• Justin Baldoni sued The New York Times over its coverage of Blake Lively's harassment complaints against him.
• The suit is a strong PR defense that shows he's serious about protecting his reputation, a PR expert said.
• Industry pros told BI both stars' personal and professional lives will likely be damaged as the battle continues.

Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni's reputations are likely to face even more damage as their legal battle intensifies, crisis PR and legal experts say.

Baldoni, the director and star of the romantic drama "It Ends with Us," sued The New York Times on Tuesday for libel, false light invasion of privacy, promissory fraud, and breach of implied-in-fact contract over its December 2024 story about his costar Lively's accusations that he sexually harassed her and damaged her reputation in the press.

Baldoni's 87-page lawsuit rebuts Lively's claims in detail, offering a different perspective on the Times' bombshell story. It also accuses Lively of attempting to salvage her public image at Baldoni's expense and engaging in a "hostile takeover" of the production of "It Ends With Us."

The Times told BI in a statement that their story was "meticulously and responsibly reported."

Baldoni's team's decision to sue a newspaper for hundreds of millions of dollars isn't just a legal tactic. It's a major PR statement, too.

"To know that the Baldoni team is so strongly standing in their truth shows that there's a lot more to the story than what initially came out in that Lively complaint," Mike Fahey, the founder and CEO of the PR agency Fahey Communications, told Business Insider.

Baldoni's suit does not name Lively, but her attorneys told BI in a statement that the filing doesn't change anything about the initial claims made in her complaint, and they look forward to addressing Baldoni's claims in court.

Whether the case goes to trial or settles out of court, Fahey said the story is far from over. "It's an onion, and there are a lot of layers to peel back," he said.

Erik Bernstein, the president of Bernstein Crisis Management, agreed. He cautioned that it might get ugly: "I think we're going to see two people's personal and professional lives dragged through the mud."

The text messages included in Baldoni's lawsuit cast Lively's claims in a different light

The timing of Baldoni's lawsuit against the Times, which was filed 10 days after Lively filed her initial complaint against him, was a strategic move to strike back quickly before public interest waned, Fahey said.

"The shelf life on a story like this is very short," Fahey said.

Evan Nierman, the CEO of PR firm Red Banyan, added that the tone of Baldoni's lawsuit suggests that the actor-director is "concerned that The New York Times piece could define him for years to come."

"He is taking a very aggressive stance to defend his reputation and prevent a negative perception of him from hardening into the public consciousness," he added.

Part of that stance included providing additional context on text messages in Lively's complaint to make the case that the Times' reporting leaned on "'cherry-picked' and altered communications stripped of necessary context and deliberately spliced to mislead."

The PR and legal experts who spoke to BI said that, if real and undoctored, the text message screenshots included in Baldoni's lawsuit strengthen his case and make for a strong defense.

"I thought it was a necessary move to show the full context of the text messages and the full context of some of the events that Blake Lively is alleging to paint a different type of picture, a different type of narrative," said Camron Dowlatshahi, a partner at MSD Lawyers, a Los Angeles law firm that specializes in entertainment and employment law.

"This is a full-on legal battle, but this is more of a public relations battle at this point," he added. "And so Baldoni had to come forward and do something."

Baldoni's lengthy lawsuit addresses various points made in Lively's initial complaint. With pages and pages of details to pore through, the general public may no longer know what to believe. Nierman said that's likely also by design.

"I think that's probably part of their strategy, is to muddy the waters," Nierman said. "And part of the way that you do that is by launching a full frontal assault on the outlet that broke the story and has so far framed the narrative."

Nierman added that Baldoni and his team probably hope that undermining the Times' credibility will "cast doubt into people's minds that Baldoni is this negative actor that the story portrayed."

Baldoni's lawyer, Bryan Freedman, doubled down on his team's intention to unveil more messages between Lively and Baldoni during a Friday interview on NBC's "Today" show.

"We plan to release every single text message between the two of them," Freedman said. "There is nothing that in any way is a concern about this entire situation from our perspective, and we want the truth to be out there."

Bernstein said that Baldoni and his team likely view this lawsuit "as a must-win."

"He has to be thinking that he needs to win, or he'll be seen as untouchable by Hollywood in our, let's say, post-Weinstein era," he said.

Experts say Baldoni seeking $250 million in damages from the Times is a deliberate move to fuel headlines

Baldoni's suit is lengthy and asks for a hefty $250 million in damages. The experts who spoke to BI said that's another PR strategy that will draw more attention to Baldoni's narrative.

"Big numbers get printed, right? Your story is a lot more interesting if it's $250 million than if it's $20,000," Bernstein said.

"The exorbitant number is meant to drive headlines, not to result in collection,'" Nierman added. "It is a PR play to get attention and to ensure that his side of the story does get reported. So I actually think it's a very savvy move to attach such an astronomical figure to it."

Dowlatshahi, the lawyer, said that it's not typical for an amount in damages to be listed in the lawsuit, though he said that this situation is anything but typical.

"This is a high-profile celebrity battle, and so I think that amount was needed to be a show of force."

The PR battle will continue in public, and neither star will emerge unscathed

The same day Baldoni filed his lawsuit against the Times, Lively formally filed a lawsuit against Baldoni, his production company Wayfarer, and his PR team in New York federal court.

The lawsuit, obtained by BI, stems from the complaint Lively previously filed with the California Civil Rights Department. It accuses Baldoni and his PR team of engaging in a campaign to retaliate against Lively for speaking out about Baldoni's alleged sexual misconduct on the set of "It Ends With Us."

It's unclear how long it will take for this to play out — it could be months or even years if it goes to a jury trial — but the experts BI spoke with agreed that this is just the beginning of a long and messy road ahead.

And the hits will keep coming: Though Lively was not named in Baldoni's suit against the Times, Baldoni's lawyer Bryan Freedman told NBC's "Today" show that they "absolutely" plan to sue Lively, too.

Though both stars' reputations have already been damaged, they'll likely worsen as the case unfolds publicly.

"There's going to be some skeletons in the closet coming out," Bernstein said. "It's just going to be a long dragged-out thing where there's maybe no real winner."

• Actors often transform into real-life musicians for biopics. 
• Some actors go through physical transformations to play musicians.
• Many, like Timothée Chalamet and Angelina Jolie, employ vocal coaches to nail their performances.  

Musical legends have been brought to the big screen for decades, in biopics that range from transformative to highly mediocre. Finding actors who can accurately portray those artists often requires some musical training, studying of mannerisms, and physical transformations.

While some roles merely require learning some choreography and slight makeup, others are more intensive, like Jamie Foxx having his eyes glued shut to portray blind musician Ray Charles.

The latest addition to the list is Timothée Chalamet, who stars as Bob Dylan in James Mangold's film "A Complete Unknown." Mangold is no stranger to biopics, having previously directed the movie "Walk the Line," which starred Joaquin Phoenix as Johnny Cash. But for Chalamet, playing the singer-songwriter was a new challenge, and the end result was years in the making. 

Here are 48 of the most notable musician biopic transformations. 

Anjelica Oswald contributed to a previous version of this article.

Timothée Chalamet is earning awards season buzz for his performance as Bob Dylan in "A Complete Unknown."

"A Complete Unknown" chronicles Dylan's rise to fame in the '60. Because of delays due to COVID-19 and the Hollywood strikes in 2023, Timothée Chalamet ended up having five to six years — rather than a couple of months — to work on his portrayal of the singer-songwriter.

During that time, he worked with a guitar teacher named Larry Saltzman and a vocal coach named Eric Vetro. In addition to singing, guitar, and harmonica lessons, Chalamet grew out his real nails and kept speaking like Dylan on set even when cameras weren't rolling. Chalamet also told NPR that he gained 2o pounds because he was thinner than Dylan.

Angelina Jolie plays famed soprano Maria Callas in Pablo Larraín's biopic "Maria."

Angelina Jolie, who never publicly sang before starring in the 2024 film, spent seven months taking singing, voice, and Italian classes. Even while filming "Maria," Jolie had nightly singing rehearsals to prepare for the next day of shooting.

"Industry" star Marisa Abela spent four months taking singing lessons with a vocal coach to portray Amy Winehouse in Sam Taylor-Johnson's 2024 biopic "Back to Black."

Marisa Abela worked with a dialect coach, vocal coach, movement coach, music producer, and guitar tutor to fully inhabit the character. Some of her costumes in the film contain real pieces of clothing worn by Winehouse, too.

Kingsley Ben-Adir starred as reggae legend Bob Marley in the film "Bob Marley: One Love."

The 2024 movie "Bob Marley: One Love" explores Marley's rise to fame, his hardships, and his performance at the One Love Peace Concert in Jamaica in 1978.

Ben-Adir worked with a guitar coach, movement coach, dialect coach, and Jamaican language coach to portray Marley. The performance scenes in the movie blend Ben-Adir and Marley's voices.  

Former Nickelodeon star Austin Butler earned an Academy Award nomination for his astounding transformation into "King of Rock 'n' Roll" Elvis Presley in Baz Luhrmann's "Elvis."

Austin Butler landed the role over stars like Miles Teller and Harry Styles, per the LA Times.

To play Presley, the actor watched old interviews of the singer, studied the way he talked and sang, and worked with vocal and movement coaches. Butler also developed a close bond with Priscilla Presley and Lisa Marie Presley during the process of making the film. 

Daniel Radcliffe played the titular musician of the 2022 biopic "Weird: The Weird Al Yankovic Story."

The "Harry Potter" star won a Critics Choice Award for his performance as the eccentric musician. And yes, Radcliffe's thick mustache in the film is completely real. 

Evan Rachel Wood played Madonna in "Weird: The Al Yankovic Story."

The movie is a largely exaggerated retelling of Yankovic's life and career. 

"I watched tons of interviews, and I was constantly playing them on set just so I have the cadence of her voice and the tone in my head," Wood told E! News of her process into becoming Madonna. 

"I just sort of let her loose on set and took the foundation that I had and turned it up and made it the most unhinged, sort of stage mom Madonna that one has ever seen," Wood added.

Naomi Ackie portrayed singer Whitney Houston in the biopic "Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance With Somebody."

Naomi Ackie portrayed the Grammy-winning singer at different stages of her life. As part of her preparation, she worked with a vocal coach and listened to original recordings of Houston's isolated vocal tracks.

Gary Busey scored his first and only Oscar nomination for his portrayal of Buddy Holly in 1978's "The Buddy Holly Story."

According to Gary Busey's biography, he played the guitar, recorded the songs for the film, and lost 32 pounds to play Holly.

Viola Davis earned an Oscar nomination for her portrayal of legendary blues artist Ma Rainey in the 2020 film "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom."

The film also won two Oscars, for best costume design and best makeup and hairstyling. 

Jason Mitchell transformed into Eazy-E for "Straight Outta Compton."

Jason Mitchell's transformation into the late N.W.A rapper Eazy-E for "Straight Outta Compton" blew critics away.

A New York Times review said the actor "consistently out-acts the rest of the performers." Mitchell, who has a similarly built frame to Eazy-E, gained weight, practiced a South Los Angeles accent, and learned how to rap for the role, according to the Los Angeles Times. Corey Hawkins became Dr. Dre and O'Shea Jackson Jr. transformed into his father, Ice Cube, for the film.

Tom Hiddleston played Hank Williams in "I Saw the Light."

English actor Tom Hiddleston transformed into the folk singer, Southern drawl and all, for "I Saw the Light." Hiddleston stayed with singer-songwriter Rodney Crowell for five weeks and was coached in Williams' mannerisms and singing style.

Kristen Stewart became rocker Joan Jett for the 2010 film "The Runaways."

Jett and Stewart met before the movie was filmed so Stewart could learn about the rock star from the musician herself.

"The thing that came through to me was that it was important to her to capture it," Jett told Interview Magazine. "She really wanted to nail it, so I gave her all The Runaways music that I could find; I gave her tapes of me talking...And she really soaked it in. When we were hanging out together on set, it was like I had a mirror image. Even just sitting around, we'd do the same thing at the same time."

"Black Panther' star Chadwick Boseman channeled his inner funk and broke it down as James Brown in 2014's "Get on Up."

Chadwick Boseman spent three hours in the makeup chair for his full-body prosthetics and wig to get the looks. With the help of a vocal coach and choreographer and advice from some of Brown's surviving relatives and Mick Jagger, one of the film's producers, Boseman gave an electrifying performance.

Jennifer Lopez's breakout role came when she was cast as the beloved Tejano singer Selena in "Selena."

The Puerto Rican actor was met with some backlash because of her heritage. Lopez perfected the late singer's dialect and studied performance footage of the music sensation for the 1997 film.

"This is someone who's fresh in the public's mind, so you need to do your homework on this gig," Lopez told Entertainment Weekly.

Paul Dano played a young Brian Wilson in the 2014 film "Love & Mercy."

To play a younger version of the Beach Boys founder Wilson in "Love & Mercy," Paul Dano learned how to play piano and bass.

Wilson told the Chicago Tribune, "He looked a little bit like me at age 24. But the way he portrayed me producing records — you know? — was very factual, accurate, stimulating."

Dano received a Golden Globe nomination for best supporting actor. John Cusack plays an older Wilson in the film.

Jamie Foxx received universal acclaim for his portrayal of the blues legend Ray Charles in "Ray."

He won the Academy Award, Golden Globe, BAFTA Award, Screen Actors Guild Award, and Critics' Choice Award for best actor for his portrayal in the 2004 film. To embody the blind pianist, he had to lose nearly 30 pounds and had his eyes glued shut every day.

Marion Cotillard received critical acclaim for her portrayal of French singing icon Édith Piaf in the 2007 film "La Vie en Rose."

Marion Cotillard won numerous awards, including the Oscar for best actress. She wasn't initially considered for the role. But when she met with director Olivier Dahan, he was transfixed by her eyes and how they reminded him of a photo of a teenage Piaf.

Joaquin Phoenix earned an Academy Award nomination for best actor for his portrayal of beloved country musician Johnny Cash in "Walk the Line."

Joaquin Phoenix sang all of the songs in the 2005 film, mimicking Cash's signature voice.

"Music is always part of how John communicates what he's feeling and seeing," Phoenix told ABC News. "And that couldn't be faked."

Aaron Taylor-Johnson's breakout role was playing the Beatles member John Lennon in "Nowhere Boy."

Based on a biography written by Lennon's half-sister Julia Baird, the 2009 film told the story of Lennon's adolescence. It covered his relationship with his aunt, Mimi Smith, and his mother, Julia Lennon, as well as the formation of his first band, the Quarrymen, which would evolve into the Beatles.

 

Angela Bassett nailed the strong-willed Tina Turner, earning an Academy Award best actress nomination and won a Golden Globe for her performance in "What's Love Got to Do With It."

Angela Bassett prepared for her audition for the 1993 film with the film's choreographer, and after performing "Proud Mary," she got the role. Laurence Fishburne, who played Ike Turner, also earned an Oscar nomination.

Miles Davis' story was told on the big screen by Don Cheadle in the 2015 film "Miles Ahead."

Cheadle was first linked to the biopic about Davis in 2006 when Davis, who died in 1991, was posthumously inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Afterward, Davis' nephew announced Cheadle would play his uncle in a film of his life. Cheadle eventually cowrote a script, signed on to direct, and portrayed the jazz musician in "Miles Ahead."

(Cheadle also portrayed Sammy Davis Jr. in 1998's "The Rat Pack," for which he won a Golden Globe.)

Queen Latifah became blues queen Bessie Smith for "Bessie."

Portraying the "Empress of Blues" "left this mark on me," Queen Latifah told NPR. The singer was praised for her role in the 2015 HBO film "Bessie," which won an Emmy for outstanding television movie.

Jamal Woolard made his acting debut portraying Christopher Wallace, aka the Notorious B.I.G., in 2009's "Notorious."

He reprised the role of Biggie Smalls in "All Eyez on Me," a biopic about Tupac Shakur released in 2017.

Biggie's mother Voletta Wallace was a producer on "Notorious." And according to MTV News, she helped pick Woolard to play her son.

"He came in the room, and I said, 'That's my son,'" Wallace told the outlet.

John Lloyd Young originated the role of Frankie Valli on Broadway in "Jersey Boys" and reprised his role in the movie adaptation of the same name.

Valli's life as the front man of The Four Seasons has been documented on Broadway since 2005. Young won a Tony Award for his portrayal. Clint Eastwood brought the story to the big screen in 2014.

Val Kilmer played The Doors rocker Jim Morrison in Oliver Stone's "The Doors."

To land the role of Morrison in the 1991 film, Kilmer made his own eight-minute video highlighting his singing abilities and changing his looks to match Morrison to send to director Oliver Stone. Once cast, he dieted for months and spent six months rehearsing songs. He also trained with Paul Rothchild, who produced all but one of The Doors' albums. Surviving band members were not thrilled with the film.

Kurt Russell received an Emmy nomination for his memorable portrayal of Elvis Presley in the 1979 TV movie "Elvis."

Before the movie aired, Russell reportedly told the Los Angeles Times: "I know one thing, there's no in-between. It's either really going to be great or really horrible, just stinking."

It was a success. The film helped shoot Russell's career forward.

"I said, if I'm going to do this, I'm going out in flames. I'm controlling this airplane," Russell told GQ in 2016. "I'm taking it down, or I'm going to break through the clouds my way. And when I did that, that's when I had an epiphany moment, saying, 'Kurt, where have you been your whole life? Wake the f--k up. This is what you're supposed to do.'"

Zoe Saldaña's transformation into Nina Simone for "Nina" was controversial.

Zoe Saldaña's skin was darkened and the filmmakers added prosthetics to make her appear more like Simone.

In response to the casting choice and backlash, Simone's daughter told Time, "It's unfortunate that Zoe Saldaña is being attacked so viciously when she is someone who is part of a larger picture. It's clear she brought her best to this project, but unfortunately she's being attacked when she's not responsible for any of the writing or the lies."

But she also said she was against the making of the film.

"The project has been tainted from the very beginning," she said. "Clearly, it is not the truth about my mother's life and everyone now knows that. This is not how you want your loved ones remembered."

Dennis Quaid took on Jerry Lee Lewis for "Great Balls of Fire."

Quaid practiced piano and took singing lessons for about three to five hours a day in order to learn how to imitate Lewis' piano skills. Though Lewis wasn't a big fan of the film according to AMC, Lewis said Quaid "really pulled it off."

