinemaBlend staffers came to realize that it’s not always about the sport itself, but more about the characters in which we have invested. Especially if they happen to be played by Kevin Costner, who’s like Hollywood’s unofficial mascot of terrific sports movies. That dude is the Patron Saint of sports films. He has excellent sports flicks that didn’t even make this list! That’s how good he is. 

So what did make the list? A healthy mix of recognized classics, some newer films that take unconventional approaches to their athletic subjects, and Foxcatcher. Man, that’s a weird movie. Great! But weird. 

25. Love & Basketball

When filmmakers mix sports and romance, the results can vary, but Gina Prince-Bythewood’s Love & Basketball is an example of how to do it right. The 2000 movie tracks the relationship and playing careers of friends-turned-lovers Quincy McCall and Monica Wright, played by Omar Epps and Sanaa Lathan, respectively. Thanks to Prince-Bythewood’s keen direction, the two characters’ stories are multifaceted and compelling. Lathan and Epps also more than shine in their role as do the supporting cast members.

What’s most exceptional is Gina Prince-Bythewood’s exploration of modern-day romance. The fact that the African American experience is the lens through which she does that is also refreshing. As a whole, the film is an engaging drama that depicts love and sports in a way that anyone can relate to.

24. Tin Cup

Kevin Costner has made a lot of sports movies. Some are more popular than Tin Cup, but none are able to find the same loveable tone. His lead character, Roy McAvoy, has charm for days, and it’s a delight watching him chase his destiny, not because he wants to fulfill his potential but because he’s horny and spiteful. 

Costner’s scenes opposite Rene Russo are a particular delight, and the movie deserves special credit for having one of the most unconventional and yet oddly perfect endings in sports movie history. Sometimes it’s not about winning or losing. It’s about creating a moment, and no one will ever forget Roy’s.

23. Rudy

Even people who aren’t very interested in sports can relate to the true story behind Rudy — all it takes is having a dream like Daniel E. “Rudy” Ruettiger did. Sean Astin (former The Goonies cast member and future Lord of the Rings movies star) plays the title role, a teenage student who is determined to beat the odds and achieve his life-long goal of making it into Notre Dame and playing on the college’s famed football team, despite being half the size of most of the players. 

Hoosier director David Anspaugh helms this inspirational, crowd-pleasing biopic that is easily one of the greatest underdog sports stories that cinema has ever seen.

22. Bring It On

When I tell you, “Brrr, it’s cold in here,” you better reply, “There must be some Clovers in the atmosphere.” Or else we can’t be friends. Very few of us went into Kirsten Dunst’s cheerleading feature Bring It On expecting to see the next beloved cult comedy classic. But a witty script, tons of spunky teenage attitude, and a killer dance soundtrack turned Bring It On into a beloved hit. It basically was Spirit Fingers, in cinematic form.

Movies like Bring It On succeed because everyone on board – from director Peyton Reed (Ant-Man) to leading ladies Dunst, Gabrielle Union, and Eliza Dushku – know exactly the type of movie they are making. They don’t play the material too seriously. They bring bubbly fun to an entertaining script. And they made an infectious teenage comedy that rose up during the time of the American Pie franchise (and all its idiotic clones), then proved to have the staying power of an instant classic.

21. Goon

Doug Glatt can throw a punch – that much is made clear early on in Goon (written by Jay Baruchel and Evan Goldberg, and directed by Michael Dowse). It’s a skill that lands him a spot on a minor league hockey team, despite his lack of actual hockey-playing abilities. But Goon is about so much more than an enforcer who’s ready to fight at a moment’s notice. Doug Glatt may not be the smartest guy in the room, or the best hockey player on the ice, but he has a giant heart and it’s on display from beginning to end in this charming, funny and at times, exciting hockey movie. 

While we can easily celebrate Goon for being one of the better sports comedies out there, there’s also the great chemistry between Seann William Scott’s character and his love interest, Eva (Alison Pill), and the underrated supporting cast, which includes Baruchel, as well as Liev Schreiber, Eugene Levy, Kim Coates and Marc-André Grondin.

20. Jerry Maguire

Time to show this list the money! Tom Cruise has had a number of spectacular roles over the course of his career, though none may be as rich, complicated, flawed, but rewarding as sports agent Jerry Maguire, who undergoes a crisis of conscience and tries to reinvent himself… with one boisterous client (Cuba Gooding Jr., who won an Oscar for his performance). 

Jerry Maguire is Cameron Crowe at his finest, mixing powerful life lessons about family, emotional support, and loyalty in a tight comedic package. The film also leans into a winning love story between Jerry and his single-mom assistant, played by an adorable Renee Zellweger. We’re kind of saying that Jerry Maguire “completes” this list. But also, this list had us at hello.

19. The Karate Kid

The Karate Kid may be a massive film property now, but one can’t forget that the whole saga traces its roots back to the original 1984 film. John G. Avildsen’s martial arts drama introduced the world to Daniel LaRusso and his witty and wise mentor, Mr. Miyagi. While it may be conventional in many respects, the movie is incredibly endearing and paints a picture of an unexpected yet warm friendship. Not only that, but the fight sequences are also well-choreographed and engaging.

One of the standout elements of Karate Kid, though, is the pitch-perfect performance from Pat Morita, who earned an Oscar nomination for his turn as Miyagi. It also made young Ralph Macchio into a household name (and the object of various teen girls’ affections). If you’ve yet to see this seminal ‘80s film, then you should do yourself a favor and give it a watch.

18. Cinderella Man

The real-life comeback story of boxer James J. Braddock (Russell Crowe) was an inspiration to those who followed it as it played out during the Great Depression. So leave it to director Ron Howard to take that story and turn it into a rousing motion picture like 2005’s Cinderella Man. 

Crowe’s leading portrayal of Braddock mixes his trademark physicality and ferocity with a tenderness that shows just how much was riding on his fortunes in the ring. With a tour de force supporting role from Paul Giamatti, you can be sure that you’ll get as wrapped up in this movie as you would any captivating story of hope.

17. Creed

Arguably, the best Rocky movie since the original is not so much a continuation of the Italian Stallion’s own story, but a new chapter focusing on the aspirations of a young boxer to whom Sylvester Stallone’s character discovers he has a personal connection.

In his second collaboration with acclaimed Fruitvale Station and Black Panther director Ryan Coogler, Michael B. Jordan gives a stunning, star-making performance as Adonis Johnson — the love child of Rocky’s late rival-turned-mentor and friend, Apollo Creed — who enlists his “uncle’s” help to train him for a shot at the big time. Earning rave reviews, impressive box office returns, and spawning two sequels (including the Jordan-directed Creed III), Creed is an inspiring story of a man who chooses to fight not for the glory, but for his own sense of self-worth.

16. Million Dollar Baby

Stop me if you have heard this one before: A crusty old boxing trainer (Clint Eastwood) who’s just about ready to hang up his whistle encounters a scrappy young fighter (Hilary Swank) who just might have the right stuff to carry both of them to the top of their sport. 

That premise alone might be cliched and hokey, but Eastoowd hides a devastating left hook in Million Dollar Baby that, when it lands, turns this film’s narrative on its head, and coaxes magnificent performances by Eastwood, Swank, and Morgan Freeman. Some argue that the back half of Million Dollar Baby overdoes things. But I think the subtle composition both on screen and behind the camera marks some of the strongest work of Eastwood’s illustrious career. 

15. Hoosiers

Hoosiers hits every conceivable trope in the “underdog sports movie” playbook. A small team of basketball players with no chance gets a brand new unorthodox head coach who upsets the way things have always been. There’s even a “slow clap” moment. 

Maybe these cliches were less cliched in 1986, but even with a modern eye, Hoosiers still overcomes all of it. It’s all done so well that it’s essentially impossible to not fall in love with the movie. The characters, lead by Gene Hackman’s coach Dale, and his assistant coach, the town drunk played by Dennis Hopper, are what make Hoosiers unique and special. Every character is well-developed, making them easy to empathize with and root for, even if you know exactly what’s going to happen.

14. Major League

Major League is the kitchen sink of sports movies, and it’s a Cleveland-based miracle that it works as beautifully as it does. The film features a star-studded ensemble — featuring Charlie Sheen, Dennis Haysbert, Tom Berenger and more greats — where nearly everyone who has more than 3 lines boasts a measurable character arc. It hinges on a fairly dramatic theme of an underdog squad rising up from the dregs and reaching all-star status, while also serving as a hilarious comedy that borders on spoofery. Not to mention a romantic storyline or two, along with a “bosses vs. underlings” conflict, and the sports version of office politics. 

There’s no reason for this movie (or its only slightly less enjoyable sequel) to be this perfect, especially with “Wild Thing” as its musical hook. But by the power of Bob Uecker, Major League will be a classic forever, even if the same can't be said for the team’s mascot.

13. Hustle

Adam Sandler’s at a phase in his career right now where he can pretty much do anything he wants. Which is probably part of why he’s been so loyal to Netflix, delivering many hits to the streaming studio’s library through films like Hustle. 

Director Jeremiah Zagar’s story of a scout (Sandler) who’s trying to nurture a burgeoning talent (Juancho Hernangómez) that he spotted in his travels is so full of heart and determination that even for a movie focused on the scouting aspect, Hustle stands as a feel good inspirational sports flick. And the Sandman’s performance in this film is also one of the best he’s ever delivered.

12. Foxcatcher

Moneyball director Bennett MIller returns to the list for another dramatic narrative that’s set against sports as a backdrop – in this case, the world of olympic wrestling – but focused on so much more than the competition. 

Steve Carell sheds his funnyman tics to portray John Du Pont, an eccentric multi-millionaire who opens up his training facility to olympic hopeful Mark Schultz (Channing Tatum). Miller once again digs deep into the dark obsessions that can be found in most sports communities, while simultaneously shining a light on the harrowing lengths people will go to taste success, in any form. See it for the performances, even though the oppressive tone can be a challenge.

11. Ford v. Ferrari

With two stellar performances from Matt Damon and Christian Bale, Ford v. Ferrari isn’t just the story of an epic auto race, but the story of how two unlikely men made it all happen in the first place. The challenge the characters face ultimately isn’t the racing contest at all. It’s the struggle to even get there that is the most compelling. 

The racing scenes in Ford v. Ferrari are beautifully directed by James Mangold, and the Oscars for Editing and Sound Mixing were well deserved. But it’s the performances and the chemistry, shared between Damon and Bale that elevates Ford v. Ferrari to something special. They’re having so much fun on screen together that their passion bleeds into the audience. 

