Charlie Cox returns to play Matt Murdock in "Daredevil: Born Again."
The new series sees him face off with a creepy serial killer called Muse from the comics.
He also has to contend with Kingpin.
Charlie Cox is returning to "Daredevil: Born Again" as the blind lawyer-turned-vigilante Matt Murdock, several years after the Netflix "Daredevil" series was axed.
"Born Again" continues Murdock's story as an attorney trying to help the poorer citizens of New York by day, and fighting crime as a vigilante with enhanced senses by night.
It's an exciting project for fans, who mounted a #SaveDaredevil campaign when Netflix canceled the show after its third season in 2018.
But in 2022, Marvel got the rights back to Daredevil and the other "The Defenders" characters — including Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, and The Punisher.
Cox even made a crowdpleasing cameo as Murdock in "Spider-Man: No Way Home," offering legal guidance to Peter Parker (Tom Holland) when his secret identity is revealed to the world.
He also had a memorable appearance in "She-Hulk" episode eight as Jennifer Walters' love interest.
Now, Cox and some of the cast from the Netflix era are returning in "Daredevil: Born Again." Here's everything we know about the series.
The first trailer for "Daredevil: Born Again" introduces the serial killer, Muse.
The "Daredevil: Born Again" trailer sees Murdock reuniting with his archenemy, Kingpin (Vincent D'Onofrio). It appears that they've found a frosty stalemate following their bloody feud in the Netflix series.
Alongside brutal action scenes, the trailer introduces Muse, a serial killer who paints murals using the blood of his victims.
Muse debuted in the 2016 comics by Charles Soule and Ron Garney. The killer made an impression on fans because he used blood from 100 missing people to create horrific art murals in New York.
Muse in the "Daredevil" comics.
Marvel Entertainment/Ron Garney
His brutal methods make him a real threat to Daredevil. He also has the ability to draw in any sensory information about himself, which makes it difficult for Daredevil to rely on his heightened hearing during combat.
Marvel fans previously got a look at "Daredevil: Born Again" when it shot on location in New York.
Charlie Cox on set dressed as Daredevil next to Wilson Bethel dressed as Bullseye.
METROPOLIS/Bauer-Griffin/Getty Images
Photos showing Cox in his new Daredevil costume surfaced online in February 2024 alongside Wilson Bethel as Benjamin Poindexter, also known as the villain, Bullseye.
This confirms that Daredevil will face off with Bullseye again after their brutal conflict in "Daredevil" season three.
The trailer also included a brief appearance from Jon Bernthal as Frank Castle, also known as The Punisher. He starred in Daredevil season two before getting his own Netflix solo series which ran for two seasons until 2019.
"Daredevil: Born Again" will be released on Disney+ in March 2025.
Charlie Cox as Matthew Murdock in "Spider-Man: No Way Home."
Marvel Studios/Disney
The "Daredevil: Born Again" trailer confirmed that the series starts streaming on Disney+ on March 4, 2025.
The show was originally due to have 18 episodes, but Marvel overhauled the project in October 2023 and condensed the season to nine, according to TV Line.
Cox leads the "Daredevil: Born Again" cast, which includes Jon Bernthal, Deborah Ann Woll, and Elden Henson.
Charlie Cox, Jon Bernthal, Deborah Ann Woll, Elden Henson, and Vincent D'Onofrio onstage at D23.
Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney
Some of the returning cast appeared onstage at D23 2024, where it was confirmed that Deborah Ann Woll and Elden Henson are returning to play the lawyers Karen Page and Foggy Nelson, respectively. And Bernthal and D'Onofrio will reprise their roles as Frank Castle and the Kingpin.
It's reassuring for fans that the core cast of the Netflix "Daredevil" series is returning. This ensures that the series is part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and that this isn't just a reboot.
When speaking to Entertainment Weekly, D'Onofrio confirmed that "Born Again" directly references previous storylines.
"There are storylines that reach back to the original series. Where our characters are coming from, where we are, and where we're going, some of those threads lead back," he said.
Woll echoed his sentiment and added: "What the characters went through still exists, that's still part of who they are, it's just that now we're catching up with them at a different point in their lives."
In a separate interview with Rotten Tomatoes, D'Onofrio also suggested that "Daredevil: Born Again" will be just as violent as the Netflix series.
He said: "There are some things on this show that we go much further with than we did the original show. There's one thing in particular that my character does that I can't believe made it into the cut."
Also in the cast are Ayelet Zurer as Kingpin's wife, Vanessa Fisk, Margarita Levieva as Murdock's love interest, Heather Glenn, and Kamar de los Reyes as another vigilante called White Tiger.
The show tells of how Gustavson, a 47-year-old Norwegian living in London, had his penis and testicles removed by a male escort in 2017. He then posted on extreme body modification forums that he was interested in castrating volunteers himself.
He nicknamed himself the "eunuch maker," and performed the procedures in apartments and hotel rooms in London, which he livestreamed on his website and charged viewers a subscription fee. He made almost £300,000 ($365,000) from the website between 2017 and 2021.
The Independent reported that the site had 22,841 registered users.
Gustavson was arrested in 2021 after the London Metropolitan Police launched "Operation Vicktor" to investigate the illegal castrations and other procedures that he carried out on the website.
Marius Gustavson was sentenced to life in prison in 2024
In May 2024, Gustavson was given a life sentence. He can face a parole board after serving a minimum of 22 years, per court documents.
Gustavson pleaded guilty to conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm with intent, making and distributing indecent images of a child, and possessing extreme pornography.
During the proceedings, Judge Mark Lucraft KC said that Gustavson also engaged in cannibalism. He said: "On one occasion Gustavson cooked what appeared to be human testicles which were then plated to be eaten, and kept other body parts as 'trophies.'"
Gustavson's defense said he had body integrity dysphoria, a condition that causes a person to feel as if a healthy body part doesn't belong to them.
Rashvinderjeet Panesar, his lawyer, said that Gustavson started to modify his own body in 2017 shortly after the breakdown of his marriage in 2016.
Panesar said: "He was stuck in a body he wanted to make changes to, and understood there were more people out there who wished to do the same."
2025 is already an exciting year for television — and it's only just begun.
Shows like "Stranger Things" and "Severance" will be back this year.
BI's entertainment team is also excited about new series like "The Residence" and "Suits LA."
2025 is shaping up to be an exciting one in television.
Start off your new year with the return of "Severance," Apple TV+'s bizarre (complimentary) and wildly innovative workplace series about a group of people who have two completely discrete personas for work and their outside lives. You'll be able to pick up other returning favorites, like "The White Lotus" season three in the spring and the fifth and final season of "Stranger Things" later in the year.
There are a few exciting new series on the docket for 2025 this year like "The Residence," a White House whodunnit from Shondaland starring Uzo Aduba. If you're looking for something with a stronger sci-fi bent, FX's "Alien" franchise series "Alien: Earth" is set to hit screens later this year as well. Or, if you devoured the docuseries "The Curious Case of Natalia Grace," watch the story dramatized in Hulu's upcoming "Good American Family."
Here are our most anticipated television series of 2025, in order of premiere date.
Watching the first season of "Severance" in early 2022 felt a bit like getting in on an extraordinary secret. This bizarre, endearing, and incredibly stylistic take on the soul-crushing office grind quickly yet quietly became one of the best genre series on television. Three years later, the show blessedly is not a hidden gem anymore, and "Severance" season two is coming in hotly anticipated.
The series stars Adam Scott as Mark, a man who decides to take a "severed" job after the death of his wife. The severance procedure bifurcates his personality into two discrete people: one who works his job at the inscrutable Lumon Industries, and one who lives life on the outside. In season one, he and his coworkers work to expose their plight as severed workers to the world, while simultaneously unraveling the myriad secrets of their workplace. — Palmer Haasch
"This Is Us" creator Dan Fogelman and star Sterling K. Brown reunite on a new Hulu series. The mystery thriller focuses on Xavier Collins (Brown), the head of security to James Marsden's President Cal Bradford. Xavier finds Cal dead and is said to be the last person who saw the president alive, thrusting him into the middle of an apparent conspiracy.
The trailer is light on specific details, but according to the streamer the show is set "in a serene, wealthy community inhabited by some of the world's most prominent individuals," who are rattled by the president's murder and the ensuing investigation.
Brown was always a highlight of "This Is Us," so it's exciting to see him step into another lead role that appears to be very different from Randall Pearson.
"Yellowjackets," season 3
Tawny Cypress as Taissa and Lauren Ambrose as Van in "Yellowjackets" season 3.
"Yellowjackets" is a mish-mash of genres: part coming-of-age story, part survival drama, part black comedy, part mystery.
When it first premiered in 2021, it wasn't an instant hit. Rather, it steadily grew a passionate fan base as more and more viewers became invested in this tale of a group of teenage girls who became stranded in the Canadian wilderness in the 1990s — and the repercussions of that traumatic experience on the surviving women 25 years later.
Creators Ashley Lyle and Bart Nickerson managed to craft a wildly compelling story that drew equal interest to both halves of its cast: the talented rising stars who play the '90s versions of the girls (including breakouts like Ella Purnell and Sophie Thatcher), and the established powerhouse actors like Juliette Lewis, Melanie Lynskey, and Christina Ricci in the modern-day setting.
Season two answered a lot of questions (including arguably the biggest: Did they eat each other??) but ended on an unexpected death that left fans clamoring to know what would happen next. Luckily, there are still plenty of mysteries waiting to be solved. — CM
"The White Lotus," season 3
Blackpink member Lisa on season three of "The White Lotus."
There's little information about season three of "The White Lotus." But Mike White's hit HBO anthology series, which racked up a total of 43 Emmy nominations from the first two seasons, has generated enough hype all on its own for the next installment.
Season three will focus on wealthy guests visiting the fictional White Lotus resort chain's Thailand location. And for the first time ever, the new season will feature a returning cast member: Natasha Rothwell, who played spa manager Belinda in season one. The star-studded cast also includes Blackpink member Lisa in her acting debut, "Fallout" star Walton Goggins, and "Gen V" actor Patrick Schwarzenegger — who told Business Insider that season three is "Absolutely fucking insane." — Olivia Singh
"Zero Day"
Robert DeNiro and Angela Bassett star in "Zero Day."
"Zero Day" is a political thriller focusing on a global cyberattack, where De Niro plays a former president who comes out of retirement to help mitigate the crisis. The impressive ensemble cast also includes Lizzy Caplan as his daughter, Angela Bassett as the current president, and Dan Stevens as a loudmouth political TV host who antagonizes De Niro.
"Suits" mania very suddenly and randomly swept over the nation when the 2010s USA Network drama saw a resurgence of interest on Netflix. Why? Who knows — chalk it up to one of the great mysteries of the algorithm.
In any event, it prompted the greenlighting of a spinoff series that shifts the action from a corporate firm in New York to an entertainment firm in Los Angeles. The new series centers on Stephen Amell's Ted Black, a former New York prosecutor who has reinvented himself out west.
Don't expect Meghan Markle to show up on it, but we can still hold out hope for other fan-favorite characters: Gabriel Macht's Harvey Specter is reportedly set for a three-episode arc, which hopefully means Donna Paulsen (Sarah Rafferty) isn't far behind. — CM
The Marvel series will see Charlie Cox reprise his role as Matt Murdock, a blind lawyer by day, and a vicious vigilante by night. Because it's a continuation of the "Daredevil" Netflix series (which is exciting in itself) it'll also reunite Cox with Vincent D'Onofrio as Wilson Fisk, the criminal mastermind, Kingpin. Not only that but "Daredevil: Born Again" will add a harder, violent edge to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Hopefully Marvel chief Kevin Feige and the gang let the show stand on its own two bloody feet without forcing needless cameos for the sake of it. After all, a street-level story with relatable stakes is what the franchise needs right now amid all the chatter of future "Avengers" movies. — Eammon Jacobs
"Deli Boys" (created by former Vice journalist Abdullah Saeed) follows the two wealthy Pakistani American sons of a convenience store magnate who learn after his death that he was secretly involved in a life of crime.
The polar opposite brothers are forced into that world, promising a unique take on the fish-out-of-water story coming to Hulu. — CM
Market your series as a "Shondaland White House whodunnit," and you don't have to do too much more to convince me. After a murder at a state dinner, Detective Cordelia Cupp, played by Uzo Aduba, must attempt to solve the case. On-screen, she's joined by Giancarlo Esposito, Randall Park, Ken Marino, Edwina Findley, and a slate of others — including Kylie Minogue.
"Scandal" writer Paul William Davies serves as showrunner, with Shonda Rhimes and Betsy Beers executive producing. "The Residence" is based on the book of the same name by Kate Andersen Brower. — PH
"The Last of Us," season 2
Bella Ramsey as Ellie in "The Last of Us" season two.
"The Last of Us" season one turned prestige gaming into prestige television, adapting Naughty Dog's fungal apocalypse thriller into an acclaimed series starring Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey. Season one ended on a tenuous high note: Joel (Pascal) chose to save Ellie (Ramsey), who is immune to the cordyceps fungus that turns people into violent infected, rather than allowing her death in pursuit of a cure.
"The Last of Us" season two will adapt at least part of "The Last of Us Part II," the sequel to the original video game. Without getting too much into spoilers, it's likely to be even more heartbreaking than season one. This season will also feature newcomers including Kaitlyn Dever, who will play a significant character named Abby, "Beef" star Young Mazino, and Jeffrey Wright, who will reprise his role from the game, Isaac. — PH
Apple TV+ has had no shortage of prestige drama attempts, from the Cate Blanchett series "Disclaimer" to Natalie Portman's "Lady in the Lake." Not all of them are very good (and a lot of them appear to come and go with little to no fanfare), and yet I still have enough faith in Jon Hamm and his ability to play complex antiheroes that I'm compelled to tune into "Your Friends & Neighbors."
Hamm plays Andrew "Coop" Cooper (Hamm), a recently divorced former hedge fund manager who's fired in disgrace. According to Apple, Coop, who lives in the wealthy Vestment Village, begins stealing from his neighbors' homes but ends up uncovering more secrets (and danger) than he bargained for.
The show also stars Amanda Peet and Olivia Munn, among others. And the streamer clearly has a lot of faith in it: They've already renewed it for a second season, months ahead of its premiere. — CM
"Hacks," season 4
Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder return in "Hacks" season 4.
The Emmy Award-winning "Hacks" is a series that only gets better with age, and its excellent third season set a high bar for whatever will come next. The series stars Jean Smart as Deborah Vance, a comedian who turns around her stale Vegas stand-up career into a true artistic reinvention with the help of young writer Ava Daniels, played by Hannah Einbinder.
Deborah and Ava's relationship has always been defined by an ever-growing co-dependence, the capacity to mutually wound each other, and somewhere in the mix, love and grudging respect. The season three finale put them at odds once again, setting up for what's sure to be a thrilling — and of course, extremely funny — fourth season. — PH
Glen Powell has been all over our movie screens for the last three years, and now he'll be all over our small screens.