Jessica Lange received high praise for her transformative performance as Patsy Cline in "Sweet Dreams."

She earned her fourth Oscar nomination for the role.

Meryl Streep wanted to play Cline, but later said, "When I saw ['Sweet Dreams'] ... I couldn't imagine doing it as well or even coming close to what Jessica did because she was so amazing in it."

Gary Oldman portrayed the late Sex Pistols bassist Sid Vicious in "Sid and Nancy: Love Kills."

Goldman beat out Daniel Day Lewis for the part and initially turned down the chance to play Vicious. But after accepting the role, he started to lose weight to mimic Vicious' skeletal body. GQ reported that the actor wasn't eating enough and collapsed in his car, too weak to move.

He told Playboy that he didn't like himself in the film.

"I don't think I played Sid Vicious very well," he said.

Joe Mantegna played Dean Martin in the TV film "The Rat Pack," earning a Golden Globe and Emmy nomination for his role.

About playing the role, Joe Mantegna said, "My goal wasn't to mimic him. It was to capture him."

Sissy Spacek earned an Academy Award for her portrayal of country singer Loretta Lynn in "Coal Miner's Daughter."

Lynn had chosen Spacek to play her based on a photo she saw of the actor. To prepare for the role, Spacek traveled with Lynn for a year to study how she spoke and sang. Spacek did all her own singing in the movie.

Lou Diamond Phillips' breakout role was playing the late Ritchie Valens in the 1987 film "La Bamba."

The biopic about the teen musician earned a Golden Globe nomination. Los Lobos singer David Hidalgo lent his vocals to the film, while Phillips lip-synced the words. A guitar instructor was also on set to coach him on strumming the guitar.

Diana Ross transformed into Billie Holiday for "Lady Sings the Blues."

Ross, a famous musician in her own right, played Holiday in this 1972 biographical movie based on Holiday's autobiography of the same name. The movie was nominated for five Oscars, including best actress in a leading role. 

Marc Anthony played salsa singer Héctor Lavoe in 2006's "El Cantante."

The biopic was told from the perspective of Lavoe's wife Puchi, who was played by Jennifer Lopez. The movie was controversial for focusing on Lavoe's drug addiction and death from AIDS, which he contracted through sharing needles. 

Ethan Hawke learned trumpet basics to portray Chet Baker in "Born to Be Blue."

Trumpeter Ben Promane helped Hawke grasp basic trumpet skills and taught him how to look like he played the trumpet with his front tooth missing, like Baker. The 2015 movie was more drama than biopic though. 

Michael Douglas won an Emmy for playing flamboyant pianist Liberace in "Behind the Candelabra."

The 2013 film was based on the memoir "Behind the Candelabra: My Life with Liberace," written by Scott Thorson, Liberace's lover later in life. Matt Damon plays Thorson in the movie. Michael Douglas didn't actually play the piano for the film. 

David Carradine played folk singer Woody Guthrie in the Oscar-winning movie "Bound for Glory."

Aside from Guthrie and his first wife Mary, most of the people and events portrayed in the 1976 film are fictional. The movie earned six Oscar nominations, including best picture, and won for music and cinematography. 

Rami Malek played Queen front man Freddie Mercury in "Bohemian Rhapsody."

Rami Malek played the musician in the 2018 movie "Bohemian Rhapsody," named after Queen's hit song. The film followed 15 years of Mercury's life — from the band's beginnings to six years before his death. Malek won an Oscar, Golden Globe, and SAG Award for his portrayal. 

Renée Zellweger starred as Judy Garland in "Judy."

The 2019 biopic "Judy" centered on the "Wizard of Oz" actor's final concerts in London before her death at 47. 

Zellweger won a best actress Oscar for her portrayal.

Taron Egerton played Elton John in the 2019 film "Rocketman."

The Elton John biopic "Rocketman" followed John's rise to musical acclaim starting from childhood and his early partnership with Bernie Taupin. Jamie Bell, Gemma Jones, Bryce Dallas Howard, and Richard Madden also starred in the movie.

"When I saw Taron, I was not looking at him — I was looking at me. And when I was hearing the voice, I was hearing me, but it wasn't me," he told Indie Wire. "Everything about it was extraordinary."

Daniel Webber played Vince Neil, Mötley Crüe's singer, in Netflix's "The Dirt."

The Netflix movie was a biopic about how rock band Mötley Crüe formed and rose to fame. 

Douglas Booth played Nikki Sixx, Mötley Crüe's bassist, in "The Dirt."

"The Dirt" was adapted from the autobiographical book "The Dirt: Confessions of the World's Most Notorious Rock Band," authored by Mötley Crüe and Neil Strauss. 

Iwan Rheon played Mick Mars, Mötley Crüe's guitarist, in "The Dirt."

Rights to the book were first bought in 2006, but the film moved around to various studios until Netflix bought the rights in 2017. 

Machine Gun Kelly transformed into Tommy Lee, Mötley Crüe's drummer.

"The Dirt" was released on Netflix in 2020.

•  

"The Walking Dead" star Christian Serratos portrayed Selena Quintanilla in a Netflix series.

In November 2019, Netflix shared a first look at the actor transforming into Quintanilla for "Selena: The Series." The show debuted on the streaming service on December 4, 2020, and the second and final part was released on the streamer on May 4, 2021.

 

Jennifer Hudson starred as "Queen of Soul" Aretha Franklin in the biopic titled "Respect."

"Respect" hit theaters in 2021 and the actor previously said that the late singer specifically asked Hudson to portray her. 

• BI rounded up the movies that got a 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes in 2024 with 25 reviews or more.
• Most of the films are fictional dramas centered on family dynamics and working-class characters.
• "All We Imagine as Light" received the Grand Prix award at the Cannes Film Festival.

Some of the year's top-rated movies are ones that may have flown under the radar.

Business Insider rounded up the titles that earned perfect Rotten Tomatoes scores this year with at least 25 reviews.

These include films that tackle serious subjects, from working-class struggles to coming-of-age challenges. But not all the top-reviewed movies are dramas. "LaRoy, Texas," a crime comedy starring Steve Zahn and John Magaro, also earned a 100% critics score.

All Rotten Tomatoes scores were current as of December 31, 2024, and are subject to change.

"All We Imagine as Light"

Number of reviews: 124

What it's about: "All We Imagine as Light," written and directed by Payal Kapadia, is set in Mumbai and follows Prabha (Kani Kusruti) and Anu (Divya Prabha), two nurses and roommates, and Parvaty (Chhaya Kadam), their coworker who's a cook at the hospital. The film explores the power of friendship among the three women as they navigate personal challenges, from affairs to eviction.

Why you should watch: Critics are enchanted by Kapadia's second feature film, calling it "dreamlike," "luminous," and a "sensual triumph." The movie feels like an ode to Mumbai, where the bustling city is captured so vibrantly that it becomes a character in the narrative, too.

"All We Imagine as Light" premiered at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival earlier this year, where it won the prestigious Grand Prix award.

Where to watch: In select theaters.

Watch the trailer for "All We Imagine as Light" here.

"Daughters"

Number of reviews: 65

What it's about: "Daughters" is a documentary from filmmakers Natalie Rae and Angela Patton about a group of girls getting ready for a dance with their incarcerated dads. For some of them, it will be the only physical contact that they have with their fathers while they serve their prison sentences.

Why you should watch: Critics called "Daughters" emotionally moving, providing a grounded view into what it's like having a family member in prison. Some praised the film for focusing on, and humanizing, its subjects.

"Daughters" earned two awards at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, where it premiered: festival favorite and audience choice: U.S. documentary competition.

Where to watch: Netflix

"Nowhere Special"

Number of reviews: 63

What it's about: "Nowhere Special" centers on John (James Norton), a 35-year-old window cleaner and single dad who is raising his 4-year-old son Michael (Daniel Lamont) after the kid's mom leaves following his birth. When John learns that he has a few months left to live, he becomes determined to prepare his son for his death and find a new family for him.

Why you should watch: Uberto Pasolini's drama, originally released in 2021 before getting a US theatrical release this year, is an understated and tender look at life and death. Critics say Norton's performance as a father dying of brain cancer is tear-inducing, and his young costar Lamont shows signs of a promising future as an actor. Despite its heartbreaking premise, "Nowhere Special" maintains a hopeful outlook.

Where to watch: Available to rent or buy on Prime Video and Apple TV+.

Watch the trailer for "Nowhere Special" here.

"Jim Henson Idea Man"

Number of reviews: 60

What it's about: This documentary, from Academy Award-winning director Ron Howard, follows Jim Henson's storied career, from the Muppets franchise to films like "The Dark Crystal" and "Labyrinth." The film includes footage from Henson's archives, as well as interviews with prior collaborators and family members.

Why you should watch: Critics praised the documentary as capturing Henson's spirit without sanitizing his life. Some wrote that while Howard takes a fairly straightforward biographical approach, it works well for Henson as a subject.

"Jim Henson Idea Man" premiered at the 77th Cannes Film Festival in the "Cannes Classics" section. It won five Emmy awards, including outstanding documentary or nonfiction special and outstanding motion design.

Where to watch: Disney+

"Sugarcane"

Number of reviews: 57

What it's about: Directed by Julian Brave NoiseCat and Emily Kassie, "Sugarcane" follows the aftermath of unmarked graves being discovered near an Indian residential school in Canada that was run by the Catholic Church and closed in 1981. The film tracks a Williams Lake First Nation investigation into abuse and missing children at St. Joseph's mission.

Why you should watch: Critics praised the film as empathetic, sensitive, and in some cases, "devastating." Some praised the film for the way depicts the aftermath of tragedy and injustice.

The film won the U.S. documentary — directing award at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, where it premiered. It has also received documentary film awards at the Sarasota Film Festival, the San Francisco International Film Festival, and from the National Board of Review, among others.

Where to watch: Hulu, Disney+

"Girls Will Be Girls"

Number of reviews: 53

What it's about: The coming-of-age Indian film stars Preeti Panigrahi as Mira, a 16-year-old girl constrained by the rules of her boarding school and her strict mother when she develops a connection with a new student named Srinivas (Kesav Binoy Kiron) and expresses interest in exploring her sexuality and desires.

Why you should watch: Critics call "Girls Will Be Girls" a stellar debut for first-time feature filmmaker Shuchi Talati, who also wrote the script. Many agree that the movie tackles typical coming-of-age themes with a cultural specificity that makes "Girls Will Be Girls" stand out from the myriad of other existing films in the genre.

The protagonist's intimate journey is examined with sensitivity and quiet moments that let the cinematography and scene composition do all the talking."

"Girls Will Be Girls" earned the audience award in the world cinema dramatic category at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival.

Where to watch: Available to rent or buy on Prime Video.

Watch the trailer for "Girls Will Be Girls" here.

"No Other Land"

Number of reviews: 49

What it's about: Directed by Basel Adra, Hamdan Ballal, Yuval Abraham, and Rachel Szor, "No Other Land" is a documentary about Palestine and Israel. It follows the Israeli destruction of Palestinian homes and schools in Masafer Yatta, a group of West Bank villages that Adra calls home. The four directors hail from Palestine and Israel, and filmed over the course of four years.

Why you should watch: Critics described "No Other Land" as "essential," important, and emotionally affecting viewing.

The film has picked up dozens of film festival and critic awards, including the Berlinale documentary film award and Panorama audience award for best documentary film at the Berlin International Film Festival, and best documentary and non-fiction film awards from Los Angeles, Boston, and New York critics groups, among others.

Where to watch: "No Other Land" is available to purchase or rent in some regions, though it does not yet have distribution in the United States.

"I Am: Celine Dion"

Number of reviews: 46

What it's about: This documentary, directed by Irene Taylor, tracks Dion's diagnosis with stiff-person syndrome, a condition that causes the muscles to stiffen involuntarily. The documentary includes archival footage from Dion's storied career, and follows her through her diagnosis, treatment, and desire to return to the stage.

Why you should watch: Critics called the documentary "raw," doing justice to Dion's legendary career while humanizing her as as a subject. Adrian Horton of the Guardian called the film "unabashedly sentimental" and "deeply earnest."

Where to watch: Prime Video

"On Becoming a Guinea Fowl"

Number of reviews: 46

What it's about: The A24 dark comedy stars Susan Chardy as Shula, a woman who discovers her Uncle Fred's body on the road one night. With the dayslong funeral proceedings underway, she must confront the secrets of her middle-class Zambian family.

Why you should watch: Critics say the film is compelling and intriguing, with a script that deftly balances its serious subject material with moments of humor. Many have also praised Nyoni's sharp directing style and her exploration of the political, cultural, and social facets of Zambian life.

Where to watch: "On Becoming a Guinea Fowl" is currently not available to stream. It will be released in limited theaters on March 7.

Watch the trailer for "On Becoming a Guinea Fowl" here.

"Music By John Williams"

Number of reviews: 45

What it's about: Directed by Laurent Bouzereau, "Music By John Williams" examines the storied composer's career and work across multiple franchises. The film features interviews with people like Steven Spielberg, who worked with Williams on films like "Jaws" and "E.T.," and George Lucas, creator of "Star Wars" and "Indiana Jones."

Why you should watch: Critics wrote that the film was a fitting tribute to Williams and a lovely celebration of his work. Some praised the film's depiction of Williams' relationships with filmmakers, including Spielberg and Lucas.

"Music By John Williams" won the award for best music documentary at the Critics Choice Documentary Awards.

Where to watch: Disney+

Watch the trailer for "Music By John Williams" here.

"LaRoy, Texas"

Number of reviews: 42

What it's about: The comedy, written and directed by Shane Atkinson, stars Steve Zahn as a private detective named Skip and John Magaro as Ray, a man who becomes depressed after he learns that his wife is cheating on him. As Ray is about to shoot himself with a gun and end his life, his life takes a wild turn when he gets mistaken for a hitman and becomes involved in an assassination plan.

Why you should watch: Critics say that Atkinson's feature directorial debut is an entertaining thrill ride, toeing the line between believable absurdity and over-the-top shenanigans. The influence of and nods to the filmmaking brothers Joel and Ethan Coen are plentiful, and the movie is bolstered by a solid cast comprised of Magaro, Zahn, and Dylan Baker.

"LaRoy, Texas" won three major prizes at the 49th Deauville American Film Festival: the Grand Prize, the Audience Award, and the Critics Award.

Where to watch: Available to rent or buy on Prime Video and Apple TV+. Also available to stream on MGM+.

Watch the trailer for "LaRoy, Texas" here.

• Netflix has a vast assortment of original romantic comedies.
• In 2024, the streamer released 10 new rom-coms and romance films.
• Critics enjoyed some of the movies ("Hot Frosty") more than others ("A Family Affair").

Netflix's growing collection of rom-coms and romantic films expanded even more in 2024 with 10 new originals.

This year's fresh rom-coms featured plenty of A-listers, including Nicole Kidman, Zac Efron, Lindsay Lohan, and Brooke Shields. Not all of these films were well-received, however.

Here's how this year's new original rom-coms from the streamer stacked up, according to critics.

Note: Rotten Tomatoes scores were current at the time of publication and are subject to change.

10. The characters in "Mother of the Bride" lacked depth and complexity.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 13%

Summary: In "Mother of the Bride," Brooke Shields stars as Lana Winslow, the mother of the bride-to-be and lifestyle influencer Emma Winslow (Miranda Cosgrove). As part of Emma's six-figure sponsorship deal, she and her fiancé RJ (Sean Teale) head to Thailand for their wedding ceremony

The milestone event becomes complicated when Lana learns that RJ's father is Will Jackson (Benjamin Bratt), her college boyfriend who broke her heart.

Critics said the film ticked off the boxes of a typical rom-com but recycled the genre's familiar tropes without adding anything memorable. Even a cast of seasoned actors like Shields and Bratt couldn't do much for the underdeveloped, dull characters.

"No matter how contrived this premise may feel, 'Mother of the Bride' skids off into its many equally predictable subplots with abandon, despite none being staged with the kind of charm required for us to forgive their inevitability," Manuel Betancourt wrote for The A.V. Club.

9. Lindsay Lohan's latest holiday rom-com "Our Little Secret" disappointed critics.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 35%

Summary: "Our Little Secret" stars Lohan and "Pretty Little Liars" actor Ian Harding as exes Avery and Logan, respectively, who unexpectedly spend the holidays together because their new partners are siblings.

Avery and Logan try to keep their past relationship a secret, but when they reconnect, they realize that they may be more compatible now than they were 10 years ago when they broke up.

Critics felt that Lohan, who carved out a space for herself as Netflix's latest rom-com queen, and Kristin Chenoweth, who plays the fiery potential mother-in-law, stood out in the cast. Overall, though, the movie fell short of expectations.

"The screenplay, from Hailey DeDominicis, lacks the vibrancy you expect from a lighthearted holiday movie," Emily Zemler wrote for The Observer. "Sure, there are a few genuine emotional moments and Lohan aptly gives Avery as much dimension as possible, but there's only so much she and Chenoweth can do to liven things up."

8. Nicole Kidman and Zac Efron's combined star power wasn't enough to save "A Family Affair."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 36%

Summary: Personal assistant Zara Ford's (Joey King) dynamic with her self-absorbed, high-maintenance movie star boss Chris Cole (Zac Efron) becomes complicated when he starts dating her mom, a writer and widow named Brooke Harwood (Nicole Kidman).

Although some critics said the movie had a few redeeming qualities, "A Family Affair" was largely deemed a dud and devoid of the chemistry Kidman and Efron shared when they last played romantic interests in the 2012 film "The Paperboy."

"Despite a starry cast and endearing performance from Joey King, 'A Family Affair' is as messy as the conflicting professional and personal relationships it depicts," Hanna Ines Flint wrote for IGN. "A convoluted and superficial script and yawning direction fail to deliver character stakes worth getting behind."

7. "Lonely Planet" was heavy on gorgeous scenery but low on chemistry.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 41%

Summary: "Lonely Planet," written and directed by Susannah Grant, follows a reclusive novelist named Katherine (Laura Dern) who goes to Morocco for a writers' retreat.

Katherine, who's older than the other retreat attendees, just wants a quiet place to snap out of her writer's block and has no interest in participating in group activities. But while there, she develops a connection with Owen (Liam Hemsworth), a man in finance who's at the retreat with his girlfriend Lily (Diana Silvers). As Owen's relationship with Lily falters, he and Catherine get swept up in an age-gap affair.