10. The Big Lebowski

The one sports movie with White Russians as a favored drink, The Big Lebowski isn’t really about sports in the way that others films are, but Jeff Daniels’ Dude wouldn’t be The Dude without bowling, man. The game and its setting are as critical to the Coen brothers’ story and its characters as baseball is to The Natural, or as basketball is to Hoop Dreams, and those didn’t even feature John Tuturro sensually licking bowling balls occasionally. 

One could pretend another sport could serve as a substitute, but then The Big Lebowski wouldn’t contain the unintuitively soothing sounds of bowling balls rolling across wood and pins being smashed into. If scenes happened in loud football stands or super-quiet golf crowds, how would we ever hear John Goodman’s Walter hollering at Donny? Nah, bowling is perfect… just as The Big Lebowski is perfect. But that’s just, like, my opinion, man.

9. The Hustler

In 1987, Paul Newman finally won the elusive Best Actor Oscar for The Color of Money, the sequel to the movie that he arguably should have won the Academy Award for first – 1961’s The Hustler. The original movie sees Newman as young, hotshot pool player Fast Eddie Felson, a hustler, making his living taking people’s money. But after he is soundly defeated by the great Minnesota Fats (Jackie Gleason), Eddie goes on a journey that reveals to him the true value of winning… and losing.

The Hustler is full of brilliant performances, Piper Laurie, George C. Scott, and Gleason would all see Oscar nominations alongside Newman, and for good reason. Fast Eddie Felson’s character arc, and each character’s role in it, is beautifully heartbreaking. The Hustler isn’t about whether Fast Eddie wins or loses the game of pool at the end. It’s not a movie about working hard to be the best at your sport of choice, and winning in the end. The Hustler asks the audience to question the definitions of terms like winner and loser. The sport is just the metaphor. Life is the drama.

8. Remember the Titans

There was a time when Walt Disney Pictures seemed to dominate the world of sports biopics. That reign began thanks to director Boaz Yakin’s Remember the Titans. Recalling the true story of T. C. Williams High School’s football season under the watch of head coach Herman Boone (Denzel Washington), the movie is as known for early appearances by future stars Hayden Panetierre and Ryan Gosling as it was just how good of a football film it’s still remembered to be. 

The best sports movies draw crowds in with stories that are worth watching, and this tale of overcoming racial boundaries celebrates the camaraderie of football with a huge debt of respect. Even if you’re not a sporting person, it’s hard not to fall into the expert storytelling and killer soundtrack Remember the Titans has to offer. However, the central performances of Denzel Washington and Will Patton, roping in a bunch of young talent worthy of standing on the field with them, is the truly successful team effort.

7. The Sandlot

The Sandlot isn’t about winning games, as much as it’s about bragging rights. It isn’t about losing as much as it’s about not getting in trouble. It’s about growing up and how, for millions of kids, adolescence is commingled with playing sports, even if that’s just in a rundown baseball field during summer vacation.

We love to measure success in wins and losses, but in childhood, those wins and losses aren’t always measured in runs scored. Sometimes a win is making friends, watching the fireworks or talking trash to some scumbag rich kids. Sometimes it’s catching your first flyball or concocting a really inappropriate scheme to kiss the much older lifeguard. The Sandlot just gets it. It gets how sports sometimes feel like everything to a fifth grader but also, sometimes feel like nothing if it’s too hot or there are girls around or you need to learn what a Smore is. 

6. A League of Their Own

The best thing about A League Of Their Own isn’t just that its loveable characters are women with realistic personalities, it’s that they’re also realistic baseball players. All of the little touches feel so authentic. A lesser movie would tell us Kit is a bad hitter. A League Of Their Own tells us she can’t lay off the high ones. A lesser movie would tell us Evelyn is a bad outfielder. This one shows her missing the cutoff woman. 

Much of that credit should go to director Penny Marshall, who oh so carefully walks the first base line between comedy and authenticity. Instead of betraying reality for bigger laughs or bigger emotional highs and lows, she consistently makes little choices that make the film more relatable — like Jimmy Dugan getting mad at himself, not because he can’t hit a pitching machine but because he’s hitting too many ground balls to short. That grounded realism helps us invest in the characters more, and it makes the film’s bigger moments like the war telegram and the home plate collision that much more impactful. 

5. The Fighter

In 2010, David O. Russell gave the world one of the best boxing movies of all time and a tremendous exploration of family dynamics with his Academy Award-winning biopic, The Fighter. On the surface, the movie is about Micky Ward (Mark Wahlberg) and his quest to make a name for himself in the ring and escape the shadow and tarnished legacy of his half-brother, Dicky Eklund (Christian Bale), but dig deeper and you have a family-centric drama about past trauma, resentment, and intense in-fighting; all of which are combined to create an intense, emotional, and rich experience.

And while Micky, and Wahlberg for that matter, gets overshadowed by the larger-than-life personalities of his half-brother, and their mother, Alice Eklund-Ward (Melissa Leo), it almost feels as if that’s the point of the movie. Yeah, Bale and Leo both won Oscars for their outstanding performances, and rightfully so, but Wahlberg’s take on the underdog boxer from Lowell, Massachusetts, is this unlikely hero, one who’ll do anything he can to bring glory to his hometown and his family.

4. Field of Dreams

“If you build it, he will come” is a line that will forever live in movie history. Those seven words in the opening minutes of Field of Dreams set Kevin Costner’s Ray Kinsella on a path that defies logic, reason, and reality, while also helping the hippie-turned-farmer ease the pain of his childhood hero, just not the one he expected in the beginning. Unlike a lot of other great baseball movies over the years, this 1989 sports classic has less to do with the fundamentals of the game (though those are important) and more to do with the passion and love for the game, its history, and the redemptive quality of the sport.

Similar to the opening of the movie featuring an iconic line, Field of Dreams also closes with a quote that fills my eyes with tears just thinking about it: “Hey Dad, wanna have a catch?” Watching the resentment, pain, and decades of not being able to say the right words shared by Ray and his father wash away in an instant is never not a powerful moment, one that leads me to call my dad to talk more times than not.

3. Moneyball

The best baseball movie ever made isn’t completely about the action on the diamond, but more dedicated to the moves that happen behind the scenes to build a possible contender. Brad Pitt gives one of his greatest performances as the steadfast general manager Billy Beane, the inventor of moneyball who shattered decades-old baseball practices to introduce a system heavily influenced by metrics. 

Baseball has not been the same since Beane and Peter Brand (Jonah Hill) revamped the Oakland A’s to match their revolutionary system. And neither have sports movies, which now have a new bar of quality to meet, one that’s set by Aaron Sorkin as a screenwriter and Bennett Miller as a director. Look for winning supporting turns in Moneyball from the late Philip Seymour Hoffman, Chris Pratt, and Robin Wright in this dramatic masterpiece.   

2. Uncut Gems

The number one rule of gambling is never to chase your losses. Uncut Gems is a stressful depiction of what happens if you do. Adam Sandler’s Howard Ratner begs, borrows, steals and mortgages both his family’s and his own future repeatedly on low percentage parlays, fake watches and the title uncut gem in increasingly desperate efforts to stay ahead of creditors. It’s an absolute nightmare to watch as a viewer, but it’s also, in a weird way, a lot like watching a sporting event you’re really emotionally invested in. 

And thanks to Sandler’s career best performance, it’s so easy to emotionally invest in Howard. He’s an absolute scumbag, a cheater with a gambling addiction and zero impulse control, but despite his rank horribleness, there’s still something about him you want to root for. He’s the horrible team so many of us were groomed into rooting for as children, and even though we all know it’s gonna end poorly, there’s still that hope somewhere inside, it might be different this time. 

1. Rocky

In 1976, Sylvester Stallone became one of the biggest names in Hollywood and launched what would later become one of the premier sports-drama franchises the world has ever known with Rocky. More toned down and grounded than the movies that would follow in the years and decades to come, this iconic boxing movie introduced audiences to Rocky Balboa (Stallone), a down-on-his-luck and struggling fighter who’s given a shot at Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers) and his championship belt.

Gritty, heartfelt, and inspirational, this beloved underdog story has inspired millions over the years with its touching and unforgettable drama about never giving up and always knowing your own worth, even when others don’t see it. There are boxing movies, and then there is Rocky. There are sports movies, and then there is Rocky. This Best Picture winner takes the best of sports movies and drama films and combines those elements to create a masterpiece that beautifully explores the heart and soul of a fighter.

Over the years, there have been movies with endings so shocking, so hard to believe, and so wild, that audiences have been left with their mouths agape and heads filled with all kinds of questions and emotions. We’ve seen Academy Award-winning films do it, some of the best Marvel movies have wrapped up with unforgettable conclusions, as have countless others.

Here are 30+ movies with totally wild endings that we just can’t help but talk about after all this time. There are some massive spoilers throughout this article…

Se7en (1995)

The Se7en ending, with its unforgettable “What’s in the box?” cry from Brad Pitt’s David Mills, is one of those traumatic cinematic experiences no one who’s seen the 1995 David Fincher crime thriller will ever forget. Seeing the hot-headed detective become part of John Doe’s (Kevin Spacey) game while William Somerset (Morgan Freeman) tries to stop the “Seven Deadly Sins” plan from coming to fruition is gutting.

Psycho (1960)

Alfred Hitchcock, a filmmaker known for plot twists and heightened drama, used both of his hallmarks for the Psycho ending. The scene where it’s discovered that Norman Bates’ (Anthony Perkins) mother has been dead (and in the basement) all along is one of those moments that’s just as shocking 60-plus years later.

Parasite (2019)

Bong Joon-ho’s Parasite, which went on to win multiple Oscars including Best Picture and Best Director, is a remarkable slowburn thriller with a nervous energy present throughout as you wait for something to happen to the Kim family. And when things do go south during the Parasite ending – Kim Ki-taek (Song Kang-ho) becomes the “parasite” of the Park family home – you’re left with all kinds of questions and immediately want to go back and rewatch the whole movie.

Avengers: Infinity War (2018)

Superhero movies are supposed to end on a happy note, or at least with a sense of closure. But that was not the case for the Avengers: Infinity War ending, which wraps up on an incredibly somber note after Thanos (Josh Brolin) snaps and wipes out half of all living creatures. Watching so many beloved MCU characters disappear was such an unforgettable and unexpected moment, one that could very well never be outmatched in a comic book movie. 

The Usual Suspects (1995)

“The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled,” the iconic line from Verbal Kent (Kevin Spacey) at the end of The Usual Suspects is one that will never get old. Finding out that the seemingly harmless and uninteresting man with a limp was actually the mysterious crime lord Keyser Söze is a revelation that’s so wild, and so out of left field, that we just can’t stop thinking about it nearly 30 years later.