Powell, one of the biggest male rising actors in Hollywood today, is on a movie star trajectory akin to his mentor (and "Top Gun: Maverick" costar) Tom Cruise. He has roots in TV, though ("Scream Queens," I will never forget you). The upcoming Hulu comedy, about a hotshot quarterback who torpedoes his college football career and disguises himself as Chad Powers to walk onto a Southern university's team, is a great venue for flexing his funny chops.
At the absolute least, the visual of Powell in those prosthetics and wig is already a hoot. — CM
"Stranger Things," season 5
The cast of "Stranger Things" season five with Matt and Ross Duffer.
These days, it's hard to fathom that "Stranger Things" was one of the relatively early hits of the streaming age when it premiered in 2016. Close to a decade later, it's a cultural juggernaut that elevated the profile of its entire cast, from veteran actors to young stars. With one season left, it's finally time to close this chapter of life in Hawkins, Indiana.
"Stranger Things" season five will bring an end to Eleven's (Millie Bobby Brown) story, but past that, it will represent the true end of an era at Netflix. "Stranger Things" is one of the biggest series the streamer has ever released, but even if the show is ending, some talent like showrunners Matt and Ross Duffer and Brown, now a leading lady, are sticking around with other projects. — PH
"Wednesday" was a smash hit when it premiered on Netflix in 2022. Over two years later, it's still holding strong atop the streamer's list of its most-watched shows ever, with over 252 million views to date.
The supernatural teen dramedy's success is due in large part to the performance of Jenna Ortega as the titular Wednesday Addams, the sardonic, psychic teen who finds herself thrust into the center of a murder mystery when she's shipped off to a new boarding school.
The first season ended with a twist about one of Wednesday's two love interests, but Ortega has promised that "Wednesday" season two will lean more into horror and focus less on her character's romantic life. That's a very welcome tweak. — CM
"Black Mirror," season 7
Cristin Milloti as Nanette Cole in the "Black Mirror" episode "USS Callister."
The long-running dystopian anthology series — where each episode is a stand-alone story of speculative fiction, with most set in a near-future world with advanced, often ethically troublesome technology — returns for its seventh outing later this year.
As with recent seasons, there are some big names lined up for the "Black Mirror" season seven cast, including Awkwafina, Issa Rae, Paul Giamatti, Billy Magnussen, and Tracee Ellis Ross. But perhaps most excitingly, for the first time in the series' history, there's going to be a story continuation: One of the six new episodes will be a sequel to "USS Callister," the Emmy-winning season four episode starring Cristin Milioti as a programmer who gets trapped in her incel boss' video game world. — CM
Obsessive stalker Joe Goldberg has somehow managed to evade capture or consequences in his yearslong killing spree that's spanned four seasons of television and multiple cities across the globe. He seemed to finally be at the end of the line in "You" season four, only to miraculously make it out with a seemingly clean slate yet again. The finale brought Joe full circle back to New York, and partnered with a woman who may or may not see him for who he truly is.
The fifth and final season of "You" will hopefully bring a satisfying conclusion to the drama that's managed to keep reinventing itself — and finding ways to creatively continue the story — long past where many assumed it'd surely end. — CM
"Squid Game," season 3
Lee Jung-jae returns to the death game in "Squid Game" season two.
"Squid Game" isn't only Netflix's biggest non-English-language series — it's also one of its biggest properties, period. The Korean-language series, created by showrunner Hwang Dong-hyuk, is a deeply tragic thriller with an instantly recognizable visual identity. Both of those factors helped it become not only a hit series, but also a true cultural phenomenon. "Squid Game" season two, which premiered in December, broke viewership records to become Netflix's biggest debut ever.
Even if you didn't watch "Squid Game," you know "Squid Game" — and with the show's third and final season on the way in 2025, you definitely should be catching up. — PH
"A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms"
"A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms" is an adaptation of G.R.R. Martin's novella "The Hedge Knight."
Given the wild success of "Game of Thrones," it makes sense that HBO would go all-in on the "Thrones" brand through a series of spinoffs. The first of those, "House of the Dragon," focuses on a bloody Targaryen succession war. The second, "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms," is about a knight and his young squire — Dunk and Egg, colloquially. Dunk is Ser Duncan the Tall, and Egg is Aegon Targaryen, a young member of the ruling family.
The series is based on the first installation of George R. R. Martin's "Tales of Dunk and Egg" novella series, titled "The Hedge Knight." HBO drama headFrancesca Orsi told Deadline in 2023 that the show would ideally span three seasons, one for each existing novella. — PH
FX is expanding the "Alien" franchise with a new TV series that finally brings the unimaginable horrors of the Xenomorphs to Earth in the aptly titled "Alien: Earth."
The first teaser trailer didn't reveal much about the series, but it's helmed by "Legion" and "Fargo" creator Noah Hawley, which hopefully means that the series will have more to say than just sci-fi scares. It features the likes of "Justified" and "The Mandalorian" star Timothy Olyphant, "Andor" and "Black Mirror" actor Alex Lawther, and "Fargo" alumni David Rysdahl. Also in the cast are Essie Davis, Sydney Chandler, and Samuel Blenkin. — EJ
Untitled Rachel Sennott project
Rachel Sennott wrote, executive produced, and stars in her upcoming show.
Rachel Sennott has been a standout part of some of the best comedies of the last few years, including "Bottoms," "Shiva Baby," and the horror comedy "Bodies Bodies Bodies." The comedian is stepping up as HBO's new Lena Dunham (non-derogatory), helming a series that she's writing, executive producing, and starring in.
No details about its plot have been made available, but Sennott has proven herself to be imminently watchable, so we're certainly tuning in to see what she's got in store. — CM
It's a tale as old as time: Where there's a viral true-crime story, a scripted dramatization (or five) is sure to follow. That's the case with "Good American Family" (not to be confused with the similarly named faith-based TV network Great American Family), which is loosely inspired by Natalia Grace Mans' story.
Natalia's saga is long and complex (enough to fill three seasons of the Investigation Discovery docuseries "The Curious Case of Natalia Grace" over the course of three years). The gist of it is that Natalia, a Ukrainian orphan with dwarfism, was adopted by Kristine and Michael Barnett, who eventually came to believe that their new daughter was actually a psychopathic adult posing as a child. (Yes, that is also generally the plot of the horror movie "Orphan," which wasn't based on Natalia's story).
Ellen Pompeo, in her first major starring role since stepping back from "Grey's Anatomy" as a series regular, stars as the girl's adoptive mother. It'll be interesting to see whether the scripted drama is more sympathetic to the Barnetts' side or Natalia's. — CM
"It: Welcome to Derry"
"It: Welcome to Derry" is a prequel to the Stephen King story.
"It Chapter 1" and "It Chapter 2," based on the Stephen King novel of the same name, were mega-hits at the box office when they came out in 2017 and 2019 respectively. Pennywise the Clown had previously terrorized audiences in the form of Tim Curry in a 1990 miniseries before Bill Skarsgard scarred a new generation when he took over the role. "Welcome to Derry" is the first time the story is getting the prequel treatment.
The show jumps back in time to explore an earlier community in Derry who came face to face with the monstrous creature. It features new characters not seen in the films, with only Skarsgard returning. — CM
"Outlander: Blood of My Blood"
Sam Heughan as Jamie Fraser and Caitríona Balfe as Claire Fraser in "Outlander" season seven.
Starz
Release date: TBD on Starz
The smash hit historical drama "Outlander" has captivated audiences (both readers of the book series it's based on and show-only fans) for over a decade since premiering in 2014.
Claire and Jamie Fraser's epic love story will come to an end with an eighth and final season. But the "Outlander" universe will live on with "Blood of My Blood," a prequel that rewinds the clock to show how Jamie's parents, and Claire's, wound up together.
If the prequel's cast has even a fraction of the chemistry "Outlander" leads Sam Heughan and Caitríona Balfe do, it'll be must-see TV for romance lovers. — CM
Michelle Williams, who previously won an Emmy and Golden Globe for her role in the FX limited series "Fosse/Verdon," returns to the network with "Dying For Sex." She plays Molly, an unhappily married woman who decides to leave her husband in order to explore her sexuality after being diagnosed with cancer.
Billed as a comedy-drama, it's based on the podcast of the same name by Nikki Boyer. Boyer, who's also an executive producer on the FX show, co-created her podcast with her friend — the real Molly, who actually did leave her own marriage after a breast cancer diagnosis. Jenny Slate plays Boyer on the show; Rob Delaney and Jay Duplass also star.
Beyond the compelling true story and excitement over the talented Williams' return to TV, "New Girl" creator Liz Meriwether also serves as a showrunner, promising whip-smart writing. — CM
"The Terror: Devil in Silver"
Dan Stevens is producing and starring in "The Terror: Devil in Silver."
Emma McIntyre/Getty Images; Random House Publishing
The criminally underrated supernatural horror anthology series gathered a small but devoted fan base after the first season, based on Dan Simmons' 2007 novel of the same name, premiered in 2018.
That season told an extremely spooky fictionalized account of Captain Sir John Franklin's doomed Arctic expedition and featured a who's-who of British actors like Jared Harris and Tobias Menzies. The next season, subtitled "Infamy," debuted a year later and moved the horror to a Japanese internment camp in America during World War II, where the camp's inhabitants believe they're being tormented by an evil force.
AMC stayed mum on whether the show would continue for almost five years, until the February 2024 announcement that "The Terror: Devil in Silver" was coming. The upcoming six-episode season, based on Victor LaValle's novel of the same name, will star Dan Stevens (who's also an EP) as a working-class man wrongfully committed to a psychiatric hospital where he has to contend not only with the other patients and the doctors but a seemingly malevolent force that appears to live within the hospital's walls.
Stevens is a great choice for this brand of psychological horror. See also: "Legion." — CM
"All's Fair"
Kim Kardashian, Naomi Watts, and Sarah Paulson are all reuniting with Ryan Murphy on "All's Fair."
Karwai Tang/Getty Images; Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images; John Nacion/FilmMagic via Getty Images
The prolific TV creator is fresh off a busy 2024 that included the premieres of four separate shows he produced, including "Grotesquerie" and the controversial "Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story." He doesn't appear to be taking it easy in 2025 either.
It's unclear whether he'll again match the sheer number of projects he debuted in 2024, but he definitely has at least one coming out: "All's Fair," a legal drama about an all-female law firm of divorce attorneys coming to Hulu. The cast includes a bunch of Murphy's go-tos, including his frequent collaborator Sarah Paulson, "Feud: Capote vs. the Swans" star Naomi Watts, "Grotesquerie" star Niecy Nash, and his most recent addition to the crew, aspiring real-life lawyer Kim Kardashian, who starred in "American Horror Story" season 12.
Kardashian was surprisingly good in "AHS," so it's intriguing to see what she'll do in "All's Fair," where she's reportedly playing the protagonist. — CM
"Unspeakable: The Murder of JonBenét Ramsey"
Clive Owen and Melissa McCarthy will play JonBenét Ramsey's parents.
Michael Tullberg/Getty Images; Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post/Getty Images; Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images
Few true crime cases have captivated the public as intensely and for as long as JonBenét Ramsey's unsolved murder. The six-year-old beauty queen was found dead in her family home the day after Christmas 1996, and her killer was never identified.
The long-cold case was recently covered in a Netflix docuseries, which led to a resurgence of interest (though plenty of true-crime enthusiasts have been carefully following the case for years). The story has been dramatized before, in a 2000 miniseries and multiple TV movies, but this is the first time it's getting what appears to be the prestige TV treatment.
Most intriguingly, the series will star Melissa McCarthy as Patsy Ramsey, JonBenét's mother. This will mark an interesting pivot for McCarthy, who's chiefly known for far more light-hearted roles in comedies like "Bridesmaids" and "Tammy." — CM
Here's how the fires have impacted some of the most famous landmarks in Los Angeles.
The Griffith Observatory offers free public telescopes and sweeping views of downtown Los Angeles.
The Griffith Observatory.
dszc/Getty Images
The structure, which spans 67,000 square feet, includes a planetarium, observatory, and exhibits about the cosmos.
The observatory's telescopes were rendered useless due to thick clouds of smoke.
Smoke from wildfires in the sky over Griffith Observatory.
Andy Bao/AP
The Griffith Observatory wrote on Instagram on Wednesday that it will be closed until further notice due to the current weather and fire conditions.
The Hollywood sign, visible from the Griffith Observatory, is the most famous landmark in Los Angeles.
The Hollywood Sign.
AaronP/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images
The Hollywood sign has been featured in countless TV shows and movies over the years as the most iconic location in the city.
As fires blazed across the city, the normally blue skies turned gray with smoke and ash.
The Hollywood sign was surrounded by smoke from the Los Angeles wildfires.
AaronP/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images
As of Thursday, the sign was not located in an evacuation warning area, but the site is closed due to damage from surrounding fires.
After false images of the sign burning began to circulate on social media, the Hollywood Sign clarified in a Facebook post that it "continues to stand tall!"
Sunset Boulevard boasts luxury shops, restaurants, and nightlife.
Sunset Boulevard.
ANDREY DENISYUK/Getty Images
The famous 1.7-mile-long Sunset Strip along Sunset Boulevard is located between Hollywood and West Hollywood.
Part of Sunset Boulevard has been hit hard by the wildfires.
Sunset Boulevard damaged by wildfires.
Bellocqimages/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images
Part of Sunset Boulevard, which spans 25 miles, is located in Pacific Palisades. The Palisades fire caused heavy damage, and many buildings along the famous street have burned down.
The Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena is home to the UCLA Bruins college football team.
Rose Bowl Stadium.
Kirby Lee/Getty Images
The stadium also hosts its namesake Rose Bowl Game annually on New Year's Day.
Aerial views of The Rose Bowl were obscured by smoke.
The Rose Bowl covered in smoke from wildfires.
PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images
Some sports games have been postponed due to the wildfires. On Wednesday, the National Hockey League delayed a match between the Los Angeles Kings and Calgary Flames that was supposed to take place at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
The Getty Center, a giant museum complex in the Santa Monica Mountains, spans 110 acres.
An aerial view of the Getty Center in Brentwood, California.
Michael Rosebrock/Shutterstock
Designed by architect Richard Meier, the Getty Center houses collections of paintings, manuscripts, photography, and sculptures from Europe and the US.
The effects of the wildfires could be seen in the distance behind the museum on Wednesday at sunset.
Fire and smoke behind the Getty Center.
PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images
Clouds of smoke billowed around the complex, but the museum was undamaged.
The Getty Villa, situated on a 64-acre estate, houses Greek and Roman antiquities.
The Getty Villa.
Arellano915/Shutterstock
The Getty Villa, built by J. Paul Getty, is located about 11 miles from the Getty Museum.