The movie — which falls more into the romantic drama category than the rom-com group — doesn't generate enough steam between the two main characters or tell a memorable story.

"If the Netflix romance depicts a once-in-a-lifetime encounter, the experience of actually watching it is decidedly more mundane," Angie Han wrote for The Hollywood Reporter. "Neither dull enough to be painful nor fun enough to be engaging, it's simply too bland to make much of an impression at all."

6. "Irish Wish" was charming and watchable.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 42%

Summary: Lohan stars as a book editor named Maddie Kelly who is in love with Paul Kennedy (Alexander Vlahos), an author she's worked with for years. Before Maddie can tell Paul how she feels about him, Paul falls in love with her best friend, Emma (Elizabeth Tan) and they get engaged.

When the trio head to Ireland for Paul and Emma's wedding, Maddie makes a wish on an ancient stone and wakes up as Paul's bride-to-be.

Critics said that Lohan's chemistry with Ed Speelers, who plays the photographer that audiences know Maddie is bound to actually fall in love with, made the movie enjoyable amid its clichés.

"The movie is as frothy as the foam on a pint of Guinness, as formulaic as the last disposable Netflix rom-com," Owen Gleiberman wrote for Variety. "Yet these two make you believe that they belong together, and not every romantic comedy does that."

5. "Find Me Falling" failed to balance its romantic tone with serious subject matter.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 43%

Summary: In "Find Me Falling," real-life musician Harry Connick Jr. plays John Allman, a rock star in a career slump. So, he moves to a home in Cyprus with a picturesque view to take a break from his career. Unbeknownst to John, he got a good deal on the property because the cliff-side area is known as a "suicide hot spot."

As fate would have it, he bumps into an old flame named Sia (Agni Scott), who he met years prior and inspired his most popular love song.

Critics said that one of the film's biggest flaws was its mishandling of the subject matter.

"The subplot about suicide just outside John's doorstep feels strangely glib, dampening the mood of this escapist rom-com from the jump: the movie is called 'Find Me Falling after all," Monica Castillo wrote for RogerEbert.com, adding that this aspect of the plot is "played for laughs" at times.

4. Netflix's PG holiday riff on "Magic Mike," titled "The Merry Gentleman," didn't sizzle enough.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 44%

Summary: After a Broadway dancer named Ashley Davis (Britt Robertson) is replaced by a younger performer, she returns home for the holidays. When she learns that her parents' venue, The Rhythm Room, is in danger of shutting down due to overdue bills, Ashley concocts a plan to bring in money and save it before Christmas: an all-male revue called "The Merry Gentleman."

Along the way, she develops feelings for Luke (Chad Michael Murray), an attractive local carpenter and handyman who reluctantly agrees to participate in the show.

Critics said the film was formulaic with little excitement to offer audiences beyond the male characters baring their abs while dancing shirtless onstage.

"Murray and Robertson feel tired as leads, and while Murray is making it work onstage, the more conventional scenes all feel like they're missing some holiday spice (among other things)," Samantha Bergeson wrote for IndieWire.

3. Gina Rodriguez anchored the flawed but serviceable rom-com "Players."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 53%

Summary: "Jane the Virgin" star Gina Rodriguez plays Mack, a 33-year-old sportswriter who has spent years creating successful hookup schemes as part of a playbook with her friends. When she sets her sights on Nick Russell (Tom Ellis), a war reporter and eligible bachelor, Mack and her crew devise a plan to reel him in. As Mack starts falling for Nick, she realizes that she wants a serious relationship.

Critics had mixed feelings on "Players," but many agreed that Rodriguez's charm, along with other winning components, made the film worth watching.

"It's not reaching for unique twists or spectacular splashes. It's not trying to reinvent, reimagine, or re-do anything about the pursuit of love," Lovia Gyarkye wrote for The Hollywood Reporter. "No, it's trying to win you over with the basics: attractive leads with chemistry, a bit of triangular tension, a gallery of witty friends, and a lesson tucked into a heartwarming story."

2. "Meet Me Next Christmas" was a breezy and entertaining holiday film.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 69%

Summary: In "Meet Me Next Christmas," Christina Milian stars as Layla, a woman who has a magical encounter with a man named James (Kofi Siriboe) at an airport lounge.

The pair make a deal to meet up again next Christmas at the concert of the a cappella group Pentatonix, but when the time comes, Layla's dismayed to learn that tickets are all sold out. Determined to reconnect with her dream guy, Layla taps a concierge service to help her get a coveted ticket to the show.

But along the way, Layla finds herself torn by her feelings for James and Teddy (Devale Ellis), her concierge.

Critics said that "Meet Me Next Christmas" contained familiar rom-com tropes, but it was an enjoyable watch.

"While it certainly isn't breaking new ground in any capacity, the movie is a feel-good moment that gets us into the holiday spirit," Ben Gibbons wrote for Screen Rant.

1. The premise of "Hot Frosty" was so silly that it worked.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 76%

Summary: "Hot Frosty" centers on Kathy Barrett (Lacey Chabert), a woman who magically brings a snowman to life two years after her husband's death. As Kathy helps the snowman-turned-human named Jack Snowman (Dustin Milligan) acclimate to real life, she finds herself laughing and falling in love again — and desperate to save him from melting.

Even with an absurdly goofy plot, "Hot Frosty" delighted critics.

"It's cheap and it's silly and it has a laughable premise that some people will mistake for terribleness. But it's also winking and whimsical. It knows what it's doing and it's doing it on purpose. Somehow it actually kind of works," William Bibbiani wrote for The Wrap.

• Business Insider rounded up the highest-grossing movies of the year, according to Box Office Mojo.
• Sequels, superhero movies, and animated movies were among the top films.
• Two movies surpassed $1 billion globally: "Deadpool & Wolverine" and "Inside Out 2."

Film franchises dominated the worldwide box office this year.

This year's top-performing movies included animated films, superhero fare, a Godzilla and Kong team-up, and a return to Arrakis.

Keep reading to see which 15 movies came out on top at the box office in 2024.

All box-office numbers and Rotten Tomatoes scores on this list are current as of December 27, 2024, and are subject to change.

15. "It Ends With Us"

Worldwide gross: $350,986,018

Reported production budget: $25 million

Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 55%

The film adaptation of Colleen Hoover's novel "It Ends With Us" was one of the biggest surprises at the 2024 box office.

In less than two weeks in theaters, the movie surpassed $180 million at the box office globally — a tremendous feat for a project that was reportedly financed for just $25 million. It's possible that fans of the book and those aware of the reports of a rift between Blake Lively and costar and director Justin Baldoni were intrigued by "It Ends With Us" and wanted to see what all the hype was about.

14. "Twisters"

Worldwide gross: $370,962,265

Reported production budget: $155 million

Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 75%

After the box-office success of the rom-com "Anyone But You," Glen Powell continued his hot streak in Hollywood starring alongside Daisy Edgar-Jones in the stand-alone sequel to the 1996 disaster movie "Twister."

"Twisters" surpassed box office predictions, earning $32.2 million from release day and preview screenings and scoring a solid $80.5 million during its opening weekend.

13. "Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes"

Worldwide gross: $397,378,150

Reported production budget: $160 million

Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 80%

Although "Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes" is one of the top-performing movies of the year, it earned the lowest global total compared to the three other films in the rebooted "Planet of the Apes" franchise.

12. "Bad Boys: Ride or Die"

Worldwide gross: $404,544,199

Reported production budget: $100 million

Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 65%

Two years after his infamous slap at the Oscars, Will Smith made a comeback and regained box office glory with the fourth installment in the action-comedy franchise "Bad Boys."

"Ride or Die" was a hit domestically and overseas. In its opening weekend, the movie topped the global box office, making over $100 million and overperforming in key markets.

11. "Gladiator II"

Worldwide gross: $406,644,901

Reported production budget: $250 million to $300+ million

Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 71%

"Gladiator II," didn't win over critics as much as Ridley Scott's epic 2000 film "Gladiator," though many agreed that it delivered plenty of thrilling action sequences.

The sequel fell short of the first "Gladiator" movie at the box office too, grossing $100 million less — though still bringing in an impressive haul to end up on this list.

10. "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice"

Worldwide gross: $451,100,435

Reported production budget: $100 million

Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 76%

Nostalgic sequels don't always equate to success, but Tim Burton's "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice" was a slam dunk for Warner Bros.

Executives initially wanted the sequel to the 1988 "Beetlejuice" movie to forgo a theatrical release and head straight to streaming. But Burton disagreed. So they cut costs to lower the budget and justify a theatrical release — and it paid off.

"Beetlejuice Beetlejuice" earned $41.5 million from release day and preview screenings, becoming the second-biggest opening day ever for a September release, after 2017's horror movie "It." The movie is also one of Burton's most commercially successful films.

9. "Venom: The Last Dance"

Worldwide gross: $476,368,152

Reported production budget: $120 million

Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 41%

Sony's films about Spider-Man-adjacent characters don't have a great track record. But the "Venom" franchise, starring Tom Hardy, has become a fan favorite among the more disappointing and flat-out cringy movies. However, the third and final installment was the worst-performing "Venom" film at the box office.

8. "Kung Fu Panda"

Worldwide gross: $547,689,492

Reported production budget: $85 million

Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 71%

The fourth "Kung Fu Panda" film, starring Jack Black as the voice of the panda named Po, earned the franchise's lowest critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes but racked up $26.5 million more than 2016's "Kung Fu Panda 3."

7. "Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire"

Worldwide gross: $571,750,016

Reported production budget: $135 million

Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 54%

"Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire," centered on the titular gargantuan creatures teaming up after being enemies in 2021's "Godzilla vs. Kong," rocked the box office.

"Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire" surpassed box office projections in its opening weekend and became the second-biggest debut for Warner Bros. and Legendary's shared MonsterVerse franchise.

With $571 million earned globally, "Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire" is now the highest-grossing movie in the Monsterverse.

6. "Wicked"

Worldwide gross: $586,301,620

Reported production budget: $150 million

Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 88%

Jon M. Chu's film adaptation of the wildly popular stage musical of the same name was a critical and commercial success.

"Glicked," the combined name for the rivalry between "Gladiator II" and "Wicked," was this year's version of the 2023 "Barbenheimer" phenomenon. In the battle between gladiators and witches, the latter was the clear winner. "Wicked" earned a higher Rotten Tomatoes score and has grossed over half a billion at the global box office, so far.

Despite not being explicitly advertised as such, "Wicked" is the first in a two-part franchise. The sequel, "Wicked: For Good," hits theaters in November 2025.

5. "Dune: Part Two"

Worldwide gross: $714,444,358

Reported production budget: $190 million

Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 92%

Following the success of the 2021 "Dune" adaptation, Denis Villeneuve released a sequel that completed Paul Atreides' (Timothée Chalamet) journey from Frank Herbert's first "Dune" novel.

Hailed by critics as a "sci-fi masterpiece," the 2024 sequel was rated higher and grossed $300 million more worldwide than "Dune: Part One."

4. "Moana 2"

Worldwide gross: $820,990,553

Reported production budget: $150 million

Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 61%

"Moana 2" didn't make nearly as big a splash in pop culture as the original film did with catchy songs like "How Far I'll Go" and "You're Welcome." The sequel also had a drastically lower rating on Rotten Tomatoes than "Moana," which landed a 95% critics score.

Regardless, "Moana 2" performed much higher at the box office and was a clear win for Disney. The movie even broke Thanksgiving box office records, racking up $380 million globally at the time.

3. "Despicable Me 4"

Worldwide gross: $969,126,452

Reported production budget: $100 million

Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 56%

Since the first "Despicable Me" movie was released in 2010, the franchise has been lucrative for Illumination Entertainment and Universal Studios.

The fourth installment fell short of earning $1 billion, which "Despicable Me 3" achieved in 2017. "Despicable Me 4" also received the lowest critics score of all the movies on Rotten Tomatoes.

2. "Deadpool & Wolverine"

Worldwide gross: $1,338,073,645

Reported production budget: $200 million

Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 78%

Some recent entries in the Marvel Cinematic Universe have received middling reactions from fans and critics alike, but the success of "Deadpool & Wolverine" indicates that perhaps the superhero slump might be over.

The third installment of the "Deadpool" franchise earned a lower critic score on Rotten Tomatoes than the previous two movies. But the Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman team-up surpassed the global earnings of its predecessors and is one of two films released in 2024 to hit $1 billion at the box office.

After less than 30 days in theaters, "Deadpool & Wolverine" dethroned Todd Phillips' 2019 film "Joker" to become the highest-grossing R-rated movie of all time.

1. "Inside Out 2"

Worldwide gross: $1,698,765,616

Reported production budget: $200 million

Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 91%

"Inside Out 2" fully surpassed expectations, grossing $155 million domestically and $295 million worldwide in its debut three-day weekend. The "Inside Out" sequel also earned the second-biggest domestic opening ever for an animated movie, following "Incredibles 2." It ended up being the highest-grossing film of 2024.

• "The Cosby Show" star Geoffrey Owens said that he's still struggling to make money as a middle-class actor.
• Photos of Owens working at Trader Joe's went viral in 2018 and briefly led to more opportunities.
• Owens said he's still finding it difficult to "make my ends meet."

Geoffrey Owens rose to prominence playing Elvin Tibideaux on the hit sitcom "The Cosby Show." But six years after going viral for working at Trader Joe's, he's still struggling to make a living as a middle-class actor.

"I struggle every day to make my ends meet," Owens said during a recent interview with the Atlanta radio station V-103.

In August 2018, photos of Owens working at a Trader Joe's in New Jersey went viral, sparking conversations about the financial hardships of the average working actor.

Owens said that he was aware of some of job shaming comments from people, but he primarily received support and encouragement.

The actor said that for about two weeks after going viral, he gained lots of attention and recognition in his day-to-day life. It even led to job opportunities, like a role on the Tyler Perry series "The Haves and the Have Nots."

Additionally, Nicki Minaj donated $25,000 to Owens, but he told the radio station that he gave the money to charity instead of pocketing it because he wanted to earn his keep, rather than being gifted it.

Owens also said that he quit his supermarket job before the news hit in order to protect his privacy.

The actor explained that someone had already taken photos of him working at Trader Joe's and he wasn't comfortable worrying about that happening again.

"It wasn't like I quit knowing I would be making a lot of money soon or anything," Owens said. "I just felt like I wasn't going to be able to handle that kind of scrutiny and attack on my privacy."

Owens said that people have a difficult time understanding why an actor who's starred in movies and TV shows would need to work a normal job. He also said that residuals from "The Cosby Show" haven't benefitted him as much as people would assume.

"They don't understand the specifics of how my industry works," he said. "They don't understand the salaries, the pay scales."

In the years since going vial, Owens has guest starred on shows like "Power," "Power Book II: Ghost," and "The Rookie." Most recently, he appeared on the new CBS sitcom "Poppa's House" and currently stars as Mr. Santa in the holiday film "Mr. Santa: A Christmas Extravaganza."

Owens said that Trader Joe's was a "wonderful" place to be employed, and he's since gone back to work some hours.

"People have a false impression of what the average middle-class actor makes and their ability to make a living in the industry," he said. "So that's what drove me to work at Trader Joe's to begin with. But honestly, I'm not much better off now than I was then."

A rep for Owens didn't immediately respond to Business Insider's request for comment.

• The Netflix Korean-language series "Squid Game" returned for season two this week.
• The latest "Doctor Who" Christmas special, "Joy to the World," is streaming on Disney+.
• Comedian Nate Bargatze has a new stand-up special on Netflix.

The year is winding down, but there are still plenty of new streaming releases to catch up on before 2025 arrives.

Netflix's wildly popular Korean-language show "Squid Game" returned three years after season one premiered and became a global phenomenon. Meanwhile "Doctor Who" fans, also known as Whovians, will rejoice in the franchise's annual Christmas special, released on Disney+ this week.

Comedy fans can check out Nate Bargatze's new stand-up special on Netflix. Those who have been keeping up with the ongoing drama surrounding the UnitedHealthcare shooting suspect, Luigi Mangione, can watch a special edition of "20/20" on Hulu.

Here's a complete rundown of all the best movies, shows, and documentaries to stream this weekend, broken down by what kind of entertainment you're looking for.

Whovians can tune into the new "Doctor Who" Christmas special, "Doctor Who: Joy to the World."

The "Doctor Who" special, released on Christmas Day, follows the Fifteenth Doctor (Ncuti Gatwa) as he and a woman named Joy (Nicola Coughlan) meet at the Time Hotel and embark on a time-traveling adventure.

Streaming on: Disney+

Keep the Christmas season vibes going with "Elf."

In Jon Favreau's 2003 movie "Elf," Will Ferrell plays Buddy, a human raised by elves who experiences culture shock when he travels to New York City in search of his biological father.

Streaming on: Hulu, Max

Or another classic, "The Holiday," before it leaves Prime Video in a few days.

The iconic 2006 Nancy Meyers rom-com stars Cameron Diaz as Amanda and Kate Winslet as Iris, two heartbroken women who swap homes during the holidays and end up striking up new romances.

Streaming on: Prime Video

"Squid Game" returned for an explosive second season this week.

In season two of Netflix's breakout hit, Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae), known as Player 456, returns to the games and tries to end the deadly competition for good. The new season features two major plot twists, a high-stakes finale, and a tease for "Squid Game" season three, coming in 2025.

Streaming on: Netflix

Sports fans can get a behind-the-scenes look at Aaron Rodgers' comeback in "Aaron Rodgers: Enigma."

The three-episode docuseries follows Rodgers as he recovers from an Achilles heel injury, experiments with alternative medicine, and draws controversy for his stance on the COVID-19 vaccine.

Streaming on: Netflix

For sports-meets-true-crime, watch "ChiefsAholic: A Wolf in Chief's Clothing."

The documentary is based on the real-life story of Xaviar Babudar, a Kansas City Chiefs mega fan who funded his obsession through a series of bank and credit union robberies in 2022. Babudar, who was known as "ChiefsAholic," was charged with 19 counts in 2023.

Streaming on: Prime Video

There's already a primetime special about Luigi Mangione, called "Manhunt: Luigi Mangione and the CEO Murder — A Special Edition of 20/20."

The one-hour special chronicles the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on a sidewalk in Manhattan in early December and unpacks the public's fascination with Luigi Mangione, who was arrested in Altoona, Pennsylvania, after a five-day hunt for the killer.