Night Of The Living Dead (1968)

George A. Romero revolutionized the zombie genre with his all-time great horror movie, Night of the Living Dead. Released in 1968, a time in which racial and social tensions were at an all-time high, Romero ended his thriller in a manner that shocked audiences and opened the door to all kinds of discussions. The Black hero, Ben (Duane Jones), survives the zombie onslaught but is shot and killed by a White deputy the following morning.

The Mist (2007)

Talk about a gut punch, The Mist ending sees David Drayton (Thomas Jane) make the decision to kill his young son to prevent him from being tortured and killed by monsters only for the army to arrive and save him moments later. Upsetting is an understatement in this case.

The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

Undeniably the best Star Wars movie, as well as one of the greatest sequels of all time, The Empire Strikes Back ends without a lot of closure as it sees our heroes left in perilous and unknown situations. Oh, and we learn that Darth Vader is Luke Skywalker’s father. 

The Sixth Sense (1999)

M. Night Shyamalan is known for his twist endings at this point, but audiences didn’t have a big reveal in mind when watching The Sixth Sense back in 1999. The moments leading up to and following Malcolm Crowe’s (Bruce Willis) realization that he’s been dead the whole time are so riveting you almost forget how terrifying and well-crafted the rest of the movie is.

The Shining (1980)

Stanley Kubrick’s adaptation of The Shining is a movie that fans and critics are still discussing and debating more than 40 years after its release. One of the topics that comes up the most is The Shining ending, especially the shot of the Overlook Hotel in the 1920s with a man looking like Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson) in the middle of the frame. 

Planet Of The Apes (1968)

The 1968 sci-fi action film, Planet of the Apes, ends with astronaut George Taylor (Charlton Heston) on his knees yelling into the sky in front of the Statue of Liberty after realizing he’s not in an extraterrestrial land, but on Earth, just thousands of years later.

The Prestige (2006)

The best Christopher Nolan movies are those that wrap up in a way that leaves you thinking about the story long after the credits roll. That’s very much the case with The Prestige ending where it’s revealed that Alfred Borden (Christian Bale) didn’t pull off his teleportation trick with theatrics but with the help of his identical twin, Bernard Fallon (Bale). But the trick is just part of the complicated and miraculous plan.

Gone Girl (2014)

David Fincher and Gillian Flynn made some key changes to the Gone Girl ending when adapting the psychological thriller from book to movie, but one thing that stays the same is Amy (Rosamund Pike) revealing she’s pregnant (as a form of blackmail) with Nick’s (Ben Affleck) baby. There’s no clean escape in this one.

Once Upon A Time In Hollywood (2019)

The Once Upon a Time in Hollywood ending is wild, not because of Quentin Tarantino’s display of bloody and charred violence, but because it strays from the viewer’s expectations (Margot Robbie’s Sharon Tate isn’t brutally murdered like in real life).

Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 2 (2011)

Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 2 has one of those endings that probably didn’t throw the uninitiated for a loop but causes the heads of those who read the books to explode in disbelief. Basically, there’s a giant battle where numerous characters lose their lives, but it’s all just a vision of what could happen, not what actually does.

Fight Club (1999)

The big reveal that Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt) is the Narrator’s (Edward Norton) split personality in Fight Club, is one of the biggest “Wow” moments of the past quarter-century. However, that’s not even the ending of David Fincher’s book-to-screen adaptation. That comes later on when Project Mayhem carries out its plan of destroying multiple skyscrapers while the Pixies’ “Where Is My Mind?” blasts through the speakers.

The Others (2001)

For the majority of The Others, we’re led to believe that Grace Stewart (Nicole Kidman) is being tormented by spirits who won’t leave her and her young children alone. However, in the film’s final moments, it’s revealed that Grace and her kids are the ghosts tied to the tortured home.

Arrival (2016)

Denis Villeneuve’s Arrival throws a major twist at the audience in the film’s final moments when it is revealed that Louise Banks’ (Amy Adams) memories of her deceased daughter aren’t flashbacks but premonitions of her child who hasn't been born yet.

Promising Young Woman (2020)

Emerald Fennell was more than deserving of her Oscar for Best Original Screenplay for the way she crafted the Promising Young Woman ending. This whirlwind of scenes sees Cassie (Carey Mulligan) get her revenge against the men who raped her best friend in the most unlikely of ways.

No Country For Old Men (2007)

The No Country for Old Men ending is cryptic, to say the least, and wraps up with Sheriff Ed Tom Bell (Tommy Lee Jones) describing a series of dreams he had. This follows a wild turn of events that saw Llewelyn Moss (Josh Brolin) getting killed by a random cartel member, not the man pursuing him, Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem). We don’t even see Moss meet his maker.

Black Swan (2010)

Darren Aronofsky’s Black Swan is a drama about the price of perfection and the obsessive behavior of those seeking it. In the final moments, it’s revealed that Nina Sayers (Natalie Portman) didn’t stab her rival, Lily (Mila Kunis) with a broken mirror, she stabbed herself, putting into question the entire conflict between the two dancers.

Us (2019)

Jordan Peele’s sophomore effort, Us, is a wild thrill ride from start to finish, with the big reveal at the conclusion of the film being the icing on the cake. In the final moments of Us, Adelaide "Addy" Wilson (Lupita Nyong'o) reveals that she was the clone the whole time after switching places with the original version of herself.

Oldboy (2003)

Near the end of Park Chan-wook’s Oldboy, it is revealed that the woman who helped Oh Dae-su (Choi Min-sik) in his quest for revenge, and later became his lover, was actually his daughter. He later goes to a hypnotist to have those memories erased, but the film ends in a way where you never know if it actually worked.

Uncut Gems (2019)

The Uncut Gems ending is one of those that hits you like a brick to the face, or in the case of Adam Sandler’s Howard Ratner, a bullet to the cheek. This comes after the gambling addict wins a $1.2 million bet. In the span of a few seconds, he goes from having the best day of his life to his last.

Primal Fear (1998)

The Primal Fear ending is dark, twisted, and one of the most legitimately shocking reveals of the 1990s. The movie plays out like a standard courtroom drama until the final scene when Edward Norton’s Aaron Stampler reveals to defense attorney Martin Vail (Richard Gere) that he pulled off a pair of murders with no remorse. The way his voice and demeanor change mid-scene is the stuff of legend.

Saw (2004)

The Saw movies are full of devilish tricks, twists, turns, and even more terrifying traps. The first movie in the saga also has an incredibly wild ending when the apparent suicide victim in the room the whole time rises up and reveals himself to be John Kramer (Tobin Bell), aka, Jigsaw, the mastermind behind it all.

The Departed (2006)

Near the end of The Departed, it seems like Colin Sullivan (Matt Damon) is going to get away with being Frank Costello’s (Jack Nicholson) mole in the Boston Police Department. However, when the embattled detective goes home, Sean Dignam (Mark Wahlberg) is waiting for him with a little surprise: cold steel revenge. 

Frailty (2001)

At the end of Bill Paxton’s 2001 psychological thriller, Frailty, it is revealed that the FBI haven’t been interviewing Fenton Meiks (Matthew McConaughey) for the “God’s Hand Killer” case the whole time, they’ve actually been speaking with his brother, Adam, who killed the real Fenton and is now targeting his next victim. 

Cabin In The Woods (2012)

The Cabin in the Woods was one wild ride from start to finish, but it’s over-the-top ending seriously is something else. After the surviving college students survive all the various monsters and traps throughout the property, they learn they are part of a sacrifice to appease the gods so they don’t destroy the planet.

2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

The final stretch of 2001: A Space Odyssey is a wild, technicolor, and complex series of events that see David Bowman (Keir Dullea) transform from an astronaut to an old man to a star child floating above Earth. 

Wild Things (1998)

The 1998 thriller, Wild Things, has an ending so wild and so convoluted, that you need to keep notes to keep track of everything. When it seems like Suzie Toller (Neve Campbell), Kelly Lanier Van Ryan (Denise Richards), and Sam Lombardo (Matt Dillon) were all behind one plot, it’s revealed that Suzie was orchestrating it all. The deaths (even her own faked murder), the scandal, and the massive court settlement were all hers.

The Menu (2022)

The Menu ending could best be described as an explosive dessert, quite literally in this case. At the end of the twisted dark comedy, Margot (Anya Taylor-Joy) makes a strange yet simple request for an order of cheeseburger and fries to go, and she escapes the island on a boat. For everyone else? Well, they are treated to s'mores and a massive fiery explosion.

These are just 32 great movies with wonderful and wild endings, as including every single film with plot twists in the final act would take a very long time. However, it wouldn’t be shocking for this list to go through some changes in the coming months, especially with all the upcoming releases on the 2023 movie schedule.

Adam Sandler and Idina Menzel are together again for one of the latest releases on Netflix’s 2023 movie schedule, You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah. The two previously worked on the dramedy film Uncut Gems, in which their characters were involved in a tense marriage. The bond between their two characters in this new film, however, very different. The director of the comedy, Sammi Cohen, couldn’t help but make a funny joke when describing how the dynamic between the two stars differs from what was seen in the Safdie Bros.' acclaimed crime flick.

The Happy Madison founder is widely known for reuniting with former co-stars from time to time whether it’s Drew Barrymore, Rob Schneider, Steve Buscemi or Kevin James. So it makes sense that for You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah, Adam Sandler reunited with Uncut Gems co-star Idina Menzel, who once again plays his wife. To say that the actress was a massive get for this latest production would be an understatement. Sammi Cohen was asked by Variety just how they got the “Queen of Broadway” actress to take part in the film and responded by contrasting their characters here from the ones in the other aforementioned movie:

That’s a very interesting and humorous way of looking at it, and it's true that audiences didn't get to see the pair as a loving couple in the 2019 thriller. The movie portrayed more of a complicated relationship between their two characters as Adam Sandler played a gambling addict, and Idina Menzel played his long-suffering spouse, who's on the cusp of divorcing him. It was particularly interesting to see the Enchanted alum play such a role, given that she's mostly starred in uplifting fare. She lit up the big screen when she starred in Disney Animation’s Frozen and was also part of the killer cast of Amazon’s Cinderella, in which she played the wicked stepmother. So if you’re wondering how the Broadway actress could have possibly gotten into character for Uncut Gems, she joked that it took three tequilas for her to give that stellar performance!