Wildfires scorched the grounds of the Getty Villa, but the building itself remains safe.
Buildings and trees around the Getty Villa went up in flames.
David Swanson / Contributor / Getty Images
Katherine E. Fleming, president and chief executive of the J. Paul Getty Trust, said in a statement to the Los Angeles Times that the organization "had made extensive efforts to clear brush from the surrounding area as part of its fire mitigation efforts throughout the year."
"Some trees and vegetation on-site have burned, but staff and the collection remain safe," she said.
Located near the Getty Villa, the Kauffman Estate has appeared in music videos such as "Paparazzi" by Lady Gaga and "Haunted" by Beyoncé.
The Villa de Leon, known as the Kauffman Estate, is seen in Malibu, California.
GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP via Getty Images
Also known as the Villa de Leon, the French Revival estate was built in Malibu in 1927 for wool merchant Leon Kauffman.
The 12,000-square-foot mansion was barely visible in the orange sky.
The Kauffman Estate was threatened by the flames of the wind-driven Palisades Fire.
DAVID SWANSON/AFP via Getty Images
Winds of up to 90 miles per hour made the California wildfires difficult to control.
The Kauffman Estate, now a private residence, appeared to still be standing as of Tuesday evening, but the extent of the damage is unclear.
Will Rogers State Historic Park in the Santa Monica Mountains was once the luxury residence of one of the highest-paid actors of the 1930s.
The old horse barn at Will Rogers State Historic Park.
trekandshoot/Shutterstock
In the 1920s, Rogers built a ranch on the 359 acres of land he owned featuring a 31-room house, stables, and a golf course. His widow donated it to the California State Parks system in 1944.
The Palisades Fire destroyed "multiple structures" including Will Rogers' historic home, according to California State Parks.
Will Rogers' house at Will Rogers State Historic Park was destroyed by the Palisades Fire.
"California State Parks mourns the loss of these treasured natural and cultural resources, and our hearts go out to everyone impacted by the devastating fires in the Los Angeles area," California State Parks director Armando Quintero said in a statement.
Wildfires have torn through Los Angeles, destroying homes and displacing residents.
Major Hollywood productions have paused shooting.
They include "Fallout," one Amazon's biggest hits last year, and "Grey's Anatomy."
As the Los Angeles wildfires continue to tear through swaths of the city, Hollywood has responded by pausing multiple TV and film productions.
As of 7:00 a.m. ET Friday, at least 10 people had died in the wildfires, and approximately 179,000 people had been told to evacuate the greater Los Angeles area, including the Pacific Palisades, Malibu, and Pasadena. Over 10,000 structures were destroyed,per The LA Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Emerging photos of the LA area illustrate the devastation.
Here are the projects that have paused production.
'Fallout' and 'Grey's Anatomy' are among the TV shows affected
Ella Purnell in "Fallout" and Ellen Pompeo in "Grey's Anatomy."
Amazon Prime Video/ABC
Amazon told Business Insider on Thursday that filming for "Fallout" season two hadn't restarted since the holiday break, but was expected to on Friday.
The show, based on the popular "Fallout" games by Bethesda Softworks, was one of the streamer's biggest hits of 2024.
Variety reported on Wednesday that the Warner Bros. studio backlot in Burbank was closed, stopping work on "Abbott Elementary," "The Pitt," "All-American," and "Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage."
However, the city of Burbank said on Wednesday that there were no evacuation orders for the area.
NBC Universal stopped production on "Suits: LA," the spinoff to Aaron Korsh's popular legal drama starring Stephen Amell, as well as "Ted," "Hacks," "Loot," and "Happy's Place."
CBS Studios meanwhile paused work on "NCIS," "NCIS: Origins," "After Midnight," "The Neighborhood," and "Poppa's House." Representatives for Disney confirmed to BI that work has been delayed on "Grey's Anatomy," "Jimmy Kimmel Live," and "Doctor Odyssey."
On Wednesday, FilmLA, which helps coordinate permits for movies and TV shows shooting in the city, said the LA County Fire Department told them to withdraw all permits for Altadena, La Crescenta, La Canada/Flintridge, and Unincorporated Pasadena, and others were possible.
In an update on the same day, the company said that the LA Parks and Recreation Department had canceled all filming permits until January 14.
The disruption from the wildfires comes as Hollywood tries to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and actor and writer strikes last year, which both led to numerous production delays for major and smaller studios alike.
Mike Miller, the vice president of the film and TV crew union IATSE, told The Hollywood Reporter on Wednesday that the organization would support those affected.
He said: "We're going to be there to support them and I'm confident that we'll be able to come through this. But it is absolutely going to add additional burden to many people in our industry that are already struggling."
Representatives for NBC Universal and CBS did not immediately respond to BI's request for comment.
"Silence of the Lambs" actor Anthony Hopkins, Paris Hilton, and model Bella Hadid all lost their homes in the wildfires.
Frazer Harrison, Samuel Corum, Kirsty Sparow/Getty Images
Wildfires in Los Angeles raged through the star-studded Pacific Palisades neighborhood.
Paris Hilton, Miles Teller, and Anthony Hopkins were among the celebrities who lost their homes.
The average house price in the northern LA area is around $4.5 million.
The biggest of the wildfires in Los Angeles has been burning the Pacific Palisades neighborhoodfor over a week, razing one of the nation's most prosperous neighborhoods.
Stars including Paris Hilton, Milo Ventimiglia, Billy Crystal, Mel Gibson, Miles Teller, and Anthony Hopkins, have lost their homes.
The area, between Santa Monica and Malibu in northern Los Angeles, is home to some of the country's most expensive real estate. The average house price is about $4.5 million, according to Realtor.com data.
Much of it has been on fire since January 7, when a small blaze in the neighborhood exploded to engulf many thousands of acres, prompting evacuation orders for tens of thousands.
As of Tuesday evening the Palisades Fire had burned some 24,000 acres. It was 18% contained, according to Cal Fire.
Bella Hadid said her childhood home was destroyed
Bella Hadid posted a photo on her Instagram story on January 10 showing her childhood Malibu home in flames.
She wrote: "Thanks to everyone reaching out. The memories we made in this house, the love my mama put into building it, the family times, the stories, the friends, the love. I will miss you 3903 carbon canyon rd."
The house was originally owned by Yolanda Hadid, the model's mother, and was featured in "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills." People reported that it was sold for $19.5 million in 2015.
Bella Hadid shared the image of her childhood home burning on Instagram.
Instagram
Milo Ventimiglia of 'Heroes' watched his home burn down on security cameras
Actor Milo Ventimiglia tells CBS News’ @TonyDokoupil he helplessly watched his home burn to the ground through security cameras. The 47-year-old father-to-be returned to his property to see what was left. pic.twitter.com/jidcR5ZAsY
Milo Ventimiglia, known for starring in "This is Us" and "Heroes," watched his home in Malibu burn via security cameras with Jarah Ventimiglia, his wife, who is nine months pregnant.
Speaking near his home on January 9, he described watching his house burn down to CBS: "I think there's a kind of shock moment where you're going, 'Oh, this is real, and this is happening.' And then, at a certain point, we just turned it off. What good is it to continue watching? We kind of accepted the loss."
Bryan Greenberg confirmed on Instagram that he and Jamie Chung, his wife, lost their house
Actors Bryan Greenberg and Jamie Chung, who are married, confirmed on January 9 that their home had burned down but that their family was safe.
Greenberg shared a photo of the wreckage on his Instagram story, writing: "It was all a dream. Thankfully the family is safe. Thank you to all of the firefighters risking their lives. Stay safe out there."
Mel Gibson said his house burned down while he was away recording 'The Joe Rogan Experience'
Mel Gibson told NewsNation on January 9, that he learned about the fires in his Malibu neighborhood while recording an episode of "The Joe Rogan Experience" in Texas.
He said: "I was doing the Rogan podcast, and kind of ill at ease while we were talking, because I knew my neighborhood was on fire, so I thought, I wonder if my place is still there. But when I got home, sure enough, it wasn't there."
Gibson added: "Obviously, it's kind of devastating. It's emotional. You live there for a long time, and you had all your stuff. "
Paris Hilton said she 'built precious memories' at her destroyed Malibu home
On January 8, Paris Hilton shared on Instagram that she was "heartbroken beyond words" to learn that her Malibu home had been destroyed in the fire.
"Sitting with my family, watching the news, and seeing our home in Malibu burn to the ground on live TV is something no one should ever have to experience," Hilton wrote. Although the loss felt "overwhelming," she said she was grateful that her family and pets were safe.
Hilton returned to her home on January 9 and posted a video of the wreckage on Instagram.
In the caption, she said: "The heartbreak is truly indescribable."
Miles Teller and his wife evacuated before the flames consumed their property
Miles Teller, a star of "Top Gun: Maverick," also lost his home. His wife, Keleigh Teller, shared on Instagram on January 10 that the couple's Pacific Palisades home was destroyed.
Alongside a series of photos — one showing the remains of their home — she wrote: "I wish I grabbed my wedding dress."
"Wish I did a lot different but it doesn't matter, stay safe, get out," she added.
The home of Jennifer Grey, the 'Dirty Dancing' star 'burnt to the ground'
Stella Gregg, Jennifer Grey's daughter, told followers on her Instagram Story on January 8 that her mother's home "burnt to the ground," but confirmed that the actor and her dog were safe.
On January 10, Gregg posted: "Was lucky enough to call Samoa my home for a bit. Thank you mama for making it what it was and allowing me to make such beautiful memories there. Home isn't walls and frames. Home is family. Stay safe. Hug your loved ones. Don't be afraid to ask for help."
"My family and I have safely evacuated, and we are deeply grateful to be unharmed," she wrote. Rivers also shared more details about her evacuation in an interview with CNN, and urged others to be prepared.
"To be 100% honest, I grabbed my mom's Emmy, a photo of my dad, and a drawing that my mother had done of me and my son," she said.
Billy Crystal's home, where he'd lived with his family for 46 years, was burned to the ground
"We raised our children and grandchildren here. Every inch of our house was filled with love. Beautiful memories that can't be taken away. We are heartbroken of course but with the love of our children and friends we will get through this," Crystal said in a statement to Business Insider.
"The Pacific Palisades is a resilient community of amazing people and we know in time it will rise again. It is our home," he said.
Beyoncé's mom, Tina Knowles, said her Malibu bungalow was destroyed in the fires
Tina Knowles said in a post on Instagram that her coastal Malibu bungalow had been burned down in one of the blazes.
"It was my favorite place, my sanctuary, my sacred Happy Place. Now it is gone," she wrote.
Knowles, who is also mom to singer Solange Knowles, went on to thank the "brave men and women in our fire department who risked their lives in dangerous conditions."
"This could have been so much worse without the dedication of the disaster workers and first responders," she added.
Cary Elwes said he and his family evacuated the area safely, but said their house was destroyed
On January 8, "The Princess Bride" actor wrote: "Sadly we did lose our home but we are grateful to have survived this truly devastating fire."
Ricki Lake said that she escaped from her house with her dog and 'not much else'
Ricki Lake, the star of the original "Hairspray" movie and her self-titled talk show, wrote in an Instagram post on January 8 that her "dream home" overlooking Malibu was "gone."
In the caption, Lake said she and her husband escaped from the house with Dolly, their dog, "and not much else."
He said on Instagram that he had left his Malibu home on January 7with his wife, Marilou, and their dog, Trixie. He described it as the "most horrific fire since '93."
On January 12, he thanked Instagram followers for their concern and said that his home "amazingly" survived.
Jamie Lee Curtis said 'many' friends lost their homes
On January 8, "Halloween" actor Jamie Lee Curtis appeared on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" and said, holding back tears: "Where I live is on fire right now."
She added: "It's just a catastrophe in Southern California. Obviously, there have been horrific fires in many places. This is literally where I live. Everything — the market I shop in, the schools my kids go to, friends.
"Many, many, many, many, many friends now have lost their homes."
Kate Beckinsale wrote in an Instagram post on January 8 that "the whole of the Palisades being destroyed is unthinkably horrific.
"My daughter and I lived there for most of her childhood and most of her childhood is gone."
Haley Joel Osment thanked those who 'helped as we lose our home'
On January 9, the actor Haley Joel Osment shared that he had lost his home to the Eaton fire in Altadena.
Osment is best known for childhood performances in movies like "The Sixth Sense" and "A.I. Artificial Intelligence."
Writing on Instagram, he said: "My heart would be so full every time I drove home - it was such a special place - I loved living there - our forest and our mountains and our homes - all gone."
Osment described losing 'everything' in Altadena.
Haley Joel Osment/Instagram Stories
R&B singer Jhené Aiko said she lost her home and all her possessions
Aiko shared photos of her home on fire in a now-deleted Instagram post. In a separate Instagram post, she said she wanted to "let suffering be a gift, an act of compassion."
"Me and my children's home is gone, burned to the ground with all of our things inside" Aiko wrote on Instagram. "Lord have mercy. Thankful we still have each other. Starting from scratch. My heart is heavy."
Beloved Hollywood stars like Anthony Hopkins, John Goodman, and Jeff Bridges also lost their homes
Photos obtained by People showed actors John Goodman, Anna Faris, and Anthony Hopkins lost their homes due to the fires.
On January 11, Hopkins appeared to confirm the reports on Instagram. He wrote: "As we all struggle to heal from the devastation of the fires, it's important we remember that the only thing we take with us is the love we give."
The home actor Jeff Bridges shared with his family in Malibu was also lost, the Associated Press reported.
TMZ meanwhile published footage of Adam Brody and Leighton Meester's home in flames, as well as a photo of Anna Faris' home in ashes.
"I'm so sad our house is gone. I wish I could have gone back and got more," Montag said as she broke down crying in a video she posted on TikTok on January 8.
The songwriter Diane Warren, a 15-time Oscar nominee who has worked with stars like Beyoncé and Taylor Swift, shared on Instagram that her beach house of nearly 30 years was likely gone.
"It looks like it was lost in the fire last nite. There's a rainbow shining on it which I'm taking as a sign of hope for all creatures who have been affected by this tragedy," Warren wrote.
Meanwhile, Eugene Levy said he got stuck while trying to leave his neighborhood on January 7.
"The smoke looked pretty black and intense over Temescal Canyon," Levy told The Los Angeles Times. "I couldn't see any flames but the smoke was very dark."
According to photos obtained by People, the "Schitt's Creek" star's home was almost completely leveled by the following day, with only a stone chimney and a charred row of hedges left standing.
Chet Hanks, the son of actors Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, wrote in an Instagram story on January 7: "The neighborhood I grew up in is burning to the ground rn. Pray for the Palisades."
Chet Hanks shared a message about the fire on Instagram.
Chet Hanks/Instagram Stories
Joshua Jackson, Britney Spears, and Mandy Moore all spoke out about the devastation of losing their homes
"Dawson's Creek" star Joshua Jackson's Topanga Canyon home also burned down in the blaze.