The primetime special hit Hulu on December 20, after premiering on ABC the night prior. Mangione pleaded not guilty to state and federal murder charges.

Streaming on: Hulu

The 2022 psychological thriller "Alice, Darling" starring Anna Kendrick arrives on Hulu on Saturday.

Anna Kendrick portrays the titular Alice, a woman who goes on a vacation with two friends amid issues with her psychologically abusive boyfriend.

Streaming on: Hulu

For a romantic drama, check out "Culpa Tuya."

"Culpa Tuya" (which translates to "Your Fault") is the sequel to 2023 movie "Culpa Mia" ("My Fault") and continues the love story between the characters Nick (Gabriel Guevara) and Noah (Nicole Wallace).

The YA films are based on Mercedes Ron's New York Times best-selling book trilogy "Culpables."

Streaming on: Prime Video

For laughs, watch the new comedy special "Your Friend, Nate Bargatze."

After hosting "Saturday Night Live" for the second time and performing at the Netflix Is a Joke Festival earlier this year, stand-up comedian Nate Bargatze released this third comedy special on Netflix.

Streaming on: Netflix

Beyoncé's Christmas Day NFL halftime show, dubbed "Beyoncé Bowl," was released on Friday as a stand-alone special.

After experiencing livestreaming difficulties during the Mike Tyson and Jake Paul boxing match, Netflix was prepared for the Beyhive turnout for Beyoncé's halftime performance at the Baltimore Ravens vs. Houston Texans game on Wednesday. The Texas native performed an array of tracks from her country album "Cowboy Carter" and brought out surprise guests including her daughter Blue Ivy Carter, Post Malone, and Shaboozey.

In case you missed her performance or want to watch it over and over again, "Beyoncé Bowl" is now available as a stand-alone special on the streamer.

Streaming on: Netflix

• Bob Dylan has six kids from his previous marriages to Sara Lownds and Carolyn Dennis.
• Dylan and Lownds welcomed four kids together and the singer adopted Lownds' daughter, Maria.
• Dylan shares a daughter named Desiree with Carolyn Dennis, whom he was married to from 1986 to 1992.

Bob Dylan is a 10-time Grammy Award winner and is considered one of the most prolific singer-songwriters of all time, but his personal life is surprisingly low key.

The Minnesota native's rise to fame in the '60s is the focal point of James Mangold's latest film, "A Complete Unknown," which stars Timothée Chalamet as Dylan. The movie also features Monica Barbaro as the folk singer Joan Baez and Elle Fanning as Sylvie Russo, a fictional version of Dylan's girlfriend at the time, Suze Rotolo.

In real life, Dylan, now 83, was twice married and shares six kids with his ex-wives. Here's everything to know about them.

Dylan welcomed 4 children with his first wife, Sara Lownds, and adopted her daughter from a previous marriage

Dylan and Lownds were married from November 1965 to June 1977. During their relationship, Dylan adopted Maria Lownds (born on October 21, 1961), Sara's daughter from her marriage to the photographer Hans Lownds. Maria changed her last name to Dylan after the musician legally became her father.

According to Howard Sounes' 2001 Dylan biography, "Down the Highway: The Life of Bob Dylan," Maria became a copyright lawyer and welcomed four kids with her husband Peter Himmelman.

Dylan and Lownds' first child together, Jesse Byron Dylan, was born on January 6, 1966.

Jesse got into filmmaking and directed music videos for artists including Dylan, Lenny Kravitz, Elvis Costello, and Tom Waits. He's also the director of the comedies "American Wedding" and "Kicking and Screaming."

He's the founder and CEO of Wondros, a global creative agency geared toward social change, public health, and the arts. He's also the cohost of the educational podcast called "Wondros Podcast."

Jesse and his wife, Susan Taylor, have a son named Pablo William Dylan, born in 1995, and a daughter named daughter Feury Mae Beatrice Dylan, born in 2000.

Little is known about Dylan and Lownds' daughter, Anna Lea, who was born on July 11, 1967. According to the biography, she completed college in 1999 at 32 years old, became a painter, and got married.

Dylan and Lownds' third child together, Samuel Isaac Abram, was born July 30, 1968. After graduating college, Samuel worked alongside Jesse at the LA-based production company Straw Dogs. He married Stacy Hochheiser, and they have two children, Jonah and Lowell.

Dylan and Lownds' youngest child, Jakob Luke, was born on December 9, 1969. Like his famous father, Jakob became a singer-songwriter.

Jakob is the lead singer and guitarist of the band The Wallflowers, formed in 1990. The band has released seven studio albums, beginning with its eponymous debut album in 1992. "One Headlight," from the album "Bringing Down the Horse," is perhaps their most notable song.

Separate from the Grammy-winning band, Jakob also released two solo albums: "Seeing Things" in 2008 and "Women and Country" in 2010.

In 2011, Jakob earned an honorary Doctor of Letters degree from Idaho State University. He and his wife, Nicole Paige, married in 1992 and have three kids.

Dylan shares one child with Carolyn Dennis, his second wife

Dennis was Dylan's backing singer. On January 31, 1986, the couple quietly welcomed one child together, a daughter named Desiree Gabrielle Dennis-Dylan. Their secret wedding took place in LA in June of that year, and their marriage ended in 1992.

Dylan and Dennis' child and marriage were kept a secret from the press for years. Upon the release of Sounes' biography, Dennis explained that she and Dylan mutually agreed to keep their marriage a secret so their daughter could have a normal childhood.

• Blake Lively filed a legal complaint against Justin Baldoni, her "It Ends With Us" costar and director.
• Lively accused Baldoni of sexual harassment and a retaliation campaign to damage her reputation.
• A PR expert says Baldoni, who denied the claims, has "an uphill battle" to try to win the lawsuit.

Blake Lively's lawsuit accusing Justin Baldoni, her "It Ends with Us" director and costar, of sexual harassment and retaliation could end in a settlement or play out in a very public trial. Either way, PR and legal experts say Baldoni has an "uphill battle" ahead.

News that Lively filed a complaint on Friday with the California Civil Rights Department sent shockwaves through Hollywood over the weekend. The news came months after rumors of a feud between Lively and Baldoni — then thought to be over creative control — overshadowed the August press cycle for "It Ends with Us," the film adaptation of Colleen Hoover's novel of the same name.

In the legal complaint, obtained by Business Insider, Lively said she attended a meeting during filming with Baldoni and the producer Jamey Heath, who runs Baldoni's company Wayfarer Studios, to address the "hostile work environment that had nearly derailed production of the Film."

In a statement, Bryan Freedman, Baldoni's attorney, called Lively's claims "completely false, outrageous, and intentionally salacious with an intent to publicly hurt and rehash a narrative in the media."

Mike Fahey, the founder and CEO of Fahey Communications, told BI that Lively's suit was thoughtful and well timed.

"This is a masterclass in PR," Fahey said. "She and her team brilliantly waited a beat and listened. The Baldoni camp is definitely trying to grasp at straws to try to say that this is Blake's attempt to rehab her reputation."

Experts say Lively's suit was exceptionally detailed, and its timing was smart

In the legal filing, Lively said that after addressing the workplace concerns, all parties agreed to several stipulations, including hiring an intimacy coordinator. Other agreements included "no more mention of Mr. Baldoni or Mr. Heath's previous 'pornography addiction'" to Lively, referenced in the complaint as BL, and "no more showing nude videos or images of women, including producer's wife, to BL and/or her employees."

Lively's complaint alleged that the online backlash she endured over the summer was the result of a "sophisticated press and digital plan in retaliation for Ms. Lively exercising her legally-protected right to speak up about their misconduct on the set, with the additional objective of intimidating her and anyone else from revealing in public what actually occurred."

Camron Dowlatshahi, a partner at MSD Lawyers, a Los Angeles law firm that specializes in entertainment and employment law, told BI that Lively's camp filing the suit so close to the holidays, when Baldoni's team would be more likely to get caught flat-footed, speaks volumes.

"It was pretty strategic to have it this week and still get the benefit of the media attention just for a few days before Justin and his production team really get a chance to hit back immediately," Dowlatshahi said.

Lively's suit was also packed with details, making the case that Baldoni and his team coordinated a smear campaign against her. It included screenshots of messages that Lively's team said showed Baldoni, his publicist, Jennifer Abel, and the crisis-communications specialist Melissa Nathan, whom Baldoni hired over the summer, discussing the strategy to ruin Lively's reputation.

Dowlatshahi said this much detail and evidence in a complaint was rare. "You often don't have the actual text messages all ready to go," he added.

In his response, Freedman, Baldoni's attorney, called Lively's legal complaint "yet another desperate attempt to 'fix' her negative reputation which was garnered from her own remarks and actions during the campaign for the film; interviews and press activities that were observed publicly, in real time and unedited, which allowed for the internet to generate their own views and opinions."

Dowlatshahi called this a typical attorney response, though he added that Freedman "did add some color to some of the allegations" beyond the usual boilerplate statement and denial of the claims.

Lively's complaint shed light on the dark side of PR

Lively's 80-page complaint garnered attention for its detailed account of the alleged PR strategy intended to damage her reputation — a facet of the entertainment industry that the average person isn't typically privy to or even aware of.

Fahey said it was common for PR teams to anticipate a worst-case scenario and discuss possible situations. Still, he added, "You do not orchestrate an in-depth plan preparing how you are going to go after someone in the media."

Fahey added that Baldoni's team's alleged plan didn't reflect the PR industry as a whole. "I would feel very confident saying it's not what's happening every single day," he said. "Are there coordinated campaigns? Yes, but I would hope for our society as a whole that people are not spending their time figuring out if they can bury someone for court."

Erik Bernstein, the president of Bernstein Crisis Management, agreed. "This is not the only way to do crisis PR," he said. "Everybody makes their own choice, but I think there are a lot of people in the industry who would be taken aback at the weaponizing of astroturfing here and the general attitude."

While the legal complaint sheds new light on the backlash Lively faced during the "It Ends With Us" press tour, some online still dislike Lively.

"The issue is that the damage that's already been done to Lively isn't going to be undone by this," Bernstein said.

Bernstein said that if Lively were his client, they'd assess how much damage had been done, what steps could be taken to shift public opinion, and how to distill her case into something digestible for her audience, such as sharing a statement with her 45.3 million followers on Instagram or taking her side of the story to a national media platform.

The impact on Baldoni's career and reputation will probably be more severe. Since the news of the suit broke, the actor-director has been dropped by WME, the same agency that reps Lively.

Baldoni will have a hard time rehabbing his reputation in Hollywood, experts say

Dowlatshahi said that because the case was already so high-profile, "I would certainly go on the offensive if I were him, assuming he has some evidence to help himself out."

Bernstein suggested that if Baldoni doesn't have enough evidence to publicly defend himself, the actor should stay silent until the dispute blows over.

"I don't want to over-speculate, but if he doesn't have evidence to really back up to and defend himself, this could drastically alter the course of his career," Fahey said. "This is not some small lawsuit. These allegations are very, very serious. Blake Lively isn't a PA on set. Blake Lively is one of the biggest names in Hollywood."

If Baldoni chooses to settle the case or fight in court, what happens next is up to him. Fahey thinks the dispute isn't looking good for him.

"The case that's already being presented is very damning against Justin Baldoni," Fahey said. "So he already has an uphill battle to try to even win this lawsuit."

Though most cases of this nature settle, Dowlatshahi said there was a chance Lively's complaint against Baldoni would play out publicly, like Johnny Depp and Amber Heard's 2022 defamation trial did.

"If he wants to make this his hill to die on, he'll fight back," Fahey said of Baldoni. "He'll take this to trial, and this could be like a Johnny Depp/Amber Heard-type situation. That is your most-dramatic-case scenario. On the other hand, if Justin wants this to go away quietly, he will settle and let everything go away," he said.

"I think that pride and reputation are what will dictate what happens next."

• 2024 may not have been as big a year for television as 2023 – but there were plenty of gems.
• Series like FX's "Shōgun," Prime Video's "Fallout," and Netflix's "Baby Reindeer" cut through the noise.
• Here are the BI entertainment team's favorite television series of the year.

Amid shake-ups in the television industry, 2024 still delivered a slate of great TV series ranging from familiar continuations to ambitious debuts.

That includes series like FX's "Shōgun," an immersive adaptation that brought top Japanese talent to American screens; the Brian Jordan Alvarez comedy "English Teacher," which turns high school culture wars into comedy fodder; and hits like "Baby Reindeer," which captivated the world with a story pulled from creator Richard Gadd's life.

Here are our favorites from this year.

"Abbott Elementary" season 4

Season four of "Abbott Elementary" picks up with Janine (Quinta Brunson) and Gregory (Tyler James Williams) officially dating after their slow-burn romance played in the show's previous seasons. At the start of this season, the pair are unsuccessfully trying to keep their relationship a secret from their Abbott Elementary coworkers when they return to school.

The writing of "Abbott Elementary" remains as sharp and culturally relevant as ever, and the latest season sprinkles in new characters that keep the show fresh and exciting — from Jacob's younger brother Caleb (Tyler Perez) and an IT guy named O'Shon (Matthew Law) whom the staff have a crush on to a lovable guinea pig named Sweet Cheeks who breaks through Melissa's (Lisa Ann Walter) tough exterior. — Olivia Singh

"Arcane" season 2

Netflix and Riot Games' "Arcane" is one of the most impressive and ambitious animated works of the past decade — and while it doesn't always find its footing, the end result is still so spectacular.

The series is adapted from Riot Games' massively popular video game "League of Legends," honing in on a small cast of characters who live in Piltover, the gleaming city of progress, and Zaun, its less-than-scintillating undercity. The conflict between the two cities has reached a critical point by season two. Unfortunately for all parties, so has the evolution of Hextech, a magic-powered technology that has spiraled out of control and turned one of its developers into a misguided messiah. Oops!

Season two is nothing if not ambitious and widens its scope while leveling up its already excellent animation, courtesy of the French studio Fortiche. In the process, it loses some of the intimate character work and tight focus that made its first season truly extraordinary. Still, the second season serves as a fitting conclusion and is a harbinger of good things to come from Riot's entertainment arm. — Palmer Haasch

Read Haasch's interview with "Arcane" showrunner Christian Linke.

"Baby Reindeer"

Few shows caused as much of a stir this year as "Baby Reindeer," starring and written by comedian Richard Gadd. Netflix and the creator himself billed the series as a true story based on Gadd's real-life experience of being stalked by an older woman. Unfortunately, the show's stalker character, Martha Scott, was quickly outed as Fiona Harvey, who took legal action against the streamer.

Despite all the behind-the-scenes controversy, "Baby Reindeer" is a work of art. Gadd lays himself bare as Donny, who's loosely based on himself. He's a powerhouse in episode four, which flashes back to explain the source of Donny's trauma before meeting Martha.

It's an engrossing watch with equally powerful performances from Jessica Gunning, who plays the disturbed but deeply sad Martha, and Nava Mau, who plays Donny's girlfriend, Teri. — Caralynn Matassa

Read about the legal drama behind "Baby Reindeer.'

"The Boys," season 4

If "The Boys" is Prime Video's NSFW answer to superhero fare like the Marvel Cinematic Universe, then season four feels like the equivalent of "Avengers: Infinity War" — minus a snap from a villain that wipes out half the universe.

Season four of "The Boys" is darker than past seasons, as the characters confront deep-seated traumas. For an aging Homelander (Anthony Starr), this means grappling with the legacy he'll leave behind for his son Ryan. For his nemesis Billy Butcher (Karl Urban), it means coming to terms with his looming death and trying to prevent Ryan from succumbing to Homelander's darkness.

It's a season filled with even more gory, jaw-dropping scenes and yet another Emmy-worthy performance by Starr, particularly in Homelander's gory homecoming episode.

The endgame is nearing, with a fifth and final season of "The Boys" likely premiering in 2026. Season four ends with the perfect foundation for all hell to break loose one last time. — OS

"English Teacher"

It's astounding that it took this long for Brian Jordan Alvarez to get a series order after the release of his excellent 2016 web series "The Gay and Wondrous Life of Caleb Gallo" — but thankfully, "English Teacher" premiered this year.

The series stars Alvarez as Evan Marquez, a beleaguered but idealistic Texas high school teacher who comes under fire at work when a parent complains about him kissing his ex-boyfriend in front of the students.

While "English Teacher" embraces the thorny politics of being an American educator in 2024, it doesn't spin them into saccharine teaching moments or cheap jokes. It mines them for character threads and comedy. — PH

"Fallout"

With "Fallout," Jonathan Nolan proved that prestige-y video game adaptations weren't exclusive to HBO. Rather than directly adapting one of the multiple games in the postapocalyptic "Fallout" universe, Nolan instead leverages the style, humor, and striking visual identity of the games to show us something new.

"Fallout" stars Ella Purnell as Lucy, a naive resident who grew up in an underground bunker known as a Vault, established to protect humanity from nuclear armageddon. However, after tragedy befalls her home, she ventures to the surface, only to learn it isn't as deserted or unsurvivable as she was led to believe.

The series features stellar performances from Purnell and Walton Goggins, who spends most of the season admirably noseless. And while it's set in the grim aftermath of a nuclear apocalypse, it's also irreverently funny and endearing. — PH

Read Eammon Jacobs' review of "Fallout" and Jason Guerrasio's interview with Walton Goggins.

"Hacks" season 3

The Max original "Hacks" has only gotten better with age, and in season three, it feels like the show has hit its stride.

The show follows veteran stand-up comedian Deborah Vance, who, on the coattails of a successful comedy special, is gunning for her dream: a late-night hosting gig. After cutting her young writer, Ava Daniels, loose at the end of season two, Deborah realizes that she needs Ava — and Ava craves working with Deborah again, too.

This central relationship — and all the ways Deobrah and Ava support, encourage, and mess each other up — is constantly in flux. Season three not only succeeded in being funnier and more resonant than its predecessors but also in shifting Deborah and Ava's power dynamic into something new and a bit dangerous ahead of season four. — PH

Read Haasch's interview with "Hacks" stars Carl Clemons-Hopkins and Mark Indelicato.

"Industry" season 3

Move over, "Succession" — there's another contender for the best HBO show about horny, psychopathic capitalists. "Industry," the show about London's most dedicated and depraved bankers, finally broke through to the mainstream with its third season.