You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah looks to be a solid showcase for both actors and seemingly serves a breathe of fresh air after their turns in the Safdies' production. Aside from playing the loving wife of Adam Sandler's character in the cast of the Netflix comedy, the character is also the mother of two girls, who are played by the real-life daughters of the 50 First Dates actor. Based on the film’s trailer, you see the Wicked actress’ character serves as a source of support for her daughter, who’s about to be viewed as a woman in the eyes of the Jewish community. As she’s going through friendship drama in the midst of preparing for her bat mitzvah, her mother seemingly does what she can to ensure her daughter has a positive experience. 

The coming-of-age comedy from Sammi Cohen is proving to be a success thus far. It currently has a 95% critic approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics also have strong opinions on Sadie and Sunny Sandler's performances, with many praising them for their work.

Adam Sandler and Idina Menzel seem to work well together, and it's great that they had the opportunity to collaborate once more. Here's hoping the two get to act alongside each a third time one of these days. While you wait for word on that, grab a Netflix subscription and stream You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah. And on the off chance you do want to see the two stars at each other's throats, stream Uncut Gems using a Paramount+ subscription.

I very much enjoyed Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning, but if I had one reason to complain, it would be that there was just not quite enough of Pom Klementieff. Despite barely saying a word (unless it was in French), her performance in the seventh installment of the Mission: Impossible movies as a vicious assassin only known as “Paris” is one of the most striking and memorable out of anyone in the star-studded ensemble. Before she reprises the role in the eighth installment, Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning, check out some of the best Pom Klementieff movies and TV shows streaming and where you can find them.

Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning (2023)

Director: Christopher McQuarrie

Starring: Tom Cruise, Pom Klementieff

What it's about: Ethan Hunt and his team must contend with an enemy unlike anything they have faced before: a highly intelligent and manipulative artificial intelligence.

Why it is worth watching if you love Pom Klementieff: The latest installment of the enduring spy movies franchise, Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning (which originally had a Part One attached to the title that Paramount has since dropped), has some of the best Mission: Impossible movie action sequences -- many of which involve Klementieff's almost silent, scene-stealing, character, Paris.

How to watch Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning

• Stream Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning on Paramount+
• Stream Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning on Amazon Prime
• Stream Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning on MGM+
• Buy Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning on Blu-ray on Amazon

Pom Klementieff's Marvel Movies (2017-2023)

Director: Various

Starring: Various

What they are about: After helping them defeat her tyrannical former master, Mantis – a lovably naive, but still badass, alien with the ability to sense and alter other people’s emotions – joins a diverse, ragtag crew who travel across the galaxy helping those in need.

Why they are worth watching if you love Pom Klementieff: Audiences fell in love with Klementieff for her performance in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 as a lovably before she appeared in more of the best Marvel movies and a funny holiday special for Disney+.

How to watch Pom Klementieff's Marvel movies

Ingrid Goes West (2017)

Director: Matt Spicer

Starring: Aubrey Plaza, Elizabeth Olsen, Pom Klementieff

What it's about: A woman notorious forming unhealthy social media obsessions moves to Los Angeles intending to become friends with one of her favorite influencers (played by Elizabeth Olsen).

Why it is worth watching if you love Pom Klementieff: In the same year she made her MCU debut, Klementieff (in the role of a famous fashion blogger) shared the screen with a franchise veteran (Olsen), a future member (Wyatt Russell), and a non-canon Marvel TV show actor (Legion star Plaza) in Ingrid Goes West — a dark social media satire.

How to watch Ingrid Goes West

• Stream Ingrid Goes West on Tubi
• Buy Ingrid Goes West on Blu-ray on Amazon

Newness (2017)

Director: Drake Doremus

Starring: Nicholas Hoult, Leia Costa, Pom Klementieff

What it's about: A young man and woman meet on a dating app and fall in love but soon agree to spice things up by openly experimenting with online dating outside of their relationship, leading to turbulent consequences.

Why it is worth watching if you love Pom Klementieff: A more somber and earnest commentary on the digital age starring Klementieff is the romantic drama, Newness, in which the actor plays Bethany — one of the women Hoult’s character sees on the side.

How to watch Newness

• Stream Newness on Pluto TV
• Stream Newness on The Roku Channel
• Stream Newness on Plex
• Rent or buy Newness on Amazon
• Buy Newness on DVD on Amazon

Black Mirror: Striking Vipers (2019)

Director: Owen Harris

Starring: Anthony Mackie, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II

What it's about: While playing a fighting video game, a family man and his old buddy make an interesting discovery about the game’s highly immersive VR function and themselves.

Why it is worth watching if you love Pom Klementieff: Yet another commentary about how technology and romance mix is one of the best episodes of Black Mirror, “Striking Vipers,” in which Klementieff plays a video game avatar named Roxette.

How to watch Black Mirror: Striking Vipers

• Stream Black Mirror: Striking Vipers on Netflix

Westworld (2020)

Starring: Evan Rachel Wood, Jeffrey Wright

What it's about: Nineteenth-century villagers make the startling discovery that they are not human, but highly advanced mechanical beings constructed for a futuristic theme park where guests can authentically live out their fantasies of experiencing life in the Old West.

Why it is worth watching if you love Pom Klementieff: Movies and TV shows exploring technology's pros and cons continued to be a staple of Klementieff’s career when she was cast on the third season of Westworld — HBO’s Emmy-winning, unfairly cancelled sci-fi Western series loosely inspired by a 1973 film of the same name — in the recurring role of Martel, who works for Vincent Cassel’s Engerraund Serac.

How to watch Westworld

• Buy Westworld on Amazon
• Buy Westworld on Blu-ray on Amazon

The Addams Family (2019)

Director: Greg Tiernan, Conrad Vernon

Starring: Oscar Isaac, Charlize Theron, Chloë Grace Moretz

What it's about: After years of living in gloomy isolation, a creepy and kooky family becomes acquainted with their never-before-seen neighbors.

Why it is worth watching if you love Pom Klementieff: For her first voice acting gig, Klementieff appeared in the animated reboot of the Addams Family as twin sisters Layla and Kayla, who become friends with Wednesday Addams.

How to watch The Addams Family (2019)

• Stream The Addams Family on Max
• Rent or buy The Addams Family on Amazon
• Buy The Addams Family on Blu-ray on Amazon

Uncut Gems (2019)

Director: Josh Safdie, Benny Safdie

Starring: Adam Sandler, Idina Menzel, Julia Fox

What it's about: A New York City jeweler and compulsive gambler comes into possession of a rare opal, which sends him on a self-destructive downward spiral.

Why it is worth watching if you love Pom Klementieff: Also in 2019, Klementieff made an appearance you might have missed in one of the best A24 movies — the intense, anxiety-fueled crime thriller, Uncut Gems — as Lexis, who is friends with Julia Fox’s character, Julia De Fiore.

How to watch Uncut Gems

• Stream Uncut Gems on Tubi
• Rent or buy Uncut Gems on Amazon
• Buy Uncut Gems on Blu-ray on Amazon

The Suicide Squad (2021)

Director: James Gunn

Starring: Margot Robbie, Idris Elba, Viola Davis

What it's about: Amanda Waller calls upon the services of her reluctantly heroic team of criminals for a new mysterious and potentially world-threatening mission.

Why it is worth watching if you love Pom Klementieff: Another brief appearance by Klementieff that many people missed (before it was revealed by James Gunn) is her uncredited cameo as a Panama City night club dancer in The Suicide Squad — a dazzling, “total reboot” to the DCEU’s supervillain showcase and the actor’s first collaboration with the Guardians filmmaker outside of the MCU.

How to watch The Suicide Squad

• Stream The Suicide Squad on Max
• Rent or buy The Suicide Squad on Amazon
• Buy The Suicide Squad on Blu-ray on Amazon

Sleepless Night (2011)

Director: Frédéric Jardin

Starring: Tomer Sisley, Serge Riaboukine

What it's about: A police officer finds the barrier between his seemingly normal life and secret criminal lifestyle suddenly broken when his plan to rob a drug shipment from a powerful mobster has pressing consequences.

Why it is worth watching if you love Pom Klementieff: One of Klementieff’s first and most acclaimed major motion pictures was the intense, French action drama, Sleepless Night, which served as the basis of the Jamie Foxx-led 2017 thriller, Sleepless.

How to watch Sleepless Night

• Stream Sleepless Night on Peacock
• Stream Sleepless Night on Tubi
• Stream Sleepless Night on Pluto TV
• Buy Sleepless Night on Amazon
• Buy Sleepless Night on DVD on Amazon

If you still can’t get enough of Pom Klementieff after finishing this binge, there is surely more where that came from, too, and we cannot wait.

Adam Sandler has had excellent success with the Safdie Brothers. He took on a more serious role in their crime thriller Uncut Gems playing a gambling addict who needs to pay off his debts by retrieving an expensive gem, and his performance was met with lots of praise and acclaim from audiences and critics alike. As the former SNL actor has decided to do another movie with this dynamic filmmaking duo, he opened up about the movie's 340-page long script and other details that will leave you psyched.

While the 56-year-old actor still lures audiences with his goofy comedies, he’s shown a different side of himself lately with dramas like Uncut Gems and the Rotten Tomatoes-crushing Netflix movie Hustle. Now, with his second collaboration with the Uncut Gems directors coming up, Adam Sandler spoke on THR's Awards Chatter podcast about what viewers can look forward to from him and the Safdie Brothers, including the super-long script he was given.

This probably means we’ll be getting either a close to a three-hour movie on our screens or plenty of deleted scenes. It’s a good sign coming from the Safdie Brothers that they’re always willing to expand their creativity and take their ideas to new heights. As for other things we know about the new Adam Sandler/Safdie Brothers collaboration, it was announced that it’s going to stream on Netflix. Deadline reported that several sources say this new film could possibly venture into the world of high-end card collecting. This seems like an original idea while still fitting into the crime genre. Filming is expected to start in the second quarter of this year.

We saw Adam Sandler’s dramatic side first come up in the Paul Thomas Anderson movie Punch-Drunk Love. Although people were reminded of his dramatic talents after Josh and Benny Safdie approached him to star in their thriller Uncut Gems. Sandler said on the podcast that he initially didn’t want to take on playing this narcissistic character. However, his wife, Jackie, intervened and convinced him to take on this serious role because it would be very different for him. It was a good thing she opened his eyes to this new opportunity because he said he had an amazing time working on the movie. 

Uncut Gems ended up being one of the best things that could have happened for Adam Sandler. It set a studio box office record for A24 earning $525,498 in the five theaters it was playing at on the opening weekend. It also broke another record of expanding into 1,142 domestic theaters. 