"First and most importantly, all the people closest to me affected by the fire are ok. My daughter, my family, my neighbors all made it out safely," Jackson said in a statement to BI. "Sadly my beautiful home did not survive the fires. But today, I feel incredibly lucky to be surrounded by the people I love."
Britney Spears told her Instagram followers on January 9 that she had evacuated her home.
The singer said that she had left her home in LA and was "driving 4 hours to a hotel."
She added that she had been unable to charge her phone "the past two days" as she had no electricity.
Actor and singer Mandy Moore said in an Instagram story posted on January 7 that she was also among the residents ordered to evacuate. By January 8, the singer said in a follow-up story that she was unsure if her home "made it."
She wrote in an Instagram post: "My children's school is gone. Our favorite restaurants, leveled. So many friends and loved ones have lost everything too."
Greg Wells, the music producer on the "Wicked" movie, told Variety on January 12 that he had a "state-of-the-art" studio in his home that was destroyed in the fire.
He said: "I just have to remind myself, it's really down to the people and to the ideas, and none of that stuff makes a song better. So I'm not gonna let it define me."
Hugh Grant at the "Heretic" premiere and as Daniel Cleaver in "Bridget Jones's Diary."
Tristar Media/WireImage/Universal Pictures
Hugh Grant called filming comedies a "miserable process."
In the 1990s, he cemented his status as the go-to rom-com heartthrob.
Grant is best known for films including "Notting Hill," "Love Actually," and "Bridget Jones's Diary."
Hugh Grant launched his acting career with romantic comedies such as "Four Weddings and a Funeral," "Nine Months," and "Notting Hill" — but he said filming them is a "miserable process."
In the early stages of his career in the 1990s, Grant starred in many comedies, including "The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill But Came Down a Mountain" and "Mickey Blue Eyes."
"Notting Hill" was one of the biggest British rom-coms of the 1990s, and he continued to work with its writer, Richard Curtis, on other movies.
His status as a reliable rom-com heartthrob continued to drive his career in the 2000s, but he has recently started experimenting with different genres, including the 2024 horror movie, "Heretic."
In an interview with Variety published on Monday, Grant said of romcoms: "I just think 'com' is difficult. I don't know about 'rom.' Rom is not easy — and you need to mean it — but com is certainly very difficult."
On comedies, he added: "It's a miserable process. You've probably been on comedy film sets and there's no laughter. You're doing it in a vacuum and if you're very lucky, you might hear a stifled snort from someone sitting near the monitor. That's gold to you."
The actor also discussed how he's viewed as "grumpy" online, and said that his previous comments about "Wonka" in 2023 were misconstrued. At the time, he said he "hated" playing an Oompa-Loompa.
Grant said: "That's what the internet does. It scrubs humor, and it scrubs context to create little clickbait moments. It's one of the reasons I loathe it with such violence, really."
In total, Grant's movies have collectively made $4.1 billion since he debuted in 1982, according to TheNumbers.com.
That includes 20 rom-coms, as well as a handful of action movies including: "The Gentlemen," "Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre," and "Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves."
Starring Bella Ramsey and Pedro Pascal, the show primarily takes place 20 years after the cordyceps fungus evolves to infect humans, generating hordes of aggressive creatures. Joel (Pascal), a smuggler whose daughter died during the initial outbreak, is tasked with escorting Ellie (Ramsey), an orphan who's seemingly immune to the fungus, across the country in hopes of developing a cure.
The show earned both Pascal and Ramsey nominations at the Golden Globes and Emmy Awards and turned them into household names. It also featured an award-winning performance from Nick Offerman, who stars alongside Murray Bartlett in the season's acclaimed third episode "Long, Long Time."
A second season of the HBO hit is on the way, and it's set to adapt at least part of the game "The Last of Us Part II." Here's everything we know about the new season.
Kirsten Acuna contributed to a previous version of this article, which was first published in January 2024.
'The Last of Us' season 2 will premiere in April 2025
A sizzle reel released in December 2023 confirmed that season two would be released in 2025, and the CEO of HBO Casey Bloys confirmed at the Warner Bros. Discovery Upfront presentation in May 2024 that the series would air on HBO and stream on Max.
On January 6, HBO released a minute-long teaser that announced season two will premiere in April 2025, although it did not confirm an exact airdate. The new footage gives fans a better look at Abby (Kaitlyn Dever) as she makes her way through a hospital.
It also includes shots of Ellie in distress, Joel looking troubled, and hordes of the infected.
There will likely be a time jump — and the game probably won't cover all of 'The Last of Us Part II'
In an interview with Josh Horowitz on the "Happy Sad Confused" podcast in February 2023, Ramsey said that while they were playing a 14-year-old Ellie in the first season of "The Last of Us," Ellie would be closer to their own age in season two.
"I'll be 20, probably by the time we shoot that, and I'll be playing 19," Ramsey said. "So yeah, I will be closer to my age."
Bella Ramsey as Ellie in "The Last of Us."
Liane Hentscher/HBO
Showrunner Craig Mazin also spoke about the possibility of a time jump with Collider, and said that there won't be any recasting as a result.
"Obviously, the time jump is important, to some extent," Mazin said. "It reflects the changing nature of Ellie's relationship with Joel, as she gets older."
While "TLOU" season one covered the events of the 2013 game, the second season will not cover all of its 2020 sequel.
Series co-creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann, who also created the game series, told GQ in March 2023 that the events of the second game will take place over "more than one season."
There are new cast members in season 2
Kaitlyn Dever will play Abby, a controversial character in "The Last of Us" video game franchise.
Gilbert Flores/WWD via Getty Images)
In January 2024, HBO announced three major season two castings.
Dever will play Abby, the second protagonist of "The Last of Us Part II" and a playable character in the game. She's a member of the Fireflies and driven by her desire for revenge.
Isabela Merced was cast as Dina, Ellie's love interest and eventual traveling companion who she gets to know in the Jackson settlement.
And Young Mazino, a breakout star of the Netflix limited series "Beef," will play Jesse, Dina's ex and a community leader in Jackson.
Young Mazino will play Jesse in season two of "The Last of Us."
Elyse Jankowski/Variety via Getty Images; PlayStation/YouTube
In March 2024, Max announced four more additions to the cast. Danny Ramirez will play Manny, Ariela Barer will play Mel, Tati Gabrielle will play Nora, and Spencer Lord will play Owen. The four characters are friends of Abby's from the Seattle settlement. Catherine O'Hara of "Schitt's Creek" is also set to appear in the new season in an undisclosed guest role.
HBO also announced in May 2024 that Jeffrey Wright ("American Fiction") would reprise his role from the games and play Isaac, the leader of the Washington Liberation Front, in season two. Per Entertainment Weekly, HBO describes Isaac as "the quietly powerful leader of a large militia group who sought liberty but instead has become mired in an endless war against a surprisingly resourceful enemy."
Another major character in the sequel game is Lev, a transgender teen who escapes a cult.
Ian Alexander played Lev (right) in "The Last of Us Part II."
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images, Naughty Dog
At the time, Alexander hadn't had any conversations about the role.
HBO hasn't announced casting for the character and it's not yet known if Lev will appear in season two. After the game's initial release in 2020, the game's developer Naughty Dog received some backlash for its handlingof Lev's story.
HBO released a season 2 teaser that shows Joel and Ellie going through it
On "The Last of Us" day in 2024— September 26, the date of the cordyceps outbreak in the original video game — HBO released a teaser trailer for season two.
The trailer gave the first look at some of the new additions to season two, including Dever as Abby, Merced as Dina, Mazino as Jesse, and Wright as Isaac.
In the teaser, Joel and Ellie appear to be living a somewhat peaceful life in Jackson, hinting at Ellie's relationship with Dina. But things obviously take a turn for the worse: There are plenty of infected, glimpses of likely antagonists, and a few shots of both Joel and Ellie in distress.
Which leads us to…
Fans are concerned Joel could die in season 2
Joel (Pedro Pascal) cradles Ellie (Bella Ramsey) in the season one finale of "The Last of Us."
Liane Hentscher/HBO
"The Last of Us Part II" video game is controversial among fans because Joel is unexpectedly and brutally murdered by Abby toward the start of the sequel when his past catches up with him.
Will Joel die in 'The Last of Us' season two? It's likely
Joel's fate is the question on every fan's mind, since it's the major jumping-off point of the sequel game. Even Pascal has said his character's death is a possibility in season two.
Pedro Pascal as Joel on season one of "The Last of Us."
Liane Hentscher/HBO
"It wouldn't make sense to follow the first game so faithfully only to stray severely from the path," Pascal told Esquire in April 2023.
"If that does take place in the show, I don't know that I'm emotionally ready for it," he added.
However, Mazin told Entertainment Weekly in 2023 that fans can expect some changes from the sequel game in season two, saying, "It's going to be different, and it will be its own thing. It won't be exactly like the game."
Maybe that means there's a chance Joel could live, or at least make it to the end of season two, due to Pascal's immense popularity.
Since the second game became controversial, it's likely the show may flesh out Abby's character more before killing Joel off, if the show decides to go that route. But it would be difficult to envision season two straying from Joel's death since it's the key motivation for Ellie's path in the sequel game.
There will be more infected
One of the infected.
Liane Hentscher/HBO
In the game, players are constantly outmaneuvering and killing a large number of the people who have been infected and taken over by the cordyceps virus. Though the infected showed up in a few key scenes, they weren't a main fixture of season one, which placed a large emphasis on character relationships and world-building.
"It's quite possible that there will be a lot more infected later. And perhaps different kinds," Mazin said during a press conference for the finale in 2023.
On HBO's "The Last of Us" podcast in 2023, Mazin added that season two will likely further explore the idea of the Cordyceps hive mind and how they can be a major threat together.
"I think this next season, the interconnectivity of them, and the risk of stepping on the wrong thing, that stuff is going to be brought forward more for sure," Mazin said.
Aaron Taylor-Johnson in "28 Years Later" and M3gan in "M3GAN 2.0."
Sony Pictures Releasing/Universal Pictures
Buzzy horror movies coming this year include sequels like "M3GAN 2.0" and "28 Years Later."
There are also originals like "Sinners" and "The Monkey."
Two separate Frankenstein adaptations are also in the works.
2024 was a great year for horror movies, and 2025 is shaping up to be a solid one too.
Last year, several of the best new horror movies were among the top 50 highest-grossing films of the year in the US. That included long-running franchise titles like "A Quiet Place: Day One" and "Alien: Romulus," buzzy sequels like "Smile 2" and "Terrifier 3," and surprise original hits like "Longlegs."
This year, it appears that IP is king once again. "Saw XI" and a long-gestating sequel to the 1997 slasher "I Know What You Did Last Summer" are on the docket, while James Wan's hit "Conjuring" franchise is set to take its final bow.
There's also a new film adaptation of a Stephen King story from "Longlegs" director Osgood Perkins, plus two different "Frankenstein" adaptations.
Below, Business Insider reporters Eammon Jacobs and Caralynn Matassa break down their most anticipated horror movies of 2025.
"Wolf Man"
Julia Garner as Charlotte and Christopher Abbott as Blake in "Wolf Man."
Universal Pictures
Release date: January 17, 2025
Universal is continuing to reinvent its vault of classic horror monsters with the "Wolf Man" remake.
The first trailer for the film sees Blake (Christopher Abbott) move his family to his childhood home after his father's disappearance.
Once they arrive, the family locks themselves inside the home after Blake gets attacked by a creature outside. He then begins to change into — you guessed it — a werewolf.
It sounds pretty predictable, but director Leigh Whannell managed to weave a haunting level of relevance into "The Invisible Man" back in 2020, so we'll see if he has something special up his sleeve for "Wolf Man."
"Companion"
Sophie Thatcher stars in "Companion."
Warner Bros. Pictures
Release date: January 31, 2025
The trailer for "Companion" is creepy and vague, giving virtually no indication of what the movie is about (other than a promise that it's "a new kind of love story"). That secrecy has certainly piqued interest in it.
On top of the minimal plot details (a tactic that worked incredibly well for "Longlegs" at the box office), the pedigree behind this title is a big draw. It was produced by the filmmakers behind the buzzy 2022 horror hit "Barbarian," including director Zach Cregger, and stars "Yellowjackets" breakout Sophie Thatcher (also known for her horror roles in "The Boogeyman" and "Heretic") and "The Boys" actor Jack Quaid.
"The Monkey"
Theo James plays twin brothers in "The Monkey."
Neon
Release date: February 21, 2025
After the unexpected success of "Longlegs" at the box office, fans don't have to wait very long for director Osgood Perkins' follow-up. He's re-teaming with again Neon (who snagged the film in a reportedly competitive deal) on "The Monkey," about twin brothers Hal and Bill (Theo James in dual roles) who are terrorized by their father's old toy monkey after finding it in the attic.
As if the excitement over Perkins as a rising horror icon isn't enough, the movie is also an adaptation of a Stephen King story.
"Sinners"
Michael B. Jordan and Miles Caton in "Sinners."
Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures
Release Date: March 7, 2025
Michael B. Jordan and Ryan Coogler's names alone should be enough to get anyone excited for "Sinners."
Throw in the creepy trailer set in a small, seemingly post-WWII town beset by an evil force, plus Jordan playing a pair of twin brothers next to Hailee Steinfeld and Wunmi Mosaku, and the film easily earns its place on this list.
It's rumored to be a vampire movie, but the footage cleverly hides its fangs if that's the case. "Sinners" seems to be a mystery box of sorts, considering that at the end of the trailer, a DJ and a boom-box can be seen in the crowd — which obviously don't match the rest of the old-timey setting.
"28 Years Later"
Aaron Taylor Johnson and Alfie Williams in "28 Years Later."
Sony Pictures Releasing
Release date: June 20, 2025
As the title might suggest, "28 Years Later" takes place several decades after Danny Boyle's game-changing "28 Days Later," which delivered a pulse-pounding vision of a modern zombie apocalypse.
The haunting first trailer showed a rural community that survived the virus by living on an isolated British island. Two of those survivors are played by Aaron Taylor-Johnson and teenage star Alfie Williams.
In October, actor Ralph Fiennes teased that the film follows a young boy in northern England who goes looking for a doctor who can help his dying mother.
"M3GAN 2.0"
M3GAN in "M3GAN 2.0."
Geoffrey Short/Universal Pictures
Release date: June 27, 2025
Get ready for more viral dances and brutal violence, because everyone's favorite killer robot toy is back in "M3GAN 2.0."
Plot details are scarce, but Allison Williams and Violet McGraw are reprising their roles as Gemma and Cady, the aunt and niece who faced off with the malevolent doll in the first movie.
Presumably, it'll involve M3GAN trying to replace Gemma as Cady's guardian following the violent ending to the first film. Regardless, Amie Donald is also returning to physically play the android, and Jenna Davis is voicing her again.