Seasons one and two delivered well-written, well-acted, character-driven drama about the highs and lows of a group of young bankers trading stocks (and spit). Still, season three upped the ante, spending more time away from the office in lavish locations, such as the English countryside, a yacht in the Mediterranean, and a Davos-like conference in Switzerland.

The change in scenery enhanced the story and deepened our understanding of the series' core group of complicated characters, most of whom have greatly evolved since we first saw them sitting and sweating at their Pierpoint desks.

All of it leads to an explosive finale that's massive in both budget and sheer plot, effectively wiping the slate clean for a now-confirmed season four. It's an appropriately daring move for a show confident in its vision. It's peak TV at its peak. — Samantha Rollins

Read Rollins' interview with "Industry" showrunners Mickey Down and Konrad Kay.

"Love Island USA" season 6

There were many (many) reality dating shows that aired in 2024. Having regrettably watched most of them, I can confirm that the latest installment of "Love Island USA" blew them all out of the water.

The franchise, which spun off of the UK edition, has the secret sauce that makes this genre sing. It's largely thanks to a format that other shows have tried — and failed — to replicate, wherein participants must constantly recouple to find true love (and win a cash prize).

Season six had a particularly explosive set of personalities among its cast, leading to some serious drama, shocking betrayals, truly memorable moments, and fan-favorite standouts, including Serena Page, Leah Kateb, and Jana Craig. — CM

"A Man on the Inside"

"A Man on the Inside" is initially presented as a spy mystery series as Charles Nieuwendyk (Ted Danson), a widower who recently lost his wife, accepts a job to go undercover in a retirement home.

That's all background noise to the main event, which follows the lives of a kooky gang of residents who find community with each other after being left behind by their loved ones.

Anyone who has seen Danson in any of his other many roles would not be surprised that he is an incredible leading man. However, the show's real strength is the supporting cast, especially Margaret Avery, Stephen McKinley Henderson, and Sally Struthers, who provide so much humor and heart that they may make you shed tears.

"A Man on the Inside" proves we really need more TV shows centered on older characters, and there's ample talent out there to make those stories worth watching. — Ayomikun Adekaiyero

Read Rollins' interview with "A Man on the Inside" creator Mike Schur.

"Mr. and Mrs. Smith"

Prime Video's "Mr. and Mrs. Smith," a reboot of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's 2005 film (mostly in name only), is deeply funny, emotionally stirring, and clever.

Sure, both titles share a similar premise — a husband and wife who are both assassins — but the television series flips it on its head to create something much better.

Donald Glover and Maya Erskine play two strangers who, upon taking a new job as shady agents for a mysterious boss, are paired together as a cover story.

The 10-episode season features a laundry list of guest stars, ranging from Ron Perlman to Micaela Coel. — PH

Read Haasch's review of "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" and Jacobs' interview with guest star Ron Perlman.

"Nobody Wants This"

Rom-coms are so back.

Six years after Netflix was credited with a rom-com renaissance thanks to hits like "Set It Up" and "To All the Boys I've Loved Before," the streamer struck gold again with "Nobody Wants This," a comedy series starring Kristen Bell and Adam Brody. The show became an instant hit, proving audiences yearn for more high-quality modern rom-coms.

"Nobody Wants This," created by Erin Foster and loosely inspired by her love story, follows Noah (Brody), an attractive and newly single rabbi, and Joanne (Kristen Bell), the outspoken agnostic host of a sex podcast. Despite their different views on religion and lifestyle, they pursue a relationship.

Noah and Joanne's swoon-worthy first kiss scene went viral, people realized that Brody had been leading man material all along, and the show jumped to the No. 2 slot on the streamer's Top 10 list for English-language TV in the week of its debut. Unsurprisingly, "Nobody Wants This" will be returning for a second season, which begins filming in February. — OS

"One Day"

The second attempt at bringing David Nicholls' bestselling novel "One Day" to the screen (after a 2011 film adaptation) is a rousing success.

The novel of the same name is already beautifully tragic, relatable, and perspective-altering, but the Netflix show amplifies all these strengths with gut-punching performances from leads Leo Woodall and Ambika Mod, who play destined lovers Dexter and Emma.

With each episode set in a different year, "One Day" takes audiences on a 14-year journey as the two grow into adults and fall in love with other people and each other, but never at the right time. For romantics or young people worried about the future, this is the show to watch from 2024. — AA

"The Penguin"

Colin Farrell leads the spinoff sequel to the 2022 film "The Batman," playing the titular comic book villain Oz "Penguin" Cobb. It was fascinating how quickly it became apparent that the show had more in common with "The Sopranos" than nearly anything DC Studios has released.

Farrell utterly transforms as Cobb, the mobster clawing to the top in Gotham after the death of crime boss Carmine Falcone in "The Batman" left a power vacuum. Still, Cristin Milioti is the real standout as Sofia Falcone, Carmine's daughter and accused psychopathic serial killer, fresh out of a stay in Arkham State Hospital. — CM

Read Jacobs' interview with "The Penguin" showrunner Lauren LeFranc.

"The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives"

On its surface, "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" was a show greenlit solely because of a TikTok scandal where several couples in a Mormon community were implicated in an alleged swinging scandal. That premise didn't seem like it'd carry far, but turns out the swinging was possibly the least dramatic thing about these women.

After a moderately slow start, "Secret Lives" turns the dial up to 11 in episode four, a group birthday vacation where all hell breaks loose as the group of friends and frenemies start calling one another out. (Shout out to the truth box, the real MVP.)

It was hard not to root for Taylor Frankie Paul and follow her tumultuous relationship with Dakota Mortensen or to root against the deeply annoying Whitney Leavitt, who became the sleeper villain of season one. We're dying to see what becomes of MomTok when the show returns in 2025. — CM

Read Haasch's interview with Taylor Frankie Paul and Mayci Neeley.

"Shōgun"

There was no stopping "Shōgun" at the 2024 Emmys, and for good reason. Based on James Clavell's 1975 novel, the stunning historical epic focuses on an English sailor who finds himself shipwrecked in Japan and crosses paths with Lord Toranga, a powerful warlord.

With incredible performances, sweeping visuals, and mesmerizing battle sequences, it's no wonder the show set a record for the most Emmys won by a single season of television and that the creators decided to rethink their limited series plan and continue the show with second and third seasons. — CM

"The Traitors" season 2

They were the words heard 'round the reality TV-loving world: "Oh lord, not Ekin-Su."

Few shows were as memed as "The Traitors," the US iteration of the international competition series where reality stars and celebrities try to deceive one another to claim a cash prize.

Season one, which aired in 2023, was entertaining, but season two reached new heights, largely thanks to compulsively watchable characters like meme factory Phaedra Parks and "Shahs of Sunset" star MJ Javid, who gave us one of the best reaction shots of the year. — CM

Read Matassa's interview with "Big Brother" alum Dan Gheesling, who tried and failed to extend his gaming skills to "The Traitors."

"X-Men '97"

Not only did "X-Men '97" expertly capture the spirit of the original animated "X-Men" series, but it also made it feel modern and relevant to the 2020s amid some gorgeously animated action.

The performances are seamless with the original show, adding new dimensions to the Marvel Universe that fans, new and old, will appreciate.

It deserves all of the praise for easily navigating the messy Jean Grey/Madelyne Prior clone saga from the comics. Season two can't come quickly enough. — Eammon Jacobs

• Ariana Grande is dating her "Wicked" costar Ethan Slater.
• Slater is a Broadway actor who rose to fame starring as Spongebob in "The Spongebob Musical."
• Here's what to know about Slater, from his notable roles to his relationship with ex-wife Lilly Jay. 

Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater's relationship is facing renewed interest amid the release of "Wicked" and a personal essay published by Lilly Jay, Slater's ex-wife.

In July 2023, multiple outlets including People magazine and TMZ reported that Grande, 31, and her "Wicked" costar Slater, 32, were dating. The reports came days after news broke of Grande's separation from her husband, Dalton Gomez. 

Grande and Slater presumably met through their roles in the two-part film adaptation of the "Wicked" musical. Grande portrays Glinda, the popular girl at Shiz University, and Slater plays Boq, a classmate from Munchinland who has an unrequited crush on her but becomes the love interest of Elphaba's younger sister Nessarose (Marissa Bode).

Here's everything to know about Slater.  

Slater is an actor who rose to fame playing Spongebob on Broadway

For his star turn as the plucky yellow sponge in the 2017 musical adaptation of "Spongebob Squarepants," Slater received several accolades, including a Tony Award nomination and a Drama Desk Award win in 2018. He also starred in the Classic Stage Company's production of "Assassins," which ran until January 2021, and has had roles on shows including "Law & Order: SVU" and "Fosse/Verdon." 

Slater more recently starred in the Broadway revival of "Spamalot," which closed in April after a 24-week run. 

Shortly after news broke of his rumored relationship with Grande, Slater's Instagram page was made private. When viewed by Business Insider before Slater made the account private, the page mostly featured clips from his past and coming projects, as well as a blurry selfie with his then-wife, Jay. 

Slater shares a son with his ex-wife, Lilly Jay

Slater and Jay, a clinical psychologist in perinatal mental health and child development, met in high school and married in 2018. They welcomed their first child together, a son, in August 2022. 

In People's July 2023 report about Grande and Slater's relationship, a source said that Slater and Jay had separated, though they didn't give an exact timeframe for the separation. TMZ reported that Slater filed for divorce from Jay on July 26, 2023.

Jay later addressed Slater's romance with Grande in an interview with Page Six, calling the singer "not a girl's girl" and saying her family was "just collateral damage" in the controversy. 

Grande first sparked her own divorce rumors after she was spotted at a Wimbledon match without her wedding ring or engagement ring on July 16, 2023.

A day after the singer was seen without her rings at Wimbledon, TMZ reported that Grande and Gomez had been separated for several months and were "heading for divorce." The couple had been together since 2020 and married in 2021.

Grande and Gomez simultaneously filed for divorce in September 2023. Their separation date was listed in court documents as February 20, 2023.

Jay recently discussed her and Slater's divorce in an essay for The Cut, published on Thursday. In her essay, Jay avoided directly addressing Slater and Grande's relationship and instead focused on how her highly publicized divorce affected her. She also said that she and Slater continue to co-parent their child. 

"While our partnership has changed, our parenthood has not," Jay wrote. "Both of us fiercely love our son 100% of the time, regardless of how our parenting time is divided. As for me, days with my son are sunny. Days when I can't escape the promotion of a movie associated with the saddest days of my life are darker."

Libby Torres contributed to an earlier version of this story.

• The Netflix drama series "Virgin River" returned this week.
• Films released in theaters earlier this year, like "Cuckoo" and "Juror No. 2," are on streaming.
• The final season of Marvel's animated series "What If….?" begins on Sunday.

As Christmas approaches, streamers have plenty of options to get in the holiday spirit.

There's the classic 2000 movie "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," starring Jim Carey as the titular cranky recluse, which hit Peacock on Friday, and the new "Simpsons" holiday special that premiered exclusively on Disney+. For some festive music, tune into Josh Groban's holiday special featuring celebrity guests.

But there's plenty of other entertainment to check out, too, like brand-new comedy specials, the latest season of Netflix's drama "Virgin River," and two films released earlier this year: Clint Eastwood's "Juror No. 2" and Tilman Singer's "Cuckoo."

If you've been following the behind-the-scenes controversy surrounding the making of YouTuber MrBeast's new reality competition show, "Beast Games," you might be inclined to check out the first two episodes of his new Prime Video series.

Here's a complete rundown of all the best movies, shows, and documentaries to stream this weekend, broken down by what kind of entertainment you're looking for.

"Virgin River" returned for season six.

Netflix's drama series about characters in a small town in Northern California returned this week. This season follows Mel (Alexandra Breckenridge) and Jack's (Martin Henderson) love story as they finally get married.

Streaming on: Netflix

Clint Eastwood's courtroom drama "Juror No. 2" hit streaming after a muted theatrical release.

"Juror No. 2" stars Nicholas Hoult as Justin Kemp, a family man summoned as a juror on a trial for a high-profile murder that he may or may not have played a part in.

Eastwood's latest film, which is believed to potentially be the last one from the 94-year-old director, received positive reviews from critics but was reportedly released in less than 50 theaters. Now that
"Juror No. 2" is available to stream on Max, you can see it for yourself.

Streaming on: Max

The horror film "Cuckoo" is available on Hulu after releasing in theaters over the summer.

After 17-year-old Gretchen (Hunter Schafer) moves from America to live with her dad and his new family at a resort in the German Alps, she becomes tortured by bloody, horrific visions.

Streaming on: Hulu

For more thrills, watch "The Inheritance."

Just before his 75th birthday, billionaire Charles Abernathy (Bob Gunton) gathers his estranged kids at his sprawling estate out of fear that something or someone is going to kill him by midnight. If the children protect him and he survives the night, he'll dole out their inheritance to them.

Streaming on: Hulu

Kerry Washington stars in "The Six Triple Eight," inspired by a moving story about barrier-breaking women.

The Netflix movie tells the story of the first and only Women's Army Corps unit of color that served overseas in World War II. "The Six Triple Eight" is directed and written by Tyler Perry, starring Washington as real-life hero and commanding officer Major Charity Adams.

Streaming on: Netflix

For comedic relief, check out Ilana Glazer's stand-up special, "Ilana Glazer: Human Magic."

In her stand-up special, the "Broad City" star shares unfiltered jokes about the awkwardness of her high school years and the joy of becoming a mom after welcoming her first child, a daughter, with her husband in 2021.

Streaming on: Hulu

Or Rose Matafeo's stand-up special, "Rose Matafeo: On and on and on."

Four years after her first Max comedy special, "Horndog," Rose Matafeo is back for more.

In her latest special, the "Starstruck" creator and star delivers musings about the differences in dating in her 20s versus her 30s and more — all with her signature self-deprecating humor.

Streaming on: Max

Oscar nominee Stephanie Hsu stars in the new dark rom-com series "Laid."

The "Everything Everywhere All at Once" actor plays Ruby, a woman who learns that her exes are all dying in weird, mysterious, and seemingly unrelated ways. To stop more of her former loves from meeting their end, her roommate AJ (Zosia Mamet) creates a "sex timeline" so Ruby can track down her previous conquests and warn them of their impending death.

At eight episodes of about 30 minutes each, "Laid" is a no-brainer for your next binge-watch.

Streaming on: Peacock

YouTuber MrBeast is giving away $5 million as part of his latest endeavor, "Beast Games."

"Beast Games," which premiered on Thursday, involves 1,000 players competing in a variety of mental and physical challenges for the chance to win a $5 million cash prize — touted as the biggest single prize in TV and streaming history.

Streaming on: Prime Video

The third and final season of Marvel's animated series "What If….?" begins on Sunday.

If you're looking for the next follow-up to "Agatha All Along" or a palate cleanse after watching "Kraven the Hunter," look no further than season three of "What If….?"

Like past installments, the final season of the critically acclaimed animated series explores alternate timelines in the MCU's vast multiverse. "What If….?" concludes with eight episodes released daily starting on Sunday.

Streaming on: Disney+

Get into the holiday spirit with a super-sized episode of "The Simpsons."

On the 35th anniversary of the first-ever "Simpsons" Christmas special, Fox's long-running animated series debuted a 45-minute episode exclusively on Disney+ this week.

In the latest Christmas special, a famed British mentalist named Derren Brown visits Springfield and accidentally hypnotizes Homer into believing he's Santa Claus.

Streaming on: Disney+

Or the entertainment special "Josh Groban & Friends Go Home for the Holidays."

The special, hosted and executive produced by five-time Grammy nominee Josh Groban, features a combination of storytelling, comedy, and yes, plenty of music. Expect Groban and his guests, like Jennifer Hudson and James Bay, to perform classic holiday tunes, new songs, and original duets.

"Josh Groban & Friends Go Home for the Holidays" can be streamed live on Paramount+ with the Showtime plan as it airs on CBS on Friday, or streamed the following day on Paramount+.

Streaming on: Paramount+

For a classic holiday flick, watch "How the Grinch Stole Christmas."

Twenty-four years after its release, "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" still remains a quintessential holiday season watch and one of Jim Carrey's most memorable roles.

Streaming on: Peacock

• "Mufasa: The Lion King," directed by Barry Jenkins, opens in theaters on Friday.
• It's a prequel and sequel to Jon Favreau's 2019 remake of the 1994 animated movie "The Lion King."
• The movie has a 60% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes.

"Mufasa: The Lion King" is the latest addition to Disney's growing collection of modern films, and critics have mixed reviews about it.

The movie, in theaters this Friday, comes five years after Jon Favreau's "The Lion King" remake was widely criticized for its uncanny, photorealistic animation.

In "Mufasa," Oscar-winning director Barry Jenkins ("Moonlight" and "If Beale Street Could Talk") tells the origin story of the two lions and adoptive brothers Mufasa, Simba's dad; and Taka, who will become the "Lion King" villain known as Scar. The story is framed around the wise mandrill named Rafiki recounting the history to Kiara, voiced by Blue Ivy Carter.

Jenkins tries to infuse the film with his signature style, but the limitations of photorealistic visuals, unmemorable original songs, and cheap attempts at nostalgia and laughs hinder the movie.

Ultimately, Clarisse Loughrey wrote at The Independent, the movie is "yet another damning case study of the fragility of the artist's voice in the modern studio machine."

At the time of publication, "Mufasa" has a critics score of 60%, with some calling it a "contrived cash-in" and "blankly corporate" film.

But despite its shortcomings, "Mufasa" is likely to perform well at the box office this holiday season. Variety and Deadline reported that the movie is tracking for a global opening of $180 million. Only time will tell if it'll catch up to the success of Favreau's "Lion King" remake, which made $1.6 billion globally despite middling reviews (it holds a 51% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes).

Here's what critics are saying about "Mufasa."

The movie begins with a touching homage to the late James Earl Jones, who voiced Mufasa in the beloved 1994 animated movie "The Lion King."

"'Mufasa' opens with a brief, but effective tribute to the icon. As a result, his presence lingers over the whole project." — Rachel Labonte, Screen Rant

"That it opens by paying tribute to the late, great James Earl Jones, known to several generations as the booming voice of Mufasa, rather than simply closing with a dedication, is an early sign that reverence for what came before will be the name of the game." — David Fear, Rolling Stone

Aaron Pierre and Kelvin Harrison Jr. deliver great performances as the voices of Mufasa and Taka, respectively, while Mads Mikkelsen excels as the villain Kiros.