Even though “The Sandman” was generating Oscar buzz for Uncut Gems, he didn’t receive a nomination for his role, and the movie was snubbed by the Academy altogether. One 2020 Oscar voter believed it was the Happy Gilmore star’s “arrogance” that cost him the nomination for truly feeling he deserved it. Another voter felt the snub was due to his lackluster career making poorly-received Netflix comedies with his branding not screaming “Oscar!” While it would be nice to see him get nominated, I do think this talented actor doesn’t need an Oscar nomination to show he’s talented. He’s not walking away from entertaining audiences anytime soon.

With a 340-page screenplay to follow Adam Sandler’s new movie with the Safdie Brothers, I bet we’re in for a real treat with this latest project. Until then, you can watch Uncut Gems with a Peacock subscription.

Only two films have literally made me clutch the armrest of my couch, and they're both Safdie Brothers movies. Those two films are, of course, Good Time, and Uncut Gems, the latter I even wrote a whole article about, wondering how it didn't get nominated for Best Picture (even though Academy voters seem to know why).   

Both films are a masterclass in suspense, and both feature highly unlikable protagonists. That said, you still want to see both of its “heroes” succeed, even though they're both thoroughly repugnant people. 

So, after watching both of them again recently, it got me to wondering which movie is the better of the two. Well, you're about to find out. 

Oh, and major spoilers for both movies up ahead.  

Lead Performances 

Every story needs a compelling lead. So, out of the two films, who gives the better performance? 

Good Time's Lead Performance 

The Batman's Robert Pattinson leads the charge in Good Time, and he gives one hell of a performance. In fact, when everybody kept complaining about “The Twilight Guy” being considered to play Batman, I frequently argued (quite loudly at that), "Have you seen The Lighthouse (which also should have been nominated for Best Picture)? Have you seen Good Time?"    

In the film, Pattinson plays a jewel thief named Connie, who embroils his mentally handicapped brother (played by Benny Safdie) in a scheme that winds him in jail. The rest of the film sees Pattinson’s character messing up over and over again in order to get the money to bail his brother out. But, throughout the film, you see his tension ratcheting up, mostly in his eyes, as he comes to the full realization of just how deep a hole he’s dug himself. Really amazing stuff. 

Uncut Gems’ Lead Performance 

Adam Sandler gives the performance of a lifetime as Howard Ratner, a jeweler with a serious gambling problem. Ratner cheats on his wife with his employee, cheats Kevin Garnett out of his championship ring, and cheats his children out of a nice Passover by being a total schmuck of a father. So, all in all, a pretty crummy guy!

But, you still somehow want to see him succeed. I think it all comes down to Sandler’s charm, and the way he plays Ratner as a guy who really does believe he can win if he just keeps betting higher and higher. Ultimately, you just want to grab Ratner by the collar and shake him, but you know that wouldn’t do him any good. This is a man who is barreling toward oblivion. 

Lead Performances Winner–Uncut Gems 

Pattinson is superb in Good Time, but Sandler carries Uncut Gems, making him the winner in this category.  

Supporting Roles 

Leads are important, but so are the people who enable their bad behavior. So, which film has the better supporting roles? 

Good Time’s Supporting Roles 

There really aren’t that many supporting characters in Good Time, but the ones who are here are super impactful. The one specific character I want to mention, though, is Connie’s brother, Nick, played by one of the directors, Benny Safdie. He's mentally handicapped, and really has no business robbing a bank, but he’ll do it for his brother. 

Long story short, he gets arrested, while Connie stays free, and you just feel terrible for Nick, even when he isn’t on the screen, which is most of the movie. The fact that you never forget him speaks volumes for his performance, making this supporting role a key feature in the film.

Uncut Gems’ Supporting Roles 

There are actually a lot more supporting characters in Uncut Gems than Good Time, such as Kevin Garnett, who really is a pretty good actor, Howard’s mistress, Julia (Julia De Fiore), his wife, Dinah, played by Frozen’s Idina Menzel, and many, many others, including some mafia toughs.   

But, while they’re all integral to the story, they all feel like they’re floating around Howard’s orbit. This isn’t a bad thing at all, but honestly, it’s Sandler’s show, and we’re all just along for the ride. The side characters included. 

The Supporting Roles Winner–Good Time

The supporting cast is great in Uncut Gems, but none of them are as impactful as Connie’s brother, Nick.  

Overall Tension  

Tension is what makes viewers sit on the edge of their seats. So, which film has the more spine-tingling suspense?  

Good Time’s Overall Tension

As just mentioned, you worry about Connie’s brother, Nick, being in jail in Good Time, and so you are constantly wondering if Connie is going to get the bail money to get him out. But, as the night wears on, you start to worry about whether Connie is even going to survive to the morning, and this creates a new sort of tension.

Because, what if Connie doesn’t survive? Then, Nick will probably be stuck in jail, and maybe even die in jail since he has violent tendencies and might mess with the wrong person. This is the tension that pulses through Good Time, and you can’t breathe until the very end. The tension is that thick!  

Uncut Gems’ Overall Tension 

Oh, God. I literally found myself holding my breath a few times while watching Uncut Gems. I don’t typically think of Adam Sandler as a dramatic actor (In fact, his recent comedies often make me feel like Sandler has lost his edge), but he plays Howard as one of the most realistic characters I’ve ever seen, as I’ve witnessed gambling addictions, and they honestly look just like this. In fact, one of my friends, who lost hundreds of dollars at Craps, once grabbed me by my shirt and begged me to pull him away from the Craps table, since he knew he couldn’t stop.     

And, when I said, “Alright. Let’s go back to the room,” he came with me about halfway, but then darted off to the Roulette table. And, that’s exactly how Sandler plays Howard – like a man who would rather dig himself down to Hell then stop gambling. All the while, you worry for him, his family, and pretty much everybody around him. It’s so nerve-wracking! Great, but nerve-wracking, and it’s all the way through. 

The Overall Tension Winner–Uncut Gems 

Good Time is tense, but Uncut Gems is intense. So, it wins in this category.  

Dark Humor 

A film can’t just be tension, tension, tension. There has to be a release to that tension, and dark humor is often the solution. So, which film has the better variety of it? 

Good Time’s Dark Humor

Good Time is not a very funny movie, but it has its moments. Like when one of my favorite rappers, Necro, enters the film as Caliph, who’s a friend of Ray. Necro, who calls himself a “master of the macabre” on his raps, is just naturally funny, and when he insinuates in the movie that he’s going to leave and come back to kill Connie, it’s darkly humorous.

And, how about Ray’s spill at the end from the building? Gruesome, yes. But it’s also kind of darkly funny how he came to his end. So, no ha-ha funny, but it's definitely darkly comical. It gets the job done. 

Uncut Gems’ Dark Humor

Uncut Gems is almost hilarious in just how badly Howard is digging his own grave. Every time he messes with Kevin Garnett, even trying to bet against him at an auction, you can’t help but cringe at just how painfully bad things are going for him.

So, while I wouldn’t consider Uncut Gems a dark comedy like Pulp Fiction or The Big Lebowski, I think it somehow fits in that vein in a schadenfreude sort of way.    

The Dark Humor Winner–Good Time

While I didn’t laugh when I watched Good Time, I did at least feel some of its dark humor lifting a bit of the dread, which was appreciated. 

Gut Punch Ending 

Tension throughout is great and all, but if that movie doesn’t have a gut punch ending, then all of that tension will be for naught. So, which movie has the biggest gut punch ending? 

Good Time’s Gut Punch Ending

Connie gets apprehended by the police, Ray plummets to his death, and Nick gets to go to therapy, implying that he will end up okay. Not too much of a gut punch, but a satisfying ending nonetheless. 

Uncut Gems’ Gut Punch Ending

Howard locks up the mafia members who want him dead, and forces them to watch him win the big payout he’s been angling at for the entire movie, only to get shot in the head for his troubles. Jeez. 

Gut Punch Ending Winner–Uncut Gems

Good Time has a memorable ending, but nowhere near as memorable (and tragic) as Uncut Gems’ ending. 

Overall Winner–Uncut Gems

Everybody should definitely watch Good Time, but the better, and more tense movie, is Uncut Gems, which I’m still upset wasn’t nominated for Best Picture. So, Uncut Gems wins!  

December 18th will mark the 25 years since comedian Chris Farley's death. It's now become a tradition for his close friends to pay tribute to the late SNL alum on the anniversary of his passing, and this year is no different. During a two-part episode of their podcast, Dana Carvey and David Spade interviewed many guests to celebrate the late comedic actor. One of the most exciting interviews is with Top Five actor Chris Rock. During the chat, Rock revealed that when he sees Adam Sandler take on dramatic roles, like his critically acclaimed turn in Uncut Gems, it always makes him think about what the iconic Tommy Boy actor would have done had his career not been cut short. 

During his interview portion of the Fly on the Wall podcast, the legendary Bigger & Blacker comedian said he believes Chris Farley was a brilliant actor. Rock also shared why he thinks Farley could have taken on more series roles had he lived to middle age. Rock told Carvey and Spade: 

I have to agree with Chris Rock. Chris Farley's career has always been a major "what if." At the time of his death, there were hardly any comedic actors as famous as he was. He had hit movies starring his longtime and possibly closest Hollywood friend, David Spade, like Tommy Boy and Black Sheep. He was also set to serve as the voice of Shrek before his passing and was ultimately succeeded in the role by fellow Saturday Night Live alum Mike Myers. It has been rumored for years that Farley's take on the lovable ogre would have been much more serious than what we ultimately got from the DreamWorks' animated classic. Perhaps -- and somewhat ironically -- his first voice acting role in a children's film would have been a move toward a more dramatic career for the comedy star. 

Fly on the Wall co-host Dana Carvey says Chris Farley's sketches and cult films will live on as an example of his greatness. The Master of Disguise actor got real about what the late star's body of work tells us about his abilities as a performer. Carvey said: 

Chris Farley appeared on Saturday Night Live from 1990 to 1995, becoming a fan favorite with his iconic characters such as Matt Foley, the motivational speaker, and his adorably awkward celebrity interviews for The Chris Farley Show. Farley also found big laughs with other sketches, including the one that saw him peform a Chippendales routine alongside late actor Patrick Swayze. A sketch that many, including Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul Star (and past SNL writer) Bob Odenkirk, admit is not a sketch they like very much because of how it made Farley feel about himself. 