"I Never Forget What You Did Last Summer" (rumored title)
Jennifer Love Hewitt in "I Know What You Did Last Summer."
Columbia Pictures
Release date: July 18, 2025
"I Know What You Did Last Summer" is getting a follow-up nearly 30 years after its release.
The 1997 slasher followed four teens (played by '90s icons Jennifer Love Hewitt, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Ryan Phillippe, and Freddie Prinze Jr.) who are stalked by a hook-wielding killer a year after they seemingly killed a man in a hit-and-run accident.
The not-good sequel released a year later ("I Still Know What You Did Last Summer") took the murder-y action to the Bahamas. It was later followed by the (also not good) direct-to-video "I'll Always Know What You Did Last Summer" in 2006, which had nothing to do with the previous two movies. Neither indicated a promising future for the franchise.
The upcoming movie, expected to be a direct follow-up to "I Still Know…," has had an interesting journey. Mike Flanagan was originally set to reboot the first movie, but those plans were eventually canned. After years of languishing in development hell, the fourth film directed by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson was officially announced.
There are no plot details yet, but original stars Hewitt and Prinze Jr. are both set to reprise their roles. Chase Sui Wonders, Madelyn Cline, Sarah Pidgeon, Tyriq Withers, and Jonah Hauer-King also star, according to Deadline.
"The Conjuring: Last Rites"
Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga in "The Conjuring."
Warner Bros.
Release date: September 5, 2025
The highest-grossing horror movie franchise of all time is back for one final face-off with the forces of darkness.
The franchise, which kicked off in 2013 with the first film directed by James Wan, stars Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga as Ed and Lorraine Warren, famed paranormal investigators. Each film took its inspiration from a real-life case the Warrens were involved in. Its success even spawned multiple other offshoot series within the shared "Conjuring Universe," including the "Annabelle" and "The Nun" movies.
Plot details are scarce, but it's being billed as a finale of sorts, meaning Ed and Lorraine's story is likely to come to an end. Whether that means one or both of them die in the process remains to be seen.
"The Bride!"
Jessie Buckley as the Bride in "The Bride!"
Nico Tavernise/Warner Bros. Pictures
Release date: September 26, 2025
The first of the two "Frankenstein" movies on this list is Maggie Gyllenhaal's "The Bride!" This one isn't a direct adaptation, though — it's a horror musical set in 1930s Chicago and stars Christian Bale as Frankenstein's monster and Jessie Buckley as the bride of Frankenstein's monster.
Yes, that's right: a horror musical.
Penelope Cruz, Jake Gyllenhaal, Annette Bening, Peter Sarsgaard, and John Magaro also star.
"Saw XI"
Tobin Bell as John Kramer aka the Jigsaw Killer.
Lionsgate
Release Date: September 27, 2025
Love them or hate them, it's hard to deny that any new "Saw" movie is an interesting idea purely because it's hard to imagine how someone will be able to top the previous chapter.
"Saw XI" will be directed by Kevin Greutert. Greutert previously helmed the 2023 prequel "Saw X," which followed John Kramer (Tobin Bell) as he tortured a group that cons cancer patients.
Producer Oren Koules told GamesRadar+ that "Saw XI" might be a direct sequel to "Saw X."
"Cecilia is still alive and Tobin and Shawnee are in a foreign country still," he said. "So that, to me, would be the natural place to take at least the next one."
"The Black Phone 2"
Ethan Hawke in "The Black Phone."
Universal
Release Date: October 25, 2025
Scott Derrickson is calling up some scares again with "The Black Phone 2." It's a direct sequel to the 2021 movie, which starred Mason Thames as a young boy who gets kidnapped by The Grabber (Ethan Hawke) and finds that the ghosts of the serial killer's past victims are trying to help him escape.
Hawke's terrifying performance (and that incredibly creepy mask) make the idea of a sequel very tantalizing.
Derrickson and his co-writer, C. Robert Cargill, have yet to reveal what will bring The Grabber back to the big screen, but both Hawke and Thames will reprise their roles.
"Five Nights at Freddy's 2"
Foxy, Chica, Freddy Fazbear, and Bonnie in "Five Nights at Freddy's."
Patti Perret/Universal Pictures
Release date: December 5, 2025
The "Five Nights at Freddy's" follow-up might be one of Blumhouse's biggest hits of the year, if the success of the first film is any indication.
The first movie, an adaptation of the popular video game franchise of the same name, was a surprise hit at the box office when it was released in 2023. It focused on Mike (Josh Hutcherson), a security guard with a dark past who ends up facing off with animatronics possessed by dead kids (and William Afton, the serial killer who murdered them) at a Chuck E. Cheese-like pizza restaurant.
Hutcherson and Matthew Lillard, who played Afton, are both set to return for the sequel.
"Frankenstein"
A photo of Oscar Isaac in "Frankenstein" via Vanity Fair.
Ken Woroner/Netflix/Vanity Fair
Release date: TBD 2025
A Guillermo del Toro horror movie is always something of an event. (See: "Blade II," "Hellboy," "Pan's Labyrinth," and "Crimson Peak," for example.) In 2025, he'll deliver his version of "Frankenstein" for Netflix, featuring a monstrously talented cast.
Most importantly, "Dune" star Oscar Isaac will play Victor Frankenstein opposite "Euphoria" actor Jacob Elordi as Frankenstein's monster.
They're joined by Christoph Waltz, Mia Goth, Ralph Ineson, Lars Mikkelsen, and David Bradley.
Given the director's love of practical effects and creature design, this take on the well-trodden "Frankenstein" could be something truly special.
The pair of impersonators walked the red carpet and met their respective actors during the event.
Many fans were surprised at how much Braunstein looks like Powell, but some were more critical of Mitchell.
I thought the Glen lookalike was actually him for a sec lol. And the Timothée lookalike definitely looks much more like Alex Wolff than Timothée Chalamet lmaooo
The lookalike events gained momentum at first because plenty were amused by the the idea of dozens of people trying to convince fans they looked like their favorite A-lister.
But the pair's Golden Globe appearance feels like the natural conclusion to the lookalike fad.
Going to the Globes ceremony is quite a coup, and hard to top in the future — unless they suddenly find themselves at the Oscars, of course. (Don't do it, Hollywood!)
Like any trend, the lookalike competitions got boring as other events around the world tried to do the same for other actors including Zendaya, Paul Mescal, and Jeremy Allen White. Some now think it's time to put these contests to bed.
not to be that friend that’s too woke but how do yall have time to organize these but can’t show up for your communities? like damn yall can do this but can spend two hours at a maskbloc or food pantry?? https://t.co/u7xi8l8B0T
please stop doing lookalike competitions. it’s getting boring and repetitive now. i feel like people are only doing them in hopes that the real celebrity will show up and let’s be so fucking for real they will not.
Powell and Chalamet's decision to embrace the lookalike contests has probably made them more accessible to their audience and could help their careers.
The events originally started in October when hundreds of Chalamet fans and impersonators gathered in Washington Square Park in New York for the competition. The actor himself briefly attended the event to pose for photos with some of the lookalikes.
Powell upped the stakes for his lookalike competition, held in November in his hometown of Austin. He offered the winner a chance for their family to have a cameo in his next movie, a cowboy hat, and a year's supply of tacos.
Bill Skarsgård stars in "Nosferatu" as Count Orlok, the vampire.
The remake of the 1922 film also features Lily Rose-Depp, Nicholas Hoult, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson.
"Nosferatu" finishes with a sensual act of self-sacrifice. Here's what it means.
Warning spoilers ahead for the ending of "Nosferatu."
"Nosferatu," the 2024 remake of the classic 1922 horror movie, ends with a sensual act of self-sacrifice — which some viewers may find confusing.
The film tells the story of Thomas Hutter (Nicholas Hoult), an estate agent who must travel to a castle in the Carpathian mountains to complete the sale of a mansion in Germany for the mysterious Count Orlok (Bill Skarsgård).
Thomas soon discovers Orlok is a vampire who is obsessed with his wife, Ellen Hutter (Lily-Rose Depp).
While her husband is trapped in the castle miles away from home, Ellen is haunted at night by visions of Orlok, which send her into strange convulsions as if he's possessed her.
After Orlok makes his way to Germany, Ellen's situation worsens as he starts hunting her closest friends, and demands that she give herself to him as a lover. He even spreads a plague that decimates the city of Wisborg.
The film's dramatic ending reveals an older, deeper connection between Ellen and the Count, with the self-sacrifice as the crescendo.
Here's what it means.
Ellen Hutter started a psychic, sexual relationship with Count Orlok
Lily-Rose Depp as Ellen Hutter in "Nosferatu."
Universal Pictures
The film starts with an ominous scene where a young Ellen calls to "a guardian angel, a spirit of comfort, a spirit of any celestial sphere, anything" to come end her deep loneliness that has sent her into a depression.
A monstrous version of Orlok appears, and Ellen convulses on the ground. A title card reads "years later…" and the story continues.
Ellen later tells her friend, professor Von Franz (Willem Dafoe), that she has always been able to tap into the supernatural and has clairvoyant abilities that allow her to predict future events, such as her parents' death.
This power enabled her to call out to Orlok and start their psychic, sexual relationship.
It emerges that Orlok requested Thomas to complete the sale of the mansion in person in order to trick him into signing divorce papers written in an unidentifiable language.
Ellen sacrifices herself to distract Orlok from the sunrise that kills him
Lily-Rose Depp as Ellen Hutter and Bill Skarsgård as Count Orlok in "Nosferatu."
Universal Pictures
Von Franz discovers an ancient book in the office of Orlok's servant, Herr Knock (Simon McBurney), which explains the only way to kill Orlok and end the plague is for a woman to sacrifice herself at night and distract the vampire from the sunrise.
Ellen agrees to sacrifice herself, but knows that her husband would not agree to the plan. Instead, Von Franz lies to Thomas that burning Orlok's coffin will kill him, and they head to the mansion.
While Thomas is away, Ellen leaves her window open for Orlok and welcomes him into her bed. They have sex while Orlok feasts on her blood, slowly killing her.
Her sacrifice might be confusing to viewers, but she does it to repent for starting the relationship and being indirectly responsible for the plague that Orlok unleashed on the city of Wisborg.
In doing so, she takes back her agency by refusing to be his victim any longer. She manipulates his obsession by giving him what he wants, knowing he won't be able to resist her.
Orlok is so distracted by feeding on Ellen that he doesn't realize the sun is starting to glare through the window. He lets out a chilling scream while blood pours from his eyes and mouth, and his body transforms into a hideous, shriveled corpse.
Bill Skarsgard is returning to play Pennywise in "IT: Welcome to Derry."
Warner Bros. Pictures
Bill Skarsgard is returning to play Pennywise in the "IT: Welcome to Derry" series for HBO.
The prequel is set before the 2017 and 2019 movies.
Here's what to know about "IT: Welcome to Derry."
Bill Skarsgard will terrify audiences once more as Pennywise the Dancing Clown in a new TV series, "IT: Welcome to Derry."
In 2017, Warner Bros. delivered a terrifying new take on Stephen King's "IT" starring Skarsgard as Pennywise, the monstrous creature that haunts a group of children in the form of a creepy clown.
According to TheNumbers.com, the film and its 2019 sequel, "IT: Chapter Two," collectively took more than $1 billion at the box office. That haul means it's little surprise Warner Bros. wants to keep the franchise alive, but this time it's heading for the small screen.
"IT: Welcome to Derry" will tell Pennywise's story years before he meets Bill Denborough (Jaeden Martell) and his friends, although the specifics of the plot are yet to be revealed.
Here's what we know about the HBO series.
Bill Skarsgard says "IT: Welcome to Derry" will be "pretty hardcore"
Bill Skarsgard as Pennywise in "IT."
Warner Bros. Pictures
Horror fans might be concerned that some of the franchise's signature shocking violence will be toned down for television.
Skarsgard was asked on the "Happy Sad Confused" podcast about how scary "Welcome to Derry" will be. He replied: "It's pretty hardcore man."
The actor explained that although he originally wanted to leave the character behind, he enjoyed exploring Pennywise further with Andy Muschietti, the director of "IT" and one of the prequel's developers.
Skarsgard said: "It was fun. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would, actually, and there's parts of it where we got to explore sides of old Pennywise that we haven't seen. And that's fun. I remembered how much I enjoy working with Andy and we do have a lot of fun together. I think there's some cool stuff in there that we haven't seen that I'm excited for the people to watch and enjoy hopefully."
"IT: Welcome to Derry" will air on HBO in 2025
Chris Chalk in "IT: Welcome to Derry."
Brooke Palmer/HBO
Skarsgard will be joined by "Overlord" and "Babylon" star Jovan Adepo, "Gotham" actor Chris Chalk, and "Zola" actor Taylour Paige. James Remar, who is known for "Dexter" and "Oppenheimer," is also in the cast.
HBO has not confirmed a release date for the series, but included the nine-episode season in its 2025 teaser.
In the brief footage, which can be seen below, a group of kids talk about seeing a clown, and a grotesque arm pulls one of them into a murky lake.
Another creepy shot sees someone standing in a store window with an unnerving grin on their face.
Jim Carrey as The Grinch, and Hugh Jackman as Wolverine.
Universal Pictures/20th Century Studios
A number of beloved movies released in 2000 are turning 25 this year.
2000 was the year that Hugh Jackman started playing Wolverine in "X-Men."
It also saw the release of much-loved children's movies including "How the Grinch Stole Christmas."
It's 2025, so iconic films including "X-Men" and "Cast Away" are turning 25 this year.
That means it's over two decades since Hugh Jackman first played Wolverine in the "X-Men" franchise and it became impossible to hear the name "Wilson" without imagining Tom Hanks yelling it.
Here are the 13 most iconic movies that turn 25 in 2025.
'Final Destination'
Devon Sawa as Alex Browning in "Final Destination."
New Line Cinema
Release date: March 17, 2000.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 36%
Synopsis: "Alex Browning (Devon Sawa), is embarking on a trip to Paris. Alex experiences a premonition — he sees the plane explode moments after leaving the ground. Alex insists that everyone get off the plane, and seven people, including Alex, are forced to disembark. All watch as the plane actually explodes in a fireball. He and the other survivors have briefly cheated death, but will not be able to evade their fate for very long. One by one, these fugitives from fate fall victim to the grim reaper."
'American Psycho'
Christian Bale as Patrick Bateman in "American Psycho."
American Psycho screengrab
Release date: April 14, 2000.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 68%
Synopsis: "In New York City in 1987, a handsome, young urban professional, Patrick Bateman (Christian Bale), lives a second life as a gruesome serial killer by night. The cast is filled by the detective (Willem Dafoe), the fiancé (Reese Witherspoon), the mistress (Samantha Mathis), the coworker (Jared Leto), and the secretary (Chloë Sevigny). This is a biting, wry comedy examining the elements that make a man a monster."