"Pierre and Harrison are strong actors committed to the material, and while it'd be nice for Disney to imagine a villain not played by Mikkelsen for once, he's yet to turn in an ineffective performance." — Clarisse Loughrey, The Independent

"Whilst Pierre is no James Earl Jones (but then again, who is?), at least he makes the character his own to feel invested in Mufasa's journey as a reluctant leader who becomes the king we know and love." — Kelechi Ehenulo, Total Film

The visuals are better than the 2019 movie's emotionless and lifeless animals, but they still cross the uncanny valley.

"Jenkins at least addresses of the central issues of Jon Favreau's 'The Lion King,' namely, that lions aren't very expressive animals." — Witney Seibold, Slash Film

"As opposed to Favreau's cast in 'The Lion King,' the elephants, giraffes, and birds here don't look like pieces of melted plastic." — Robert Daniels, IGN

"The characters in 'Mufasa' look plausible, but more expressive. The camerawork takes full advantage of the animated medium, flying across the screen with energy and wonder instead of limiting itself to what might have been possible in real life." — William Bibbiani, TheWrap

"Impressive though it may be intellectually, the reality of watching these animals for two hours is a somewhat numbing and dull experience despite the best efforts of director Barry Jenkins." — Lindsey Bahr, The Associated Press

"Jenkins calls for far more nuance and expressivity in the virtual animals' facial performances, which helps us identify with their emotions, even as it pushes the characters toward the uncanny valley — especially when they speak or open their mouths to sing." — Peter Debruge, Variety

"There is just no way for the face of a photorealistic lion — 'live action,' in Disney's controversial parlance — to convey the pain of a brother's deep betrayal, or express a moving grief over a lost family." — Petrana Radulovic, Polygon

The tonal shift to Timon (Billy Eichner ) and Pumbaa (Seth Rogen) as comedic relief kills the movie's momentum and the jokes don't land.

"The framing device feels like a mistake, serving mostly to delay and interrupt the main attraction, which is Mufasa's origin story." — Peter Debruge, Variety

"Though they add comedic relief to a surprisingly heavy story, their meta jokes and constant asides break up the flow of Rafiki's earnest storytelling in the present day." — Rachel Labonte, Screen Rant

"The story Rafiki tells Kiara is so thematically rich that the frequent shifts back to present day, usually involving some lighthearted Timon jokes, don't do the narrative momentum many favors." — Brian Truitt, USA Today

"Nothing in 'Mufasa' plays more like a desperate studio note than these comic relief characters, who inject self-aware jokes and gross-out humor in a shameless attempt to entertain immature audience members who can't focus on a well-told story without constant reassurance that they're being pandered to and the filmmakers haven't forgotten about 'Hakuna Matata.'" — William Bibbiani, TheWrap

"Hamilton" creator Lin-Manuel Miranda's original songs are adequate but largely forgettable.

"Even Lin-Manuel Miranda's new songs play like off-brand substitutes for each of Elton John's originals — and only one, the 'I Just Can't Wait to be King' stand-in, makes an impression on its own terms." — Robbie Collin, The Telegraph

"While the visuals during these sequences are solid, the songs themselves follow a trend in recent Disney musicals in the sense that all the songs are just...OK. None of the seven original songs in the film are flat-out terrible, but they're also not particularly memorable either." — Aidan Kelley, Collider

"None of the songs here are overtly terrible, but they all blur into an indistinguishable 'Lin-Manuel Miranda Presents: The Lion King!' concept album, with all Miranda's stylistic hallmarks. He sure has a signature style, but it's hard to reconcile that style into a movie that already has its own iconic soundtrack. The new songs feel forced and out of place." — Petrana Radulovic, Polygon

There are glimmers of Barry Jenkins' visual style in the film, but his vision seems at odds with the demands of a big studio.

"The studio obligation for brand reassurance and nostalgia bait is constantly at odds with Jenkins' vision, especially when they're not emotionally earned." — Kelechi Ehenulo, Total Film

"It's a shame Jenkins wasn't able to personalize it more, but, as they say, that's just the nature of the beast." — Dan Jolin, Empire

"Jenkins' pivot to a big-budget, kid-friendly project for a major studio was always intriguing. But in hindsight, it's hard to imagine he ever really stood a chance at revolutionizing from within Disney's so-called 'live-action' money machine." — Alison Foreman, IndieWire

"The Barry Jenkins-directed project is mostly a site of strained encounters between a visionary helmer and his corporate shareholders." — Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter

Linda Cardellini had been patiently waiting for the chance to play somebody terrible.

After three seasons embodying the sweet, passive Judy Hale opposite Christina Applegate's hotheaded Jen Harding on the Netflix comedic thriller "Dead to Me," the actor, 49, was ready for something new.

"I was like, 'Well, won't it be fun if I can be a real jerk?'" Cardellini tells Business Insider.

She got her wish thanks to "Dead to Me" creator Liz Feldman, who dreamed up the role of Margo in her newest Netflix dark comedy "No Good Deed" with Cardellini in mind.

The selfish, manipulative, and deliciously glamorous Margo is one of several people vying for a 1920s Spanish-style home in Los Angeles that grieving couple Lydia (Lisa Kudrow) and Paul (Ray Romano) put on the market, and she'll do just about anything to make it hers.

Sporting designer clothes, long nails, and a fake tan, Cardellini's Margo commands attention in any room she walks into, though the true extent of her cunning isn't made clear until later in the series.

It's exactly the kind of role Cardellini was longing to play, and she's grateful she could reunite with Feldman, now a close friend, for the opportunity.

"Who wouldn't want some incredibly talented person to be writing for her? It just is a dream," Cardellini says of Feldman. "She writes really challenging and good roles. Especially as a woman my age, it's just wonderful to have that."

For the latest interview in Business Insider's Role Play series, Cardellini reflects on how the heartbreaking cancellation of "Freaks and Geeks" changed her approach to her career, playing an unlikable character (and murderer) in "Legally Bonde," and the best business decision she ever made.

On the cancellation of 'Freaks and Geeks' and learning to trust her gut

Business Insider: You got your big break on "Freaks and Geeks," and I read that you passed on two other promising projects in favor of that show. Do you think your career would look different if you hadn't done "Freaks and Geeks?"

Linda Cardellini: That's a great question. I would imagine so, although that show didn't do well back in the day. It really didn't. Now, it seems like a success, but back then, it did not seem like that to a lot of us and to the general public. [Laughs.] We could have never imagined that people would still be able to watch it on demand anytime they wanted somewhere. That just didn't exist at the time.

So I do think that things would've been different if I had never taken on that role. I don't know how, but definitely it's one of my favorite roles that I was ever in and one of my favorite shows I was ever involved with.

I just can't imagine if I had taken one of the other jobs and then had to watch somebody for years and years and years play that role instead of me. Not that I watch it — I don't — but I think that would've always been a massive regret.

Can you share what the other shows were, for context?

They were shows that didn't make it, actually, funny enough. I had gotten a phone call from somebody at the network being like, "You really should look at those other two shows. They're much more promising." And luckily, they were wrong.

How did experiencing that cancellation early in your career impact how you viewed the industry? What did you learn from that disappointment?

That's a good question. It's interesting because I learned a lot from that. I learned in some ways to go with my gut about how I felt about a script because a lot of people told me I was wrong — not that they thought the script was bad, but they thought other things were going to move forward faster or better. And that, I don't know how or why, just didn't matter to me in that at that time.

That show spoke to me for different reasons. I was reading a lot of things about teenagers where they were super cool and they were doing things that I just didn't relate to. I related to more of the "Freaks and Geeks" version of being caught in the middle of not feeling a hundred percent comfortable in your own skin, not doing the cool things, and not having all the right answers. And also, the fact that there was something about her where she still loved her parents even though she was trying to get away from them was interesting to me.

What that also taught me is nothing's guaranteed. You can love something, you can have the best experience on set. Everybody, as we have all seen now, everybody's done so well. What a talented, fun group of people to be with. And then it could be canceled. So nothing's a given, but if you do good work, maybe somehow it comes back, and people care about it.

On the flip side of that, I also learned that maybe I'll be a little careful with my heart because I was so heartbroken when it was canceled.

There's a picture that I saw that you can tell from my face that I've been crying all day on the last day of shooting. Since then, I kind of realized, OK, things just get canceled. You can't do anything about it. I sort of guard my heart sometimes in terms of not wanting to get my heart broken again.

Pivoting to "Legally Blonde," you have a very memorable scene where we find out that your character, Chutney, is the murderer. What was it like filming that moment and having that big perm?

That was my real hair. I have straight hair, so every piece of it was curled, and it was a long process. I didn't mind. As ridiculous as it could look, I didn't have any vanity about that.

I remember going to see it in the theater for the first time because I had missed the premiere for some reason; I think I was working or something. I went with a friend of mine, and we were sitting in the audience, and when I came on screen, someone was like, "Ew!" in a full theater, and I thought, "Oh my God."

On one hand, my feelings were really hurt because it was a visceral reaction someone was having to me on screen. And then on the other flip side of the same coin, I was really proud that I was willing to have this crazy look on screen and that maybe I did gross some people out.

Well, you did the job. She's not supposed to be the most likable person.

That's right, thanks. But that was really fun. I got to sit in there and work with everybody, and it was a really high-stakes scene.

On the mixed reactions to the live-action 'Scooby-Doo' movies and Velma's sexuality being watered down

Another fan-favorite role of yours is Velma in the live-action "Scooby-Doo" movies. There's been renewed appreciation for them more recently, but when they were released, they didn't get the best reviews and the second one didn't perform as well. Did that affect you at the time, when the movie's performance didn't go the way people thought it would?

I loved the second one. Velma had so much fun stuff to do in the second movie. By now, I was aware of the process of you could love something and somebody could hate it. It's always just the way it's going to go. And also, if everybody hates something, you might find one person who loves it. People really love those movies, and they're typically people who are younger who loved them when they were kids, which, how cool to have that place in somebody's heart?

I had so much fun making that movie, both of them. I got to play a character who was extraordinarily broad, broad comedy, where I was a cartoon, which was really fun for me. I'd come from doing "Freaks and Geeks," which was very grounded, and we weren't even allowed to wear very much makeup and looked like real kids. And then on the flip side of that, I got to play something that was my favorite cartoon as a kid.

That's all you have at the end of the day, is the experience you have on set. The rest of it is out of your control. You don't know how things will be edited. You don't know if you'll make it into the movie or not, especially when you're just starting out. I've learned that the best thing you can do is have a great time making the movie and having the opportunity to do your art.

That's all I ever wanted to do since I was a kid, so the idea that somebody gives me that opportunity, I can't take for granted.

A few years ago, screenwriter James Gunn said that he wrote Velma as "explicitly gay" in the original script, but it got watered down by the studio, became ambiguous, and then she got a boyfriend in the sequel. Were you aware of the studio pushback at the time?

I was not involved in any of those conversations. I was aware of the intentions and some of the stuff that was in the script that later got cut, for sure. But no, I wasn't in on any conversations like that at all.

There were lots of things that got cut. I think that the original script had a lot more things that sort of pushed the envelope in a lot of different directions. And then it also had that Velma was gay, and I think that those were things that were in the original script, but then the movie sort of geared towards children more at a certain point.

On being part of the 'enormous' Marvel Cinematic Universe and pushing past rejection

A lot of people know you from playing Laura Barton in the MCU. And in the "Hawkeye" series, we got to learn a lot more about her. It's been a couple of years since we saw you in that role. Have there been any discussions with Marvel about bringing Laura back?

No, I haven't had any discussions. But I was lucky enough to be back with them on "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3" and that was really fun.

There's nothing like going to one of those premieres. Any time I get to be involved with any of those, they're just so enormous and impressive and phenomenal. I finally took my daughter with me to the last one because I was like, she's got to see this because it's just an incredible experience, the fans that are there. It's really huge.

What's the best business decision you ever made for your career?

To stick with it. There are times that it's undoubted that you're going to hear no. You get a certain resilience to it, but it definitely hurts. So I think the most important thing that you can do is just stay with it, stick with it. Try to do the best work that you possibly can.

Having been in this business for decades now, it's really nice when the wonderful relationships you have with people work out and you get to work with them again, and you get to have something written for you, and you appreciate them, and maybe somebody appreciates you. That's the real stuff. You spend a lot of time with people at work and when you're able to surround yourself with people who are creative and kind, it's the best.

What advice would you give yourself when you were starting out as an actor, knowing what you know now?

That the fears you have are also part of the fun. Sometimes I tell kids, those butterflies you feel before you go onstage, what an exciting feeling. You're feeling some kind of danger, but you're not really in any danger. You're only in danger of somebody's opinion. And that can be scary, and it is. But what an exciting thing to be able to do, to put yourself out there and to be able to express yourself. So, it's OK to be afraid.

This interview has been edited and condensed for length and clarity.

"No Good Deed" is now streaming on Netflix.

• HBO's anthology series "The White Lotus" will return for a third season on February 16.
• Season three is set in Thailand and Natasha Rothwell will reprise her role as Belinda.
• New cast members include Patrick Schwarzenegger, Carrie Coon, and Jason Isaacs. 

A new batch of wealthy vacationers will check into the lavish White Lotus resort when HBO's "The White Lotus" returns for season three.

Since premiering in 2021, each season of Mike White's "The White Lotus" has focused on a new group of rich people visiting the titular resort chain — but not everyone makes it out alive. And a newly released teaser trailer for season three of "The White Lotus" indicates that at least one character will end up in a body bag.

Here's what to expect when the Emmy-winning anthology series returns for season three.

Season 3 was filmed on-location in Thailand

Season one took place in Hawaii, and season two was set in Sicily, Italy. In a featurette released after the season two finale, White alluded to Asia as the next destination.

"The first season kind of highlighted money, and then the second season is sex," he said. "I think the third season would be maybe a satirical and funny look at death and Eastern religion and spirituality. It feels like it could be a rich tapestry to do another round at White Lotus."

In March, Variety reported that season three would take place in Thailand.

The first official poster for season three of "The White Lotus" suggests that karma will be a major theme.

Natasha Rothwell will reprise her role as Belinda Lindsey

Natasha Rothwell played a spa owner in season one of "The White Lotus."

Throughout the season, Jennifer Coolidge's character, Tanya McQuoid, strung Belinda along and gave her hope that she'd fund her dream of developing a wellness center.

Tanya ultimately backed out of the deal, leaving Belinda disillusioned.

Variety first reported Rothwell's return in April. She teased season three during an interview with Vanity Fair at the LA premiere of Wonka in December, saying that she "gasped out loud a minimum of five times" while reading the scripts.

"The scripts are a testament to Mike's skill and ability to tell the most smart and entertaining stories," Rothwell said. "I mean, everything that he does is like a lesson to me as an actor and a performer. And as a writer myself, he takes folks on a journey. Everyone needs to buckle up, because it's going to get real!"

The first official teaser trailer for season three of "The White Lotus," released on Monday, revealed that Belinda ends up in Thailand's White Lotus resort as part of an exchange program.

'The White Lotus' season three cast includes Carrie Coon, Jason Isaacs, and Michelle Monaghan

HBO announced the following castings in January: Leslie Bibb ("American Housewife"), Dom Hetrakul, Jason Isaacs ("Harry Potter"), Michelle Monaghan ("Mission: Impossible"), Parker Posey ("Beau Is Afraid"), Tayme Thapthimthong, and Carrie Coon ("The Gilded Age").

Five more actors were added to the cast later in the month: Walton Goggins ("Fallout"), Sarah Catherine Hook ("First Kill"), Sam Nivola ("Maestro"), Patrick Schwarzenegger ("Gen V"), and Aimee Lou Wood ("Sex Education").

In February, Variety reported that Blackpink member Lisa also joined the cast and will be credited under her given name, Lalisa Manobal.

Little is known about the characters, but Manobal will be playing a staff member at the Thai resort.

Character descriptions released by HBO shared more insights into who the actors will be playing in the new season.

Bibb, Coon, and Monaghan portray three longtime friends on a girls' trip who haven't seen each other for a while; Goggins and Wood play an age-gap couple; and Isaacs and Posey star as a husband and wife duo vacationing with their three kids, played by Schwarzenegger, Hook, and Nivola.

Patravadi plays one of the owners of The White Lotus, Manobal portrays a health mentor for resort guests, and Thapthimthong plays a security guard.

The season follows the characters over the course of one week.

Mike White described the new season as 'supersized' and Patrick Schwarzenegger called it 'insane'

"It's going to be a supersized 'White Lotus,'" White told Entertainment Weekly in November. "It's going to be longer, bigger, crazier. I don't know what people will think, but I am super excited, so at least for my own barometer, that's a good thing."

It's unclear if White's comment means that the season will contain more episodes or that the episodes will be longer — or both.

Schwarzenegger shared similar sentiments, telling Business Insider in November that the latest installment is "absolutely fucking insane."

Season 3 will premiere on HBO on February 16

Season three, which will consist of eight episodes, was filmed in and around Koh Samui, Phuket, and Bangkok.

The new season will debut on Sunday, February 16 at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and will stream on Max.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

• "Barbie" director Greta Gerwig said she was at "totally zero" regarding ideas for a sequel.
• THR reported in December 2024 that "Barbie 2" is in "early stages" based on a concept from Gerwig and Noah Baumbach.
• However, reps for Gerwig, Baumbach, and Warner Bros. denied THR's report, calling it inaccurate.

It looks like everyone is living in a "Barbie" world, and the party might not be over yet.

The 2023 Greta Gerwig-directed movie starring Margot Robbie as Barbie and Ryan Gosling as Ken raked in $1.4 billion globally, winning the box office battle against Christopher Nolan's "Oppenheimer." 

"Barbie" wasn't just a box office sensation. The movie earned an 88% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes, landed eight Oscar nominations, and became a pop culture phenomenon. 

Given its critical and commercial success, it's only natural to wonder whether the studio is planning "Barbie 2" with Mattel, the toy company behind Barbie.

Mattel CEO Ynon Kreiz previously told Time magazine that the company is keen to make "more 'Barbie' movies."

"We're looking to create movies that become cultural events. If you can excite filmmakers like Greta and Noah to embrace the opportunity and have creative freedom, you can have a real impact," he said.

At the time, Gerwig said she was unsure about taking on a sequel, but a new report suggests that she might be back for more. 