It's very common for comedic actors to take a turn for the dramatic. In recent years, Chris Rock has been very vocal about his desire to take on weirder roles like good buddy Adam Sandler, and he hopes audiences will embrace those choices. It's no wonder he's thought about what the Beverly Hills Ninja might have done with a a longer career. It's definitely an interesting and one that fans will likely ponder for years to come.

If you want to celebrate Chris Farley, you can stream one of his best comedic David Spade buddy comedies, Black Sheep, using an HBO Max subscription. For all other news and to plan your next theatre-going experience, check out CinemaBlend's 2023 new movie release schedule

Adam Sandler is most well known for his comedic work, like 50 First Dates, which just so happens to be one of the best romantic comedies of all time. While the actor's comedies tend to hit with fans more than critics, when the actor takes a turn for the dramatic, he shows how versatile and talented he is. The Jack & Jill actor scored some of the best reviews of his life (even though the 2020 Academy Awards snubbed him) when he starred in Josh and Benny Safdie's 2019 high-octane American crime thriller smash hit, Uncut Gems. If you haven't already seen the movie let me give you 7 reasons to watch it right now, so you can get as excited as we are that Sandler is once again teaming up with the sibling filmmakers for their next project, which is set to go directly to Netflix.

While doing the rounds promoting his newest film, Hustle (a sports drama starring himself and produced by LeBron James), Sandler has been very open about his next project being a return to the Safdie brother's world. Deadline reports that Netflix has officially boarded the as-of-yet-unnamed project, with the movie-making brothers set to write, direct, and produce, and Sandler attached to star.

The details about the project remain scarce, but an insider close to the film said the plan is for the movie to begin shooting in the second quarter of 2023, making it, more than likely, Sandler's next project. While no plot details have been confirmed, sources close to the film have said it will likely be set in the world of high-end card collecting.

In Uncut Gems, Adam Sandler plays a jewel shop owner Howard Ratner, who operates in New York City's Diamond District. Ratner also happens to be a gambling addict who is on the hunt to retrieve a rare black opal he sold to pay off his debts. The movie is filled with anxiety-inducing intense situations that look like they could have put the actors in real-life danger. In some instances, the actors were in danger, like when Sandler was choked out while filming, so a movie about high-end card collecting sounds like a natural follow-up for the team behind Uncut Gems.

Netflix backing the Safdie Brothers' project is a great fit because when Gems initially hit the streamer in 2020, it was wildly popular for the platform. Not to mention, Sandler has had a long and fruitful relationship with Netflix since partnering with them in 2015. Seriously, you won't believe how many hours people spend watching his movies.

Sandler's latest film, Hustle, is available on streaming for anyone with a Netflix subscription. You can catch up with the Safdie Brothers' Uncut Gems with a Peacock Plan. For all of your film-going plans in the coming months, you can look at our 2022 Movie Release Schedule.

Adam Sandler has made it a habit of working with many of his co-stars on multiple projects. Whether that be David Spade, Kevin James, Steve Buscemi, Jennifer Aniston or Drew Barrymore, given Sandler’s friendly track record with other Hollywood talent, he must be pretty fun to work with. This trend is about to continue with one of Sandlers’ Uncut Gems co-stars, proving even one of his more stressful projects left a good impression on his peers. 

Sandler will share the small screen this time around with Idina Menzel, who played Howard Ratner’s wife, Dinah Ratner, in the 2019 acclaimed thriller. According to a Netflix announcement, they will both star in a movie for the streaming service called You Are SO Not Invited To My Bat Mitzvah! based on the young adult book with the same title. The movie is already in production too. 

You Are SO Not Invited To My Bat Mitzvah! was written in 2005 by Fiona Rosenbloom and follows a girl named Stacy who is getting ready for the coming of age event, but it begins to comedically unravel and ruin things for her. Alongside Sandler and Menzel starring, SNL’s Sarah Sherman and Luis Guzman are part of the cast as well. Additionally, it appears Sandler’s wife Jackie and his two daughters Sadie and Sunny are also in the cast. 

Rounding out the cast is Ido Mosseri, Samantha Lorraine, Dylan Hoffman, Dean Scott Vazquez, Miya Cech, Ivory Baker, Dylan Dash, Millie Thorpe and Zaara Kuttemperoor. The movie is being produced by Adam Sandler’s production company Happy Madison along with Alloy Entertainment. You Are SO Not Invited To My Bat Mitzvah! will be directed by Sammi Cohen, who recently helmed the LGBTQ+ rom-com Crush, and the script has been penned by Alison Peck, who wrote Work It for Netflix. 

Given the source material, we don’t imagine Adam Sandler will front this project, but it sounds like a sweet coming-of-age story for the SNL comedian and real-life father of two to be part of. The movie adds to an exciting lineup of movies Sandler has on the way. The actor is also set to star in the Murder Mystery sequel with Jennifer Aniston, which wrapped production back in April. He’ll also star in a movie called Spaceman for Netflix alongside Carey Mulligan, which has also reportedly completed filming. 

Adam Sandler just recently debuted his film Hustle on Netflix to positive reviews overall. Plus, one of his throwback movies Big Daddy has been trending on the streaming service this week. We’ll look forward to the next three movies from Sandler set to debut on Netflix, including You Are SO Not Invited To My Bat Mitzvah!. Until then, check out the upcoming Netflix movie release dates you can get excited for here on CinemaBlend. 

It’s amazing to be able to see a comedic actor expand their talents for a dramatic role. We’ve seen that before like when Jim Carrey was in The Majestic or Steve Carrell in Foxcatcher. Adam Sandler is in that category as well as the dramatic movies that made him so popular included Punch-Drunk Love, Reign Over Me, and Uncut Gems. We can continue to see Adam Sandler make a dramatic movie comeback in the Netflix drama Hustle with his Netflix director coining a name for that transition.

Adam Sandler stars and co-produces the new Netflix sports drama Hustle in which he plays a former basketball scout trying to make a comeback of his own recruiting an overseas player with a troubled past to play for the NBA. The film’s director Jeremiah Zagar spoke to Philadelphia Magazine about wanting to see a serious version of Adam Sandler and a new term he coined to describe his transition to dramatic films.

Jeremiah Zagar spoke more about how the Billy Madison actor made it clear to him to bring real people from the basketball world into the movie. It wouldn’t be a surprise considering for his crime flick Uncut Gems, he recruited Kevin Garnett of the 2008 NBA Champions Boston Celtics to be in that movie. One thing about Hustle that Adam Sandler needed to rewrite was where exactly overseas his character needed to find this promising player. The original plan was China, but it turns out there is no Netflix in China. So Spain it was. 

Another reason why this movie was possible to make was that Adam Sandler is a major basketball fan. Not only can he shoot hoops from a balcony or play with his fans, but has been caught even playing basketball with NBA stars like Tobias Harris, Boban, Aaron Gordon, Jordan Clarkson and more. Apparently, Zagar says the Happy Gilmore star plays basketball every day and would probably lose against him if he was to play a little one-on-one. He clearly has connections in the basketball world if he’s able to score points with NBA players on the court and in his movies. Expect to see a handful of the Sixers make an appearance in Sandler’s latest drama.  

Adam Sandler will also go into space in another Netflix drama Spaceman where he will play an astronaut sent to a space location near Venus to collect samples of a mysterious intergalactic dust. But have no fear, comedy fans, because the Hubie Halloween actor will still make you laugh in future projects as Murder Mystery 2 is still going forward. Whether Adam Sandler will make you laugh or cry, you can add these upcoming projects of his to your watchlist.

We can all join the Adamssance by watching Adam Sandler’s Hustle in select theaters this weekend and on your Netflix subscription on June 8th. 

Uncut Gems proved Adam Sandler could do more than comedy if given the right role. He received rave reviews and some Oscar buzz, although that eventually turned into a snub. The crime thriller also put the spotlight on Julia Fox. The chemistry between Sandler and Uncut Gems directors the Safdies worked well for both parties. After the tremendous success of the film, it appeared they are reuniting for an Uncut Gems follow-up.

The Hubie Halloween actor spilled to Entertainment Weekly that a new movie is in the works. The comedic actor admitted he will do another film with the directing duo. While the movie news was exciting, he didn’t give any further details. So, it’s unknown what the project will be, who Sandler will play, or when it will start production. At this point, the film appears to be in the development stage so viewers can expect to hear something about it in the future.

The only question now is whether his co-star Julia Fox is in the mix? Since appearing in the 2019 film, Fox has blown up through various means, including her short-lived relationship with Kanye West. Despite their break-up, the actress has continued to defend her ex. She is currently working on a book with those debunked rumors of joining the Real Housewives of New York, which could turn into a possibility as Bravo is in the middle of rebooting the show. So bringing her on board might give the new film serious buzz.

Playing gambling addict Howard Ratner was one of the comedian’s best performances within the last decade. Of course, Fox played his employee and mistress Julia in the acclaimed film. Being lovers in the film gave the audience palpable chemistry you rarely see in an Adam Sandler film. Maybe the new project will see everyone, including Idina Menzel and Lakeith Stanfield, reunite to recreate that magic. Hopefully, audiences will see them go the comedic route or tackle another serious drama. The possibilities are endless at this point.

It might be a while before the untitled film can come together. The SNL alum just wrapped up Murder Mystery 2 with Jennifer Aniston. He has more upcoming movies in 2022, including the sci-fi drama Spacemen and the sports drama Hustle. While his supposed “arrogance” may have cost him a well-deserved Oscar nomination, the film did push his career in a new direction.

If you want to revisit Adam Sandler’s acclaimed performance, you can get a Netflix subscription to watch Uncut Gems. After you watch the crime thriller, you can stream other amazing movies on Netflix. In the meantime, multiple upcoming movies are dropping in 2022 for viewers to stream or watch in movie theaters. Stick with CinemaBlend if you want to keep up to date on this developing project.

We all love a good cameo by a celebrity appearing as themselves for a brief, but fun, little moment. However, what I have always found more amusing is when a famous person portrays themselves in a more prominent starring role from a movie, or in a TV guest appearance that serves as the main focus of that episode (or episodes), or even as the lead of the whole story. With Nicolas Cage playing himself in The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, we wanted to take a look at our picks for some more of the best performances by athletes, musicians, or actors who played themselves.

Neil Patrick Harris (Harold & Kumar Movies)

Future How I Met Your Mother cast member Neil Patrick Harris was still best known as the star of Doogie Howser M.D. when he stole the show in the 2004 stoner comedy classic Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle as a highly dramatized version of himself. The Emmy nominee would reprise the role in two sequels that more heavily blend the actor’s reality with increasingly absurd fiction, including getting kicked out of Heaven by Jesus in A Very Harold and Kumar Christmas after he was previously gunned down by prostitutes in Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay. 