'Gladiator'
(Left) Russell Crowe and Djimon Hounsou in "Gladiator."
DreamWorks
Release date: May 5, 2000.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 80%
Synopsis: "Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) takes power and strips rank from Maximus (Russell Crowe), one of the favored generals of his predecessor and father, Emperor Marcus Aurelius, the great stoical philosopher. Maximus is then relegated to fighting to the death in the gladiator arenas."
'Mission Impossible II'
Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt in "Mission: Impossible II."
Paramount Pictures
Release date: May 24, 2000.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 56%
Synopsis: "Tom Cruise returns to his role as Ethan Hunt in the second installment of 'Mission: Impossible.' This time Ethan Hunt leads his IMF team on a mission to capture a deadly German virus before it is released by terrorists. His mission is made impossible due to the fact that he is not the only person after samples of the disease. He must also contest with a gang of international terrorists headed by a turned-bad former IMF agent who has already managed to steal the cure."
'Chicken Run'
Ginger the chicken in "Chicken Run."
DreamWorks Pictures
Release date: June 30, 2000.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 97%
Synopsis: "This engaging stop-motion, claymation adventure tells the story of an American rooster who falls in love with a gorgeous hen on a British farm. The couple decides to run away from the farm, but they must first contend with the evil farmer who is intent on keeping them under her control. The chickens decide to attempt an escape so they don't get turned into chicken pot pies."
'Scary Movie'
The parody Ghostface in "Scary Movie."
Dimension Films
Release date: July 7, 2000.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 51%
Synopsis: "Defying the very notion of good taste, 'Scary Movie' out-parodies the pop culture parodies with a no-holds-barred assault on the most popular images and talked-about moments from recent films, television, and commercials. The film boldly fires barbs at the classic scenes from 'Scream,' 'The Sixth Sense,' 'The Matrix,' 'I Know What You Did Last Summer' and 'The Blair Witch Project,' then goes on to mock a whole myriad of teen movie clichés, no matter the genre."
'X-Men'
Hugh Jackman as Wolverine in "X-Men."
20th Century Fox
Release date: July 14, 2000.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 82%
Synopsis: "They are children of the atom, homo superior, the next link in the chain of evolution. Each was born with a unique genetic mutation, which at puberty manifested itself in extraordinary powers. In a world filled with hate and prejudice, they are feared by those who cannot accept their differences. Led by Xavier, the X-Men fight to protect a world that fears them. They are locked in a battle with former colleague and friend, Magneto who believes humans and mutants should never co-exist."
'Snatch'
Brad Pitt as Mickey in "Snatch."
Screen Gems
Release date: September 1, 2000.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 74%
Synopsis: "Illegal boxing promoter Turkish (Jason Statham) convinces gangster Brick Top (Alan Ford) to offer bets on bare-knuckle boxer Mickey (Brad Pitt) at his bookie business. When Mickey does not throw his first fight as agreed, an infuriated Brick Top demands another match. Meanwhile, gangster Frankie Four Fingers (Benicio del Toro) comes to place a bet for a friend with Brick Top's bookies, as multiple criminals converge on a stolen diamond that Frankie has come to London to sell."
'Billy Elliot'
Jamie Bell as Billy Elliot.
Universal Pictures via Youtube
Release date: September 29, 2000.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 85%
Synopsis: "The life of 11-year-old Billy Elliot, a coal miner's son in Northern England, is forever changed one day when he stumbles upon a ballet class during his weekly boxing lesson. Before long, he finds himself in dance, demonstrating the kind of raw talent seldom seen by the class-exacting instructor, Mrs. Wilkinson. With a tart tongue and a never-ending stream of cigarettes in her hand, Mrs. Wilkinson's zest for teaching is revived when she sees Billy's potential."
'Charlie's Angels'
Lucy Liu as Alex Munday, Cameron Diaz as Natalie Cook, and Drew Barrymore as Dylan Sanders in "Charlie's Angels."
Sony
Release date: November 3, 2000.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 68%
Synopsis: "A trio of elite private investigators armed with the latest in high-tech tools, high-performance vehicles, martial arts techniques, and an array of disguises unleash their state-of-the-art skills on land, sea, and air to track down a kidnapped billionaire-to-be and keep his top-secret voice-identification software out of lethal hands. They're beautiful, they're brilliant, and they work for Charlie."
'Unbreakable'
Bruce Willis as David Dunn in "Unbreakable."
Disney
Release date: November 22, 2000.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 70%
Synopsis: "David Dunn (Bruce Willis) is the sole survivor of a devastating train wreck. Elijah Price (Samuel L. Jackson) is a mysterious stranger who offers a bizarre explanation as to why David escaped without a single scratch — an explanation which threatens to change David's family and his life forever."
'How the Grinch Stole Christmas'
Jim Carrey In "How The Grinch Stole Christmas."
Getty / Archive Photos / Stringer
Release date: November 17, 2000.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 49%
Synopsis: "In this live-action adaptation of the beloved children's tale by Dr. Seuss, the reclusive green Grinch (Jim Carrey) decides to ruin Christmas for the cheery citizens of Whoville. Reluctantly joined by his hapless dog, Max, the Grinch comes down from his mountaintop home and sneaks into town to swipe everything holiday-related from the Whos. However, the bitter grump finds a hitch in his plans when he encounters the endearing Cindy Lou Who (Taylor Momsen)."
'Cast Away'
Tom Hanks as Chuck Noland in "Cast Away."
20th Century Fox/DreamWorks Pictures
Release date: December 22, 2000.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 89%
Synopsis: "Obsessively punctual FedEx executive Chuck Noland (Tom Hanks) is en route to an assignment in Malaysia when his plane crashes over the Pacific Ocean during a storm. The sole survivor of the flight, Chuck washes ashore on a deserted island. When his efforts to sail away and contact help fail, Chuck learns how to survive on the island, where he remains for years, accompanied by only his handmade volleyball friend, Wilson. Will Chuck ever return to civilization and reunite with his loved ones?"
Rosalind Eleazar as Kat Donovan in "Missing You" and Michelle Keegan as Maya Stern in "Fool Me Once."
Netflix
Netflix's "Missing You" is based on the book of the same name by Harlan Coben.
The mystery writer has worked with the streamer on several shows.
Here's how critics rank Netflix's Coben adaptations.
"Missing You" is Netflix's ninth adaptation of a Harlan Coben novel, following huge hits including "Fool Me Once."
Here is a ranking of all of the streamers shows based on Coben's work, according to critics' scores on Rotten Tomatoes.
Note: All scores were accurate on the date of publication and are subject to change.
"Gone for Good" (2021)
Guillaume Gouix as Da Costa in "Gone for Good."
Magali Bragard/Netflix
Rotten Tomatoes score: Not enough reviews to generate a critics' score. Audience score: 34%.
Synopsis: "Ten years after losing the two people he loved most, a man finds himself plunged into another dizzying mystery when his girlfriend suddenly vanishes."
Critics' consensus: "For now, it's so far, so good, from the solid performances of Oldfield and Harzoune to a story that gets really interesting, really quickly." (Decider)
"Hold Tight" (2022)
Magdalena Boczarska as Anna Barczyk in "Hold Tight."
Piotr Liwic/Netflix
Rotten Tomatoes score: Not enough reviews to generate a critics' score. Audience score: 37%.
Synopsis: "When a young man goes missing soon after his friend dies, life in a tight-knit, affluent Warsaw suburb slowly unravels, laying bare secrets and lies."
Critics' consensus: "I can't highly recommend 'Hold Tight,' but it does offer a moderately entertaining diversion because of its foreign pedigree." (KDHX)
"Missing You" (2025)
Rosalind Eleazar as Kat Donovan and Ashley Walters as Josh Buchanan in "Missing You."
Vishal Sharma/Netflix
Rotten Tomatoes score: 44%
Synopsis: "Eleven years ago Detective Kat Donovan's fiancé Josh — the love of her life — disappeared and she's never heard from him since. Now, swiping profiles on a dating app, she suddenly sees his face and her world explodes all over again. Josh's reappearance will force her to dive back into the mystery surrounding her father's murder and uncover long-buried secrets from her past."
Critics' consensus: "While there is something efficient about the delivery of thrills in 'Missing You,' it is too stupid and too manipulative to be encouraged." (The Independent)
"Safe" (2018)
Michael C. Hall as Tom Delaney (left) and Marc Warren as Pete Mayfield in "Safe."
Netflix
Rotten Tomatoes score: 71%
Synopsis: "Tom has struggled to raise his two daughters alone following his wife's death a year ago. Things seem to be on the right track for the family, who live in a gated community, because they have close friends nearby and Tom is in the early stages of a new relationship. But the situation takes a turn for the worse when Jenny, Tom's oldest daughter, goes missing along with her boyfriend."
Critics' consensus: "'Safe' boasts a superb cast — albeit with some questionable accents — who carry its soapy, mystery-laden drama just well enough to offer an entertaining diversion."
"Fool Me Once" (2024)
Michelle Keegan as Maya in "Fool Me Once."
Netflix
Rotten Tomatoes score: 75%
Synopsis: "After her husband is brutally murdered, Maya spots someone on the nanny cam she has installed to keep an eye on her young daughter — someone who is supposed to be dead."
Critics' consensus: "If Lumley doesn't quite act Keegan off-screen, she is nonetheless fantastically formidable. Throw in a plot that moves like a slinky on steroids and you have a post-Christmas thriller to cherish." (The Daily Telegraph)
"The Stranger" (2020)
Richard Armitage as Adam Price in "The Stranger."
Netflix
Rotten Tomatoes score: 87%
Synopsis: "A web of secrets sends family man Adam Price on a desperate quest to discover the truth about the people closest to him."
Critics' consensus: "If not quite as addicting as its source material, 'The Stranger' has a strong cast and enough tension to keep viewers on the edge of their seats."
"The Woods" (2020)
Wiktoria Filus as Laura Goldsztajn in "The Woods."
Krzysztof Wiktor/Netflix
Rotten Tomatoes score: 89%
Synopsis: "In Warsaw, a prosecutor's hopes rise after a body is found and linked to his sister's disappearance 25 years earlier."
Critics' consensus: "'The Woods' is another solid showing, complete with good performances and an intriguing mystery, but there's a lack of artistic ambition here that keeps it from elevating to the higher tiers of the genre." (Radio Times)
"Stay Close" (2021)
Cush Jumbo as Megan Pierce and James Nesbitt as Michael Broome in "Stay Close."
Vishal Sharma/Netflix
Rotten Tomatoes score: 92%
Synopsis: "The lives of a photojournalist, a soccer mom, and a homicide detective are impacted by a terrible event from the past."
Critics' consensus: "'Stay Close' benefits from fine performances and a story that gives just enough clues in the first episode to keep viewers intrigued and — more importantly — not frustrated with purposely obtuse writing." (Decider)
"The Innocent" (2021)
Alexandra Jiménez as Lorena Ortiz in "The Innocent."
Quim Vives/Netflix
Rotten Tomatoes score: 100%
Synopsis: "An accidental killing leads a man down a dark hole of intrigue and murder; just as he finds love and freedom, a phone call brings back the nightmare."
Critics' consensus: "Genre fans will be well-served here, and while eight episodes seem like one or two too many, the time will fly by and 'The Innocent' will almost certainly be another hit." (Ready Steady Cut)
Rosalind Eleazar as Kat Donovan and Ashley Walters as Josh Buchanan in "Missing You."
Netflix
Netflix has delivered another thriller based on one of Harlan Coben's books.
"Missing You" follows a detective whose fiancé has been missing for 11 years.
The show is billed as a limited series, but there would be plenty to explore in a second season.
Warning: Major spoilers ahead for "Missing You."
Fans of "Missing You," Netflix's latest adaptation of a Harlan Coben book, may be wondering if a second season is coming.
The show comes after Coben's "Fool Me Once," which was released on January 1, 2024 and became one of Netflix's most-watched shows of all time. It has been viewed 98 million times, according to the streamer.
In "Missing You," detective Kat Donovan (Rosalind Eleazar) tries to uncover why her fiancé disappeared and her father died 11 years ago.
Netflix has promoted the show as a limited series, so it seems unlikely a second season will be made. None of the other Coben adaptations have had one, either.
But the ending leaves things on an emotional cliffhanger and it would be possible for Netflix to continue the story, which it might be tempted to do if it's as big a success as "Fool Me Once."
The series ends with Josh Buchanan (Ashley Walters), Kat's fiancé, confessing to her that he accidentally killed her father, Clint Donovan (Lenny Henry) while trying to defend his friend, Aqua Venech (Mary Malone).
Aqua accidentally learned that Clint was secretly gay and had been in a relationship with a man for 14 years. Josh arrived at Aqua's apartment when Clint was threatening her with a knife, and accidentally stabbed him during the fight.
Josh then left Kat suddenly because he couldn't deal with the guilt of killing her father.
Kat is shocked, and although the couple had started to rekindle their relationship, it's unclear whether they could stay together now she knows the truth.
A hypothetical second season of "Missing You" could explore whether the pair stay together and if Kat goes to the police. It could also return to the organized crime subplot involving gangster Dominic Calligan (James Nesbitt).
But for now, it looks like "Missing You" is a one-off.
Richard Armitage as Ellis Stagger in "Missing You."
Vishal Sharma/Netflix
"Missing You" is the latest adaptation of a book by Harlan Coben.
It follows detective Kat Donovan whose fiancé disappeared.
The series includes several actors from other Netflix shows based on Coben's work.
The latest Harlan Coben Netflix thriller, "Missing You," features a handful of actors from previous adaptations of the author's mystery novels.
Rosalind Eleazar plays detective Kat Donovan, a woman whose fiancé, Josh Buchanan (Ashley Walters), disappeared without a trace eleven years ago.
When she spots his profile on a dating app it forces her to reexamine her life, including the suspicious circumstances surrounding her father's death.
"Missing You" was released on Netflix exactly one year after the previous Coben series, "Fool Me Once," starring Michelle Keegan, which was one of the streamer's most-watched shows of the year.
The cast of the new series includes three actors who subscribers might recognize from previous Coben adaptations.
Richard Armitage plays Ellis Stagger in "Missing You" and previously appeared in "Stay Close," "The Stranger," and "Fool Me Once."
Richard Armitage in "Stay Close," "The Stranger," "Fool Me Once," and "Missing You."
Netflix
Richard Armitage plays a major role in "Missing You" as sergeant Ellis Stagger, Donovan's police boss who is involved with the mystery surrounding her father's death. The series marks Armitage's fourth appearance in a Coben Netflix series.
In 2020 he played Adam Price, a father of two whose wife goes missing shortly after a mysterious stranger (Hannah John-Kamen) approaches him out of the blue and tells him a secret.
Then, in 2021, he played paparazzi photographer Ray Levine who is one of the major suspects in the murder of Stewart Green (Rod Hunt) in a cold case that resurfaces in the present day.