Greta Gerwig addressed 'Barbie 2' in a 2023 interview with The New York Times

In an interview published in July 2023, the director told The New York Times that she exhausted all her ideas for "Barbie."

"I feel like that at the end of every movie, like I'll never have another idea, and everything I've ever wanted to do, I did," Gerwig said.

She added, "I wouldn't want to squash anybody else's dream but for me, at this moment, I'm at totally zero."

However, speaking to Uproxx about Ken's obsession with Sylvester Stallone in the movie, Gerwig joked that the "Rocky" star could show up in "Barbie 2," or even direct it himself.

"You never know!" she said. "Or that he's going to direct it. I mean, he's welcome to it. It would be an honor. It would be such an honor."

While Gerwig wasn't sold on the idea of returning, star and producer Robbie told Time in June 2023 that conversations about a sequel had yet to happen.

"It could go a million different directions from this point," she said. 

But Robbie also said that "you fall into a bit of a trap if you try and set up a first movie whilst also planning for sequels." 

Mattel is also looking to make movies based on its other properties, like a Hot Wheels movie being developed by J.J. Abrams. 

A new report suggested a 'Barbie' sequel could be in the works, but it's unclear

On December 13, 2024, The Hollywood Reporter published a story reporting that Gerwig and Noah Baumbach, who cowrote the "Barbie" screenplay, presented Warner Bros. with an idea for a sequel that was in the "early stages." The publication also said that talks about a deal were in similarly early stages.

Don't get excited yet, though: Gerwig and Baumbach's rep denied THR's report, telling the publication, "There is no legitimacy to this reporting."

And a rep for Warner Bros. said, "THR's reporting is inaccurate."

• Actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson and director Sam Taylor-Johnson have been married since 2012. 
• They met through the 2009 movie "Nowhere Boy," which starred Aaron and was directed by Sam. 
• They have two daughters together, in addition to two daughters from Sam's previous marriage. 

Actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson, 34, and director Sam Taylor-Johnson, 57, have been together for more than a decade. 

The pair, who have an age difference of 23 years, met through the 2009 film "Nowhere Boy" and have spoken about their long-lasting romance in various interviews. 

Here's a complete timeline of their relationship. 

2008: They meet when Aaron auditions for the role of John Lennon in 'Nowhere Boy,' Sam's feature film debut

Their exact ages at the time of their first meeting remain largely unclear. 

Various publications have said that he was 19 and she was 42 when they made the movie, which was released in 2009. The Hollywood Reporter said that Aaron was 18 at the time. Fans have speculated that she knew the actor when he was younger because she was a family friend, but Business Insider could not verify any of these claims.

The Telegraph UK reported that Sam and Aaron met at the audition in 2008, a year prior to the film's release.

In a 2017 interview with The Sunday Times UK, Sam (née Taylor-Wood) said the couple almost didn't meet because Aaron was only available to audition on a date that she was absent.

Aaron had a limited schedule because he was filming "Kick-Ass." Meanwhile, Sam and her first husband, an art dealer named Jay Jopling, had split after 11 years of marriage and she was moving out of their shared home on the day that Aaron was free. So, Aaron auditioned for the biopic at her house.

"It was so inconvenient," Sam said. "In the end, I was like, 'OK, he'll have to come to my home.' I opened my door to John Lennon. I instantly knew he was the guy."

Sam's divorce from Jopling, with whom she shares daughters Anjelica and Jessie Phoenix, was made public in September 2008. Anjelica Jopling also had a small role in "Nowhere Boy" as a younger version of John Lennon's sister, Julia. 

Sam told The Telegraph UK that she was immediately impressed by how much Aaron prepared for his audition.

"I could see how much research he'd done already just by the way he was standing and the few words he said," she recalled.

Aaron later told Harper's Bazaar that he still remembers how Sam looked at that first audition. 

"I remember it very, very clearly," he said. "I know exactly what she was wearing. This white shirt that she still has, that I love. It definitely changed my life, though not in the way I expected."

Aaron has spoken out about their age gap multiple times. Speaking to The Telegraph UK in 2019, the actor said: "When I met Sam I'd already lived a life far beyond that of most of my contemporaries – I didn't relate to anyone my age. I just feel that we're on the same wavelength."

The stars say that they kept things professional on the set of their movie

IndieWire reported that principal photography for "Nowhere Boy" began in Liverpool, UK on March 8th, 2009. 

"We had this intense connection," Sam told The Sunday Times UK of working with the young actor.

"He was very intense and absolutely mind made-up," she said of how their relationship blossomed. 

The director also told The Telegraph UK that they clicked from the start.

"We were very professional through the entire film," the couple told Harper's Bazaar in 2019. "No funny business at all."

Sam also said that "everyone on set knew" that they had a connection. 

2009: Aaron proposes to Sam after wrapping the film

"As soon as we finished, he told me he was going to marry me," Sam told Harper's Bazaar. "We had never been on a date, or even kissed."

"And a year to the minute after we met, exactly one year to the minute, I got down on one knee and asked her to marry me," Aaron said. 

The actor later reflected on their engagement in an interview with The Telegraph UK, saying: "I knew instantly that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with this person."

He added: "I knew I wanted a family with her, I knew I wanted kids, and a month later she was pregnant with our first child."

Sam and Aaron, then 19, announced their engagement at the UK premiere of "Nowhere Boy" in fall 2009.

November 27, 2009: Sam tells The Guardian that she and Aaron have been living together for a while

"I'm not surprised, I'm happy," she told The Guardian when asked if she was caught off guard by the progression in her relationship with Johnson. "We've been living together for ages... since about March."

Sam also said that Aaron got along well with her kids from her previous marriage and "it all felt strangely natural."

The director said that she and Aaron didn't date while working on "Nowhere Boy," but she felt a strong connection to him.

"I managed to hold off really until almost the end of the film," she said.

Her interviewer, Simon Hattenstone, noted earlier in the story that he visited the set of "Nowhere Boy" back in March and observed Sam and Aaron arm-in-arm, acting "like teenagers in love" and wearing matching jackets that only they had. 

"We weren't even together then," Sam said when Hattenstone mentioned his set visit. "Maybe feelings were there but unacted upon. The thing is, we had quite a psychic link when we were working together. I knew from a flicker of an eyelash what kind of performance I was going to get. I felt that link almost from day one of meeting him."

April 2, 2010: Aaron speaks about fatherhood during an appearance on 'Friday Night With Jonathan Ross'

The interview occurred while Sam was pregnant with the couple's first child. Aaron said that he wasn't nervous because he was already acting as a step-father to Sam's two daughters from her first marriage.

July 2010: Their 1st child together, daughter Wylda Rae, is born 

Sam was 43 and Aaron was 20 at the time of their baby girl's birth. People magazine reported that Wylda was born in London.  

March 4, 2011: Sam directs R.E.M.'s music video for "ÜBerlin," which stars Aaron

The track was from the band's 15th studio album, "Collapse Into Now," released that year. The entire video showed Aaron dancing through the East End of London.  

January 18, 2012: Their 2nd child, daughter Romy Hero, is born 

People magazine reported that their baby was born at home in London. 

"Both mother and daughter are well," a rep said in a statement shared with the publication.

June 21, 2012: The couple gets married and changes their last name to Taylor-Johnson

Aaron, then 22, and Sam, then 45, wed in Somerset, England E! News reported.

Aaron told London's Evening Standard about the name change: "I just don't see why women need to take the man's name. I wanted to be a part of her just as much as she wanted to be part of me."

January 2015: Sam speaks about the 'stability' of their relationship and gushes about Aaron being an attentive father 

"Being in an amazing relationship, having come out of a difficult one, it felt so good," Sam told The Guardian while promoting "Fifty Shades of Grey," which she was encouraged to direct by Aaron. "And I feel like that stability has enabled me to get on with doing this momentous project."

"The great thing about Aaron is that he's happy not working and being at home with the kids while I work," the director added. "We're actually fighting over it. He's like, 'No no, I like being an at-home dad, doing the cooking and the school runs.'"

April 2015: Aaron says that it was 'important' for him to hyphenate his name after they wed

"It was so important to me," the actor told The Guardian in 2015 of seeing his name written as Taylor-Johnson for the first time in the credits for his 2012 movie "Anna Karenina."

"Actually I wanted it on 'Savages' as well but they told me the posters had already gone out," he added, referring to another of his films released earlier in 2012. "Then they said: 'Look, we hired Aaron Johnson.'"

The "Angus, Thongs, and Perfect Snogging" star told the publication that he fought for his name to be updated in "Anna Karenina" after that experience.

"I said: 'I want it changed! This is important,'" he recalled.

"It felt beautiful," he said of seeing the final product. "It felt right."

January 8, 2017: Aaron gives his wife a shout-out after winning a Golden Globe for his role in Tom Ford's 'Nocturnal Animals'

In his acceptance speech for best supporting actor in a motion picture, the actor said, "I want to thank my wife for being there with me and supporting me through this. Thank you for putting up with me, Jesus, I was not very pleasant in this role. You're my soulmate and I love you very much. I'm blessed. I have four beautiful daughters: Anjelica, Phoenix, Wylda, and Romy, I love you all very much."

February 2017: Aaron says that the public's fixation on their relationship is 'intrusive'

"The attention was intrusive," he told New York Magazine of the early reaction from people.

"But having to deal with that early in my career probably got me to a place where I can more quickly just go, 'Oh, fuck it' instead of wanting to rip someone's head off for asking questions I don't like," he added.

March 2017: Aaron reveals that he has a tattoo of his wife's name on his chest near his heart

The "Avengers: Age of Ultron" star no longer has an Instagram account but when he did, he posted a photo in honor of Sam's 50th birthday with the caption "forever in my  ❤."

The tattoo was also seen in the couple's joint photo shoot for a 2019 Harper's Bazaar feature. 

March 2017: Aaron gushes about fatherhood and feeling 'secure and loved and safe' in his relationship 

"I get more fulfillment from being a father than I do from being an actor," he said in an interview for Mr Porter. "I'm still constantly wanting to give it up." 

The actor also spoke about raising his daughters to be empowered.

"Their mum is one of the strongest, most independent women I know. A role model," he said.

Regarding his marriage, Aaron said, "I don't really analyze our relationship."

"I just know that it works," he continued. "I just feel secure and loved and safe. We have this very deep connection. We're just in sync."

June 2017: Sam says that her husband has an 'old soul' 

"I literally found my soulmate," she told The Sunday Times UK in June 2017. "I feel so blessed: every day I wake up happy."

She also described her and the actor, who she said has an "old soul," as "in such sync."

"We spend every minute of the day together," she said. "My friends call him Benjamin Button because he has — on the outside — such youth, and on the inside, he is so wise and settled. He doesn't like parties. He likes being at home and cooking for the family. He likes walking the dogs. He loves his chickens — he collects the eggs and makes breakfast for everyone."

"He is an amazing man," Sam added. 

The director also said that she's not bothered by their age gap because, "When you're solid with someone in your own love, you don't think about it."

June 2017: Sam comments on their age difference in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter

"If I gave a second thought to other people, I would be the unhappiest person, probably still in a miserable marriage," she said.

She continued: "People like to talk about it. I'm like, 'Yeah, but it works better than my last marriage.' It's lasted longer than a lot of my friends' marriages."

June 13, 2018: Sam posts a tribute to Aaron in honor of his 28th birthday

"HBD to the most incredible husband, father, man @aarontaylorjohnson I ❤️U," she captioned a photo of him that was shared on Instagram. 

June 21, 2019: Sam posts a black-and-white selfie of them for their 7th wedding anniversary

"Seven Years today ❤️" she captioned the Instagram post.

June 29, 2019: They attend Zoë Kravitz and Karl Glusman's wedding in Paris

"To the wedding we go... 🎩 @karlglusman @zoeisabellakravitz," Sam captioned a photo of her and Aaron heading to the event. 

Kravitz and Glusman's wedding was also attended by Jason Momoa (Kravitz's step-father) and her "Big Little Lies" costars. The couple's breakup was revealed in early 2021. 

August 2019: They participate in a joint interview for The Telegraph UK

"We just have that trust when we collaborate — we are not afraid to play," Aaron said of working with his wife. 

Sam said that they "had debates" while co-writing the script for their film "A Million Little Pieces," but Aaron said that they "rarely argue."

The director also called herself "lucky to have such a supportive husband" and said that working together for the film was "a dream come true."

"I really enjoy it," Aaron said. 'There's nothing more empowering than supporting my wife in her passions and ambitions; I've never felt more — what's the opposite of emasculated? Empowered."

Regarding their age gap, the actor also said: "I've never for a second felt a difference in age."

"Sam is far more outgoing and energetic and achieving than I am," he added.

November 2019: The couple says that collaborating on 'A Million Little Pieces' was their greatest decision

"It was the best thing we've ever done," Sam told Harper's Bazaar in their joint interview.

In response, Aaron added: "Even better because we did it together."

In the same interview, the couple said that in the time they've been together, they've "only been apart for maybe two or three days."

James Frey, the controversial author who admitted to fabricating details about his life in his 2003 memoir "A Million Little Pieces," conducted the couple's Harper's Bazaar interview. His book was adapted into a 2019 film of the same name, directed by Sam and starring Aaron as Frey. 

December 4, 2019: The couple appear on 'The Late Late Show With James Corden' and discuss collaborating on 'A Million Little Pieces'

Sam and Aaron also cowrote the screenplay for the movie. When asked about what it was like to direct her husband's sex scene in the film with costar Odessa Young, Sam said: "We wrote it together, so I kind of knew what we were getting into when we were writing it. And then it's another thing when you're filming it."

The director recalled "feeling something" while seeing the actors film the scene, especially because it was shot on Valentine's Day. 

December 2019: They say that after being together for more than 10 years, they aren't concerned with the chatter surrounding their relationship

"We've been together for over a decade now, so I feel like it is less of a conversation for people," Sam told The Daily Beast while discussing "A Million Little Pieces."

She continued, "It doesn't worry me, and it's not something that is difficult to talk about because it's such a positive story, that we're a decade later together and working together and raising a strong family together. That may be a positive message for people out there."

June 21, 2020: Sam posts a black-and-white photo in honor of their 8th anniversary

"8 years later. Happy anniversary ❤️ #aarontaylorjohnson ❤️," she captioned the photo, which showed them sitting together on massive rocks. 

That same day, Sam also posted a photo of him lounging in honor of Father's Day.

October 28, 2020: Aaron stars in musician Rhye's music video for 'Black Rain,' directed by Sam

Aaron danced shirtless by himself for the entirety of the four-minute-long music video. The song was included in Rhye's 2021 studio album "Home."

March 2021: It's reported that Sam and Aaron will team up for another film together

According to Deadline, the movie is called "Rothko" and is based on Lee Seldes' novel "The Legacy of Mark Rothko."

The film will also reportedly star Russell Crowe and "Chernobyl" actor Jared Harris.

April 2021: The couple reportedly lists their home in LA for $7.5 million 

The news was reported by Dirt on April 2, 2021.

The reported listing led fans to speculate about the couple's relationship status and suggest that the two stars were headed for a split. But selling a shared home doesn't necessarily mean they're breaking up. The pair could be selling their property to live elsewhere.

May 26, 2021: Sam reacts to Aaron being cast as the Marvel villain Kraven the Hunter in an Sony project

Multiple outlets reported Aaron's casting in late May. In the comics, Sergei Kravinoff/Kraven the Hunter is one of the most skilled game hunters and a popular foe of Spider-Man. The movie is set for release on August 30, 2024.

Sam weighed in on Aaron's role by posting an image of Kraven on Instagram with the caption, "My husband ❤️ #kraventhehunter #aarontaylorjohnson."

June 1, 2021: Celebrity tattoo artist Dr. Woo reveals that Sam got her husband's name inked near her collarbone

Dr. Woo posted a photo of Sam's new ink, which is Aaron's name written in cursive.

The artist also tattooed a hummingbird on Aaron's chest, near the tattoo of Sam's name that he got years prior.

"Captured a healed hummingbird on Aaron and added some love ✍🏼 for Sam ✨❤️" he captioned the Instagram post.

June 13, 2021: Sam shares a photo of Aaron in celebration of his 31st birthday

"Happy Birthday mon amour ❤️," she captioned an image of Aaron wearing a white dress shirt and sitting near a window. 

September 10, 2021: Sam documents a breakfast date with her husband

"Breakfast with the beast ❤️" the director captioned a photo posted on Instagram, which showed Aaron with his elbows resting on a table while dining at Animal Restaurant in Los Angeles, California. 

December 25, 2021: Sam posts photos of the couple celebrating Christmas at the beach

The first image, which was turned upside down, showed Aaron with his feet planted along the shoreline and his arms raised above his head. 

In the second photo, Sam leaped while waving her arms in the air. 

June 13, 2022: Sam shares a black-and-white photo of her husband in honor of his 32nd birthday

"Happy Birthday my darling husband ❤️ @aarontaylorjohnson," she captained the image, which showed him flipping into a pool.

June 21, 2022: The couple celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary by renewing their vows

In his Instagram post, Aaron said that the "beautiful day" involved professing their love "in front of our nearest and dearest friends and family."

"It was a celebration of love and joy!" he wrote. "A decade of marriage. It was a magical unforgettable day and the sun did not stop shining on us both.. we are blessed beyond belief. ❤️ Sammy you are my love, my life, my soulmate, my wife, my world!" 

Sam expressed similar sentiments in her post, which featured two photos of the couple kissing at the celebration.

"10 glorious years," she said. "My incredible husband, father to all 4 girls. I love you, I love you, I love you 💕 love conquers all."

July 2022: Sam joins Aaron on the press tour for 'Bullet Train'

Aaron starred as a contract killer with the codename Tangerine in David Leitch's action film.

Sam posed for photos with her husband at the premiere in Paris, France on July 18.

Two days prior, Sam shared a candid black-and-white photo of Aaron with "Bullet Train costars Brad Pitt, Brian Tyree Henry, and Joey King. 

August to December 2022: The couple share photos and videos from their globe-trotting adventures and home life

In August, Sam posted a video of a high-energy Aaron doing flips in what appeared to be their backyard. 

"He just ate a huge bowl of pasta and did this 10 times, it was only pesto…" Sam captioned the Instagram post. 

Later that month, Aaron shared a photo of the couple with the caption, "From Japan to Carnival." 

In September, they both posted a photo that was taken by one of their kids. 