Cate Blanchett (Coffee And Cigarettes)

Every vignette in Coffee and Cigarettes - Jim Jarmusch’s 2003 anthology of short films starring celebrities as themselves - is gold, but Cate Blanchett leads one of the more unique and thought-provoking of the bunch called “Cousins.” The segment is, additionally, one of the most profound testaments of the two-time Oscar winner’s chameleonic talent, as she makes it so easy to forget she is playing both herself and her brunette relative, Shelly, who struggle to relate to each other while catching up in a hotel lobby.

James Van Der Beek (Don’t Trust The B**** In Apartment 23)

In 2012, James Van Der Beek made his big return to TV as a series regular on Don’t Trust the B**** in Apartment 23 in a role very close to his heart: James Van Der Beek. The actor brilliantly pokes fun at his post-leading the Dawson’s Creek cast career and predicts his future Dancing with the Stars stint as the famous best friend of Krysten Ritter’s Chloe - the title character of ABC’s short-lived, but much-acclaimed, comedy.

Bill Murray (Zombieland)

Most people would consider Bill Murray’s surprise appearance in Zombieland to be one of the greatest cameos of his career (and there are several incredible examples to choose from). However, with only four other characters in the main cast of the classic 2009 zombie comedy, I think we can justifiably count the Oscar nominee’s iconic, hilariously dead-pan portrayal as his post-apocalyptic self as a starring role despite lasting mere minutes. 

Keanu Reeves (Always Be My Maybe)

Another example of a relatively brief appearance that still earns the right to be called a starring role occurs in 2019’s Always Be My Maybe when Marcus (Randall Park) is shocked to learn that his childhood friend (and crush), Sasha (Ali Wong) is dating none other than Keanu Reeves. The John Wick star pulls no punches in his partially improvised portrayal of a wonderfully absurd version of himself in the Netflix original rom-com, in which, during a restaurant double-date, he shows up wearing glasses with no lenses and asks the waiter for a dish that plays with “the concept of time.”

Heather Langenkamp (New Nightmare)

After playing Nancy Kerrigan in two Nightmare on Elm Street movies made her one of the top Scream Queens of the 1980s, Heather Langenkamp would give, arguably, her best performance in the franchise when she returned - not as Nancy, but as herself - in 1994’s New Nightmare. The cleverly meta thriller, in which the actress is taunted by a demon assuming the appearance of Freddy Krueger, also stars fellow horror icon Robert Englund as this new take on the iconic villain and himself as well as writer and director Wes Craven.

The Beatles (A Hard Day’s Night)

The cinematic phenomenon of famous musicians offering a fictionalized peek into their lives off-stage (such as Nick Cave in 2014’s quasi-documentary 20,000 Days on Earth or Foo Fighters in the horror-comedy Studio 666 more recently) arguably began with The Beatles. John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr exhibit solid comedic timing and profound athleticism while running from a swarm of screaming fans in 1964’s A Hard Day’s Night - the first of a number of dramatized films the Fab Four made together.

LeBron James (Trainwreck)

Pro basketball star LeBron James has portrayed himself onscreen several times and most recently in 2021’s Space Jam: A New Legacy - a sequel to the hit Michael Jordan/Looney Tunes collaboration from 1996. However, the Los Angeles Lakers’ Small Forward received the most acclaim of his acting career so far for playing himself in Trainwreck - star and writer Amy Schumer’s 2015 rom-com which depicts him and Bill Hader’s “sports doctor to the stars” as best friends.

Stan Lee (Mallrats)

Before his heartbreaking death in 2018, Stan Lee perfected the art of the cameo by appearing in countless Marvel movies. One of his first and most prominent acting gigs (for which he was actually mentioned in the opening credits, too) was as himself in Kevin Smith’s 1995 Clerks follow-up, Mallrats. The comic book icon makes you a “true believer” in his acting ability when he shows up for a couple of scenes to give comic book-obsessed Brody (Jason Lee) some much-needed relationship advice. 

Larry David (Curb Your Enthusiasm)

It is no secret among die-hard Seinfeld fans that Jason Alexander’s deeply neurotic and troublesome character, George Costanza, was heavily inspired by the personality and life experiences of co-creator Larry David. On his follow-up to Seinfeld - the long-running, HBO original comedy Curb Your Enthusiasm - David has earned several Emmy Award nominations for playing a version of himself who makes George look like a saint, burning bridges with Hollywood heavies and alienating friends and average bystanders at every turn.  

Kate Winslet (Extras)

Star and co-creator Ricky Gervais’ Hollywood satire Extras is chock full of amazing celebrity guest appearances, but Kate Winslet made a damn good case to be considered the funniest in the Emmy-winning comedy’s history. The British Titanic star is seen playing a nun on the set of a film about the Holocaust (which she admits she agreed to star in purely to win an Oscar, having not yet won for The Reader) before later proving herself to be a master in double entendres when offering fellow extra, Maggie Jacobs (Ashley Jensen), phone sex tips.

John Malkovich (Being John Malkovich)

It is a bit rare for an actor to appear in a movie as him or herself while also playing the title character, but 1999’s Being John Malkovich - from from writer Charlie Kaufman and director Spike Jonze - is also a rare kind of movie, and in many ways, too. The two-time Oscar nominee is understandably shocked and frightened by the discovery that a Manhattan puppeteer (John Cusack) has been using a magical portal to be able to take a walk in his shoes for 15 minutes at a time in this wildly creative comedy.

Bruce Campbell (My Name Is Bruce)

Another rare example of an actor playing themselves in the titular role of a film is Bruce Campbell in My Name is Bruce, which is also the last film the B-movie icon directed himself. Campbell is hilarious in the 2007 horror-comedy as a boozy, washed-up version of himself who is forced to channel his iconic Evil Dead character, Ash Williams, in order to defeat a demon wreaking havoc on a small town in Oregon.

Oprah Winfrey (30 Rock)

Another example of a memorably, and often awkwardly, hilarious guest appearance on an acclaimed TV comedy is Oprah Winfrey on Season 3 of 30 Rock. Liz Lemon (star and creator Tina Fey) is delighted to find the larger-than-life media mogul seated next to her on an airplane and cannot help but seize the opportunity to received a dose of wisdom, but who could really blame her for that?

Kevin Garnett (Uncut Gems)

As much as I agree that Adam Sandler deserved greater awards attention for his lead performance in the relentless 2019 thriller Uncut Gems, I think we should be more angry at the fact that former NBA player Kevin Garnett received no awards attention at all. I would go so far as to say I’m glad the Safdie Brothers did not get the athlete they originally wrote the part for (the Knicks’ Amar’e Stoudemire) because Garnett is electrifying as himself (circa 2012), whose interest in a rare opal sets off a series of increasingly dire circumstances for the Sandler as self-destructive jeweler, Howard Ratner.

The This Is The End Cast

The whole point of Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg’s 2013 directorial debut This is the End is to watch the entire cast (including Rogen, Jay Baruchel, Craig Robinson, and many, many more) as hilariously exaggerated versions of themselves who struggle to endure the Apocalypse and a merciless barrage of gags at their expense. Highlights also include an excruciatingly vain (and demonically possessed) Jonah Hill; a lewd, coke-snorting Michael Cera; an axe-wielding Emma Watson; and Channing Tatum employed by a cannibalistic Danny McBride as his sex slave.

You've got to love seeing a famous person let loose and introduce a different, completely fictional side of themselves to the world on screen. I cannot wait to see more examples of actors playing themselves in the future.

Okay, so, I've already wondered how The Lighthouse wasn't nominated for Best Picture, as well as how Spider-Man: No Way Home, which I thought was a shoe-in for the Academy Awards, wasn't nominated, but I kind of understand how those two films didn't get the nod upon further consideration. What I absolutely DON'T understand though is how Uncut Gems, which is probably the best film I've seen in the past few years, didn't get nominated at the 2020 Oscars.     

I mean, seriously, that makes absolutely no sense to me, since it has all the calling cards for Oscar success. Now look, I know it was a crowded category in 2020. In that year, nine films -- 1917, Ford v. Ferrari, Jojo Rabbit, Parasite, Joker, Marriage Story, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Little Women, and The Irishman --  were all nominated for Best Picture in 2020. But honestly, I think Uncut Gems was better than all of them, except for maybe Parasite, which won Best Picture that year (and deserved to). Still, that is nine slots, and slot number 10 definitely should have gone to Uncut Gems, and here's why.   

Why Uncut Gems Should Have Been Up For Best Picture  

Directed by the Safdie Brothers, who also directed the amazing movie, Good Time starring Robert Pattinson, Uncut Gems is a masterpiece from the first minute (the very first second, even!) to the last. Adam Sandler stars as a compulsive gambler who forgoes family and even love in an effort to hit the perfect score in his gambling exploits. 

He runs a jewelry store, and manages to get ahold of a beautiful opal, which happens to catch the eye of Kevin Garnett (yes, the basketball player), who grows strangely attached to the piece. But Sandler's character does everything he can to profit off of the rare gem, and what follows is a master class in tension as he gets deeply involved with the wrong people.  

Uncut Gems literally makes me sick to my stomach to watch, as I don't think I've ever been more emotionally stressed out watching a movie in my entire life. Now, this might seem like a bad thing, but I genuinely view it as a positive since it is incredibly rare for a movie to viscerally impact me on that level. But Uncut Gems does so in ways that I find extremely admirable. 

Adam Sandler's character is utterly repugnant, but at the same time, you root for him. He's a philanderer, but you somehow want to see him be happy, even though he doesn't deserve the happiness that he already has with his family. Sure, Uncut Gems is far from being the first crime film out there, but it's so bizarre in its creative risks, and so taut and tense, that it stands in a class all on its own. And it does so mostly due to the towering performance by Adam Sandler. Speaking of which… 

Why Adam Sandler Especially Should Have Been Nominated For Best Actor 

Of the actors who were nominated in 2020, there was Jonathan Pryce in The Two Popes, Leonardo DiCaprio in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Antonio Banderas in Pain and Glory, Joaquin Phoenix in Joker, and Adam Driver in Marriage Story. Now, I can't speak for Antonio Banderas or Jonathan Pryce, because I didn't see Pain and Glory, or The Two Popes, but I did see Joker, Marriage Story, and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. 

And while I enjoyed DiCaprio's fragile movie star in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Driver's conflicted father in Marriage Story, and Phoenix's portrayal of the Joker (which won Best Actor) in, er, Joker, none of them come even close to Sandler's sleaze-bag performance as a compulsive gambler. 