And in 2024, he played Joe Burkett in "Fool Me Once," Maya Stern's (Michelle Keegan) dead husband who mysteriously appears on a nanny cam in their home.
James Nesbitt plays Calligan and also appeared in "Stay Close"
James Nesbitt in "Stay Close" and "Missing You."
Netflix
Irish actor James Nesbitt plays Calligan, a nefarious gangster, in "Missing You" and it's insinuated that he had something to do with the death of Donovan's father.
He has a pretty murky backstory, as one police officer tells Donovan that Calligan almost murdered his classmate with a claw hammer when he was at school.
Nesbitt previously starred in "Stay Close" with Armitage and played detective Michael Broome, the police officer who investigates the disappearance of Del Flynn (Ross Boatman), a businessman who vanished exactly 17 years after Green went missing.
As is the case in all good Coben TV shows, he realizes he has a surprisingly personal connection to the case.
Marc Warren plays Monte Leburn and appeared in "Safe"
Marc Warren played Monte Leburn.
Netflix
Rounding out the Coben alumni is Marc Warren, who plays Monte Leburn, the hitman who confessed to killing Donovan's father — despite having no reason to do so.
His actions confuse Donovan as she tires to find the truth truth about his death.
Audiences might recognize Warren from "Safe," in which he played Dr. Pete Mayfield, the best friend of Tom Delaney (Michael C. Hall), a widower. Delaney asks Mayfield for help when his daughter, Jenny (Amy-Leigh Hickman), goes missing after a house party.
"Missing You" follows Kat Donovan whose fiancé, Josh Buchanan, disappears.
She starts hunting for answers after she spots him on a dating app 11 years later.
Her investigation also forces her to ask who murdered Clint Donovan, her father.
Warning: Spoilers ahead for "Missing You."
Netflix has kicked 2025 off strong with "Missing You," the latest thriller based on a Harlan Coben book.
It follows the hugely successful Coben adaptation "Fool Me Once," which became one of Netflix's most-watched shows of all time in 2024.
The new series revolves around Kat Donovan (Rosalind Eleazar), a detective who has never gotten over her fiancé, Josh Buchanan (Ashley Walters) disappearing without warning 11 years ago.
He left shortly after her father Clint Donovan (Lenny Henry), a police inspector, was murdered. It's another incident that she wants answers for after a hitman confessed to the killing.
Who really killed Kat's father? Why did Josh leave? All the answers are revealed by the end of "Missing You."
Josh Buchanan was never on the dating app, his profile was created by Titus Monroe's scamming group
Steve Pemberton as Titus Monroe in Harlan Coben's "Missing You."
Netflix
"Missing You" starts with Kat spotting Josh on the Melody Cupid dating app. But it emerges his account was faked as part of an extensive romance scam being run by a man called Titus Monroe (Steve Pemberton), from his remote farm.
He and his associates had a room full of laptops, computers, and phones that they used to lure unsuspecting single people into fake online relationships.
Once their victims were invested, the scammers invited them on a fake romantic getaway, kidnapped them, and held them at the farm where Titus forced them to transfer him thousands of pounds.
That's what happened to Rishi Maghari (Rudi Dharmalingam), the lecturer, who audiences meet in the first episode.
Buchanan's dating profile was harvested from a Facebook account made by his secret daughter, Sadie (Amelie Dokubo), whom he had with an unknown woman after leaving Kat.
In the final episode, the scam operation is stopped when Titus realizes that the police are closing in and he burns the farm down. He tries to kill Dana Fells (Lisa Faulkner), one of his scam victims, and her son Brendan (Oscar Kennedy) to cover his tracks. But Kat arrives and shoots Titus dead before he can kill anyone.
But none of this answers the key mystery behind Josh's disappearance or Clint's death, it just ties up the subplot regarding the various missing people that Kat was investigating.
Clint Donovan was blackmailed into working for a gangster to hide that he was gay
Lenny Henry as Clint Donovan and Cyril Nri as Parker in "Missing You."
Netflix
By the end of "Missing You," Kat learns that her father was a corrupt officer working for Calligan (James Nesbitt), a gangster.
It's a surprise because Kat had an idealistic view of her father as a hardworking police officer. But that's not the only twist: Calligan points her toward someone called Parker (Cyril Nri), who is revealed to be a man that Clint was having an affair with.
Kat learns that her father was secretly gay, and Calligan was using that to blackmail him into working for him. Parker and Clint were in a committed relationship, which they kept secret because of Clint's family and his job.
Josh left after accidentally killing Clint, who was trying to cover up his secret relationship
Ashley Walters as Josh Buchanan in "Missing You."
Netflix
When Kat finds Josh in Scotland, she initially thinks he left because he knew Clint was corrupt and, for a moment, it looks like they could rekindle their relationship.
But when the tech genius Charlie Pitt (Charlie Hambley) finds Josh's fingerprint on the knife that killed Clint, it all comes crashing down, and Josh tells Kat the truth about why he left.
11 years ago, on the night of Clint's death, Kat's friend Aqua Vanech (Mary Malone), saw a heated exchange between the police officer and Parker, which made it clear they were together. In his desperation to keep his secret, Clint attacked Aqua at her home while berating her for being able to live as her true self as a transgender woman.
Josh happened to arrive at Aqua's home while Clint threatened her with a knife and stepped in to defend his friend. In the ensuing struggle, Josh accidentally stabbed Clint, killing him.
Then DCI Stagger (Richard Armitage) arrived. He covered up Clint's death — including paying off hitman Monte Leburne (Marc Warren) — to hide Clint's corruption and protect his family.
The guilt Josh felt led him to leave Kat.
"Missing You" ends on an emotional cliffhanger, as it's clear that Kat and Josh aren't sure whether their relationship can continue now that she knows he killed her father.
The genre has grown to new heights in the past decade, as streaming services and podcasts feed audiences' fascination with the darker side of humanity. This year that has included stalking in "Baby Reindeer" to child exploitation in "Quiet on Set."
Here are the best true crime shows and documentaries so far this year.
1. 'American Nightmare'
Denise Huskins and Aaron Quinn in Netflix's "American Nightmare."
Netflix
Netflix started 2024 strong with "American Nightmare," which tells the story of a bizarre kidnapping.
Denise Huskins was forcibly takenfrom her boyfriend's house in Vallejo, California in 2015 and reappeared two days later over 400 miles away near her family home in Huntington Beach.
Using interviews with Huskins and her boyfriend, Aaron Quinn, the gripping three-part docuseries explains how the authorities suspected she faked the kidnapping in a move similar to the plot of the 2014 movie, "Gone Girl."
But the case takes an even stranger turn when a police officer stumbles onto a disbarred lawyer, Matthew Muller.
2. 'Lover, Stalker, Killer'
Dave Kroupa in Netflix's "Lover, Stalker, Killer."
Netflix
Mechanic Dave Kroupa had no idea what he was getting into when he started dating Liz Golyar in 2012.
"Lover, Stalker, Killer" explains how the Nebraska couple enjoyed going out and drinking, but things turned deadly when Kroupa called things off and started dating computer programmer, Cari Farver.
Farver went missing just two weeks into their relationship.
The documentary explores how Golyar killed Farver and impersonated her online to evade the authorities.
3. 'Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV'
Drake Bell in episode two of the Investigation Discovery docuseries "Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV."
Investigation Discovery
"Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV" is a shocking four-part Investigation Discovery docuseries about kids TV channel Nickelodeon and the abuse faced by some of its most famous actors.
The show is based on Business Insider's reporting and explores the allegations that producer Dan Schneider created a toxic work environment at Nickelodeon.
It also sees actor and musician Drake Bell talk publicly for the first time about being sexually assaulted by dialogue coach, Brian Peck.
4. 'The Asunta Case'
Tristán Ulloa as Alfonso Basterra, and Candela Peña as Rosario Porto Ortega in "The Asunta Case."
Manuel Fernandez-Valdes/Netflix
Spain was shocked when the body of 12-year-old Asunta Basterra Porto was discovered near the city of Santiago de Compostela in 2013.
It was later discovered that her adoptive parents, lawyer Rosario Porto and journalist Alfonso Basterra, murdered her after their divorce.
The tragic death is dramatized in Netflix's "The Asunta Case," which gives audiences an insight into what happened to the couple in the immediate aftermath of the murder.
5. 'Under the Bridge'
Viritka Gupta as Reena Virk in "Under the Bridge."
What makes the show more interesting than a typical crime drama is that it puts Godfrey in the middle of the mystery. The author is played by "Mad Max: Fury Road" star Riley Keough.
Richard Gadd as Donny Dunn and Jessica Gunning as Martha Scott in "Baby Reindeer."
Ed Miller/Netflix
"Baby Reindeer" dramatizes the show's lead actor and writer's experience with stalking, and became a huge talking point after it was released in April 2024.
Richard Gadd plays a fictional version of himself, Donny Dunn, an aspiring comedian who is stalked by a woman called Martha Scott (Jessica Gunning) after he shows her a moment of kindness at the pub where he works.
Gadd also uses the show to also tackle subjects like sexuality and sexual assault. But it became a global phenomenon because audiences tried to track down the "real Martha" online.
In May, 58-year-old Fiona Harvey came forward as the woman the character is based on, but challenged Gadd's depiction of her and has taken legal action against Netflix.
7. 'Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult'
Miranda Derrick at an awards ceremony, and Melanie Lee and Robert Shinn from "Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult."
Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
"Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult" dives into the murky world of TikTok dancers and content creators. It starts by looking at Miranda Derrick, a dancer who cut ties with her family after joining the controversial Shekinah Church in Los Angeles.
From there, the compelling three-part series introduces the audience to Shekinah Church pastor Robert Shinn, and explores allegations of abusive behavior and coercion within the church.
Derrick denied being in a cult in June 2024, and said that she has received death threats because of the Netflix docuseires.
8. 'How to Rob a Bank'
Scott Scurlock used disguises to rob banks in Seattle during the 1990s.
Netflix
Scott Scurlock's life sounds like something out of a Steven Spielberg movie.
In the 1990s, he lived in a huge tree house on his own property and started robbing banks in the Seattle area using makeup and prosthetics to disguise himself.
He even earned himself the nickname "The Hollywood Bandit," because of his techniques.
Scurlock's free-spirited life is the focus of Netflix's "How to Rob a Bank," and features surprisingly honest interviews with his fellow bank robbers and friends.
9. 'Perfect Wife: The Disappearance of Sherri Papini'
Sherri Papini after her arraignment in Sacramento, California.
As the title suggests, it revolves around Papini — who went missing after she went for a run in Redding, California, in November 2016. She was found three weeks later in Yolo County, California, 150 miles from home.
The docuseries explains how it took authorities six years to arrest her for faking the kidnapping, while also looking at the ramifications the hoax had on her family.
10. 'The Man with 1000 Kids'
Jonathan Jacob Meijer has fathered over 550 children.
Netflix
Audiences learn the jaw-dropping story of prolific Dutch sperm donor, Jonathan Jacob Meijer, in "The Man with 1000 Kids."
Meijer does not appear in the three-part docuseries, but five families who used his sperm to conceive share how they discovered the truth about how many children he has and the subsequent dangers.
Meijer has not been convicted of a crime, but the show bears the hallmarks of the true crime genre.
Meijer confirmed he has over 550 children worldwide, and was banned from donating sperm to new families in 2023.
11. "I Am a Killer"
Gary Black in handcuffs, as seen in "I Am a Killer."
Netflix
While many true crime shows on this list focus on the victims, "I Am a Killer" revolves around perpetrators.
Each episode features interviews with a convicted killers in the United States, as they explain the reasons for their crime, their mindset at the time, and how they feel about their actions.
The fifth season arrived on Netflix in October, and features several complex, heartbreaking cases — including that of Ashley Morrison, who was convicted as an accomplice when her boyfriend murdered his grandmother in 2014.
12. "Until I Kill You"
Shaun Evans as John Sweeney and Anna Maxwell Martin as Delia Balmer in "Until I Kill You."
ITV
In November, British network ITV released "Until I Kill You," which dramatizes the life of Delia Balmer (Anna Maxwell Martin), a nurse who survived two brutal attacks by her ex-boyfriend, John Sweeney (Shaun Evans).
The authorities later learned that Sweeney was a serial killer, known as the "Scalp Hunter."
The intense four-part drama charts their relationship and how Sweeney went on the run for several years before he was caught. It also looks at the way the legal system treated Balmer, and the trauma she endured when testifying against Sweeney in court.
13. "The Kings of Tupelo"
A photo of Paul Kevin Curtis dressed as Elvis, as seen in "The Kings of Tupelo."
Netflix
"The Kings of Tupelo" is another Netflix docuseries featuring a case that almost seems too wild to be true. It revolves around Paul Kevin Curtis, an Elvis impersonator who claims he discovered a fridge full of body parts when he was working as a janitor in a Mississippi hospital.
He claimed that the fridge was part of an illegal organ-harvesting operation, and was trying to publicize his theory when he started feuding with a local Taekwondo instructor, James Everett Dutschke.
The three-part docuseries explains how and why Dutschke went on to frame Curtis for attempting to assassinate Barack Obama with ricin in 2013.
The streamer will release new chapters of beloved shows, including "Stranger Things" season five, "Wednesday" season two, " and "You" season five.
But there are also plenty of brand-new shows on the slate for 2025. Here are the ones that we're the most excited about.
'Missing You'
Rosalind Eleazar as Detective Kat Donovan in "Missing You."
Vishal Sharma/Netflix
Netflix Synopsis: "Eleven years ago Detective Kat Donovan's fiancé Josh — the love of her life — disappeared and she's never heard from him since.
"Now, swiping profiles on a dating app, she suddenly sees his face and her world explodes all over again. Josh's reappearance will force her to dive back into the mystery surrounding her father's murder and uncover long-buried secrets from her past."
Release date: January 1
'American Primeval'
Betty Gilpin as Sara Rowell in "American Primeval."
Matt Kennedy/Netflix
Netflix synopsis: "This is America…1857. Up is down, pain is everywhere, innocence and tranquility are losing the battle to hatred and fear. Peace is the shrinking minority, and very few possess grace — even fewer know compassion. There is no safe haven in these brutal lands, and only one goal matters: survival."
Release date: January 9
'Sakamoto Days'
"Sakamoto Days" tells the story of a retired hitman.
Netflix
Netflix synopsis: "Follow the action-packed story of legendary ex-hitman Taro Sakamoto, as he bands with comrades to face off against the looming threat of assassins to ensure a peaceful life with his beloved family. Sakamoto and company run wild in no-holds-barred, over-the-top battles that have stolen the spotlight and captivated audiences far and wide.
"In a world overrun by assassins like the special force 'The Order' from the Japanese Association of Assassins (JAA), and a mysterious individual called 'X (Slur)' targeting assassins, what is the true meaning of strength for Sakamoto?