"When your 10 yr old takes the best picture," Sam wrote on Instagram. 

Aaron and Sam shared additional photos on Instagram, one of which was taken in France. 

Then in December, they coupled up to explore the Galleria Lorcan O'Neill, a contemporary art museum in Rome, Italy. 

March 4, 2023: Aaron celebrates Sam's birthday by posting a trio of photos of the couple

"When you're lucky enough to find someone as mad as you… 💕 I love you 💕 Happy Birthday Baby 🎈@samtaylorjohnson 🎈" Aaron captioned the Instagram post.

June 13, 2023: On his 33rd birthday, Sam calls Aaron the 'sweetest husband and incredible father' 

"Happy Birthday dear heart ♥️ You're the sweetest husband and incredible Father to all our girls. We love you ♥️" Sam captioned a black-and-white photo of the actor, shared in honor of his birthday. 

June 19, 2023: Sam shares her support and excitement for Aaron's starring role in the 'Spider-Man' spin-off movie, 'Kraven the Hunter'

Sam posted the official poster for "Kraven the Hunter" on her Instagram with the caption, "Kraving my Hunter."

August 14, 2023: Aaron speaks about his relationship with Sam, fatherhood, and their family's life in the countryside in a cover story for Esquire 

In Esquire's September cover story, the star said that he turned down big acting opportunities after the births of his two daughters. 

"I wanted, purely, to be with my babies," he said. "I didn't want to be taken away from them. I battled with what that would be like."

Aaron also said that mundane activities, like "getting my kids ready in the mornings, taking them to school" are the kinds of activities that he finds the most fulfillment in. 

Esquire reported that Aaron and Sam bought a farmhouse in Somerset, England, in 2010 but didn't relocate there full-time until 2022 after selling their LA home. In his interview, Aaron gushed about having animals on their property, like pigs, and spoke about harvesting honey from bees on their property. 

As for his relationship with Sam, the actor said that it's inaccurate to say that their dynamic works because of their creative collaborations. 

"I think we're really great at collaborating. But that's not why I fell in love with her," Aaron said, adding that he knew he would be a young dad before they even met. 

"I was going to have a big family," he said. "I knew I was going to be a young father. I knew I was going to have many kids."

September 6, 2023: Sam shares a series of photos documenting the couple's summer adventures 

Amid a summer of shocking celebrity breakups, from Joe Manganiello and Sofia Vergara to Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner, the director proved that she and Aaron are stronger than ever. 

"Summer romance," Sam captioned her post on Instagram, which included several images of the couple together. 

March 4, 2024: Aaron celebrates Sam's 57th birthday with an Instagram post

Happy Birthday my darling @samtaylorjohnson," Aaron captioned a black-and-white image taken by photographer Alexi Lubomirski. "You're an exceptional woman, there's really no one I know quite like you. You are the most wonderful doting mother and beautiful role model to our 4 daughters. A gorgeous loving wife, you are my love, my soulmate and I'm always blown away by you. Your so cool. I couldn't be more proud and excited for this year ahead for you."

March 20, 2024: Aaron tells Rolling Stone UK that the fixation on him and Sam's age gap is 'bizarre'

Aaron told the publication that his life has always moved quickly and progressed at a faster rate than others.

"What you gotta realize is that what most people were doing in their 20s, I was doing when I was 13," he said.  

"You're doing something too quickly for someone else? I don't understand that," he continued. "What speed are you supposed to enjoy life at? It's bizarre to me."

Elsewhere in the interview, Aaron gushed about his wife and her Amy Winehouse biopic, "Back to Black."

"Sam is actually a great filmmaker and a wonderful storyteller," he said. "People will think there's sort of a bias to me saying it, but I think when they see 'Back to Black,' everyone's going to realize how fantastic a filmmaker she is."

April 8, 2024: Aaron supports Sam at the world premiere of her film 'Back to Black'

The biopic stars Marisa Abela as Amy Winehouse and Jack O'Connell as Blake Fielder-Civil, Amy's ex-husband.

April 2024: Sam talks about the 'uncomfortable' attention on her and Aaron's age gap 

"There are times where it's uncomfortable," Sam told The Hollywood Reporter of the scrutiny. "Most of the time we zone it out and stay pretty private. We tend to retreat. Kids and school runs keep you pretty grounded."

In a separate interview with The Guardian, the "Back to Black" director spoke about her relationship and said that their age difference isn't noticeable to the couple. 

"We're a bit of an anomaly, but it's that thing: after 14 years you just think, surely by now it doesn't really matter?" she said. 

Sam also said that she doesn't pay attention to hateful comments online or go out of her way to avoid social media because "it doesn't mean anything."

"It is just people upset with their own sadness; with misgivings about their own life," she said.

She also said that her children don't take on rude comments directed at the pair.

"They see two loving, happy parents, so it doesn't really register," Sam said. "They just think people are a bit mean, or mad."

In the same interview, Sam talked about the family enjoying their farm life since moving back to the UK. 

"I'll turn to Aaron and say, 'Should we get another dog?,' and he'll look at me for a minute and go, 'Yuh.' He always says yes to any mad thing I suggest. That's why we've got 14 animals," she said. 

May 17, 2024: Sam tells Time magazine that people were initially skeptical about how long her and Aaron's relationship would last 

Sam told Time that she's aware of the interest in their marriage, but her day-to-day with her husband is spent with their family, so she doesn't think about it. The director also said that she doesn't read anything in the press, whether it's about reviews or her personal life. 

"The thing is I live my life fairly fearlessly," she said. "I literally leap into every challenge with excitement. And I think if I read and took note of any of that I wouldn't be doing the amazing things I think I'm doing. I wouldn't make this film. I wouldn't have been in this amazing relationship for nearly 15 years."

"Everyone at the beginning said, 'It's a terrible idea, it's not gonna work,' and then you're like 15 years down the road and have raised four kids and you're like, 'Really?'" Sam added.

The filmmaker also said that she and Aaron don't look at each other through the lens of their age gap. 

"It's just a connection of souls and hearts and our life is our life where we're just moving through it in a gorgeous loving way," Sam said. "When people make films, or talk about it or question it or dissect it, it is so strange to me. When people fall in love, they fall in love."

She also said that she knows "nothing" regarding the rumors of Aaron being cast as the next Bond, but she'd "be so happy for him if that happens" and would want to direct the film. 

June 13, 2024: Sam shares a series of photos for Aaron's 34th birthday

"Happy Birthday my love ♥️," she captioned the Instagram post. 

July 14, 2023: The couple attend Wimbledon together 

Sam and Aaron attended the men's singles final, in which Carlos Alcaraz defeated Novak Djokovic in straight sets. Sam posted photos and videos on Instagram, showing her and Aaron in their color-coordinated white and off-white attire. 

September 24: Aaron posts images from his and Sam's getaway 

In the photos shared on Instagram, Aaron was seen smoking a cigarette, doing a handstand, and posing with Sam near a coastline.

December 2, 2024: Sam accompanies Aaron to the world premiere of 'Nosferatu' in Berlin

Robert Eggers directed and wrote the screenplay for "Nosferatu," which stars Bill Skarsgård as the grotesque Count Orlock and Lily-Rose Depp as the protagonist Ellen Hutter. Aaron plays a supporting role in the film as Friedrich Harding, a friend of Ellen's husband, Thomas Hutter (Nicholas Hoult).

December 10, 2024: Sam and her 2 eldest daughters join Aaron for the world premiere of 'Kraven the Hunter' in New York

Aaron and the cast and crew of "Kraven the Hunter" posed for photos at the film's red-carpet premiere at AMC Lincoln Square. Sam and her daughters from her first marriage, Angelica Jopling, 27, and Jessie Phoenix Jopling, 18, also posed with Aaron. The event marked the Joplings' red carpet debut. 

• Lisa Kudrow and Ray Romano star in Netflix's new dark comedy series "No Good Deed."
• The season one finale ties up all eight episodes, but there's one loose end.
• Netflix hasn't announced a second season yet.

Warning: Major spoilers ahead for season one of "No Good Deed."

Your next binge watch has arrived, and it's "Dead to Me" creator Liz Feldman's new dark comedy "No Good Deed."

The eight-episode Netflix show stars "Friends" alum Lisa Kudrow and "Everybody Loves Raymond" star Ray Romano as Lydia and Paul Morgan, grieving parents who are looking to sell their seemingly perfect Los Angeles home three years after the death of their son, Jacob (Wyatt Aubrey).

An open house catches the attention of three couples in the neighborhood, all of whom are looking to make an offer. But as the episodes progress, the plot thickens and a murder mystery unfolds. The dramatic finale will leave viewers wanting even more (be warned: spoilers ahead).

Here's what we know so far about if "No Good Deed" will return for a second season.

The finale reveals who really killed Jacob, meanwhile, Lydia and Paul finally sell their house

The finale reveals that Margo (Linda Cardellini), whose real name is Luann, was in an inappropriate relationship with Jacob. The night of his murder, Margo caught Jacob, wearing a ski mask, breaking into her and her husband JD's (Luke Wilson) house and stealing the gifts he gave her.

She threatened to tell the whole neighborhood about his thievery, and he countered by threatening to tell JD about their secret relationship. Margot then chased Jacob back to his house, saying that she wasn't going to lose everything because of him. As Jacob tried to open his house door, Margo shot him. So it was Margo, not Jacob's sister Emily (Chloe East), who shot and killed him.

JD, who has already reached his limit with Margo's manipulation, gets his revenge on her by setting their house on fire as she's enjoying a bubble bath.

The finale then jumps six months later, showing where everyone ended up.

Lydia and Paul sold their house to Leslie (Abbi Jacobson) and Sarah (Poppy Liu), who are expecting their first child together.

Margo survived the house fire but has burn marks on one side of her face. She's last seen being arrested by Paul and Lydia's nephew, Nate (Kevin Alves), a police officer. Meanwhile, JD is thriving, having landed a role in a Western called "Teton Territory."

The Morgans also find closure three years after their son's death. Lydia starts playing the piano again and performs alongside Emily, who plays a song developed by Jacob, as Paul watches on.

Netflix hasn't announced a season two of 'No Good Deed' yet

The season one finale neatly ties up most of the storylines, but there's one glaring loose end that could lend itself to a potential second season if Netflix chooses to renew "No Good Deed."

In the time jump, it's revealed that new parents Dennis (O-T Fagbenle) and Carla (Teyonah Parris) bought the property previously owned by JD and Margo. Carla is under the impression that they were able to buy the property using the advance from Dennis' third book. But in reality, Dennis quietly cashed Carla's estranged dad Randall's $5 million check.

So far, Feldman has been quiet about what a potential second season could look like.

"I want viewers to be thinking about where the Morgans are," she told Tudum. "I leave my favorite shows wondering about [the characters] — asking myself questions, [mentally] writing the rest of the story myself. And I want to encourage people to do that."

While awaiting news about "No Good Deed," the streamer has plenty of other options to tune into, like the new Keira Knightley thriller series "Black Doves" or the bizarre docuseries "The Kings of Tupelo: A Southern Crime Saga."

"No Good Deed" is now streaming on Netflix.

• Opera singer Maria Callas' real-life relationships are depicted in the new Netflix biopic "Maria."
• Callas had a longtime affair with Greek shipping tycoon Aristotle Onassis.
• They continued seeing each other even after Onassis married Jackie Kennedy.

Famed singer Maria Callas gets the Hollywood biopic treatment in Pablo Larraín's new film "Maria," which stars Angelina Jolie as the opera legend.

The movie chronicles the last days of the soprano's life as she tries to find her singing voice again, which earned her the nickname "La Divina." Callas died of a heart attack in her Paris home on September 16, 1977, at the age of 53.

"Maria" also includes flashbacks of Callas' glory days as a performer and her relationships with her husband and manager Giovanni Battista Meneghini and her lover Aristotle Onassis.

Onassis, a Greek shipping magnate, had a well-known affair with Callas during his marriages to Athina Maria "Tina" Livanos and Jackie Kennedy. "Maria" implies that Callas was Onassis' true love.

Here's what to know about Callas' relationships with the shipping tycoon.

The real Maria Callas met Aristotle Onassis during her marriage to Giovanni Battista Meneghini

Callas and Meneghini were married from 1949 to 1959. They met in Italy in 1947, when she was a 23-year-old rising opera singer and he was a 51-year-old brick manufacturer.

In "Maria," Callas meets Onassis at a lavish party and he wastes no time professing his love for her, despite both of them being married to other people.

"I'm ugly, but I'm rich. I'm Greek, but I'm from Argentina. I'm married, but it's 1959," he tells Callas.

In real life, Callas met Onassis at a party in 1957 and he courted her while she was married to Meneghini.

Callas and Onassis attended various social events together during their romance, including then-president John F. Kennedy's 1962 birthday party. Marilyn Monroe, who was rumored to be having an affair with Kennedy, famously sang a sultry rendition of "Happy Birthday" to the president at the event. Callas also performed at the Democratic fundraising dinner at Madison Square Garden and was photographed chatting with him at a reception.

After Callas ended her marriage to Meneghini, she continued dating Onassis. In interviews, Callas said that Onassis didn't want her to sing.

Lyndsy Spence, the author of the biography '"Cast a Diva: The Hidden Life of Maria Callas," said that Callas had two miscarriages during her relationship with Onassis, in 1960 and 1963. Spence said that Callas became pregnant with Onassis' child again in 1966 and likely had an abortion.

A diary of one of Callas' close friends, which Spence was given access to for the biography, said that Onassis drugged the singer "mostly for sexual reasons."

Despite their yearslong relationship, Callas and Onassis never married.

In a 1974 interview with Barbara Walters, Callas said that after getting married and divorced, she was "frightened" of getting married again. She also said that she didn't believe in marriage.

"I think love is so much better when you're not married," she said.

Callas and Onassis' relationship continued during his marriage to Jackie Kennedy

Jackie Kennedy isn't a character in "Maria," but she is referenced in the film. In a flashback, a sickly Onassis tells Callas that he loves her, but he still hates the opera. Callas gets emotional and says that her pride, not her heart, was hurt when she found out via the newspaper that he married Kennedy.

Onassis tells Callas that he always loved her, and then the singer exits via the back door so Kennedy doesn't see her.

"Even in death, I was the secret," Callas recalls.

In real life, Onassis and Kennedy married on Onassis' private Greek island Skorpios in 1968 and remained married until Onassis' death in 1975. During that time, Onassis continued seeing Callas.

"He couldn't live without Maria," Kiki Feroudi Moutsatsos, Onassis' personal secretary, told People magazine in November.

"Maria was a piece of his soul, of his body, of his brain," Moutsatsos added. "That's why they never believed that they could be separate."

Onassis died of respiratory failure in 1975 at 69 years old. Historians believe that Callas and Kennedy never actually interacted, but they were aware of each other and were hostile.

According to Moutsatsos, Kennedy was "not happy" about Onassis' continued relationship with Callas but never spoke directly about the singer.

"What she spoke of was Onassis' behavior," Moutsatsos told People magazine. "If I could characterize her, I would say that she was behaving like a cat. Very smart. Very clever. She would wait for the right moment to speak with him about his behavior."

In her interview with Walters, Callas was asked about the rumors that she wasn't friends with Kennedy.

"I've never met her," Callas replied. "We're not friends, I've just never met her."

When asked if she harbored any bad feelings, the singer said, "Not at all. Why should I?"

"Maria" is now streaming on Netflix.

• Céline Dion and her late husband, René Angélil, had three children together.
• Dion's eldest son, René-Charles Angélil, is 23 and pursuing a career in music.
• The singer also has 14-year-old fraternal twin boys named Nelson and Eddy.

Céline Dion is a five-time Grammy winner, a global icon, and a proud mother.

The "My Heart Will Go On" singer has three children with her late husband, René Angélil, who died of throat cancer in 2016.

"What makes me most proud is to be a mother," Dion told Extra in 2017. "To be honest, they're remarkable. They are helping me. I am helping them — it's mutual," she added.

Here's everything you need to know about Dion's three kids.

René-Charles Angélil, 23, is the eldest child.

Dion gave birth to René-Charles in Florida on January 25, 2001, and the couple named him after his father. As the famous singer's first child, he was automatically in the spotlight.

During an appearance on James Corden's "Carpool Karaoke" segment in 2019, Dion recalled the media frenzy when she gave birth.

She saw her doctor on TV announcing the birth of her child right after delivery. "And I'm saying to myself, 'My baby is on television, and I didn't even hold him yet,'" she said.

At his father's funeral in 2016, 14-year-old René-Charles gave a touching speech. A few months later, the teen surprised Dion by presenting her with the Icon Award at the 2016 Billboard Music Awards.

In 2018, René-Charles started releasing rap and R&B music under the stage name Big Tip.

When René-Charles released his first EP in 2021 under the name RC Angélil, his mother posted on X, then Twitter, "I'm so proud of my son. My love for him is so strong, and it touches me deeply that one of his passions is also one of mine."

At the 2024 Grammys in February, René-Charles escorted Dion onstage as she presented the award for album of the year to Taylor Swift. Mother and son also posed with Swift backstage.

Dion's fraternal twins, Nelson and Eddy, are 14 years old.

In a 2010 episode of "The Oprah Winfrey Show," Dion talked about the difficulties she had becoming pregnant again. She underwent several rounds of in vitro fertilization and had a miscarriage.

"We tried four times to have a child," she said. "We're still trying. We're on the fifth try. And I tell you, if five is my lucky number, this fifth try has got to come in."

Dion gave birth to Nelson and Eddy via C-section in Florida on October 23, 2010. Their names were inspired by former South African President Nelson Mandela and the French songwriter Eddy Marnay, who worked on several of Dion's albums.

"They have very different personalities, but both of them love to wake up first thing in the morning and go to their closet and decide what they will wear," she said of her twins in a 2013 interview with the Daily Mail.

All three of Dion's kids continue to be supportive of their mom on and off the stage.

Back in 2019, they joined her onstage during the final night of her Las Vegas residency. In 2023, the family attended a hockey game together. The outing marked Dion's first major public appearance since sharing in 2022 that she was diagnosed with stiff person syndrome.

Recently, she's had to explain to her sons how to deal with an emergency related to her illness because she may not be able to speak. "As a mother, first of all, talk to your kids. Let them know that you will not die," she told TODAY's Hoda Kotb in June.

This story was originally published on February 5, 2024, and updated on December 12, 2024.