Sandler, who used to be the man back in the '90s but had a string of turkeys following 50 First Dates (Let’s be real, Adam Sandler has been in some of the best and worst movies of all time), has kind of flitted around in nebulous territory. Does he make kids movies now like Hotel Transylvania? Does he make goofball comedies strictly for Netflix like Hubie Halloween? Or, is he now making old dude comedies like Grown-Ups? 

Well, Uncut Gems proved that Sandler can’t be boxed into any specific category, since he can pretty much do anything he puts his mind to, since this performance is every aspect of Sandler's vulgar, manic potency, times a million. His talent creates a frenetic performance that has its low ebbs and its mighty, rushing flows that ultimately creates the role of a lifetime. So, again, how was he not nominated?   

What Uncut Gems Did Get Nominated For 

Like The Lighthouse, Uncut Gems was completely shut out of the Golden Globes. But unlike The Lighthouse, Uncut Gems didn't even get a single nomination at the Academy Awards (The Lighthouse at least got nominated for Best Cinematography). Uncut Gems did, however, get recognized by other prestigious institutions. 

The Critics' Choice Movie Awards nominated Uncut Gems for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Editing, which it lost in all categories (Aww, shucks). That said, the Florida Film Critics Circle nominated it for Best Original Screenplay, which it won. It also won for Best Score by Daniel Lopatin. The Independent Spirit Awards gave the Safdie Brothers an award for Best Director, and Adam Sandler won for Best Male Lead, so the film’s greatness was recognized. Just not by the Academy.  

So, Why Didn't Uncut Gems Get Nominated For Best Picture? 

I'm going to hazard to guess that Uncut Gems is just too unconventional of a crime film to get the big nom. It's weird, it's wonderful… it’s weirdly wonderful… and while weird does sometimes get the nod (see: Jojo Rabbit), it also oftentimes doesn't (see: The Lighthouse). 

Still, I'm more upset that Adam Sandler didn't at least get a nomination. He carries the entire film, and I'd say he's like a Walter White in Breaking Bad, or a Tony Soprano in The Sopranos. By that I mean the story couldn't possibly exist without him as his performance is so large and so commanding, that everything, from the characters to even the setting, kind of gets absorbed into his orbit. In the end, it's just such a shame to me that the film (or Sandler) didn't get nominated. I would have gladly switched Jojo Rabbit, Ford v. Ferrari or Little Women for Uncut Gems any day of the week, but oh, well. You can't force people to like what you like.  

And that's my analysis, but what do you think? For news on the 2022 Oscar nominations and various races, make sure to stop by here often.    

I feel like to only watch a comedy or a drama, you have to be in a certain kind of mood. But, sometimes, I want a good mix of both. That’s why Hollywood has given us the dramedy, a mix of both comedy and drama in a movie or TV show. And, while we already did the best dramedy TV shows on Netflix to watch, today, we’re looking at movies. 

If you're looking for the best dramedy movies to watch on Netflix, check out these great picks that the streaming platform has to offer. 

The Laundromat

The Netflix original, The Laundromat, follows the vacationing Ellen Martin, who begins investigating a fake insurance policy, only to be consumed by the case; soon discovering a rabbit hole of questionable dealings that have been traced all the way back to a Panama City law firm. 

If you wanted something that’s full of stars and amazing talent, look no further than The Laundromat. I’m not joking when I say this film is packed with stars, such as Meryl Streep, Gary Oldman, Antonio Banderas, Jeffrey Wright - it just keeps getting better and better. When I look at these names, I often don’t associate them with comedy, but The Laundromat uses these talented actors well and creates an interesting film that’s actually based on the real-life Panama Papers scandal. 

Stream The Laundromat on Netflix. 

Horse Girl 

In another Netflix original, Horse Girl, starring Alison Brie, is about a shy and isolated young woman who has a fondness for arts and crafts, horses, and supernatural crime. But, when her lucid dreaming ends up finding a way into her real life, it changes everything. 

I know from the premise this sounds absolutely bonkers and, I’ll be honest, it is, but in the best way. While I don’t think it’s one of Alison Brie’s best roles, I do think she did a great job as Sarah, the main character, creating an interesting and complex character with funny moments that have deeper meanings far beyond just laughs. 

Stream Horse Girl on Netflix. 

Lady Bird 

Next up, we have Lady Bird. This Academy Award-nominated film tells the story of a high school senior from 2002-2003, and the strained relationship that she has with her mother. 

Starring the talented Saoirse Ronan, Lady Bird is the perfect example of what a dramedy should be. The comedic moments are hilarious as heck, mixed in with some great timing from both Ronan and her castmates. But, the dramatic moments are just as good. The chemistry that Ronan has with her mother, played by Laurie Metcalf, is unbeatable, and their scenes feel authentic and real, like a true mother and daughter fighting. It’s such a great coming of age story, one that everyone should watch. 

Stream Lady Bird on Netflix. 

Fatherhood

This dramedy stars Kevin Hart, and Fatherhood tells the story of a new father who is struggling to raise his daughter after the sudden death of his wife.

Look, it’s Kevin freaking Hart. The man has proved himself to be hilarious with his movies, tours, and everything else combined. You know watching Fatherhood that you’re going to laugh many times. But, the movie really tests Hart’s acting ability and shows that he’s not just a comedic actor. The idea of raising your child all alone after the death of your partner is a serious topic, and he performs it very well, in both the comedic and the dramatic moments. Honestly, it’s one of Kevin Hart's best roles so far, in my opinion.

Stream Fatherhood on Netflix. 

Moxie!

Hands down, Moxie! is one of my favorite Netflix originals. This comedy-drama follows Vivian, a high school student who anonymously starts a zine to empower young women at her school, fighting issues such as bullying, sexual harassment, and rape. 

Amy Poehler directed Moxie!, and honestly, she did a fantastic job. The Moxie! cast is superb, and the story is filled with hilarious moments, but it knows when to talk about serious topics. There are instances where you’ll be holding your side from laughing so much, but the movie pairs these moments so well with scenes of empowerment, and of young women fighting for a better day, despite so many things blocking their way. 

Stream Moxie! on Netflix. 

Uncut Gems

While it’s considered a crime thriller, I’d also fight and say that Uncut Gems is a comedy-drama as well. In Uncut Gems, Adam Sandler stars as a Jewish American jeweler who's a gambling addict and works in NYC’s Diamond District, and now he must retrieve an expensive gem he purchased to pay off his debts. 

Listen to me - there are some major funny moments in this film. I mean, Adam Sandler stars in it, so you know there will be instances where you’ll laugh or snicker. However, I will still consider it a sin that Adam Sandler wasn’t at the very least Oscar-nominated for his performance in Uncut Gems, because he was fantastic. From his funny moments to his moments of fear, until the very end, Uncut Gems is a wild ride that most will enjoy, even if it is a bit artier than most of the films on this list. 

Stream Uncut Gems on Netflix. 

Kodachrome

Back to a Netflix original, Kodachrome follows a father and a son, and the father’s nurse, as they travel across the country to develop photographs at Kodak’s last Kodachrome lab, before the older man dies from a terminal illness. 

I have to admit, Kodachrome was a film I had no idea existed for some time, but after watching it, I can’t urge you more to see it. The cast is fantastic, with Ted Lasso’s Jason Sudeikis as the lead, followed by WandaVision’s Elizabeth Olsen, and The Last Full Measure’s Ed Harris. The story is heartfelt, with plenty of subtle funny moments mixed in with a great story about a father and son trying to reconnect after so long. The movie will go by so quickly you won’t even realize it’s over. Be sure to check it out. Definitely one of the best movies on Netflix.

Stream Kodachrome on Netflix. 

The Edge Of Seventeen

Oh, The Edge of Seventeen is definitely one of my favorites. In this coming-of-age comedy-drama, Hailee Steinfeld stars as Nadine, a socially awkward teen who is planning on committing suicide, because of bad relationships with not only her family, but her friends, after instances in her life. 

Let me just say that Hailee Steinfeld and Woody Harrelson are an absolute delight to watch in this film. Their interactions as Nadine and her teacher are some of the best, and will not only make you laugh but warm your heart. Everyone in The Edge of Seventeen is so good, and it really captures those awkward high school years where you don’t feel like you’re the best, and want to try and improve yourself. Nadine is the perfect example of what it’s like, from the beginning to the end. 

Stream The Edge of Seventeen on Netflix. 

The Disaster Artist

You know a film is so bad it’s good when it gets another film based on it. The Disaster Artist chronicles the story of the unlikely friendship between Tommy Wiseau and Greg Sestero, which culminated in the The Room, considered one of the worst movies ever made. 

I have to say, watching James and Dave Franco act together is something I didn’t know I needed more of, because they’re so funny and have such great chemistry as Tommy and Greg.  James Franco captures Tommy’s strange and mysterious aura perfectly, while Dave makes for an excellent Greg, who retells the story that led to one of the biggest bombs in movie history. Plus, the rest of the cast is fantastic as well, including stars like Seth Rogen, Alison Brie, Josh Hutcherson, and more. 

Stream The Disaster Artist on Netflix. 

Dolemite Is My Name

The last Netflix original on here, Dolemite Is My Name tells the story of real-life filmmaker, Rudy Ray Moore, who is known for playing the character Dolemite in his stand-up and in his series of blaxploitation films. 

Dolemite Is My Name reminded me of just how talented an actor Eddie Murphy is. While he has some hilarious moments in this dramedy, his dramatic moments stand out even more. I personally believe it was one of the best roles of his career so far, and Murphy so deserved an Academy Award nomination. The rest of the cast is wonderful as well, including Keegan-Michael Key, Craig Robinson, Tituss Burgess, and more. 

Stream Dolemite Is My Name on Netflix. 

Don Jon

Lastly, we take a look at Don Jon. Starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, this comedy drama tells the story of Don Jon, a New Jersey guy who has far too high expectations of sex from watching porn, and works to find happiness and intimacy with his potential true love. 

Don Jon's story is certainly teetering on romantic comedy sometimes, rather than dramatic comedy, but it’s still enjoyable, nonetheless. Gordon-Levitt has great chemistry with Scarlett Johansson, as well as Julianne Moore, the two main love interests in Don Jon. The character development feels real, as strange as some of the relationships may be. I think if you’re looking for something with a little more “spice” than just the normal dramedy, check out Don Jon. 

Stream Don Jon on Netflix. 

With so many great choices, it might be almost impossible to pick out which one to watch next, but whatever the pick, it’ll be entertaining. If I could just get a Lady Bird 2, I think all my dreams might come true.