"Get ready for non-stop assassin action as chaos ensues in the ordinary (and not-so-ordinary) life of Sakamoto and his comrades!"
Premiere date: January 11
'The Residence'
Uzo Aduba and Randall Park in "The Residence."
Erin Simkin/Netflix
Netflix synopsis: "132 rooms. 157 suspects. One dead body. One wildly eccentric detective. One disastrous State Dinner. 'The Residence' is a screwball whodunnit set in the upstairs, downstairs, and backstairs of the White House, among the eclectic staff of the world's most famous mansion."
Premiere date: March 20
'Devil May Cry'
"Devil May Cry" is an adaptation of a game.
Netflix
Netflix synopsis: "In this animated adaptation of the popular Capcom game and from the vision of Adi Shankar, sinister forces are at play to open the portal between the human and demon realms. In the middle of it all is Dante, an orphaned demon-hunter-for-hire, unaware that the fate of both worlds hangs around his neck."
Premiere date: April 2025
'Adolescence'
Owen Cooper as Jamie Miller and Stephen Graham as Eddie Miller in "Adolescence."
Netflix
Netflix synopsis: "'Adolescence' tells the story of how a family's world is turned upside down when 13-year-old Jamie Miller (Owen Cooper) is arrested for the murder of a teenage girl who goes to his school.
"Stephen Graham will play Jamie's father and 'appropriate adult', Eddie Miller. Ashley Walters stars as Detective Inspector Luke Bascombe, and Erin Doherty is Briony Ariston, the clinical psychologist assigned to Jamie's case."
Premiere date: Date in 2025 TBD
'Apple Cider Vinegar'
Kaitlyn Dever as Belle in "Apple Cider Vinegar."
Courtesy Of Netflix
Netflix synopsis: "Set at the birth of Instagram, 'Apple Cider Vinegar' follows two young women who set out to cure their life-threatening illnesses through health and wellness, influencing their global online communities along the way.
"All of which would be incredibly inspiring if it were all true. This is a true-ish story based on a lie, about the rise and fall of a wellness empire; the culture that built it up and the people who tore it down"
Premiere date: Date in 2025 TBD
'Department Q'
Matthew Goode and Kelly MacDonald appear in "Department Q."
John Nacion/Getty Images/Karwai Tang/WireImage
Netflix synopsis: "Department Q is an adaptation of the novels of the same name from Danish author, Jussi Adler-Olsen. Created by Scott Frank, the series revolves around Carl Morck, a former top-rated detective in Edinburgh assigned to a new cold case whilst wracked with guilt following an attack that left his partner paralyzed and another policeman dead."
Premiere date: Date in 2025 TBD
'Hostage'
Suranne Jones and Julie Delpy appear in "Hostage."
Jeff Spicer/Getty Images/Michael Tullberg/Getty Images
Netflix synopsis: "When the British Prime Minister's husband is kidnapped and the visiting French President is blackmailed, the two political leaders both face unimaginable choices.
"Forced into a fierce rivalry where their political futures, and lives, might hang in the balance, can they work together to uncover the plot that threatens them both?"
Premiere date: Date in 2025 TBD
'The Leopard (Il Gattopardo)'
"The Leopard" is set in the 1800s.
Lucia Iuorio/Netflix
Netflix synopsis: "Based on what many consider to be one of the greatest Italian novels of all time, 'The Leopard' is a dazzlingly sensuous epic, set against the backdrop of revolution in 1860s Sicily.
"At its heart is Don Fabrizio Corbera, the Prince of Salina, who leads a life surrounded by beauty and privilege. But as Italy moves towards unification and the old aristocratic order is threatened, he realizes that his family's future is in jeopardy. New allegiances must be made, each one a threat to his principles.
"Eventually Don Fabrizio is faced with an impossible choice. He has the power to engineer a marriage, between the rich and beautiful Angelica and his nephew Tancredi, that could secure his family's legacy, but doing so he would break his favorite daughter, Concetta's heart.
"The series will be a modern exploration of timeless themes — power, love, and the cost of progress."
Premiere date: Date in 2025 TBD
'Leviathan'
"Leviathan" is a about a prince and a girl in disguise.
Netflix
Netflix synopsis: "In 1914, on the eve of war, a fugitive prince and a girl in disguise meet aboard a bioengineered airship, the HMS Leviathan, and change the course of history."
Premiere date: Date in 2025 TBD
'Running Point'
Kate Hudson as Isla Gordon in "Running Point."
Katrina Marcinowski/Netflix
Netflix synopsis: "When a scandal forces her brother to resign, Isla Gordon (Kate Hudson) is appointed President of the Los Angeles Waves, one of the most storied professional basketball franchises, and her family business.
"Ambitious and often overlooked, Isla will have to prove to her skeptical brothers, the board, and the larger sports community that she was the right choice for the job, especially in the unpredictable, male-dominated world of sports."
Premiere date: Date in 2025 TBD
'Sirens'
Julianne Moore and Milly Alcock lead "Sirens."
Lyvans Boolaky/Getty Images/Karwai Tang/WireImage
Netflix synopsis: "Devon (Meghann Fahy) thinks her sister Simone (Milly Alcock) has a really creepy relationship with her new boss, the enigmatic socialite Michaela Kell (Julianne Moore). Michaela's cult-ish life of luxury is like a drug to Simone, and Devon has decided it's time for an intervention.
"When Devon tracks her sister down to say WTF, she has no idea what a formidable opponent Michaela will be. Told over the course of one explosive weekend at The Kells' lavish beach estate, Sirens is an incisive, sexy, and darkly funny exploration of women, power, and class."
Premiere date: Date in 2025 TBD
'Toxic Town'
Toby Eden, Jodie Whittaker, and Matthew James Hinchliffe in "Toxic Town."
Ben Blackall/Netflix
Netflix synopsis: "Based on one of the UK's biggest environmental scandals, 'Toxic Town' is the story of the people at the heart of the Corby poisonings. Focusing on the mothers, who took on a David and Goliath battle for justice, the series traces through the years of their fight as a terrible truth comes to the surface."
Premiere date: Date in 2025 TBD
'Too Much'
Megan Stalter and Will Sharpe will star in Lena Dunham's "Too Much."
David Crotty/Getty Images; Lia Toby/Getty Images for The Walt Disney Company Limited
Netflix synopsis: "Jessica is a New York workaholic in her mid-thirties, reeling from a broken relationship that she thought would last forever and slowly isolating everyone she knows. When every block in New York tells a story of her own bad behavior, the only solution is to take a job in London, where she plans to live a life of solitude like a Bronte sister.
"But when she meets Felix — who is less Hugh Grant in Notting Hill and more Hugh Grant's drunken roommate — she finds that their unusual connection is impossible to ignore, even as it creates more problems than it solves. Now they have to ask themselves: do Americans and Brits actually speak the same language?
"From the creator of 'Girls' and the producers of 'Love Actually, Too Much' is an ex-pat rom-com for the disillusioned who wonder if true love is still possible, but sincerely hope that it is."
Premiere date: Date in 2025 TBD
'The Undertow'
Jamie Dornan stars in 'The Undertow.'
Joe Maher/Getty Images for BFC
Netflix synopsis: "Jamie Dornan will play the roles of identical twins, Adam and Lee, whilst Mackenzie Davis will play Adam's wife Nicola. The series is based on the Nordisk Film Production AS television series Twin, created by Kristoffer Metcalfe."
Premiere date: Date in 2025 TBD
'The Witness'
Jordan Bolger and Max Fincham will star as André Hanscombe and his son Alex in "The Witness."
Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images; Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images
Netflix synopsis: "When Rachel Nickell was murdered on Wimbledon Common in 1992, André became a single parent overnight. Putting his own grief to one side, he made his son Alex — the only eyewitness to the attack — the centre of his world.
"Navigating the unscrupulous media furore and the urgency of an increasingly desperate police investigation, his sole concern became the welfare of his traumatised son. This is the story of how a father and son moved through the aftermath of unimaginable tragedy, from darkness into light."
But while those three, in particular, were very successful, they didn't receive the hallowed 100% rating on the reviews aggregate site Rotten Tomatoes. ("Baby Reindeer" got 99%)
Instead, the list of perfect scorers includes a British Apple TV+ show about hapless MI5 spies, an animated series based on "League of Legends," and a crime drama based on books by Michael Connelly.
Here are all the shows that received a perfect score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Note: All scores were current on the date of publication.
"Slow Horses"
Jack Lowden as River Cartwright in "Slow Horses."
Apple TV+
Synopsis: "A dysfunctional team of MI5 agents and their obnoxious boss, the notorious Jackson Lamb, navigate the espionage world's smoke and mirrors to defend England from sinister forces."
Critics' consensus: "The stakes get more personal than ever before in Slow Horses' superb fourth season, proving that this spy series is saddled up for the long haul with no signs of fatigue."
"Pachinko"
Lee Min-ho as Koh Hansu in "Pachinko"
Russ Martin/Apple TV+
Synopsis: "The hopes and dreams of a Korean immigrant family across four generations as they leave their homeland in an indomitable quest to survive and thrive.
Critics' consensus: "Pachinko's second season continues the travails and triumphs of the Baek family with ever-expanding breadth without missing a beat, further cementing this soulful series as one of television's best."
"Arcane: League of Legends" season two
Jinx in season two of "Arcane."
Netflix
Synopsis: "The origins of two League champions, set in the utopian Piltover and the oppressed underground of Zaun."
Critics' consensus: "Expansive in scope while hurtling towards the endgame at a rollicking pace, Arcane's second and final season is a supremely satisfying capper to an epic saga."
"Heartstopper" season three
Samuel Dore/Netflix
Synopsis: "Teens Charlie and Nick discover their unlikely friendship might be something more as they navigate school and young love."
Critics' consensus: "Heartstopper maintains its ooey gooey goodness while still allowing its young protagonists to grow in this fun, loving new season."
"Matlock"
Brooke Palmer/CBS
Synopsis: "Brilliant septuagenarian Madeline 'Matty' Matlock, who, after achieving success in her younger years, decides to rejoin the workforce at a prestigious law firm where she uses her unassuming demeanor and wily tactics to win cases and expose corruption from within."
Critics' consensus: "Case closed -- this Matlock reboot is a winner thanks to the ever reliable Kathy Bates and the intriguing wrinkle it puts on the legendary series' original concept."
"Girls5eva"
Sara Bareilles and Renée Elise Goldsberry in "Girls5Eva" season three.
Emily V. Aragones/Netflix
Synopsis: "When a one-hit-wonder girl group from the 1990s gets sampled by a young rapper, its members reunite to give their pop star dreams one more shot -- this time while balancing spouses, kids, jobs, debt, aging parents, and shoulder pain."
Critics' consensus: "Sustaining a high note with enough finesse to go platinum, Girls5Eva's third season is just as daffy and jubilant as the first two."
"Wise Guy: David Chase and The Sopranos"
David Chase in "Wise Guy: David Chase and The Sopranos."
HBO
Synopsis: "Acclaimed filmmaker Alex Gibney delves deep into the psyche of renowned Sopranos creator and writer, David Chase, to illuminate his life and career while offering a unique window into his unparalleled work on the iconic program.
Critics' consensus: "A thorough dissection of The Sopranos that gleans insight into both its production process and creator David Chase himself, 'Wise Guy' is essential viewing for fans of one of television's landmarks."
"Colin From Accounts"
Patrick Brammall as Gordon Crapp and Harriet Dyer as Ashley Mulden in "Colin From Accounts."
Paramount+
Synopsis: "Ashley and Gordon are brought together by a car accident and an injured dog, and learn to navigate life together while showing their true selves, scars and all.
Critics' consensus: "Retaining its first season's laidback charms without resting on its hind legs, Colin from Accounts' second outing is as cranky, funny, and delightful as ever.
"Supacell"
Tosin Cole leads "Supacell" as Michael Lasaki-Brown.
Netflix
Synopsis: "In South London, a group of normal people suddenly develop superpowers, and the only apparent connection between them is that they are all Black; as they deal with the impact of their powers on their daily lives, one man must bring them together."
Critics' consensus: "Finding a fresh approach to the superhero genre, Supacell works as both a savvy social commentary and satisfying entertainment."
"Such Brave Girls" season two
Kat Sadler as Josie Johnson, Louise Brealey as Deb Johnson, and Lizzie Davidson as Billie Johnson.
Hulu
Synopsis: "Single mother Deb and her two daughters, Josie and Billie, attempt to piece their lives back together after their narcissistic father and husband finally leaves them."
Critics' consensus: "Painfully funny and sometimes just downright painful, Such Brave Girls is a spiky showcase for its trio of stars.
"Simone Biles: Rising"
A still of Simone Biles in "Simone Biles: Rising."
Courtesy of Netflix
Synopsis: "Simone Biles, the gymnastics superstar, withdrew from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics due to mental health concerns; after a hiatus, she embarked on a journey to rebuild her skills and mental fortitude, preparing for her triumphant return."
Critics' consensus: "Pairing the visual spectacle of Simon Biles' prowess with intimate insight into what makes her tick, Rising is an outstanding portrait of a champion."
"The Lincoln Lawyer" season three
Manuel Garcia-Rulfo as Mickey Haller in "The Lincoln Lawyer" season three.
Courtesy Of Netflix
Synopsis: "Idealistic lawyer Mickey Haller runs practice out of the back of his Lincoln Town Car, taking on cases big and small across Los Angeles."
What critics said: Rotten Tomatoes doesn't have a critics' consensus for the show, but the reviews it included said "The Lincoln Lawyer" packs enough twists into season three without trying to overdo things. It knows that it's a slick procedural series and it has fun exploring its core cast through the lens of a dramatic mystery.
"Geek Girl"
Emily Carey as Harriet Manners in "Geek Girl."
Netflix
Synopsis: "Awkward teen Harriet strives to fit in, then she gets scouted by a top London model agent and learns that some people are meant to stand out."
What critics said: "Geek Girl" also doesn't have a critics' consensus, but the reviews praised the series for its wholesome Cinderella-like storyline. Some critics also applauded Emily Carey for her lovably awkward performance as Harriet Manners.
"Delicious in Dungeon"
Laois, Marcille, and Chilchuk in "Delicious in Dungeon."
Studio Trigger/Netflix
Synopsis: "Adventurers make a foray into a cursed buried kingdom to save their friend, cooking up a storm along the way."
What critics said: Despite not having a critics' consensus, the reviews suggest that "Delicious in Dungeon" is a delightful watch and never takes itself too seriously, while also building out its world in an interesting way.
"House of Ninjas"
Kento Kaku as Haru.
Netflix
Synopsis: "Years after retiring from their formidable ninja lives, a dysfunctional family must return to shadowy missions to counteract a string of looming threats."
What critics said: The handful of reviews praised "House of Ninjas" for deconstructing a typical family dynamic through the lens of being warriors. Some said that it does struggle to balance its darker themes with moments of romance.
