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  • The Best Movies Based On Toys

    The Best Movies Based On Toys

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    When a movie geared toward children is particularly successful — think Frozen, The Little Mermaid, or Encanto — there will without a doubt be a line of toys to follow. Somewhere along the way, the link between kids’ movies and merchandise became intertwined — it’s nearly impossible for a movie to come out without an accompanying toy line. But sometimes, this process is reversed. The toy itself is so iconic, it inspires a movie (or several movies). Over the past few decades, we’ve seen just how enduring a popular franchise can be at the box office. Why dream up a brand new set of characters when you have plenty that kids already know and love?

    As we’ve seen with the incredibly enthusiastic response to Barbie’s ingenious marketing campaign this year, even adults get excited to rally behind an iconic toy. Typically, it’s something they grew up with (like Barbie), adding a layer of nostalgia that offers escapism in today’s weary world. And while it’s easy for a movie based on a toy line to come off as cookie cutter and uninspired, there are actually some titles out there that are really good. Sure, your age might impact your overall enjoyment level, but there’s no denying that these films are fun to watch.

    READ MORE: Watch Our Full Recap of the Transfornmers Movie Series

    Whether you’re a kid or a kid at heart, there’s something so familiar and fun about watching a beloved plaything come to life on screen. With more of these films happening all of the time, let’s catch up on the best movies so far that are based on toys.

    The Best Movies Based On Toys

    Although they’re sometimes associated with craven financial motives, there have been some really good movies based on children’s toys.

    Popular Movie Franchises That Should Have Ended Sooner

    These franchises were fun in their day — but they all outstayed their welcome.

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    Claire Epting

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  • 10 Movie Franchises That Should Have Ended Sooner

    10 Movie Franchises That Should Have Ended Sooner

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    When a movie is successful, that’s a pretty clear indicator that audiences would enjoy a second installment. Especially if that movie can be classified as science fiction, action, or children’s entertainment. These are the types of films that lend themselves well to franchises — simply add a few new characters, incorporate a new location, and you’ve got yourself a sequel. And it doesn’t just stop there. As long as a movie is hitting its box office quotas, you can bet your bottom dollar there will be another of its kind out in a few years. But just because studios can churn out more films in a franchise doesn’t mean they should. If we’re talking about the integrity of art, that is.

    There comes a point where every franchise runs its course. Maybe the director has run out of existing source material to draw from. Maybe the lead actors have exhausted their contracts. Or maybe simply too much time has gone by between films. Unfortunately, it feels like these signs are often ignored in pursuit of another win at the box office. Even if a film receives negative reviews from critics, that doesn’t mean people aren’t going to see it — especially if they’ve seen every movie in the franchise up until this point. But, imagine a world where ticket sales didn’t matter. A world where a movie franchise could end naturally, simply because the story had been told to completion. In that world, these movie series wouldn’t be nearly as long.

    Here are 10 popular movie franchises that should have ended sooner.

    Popular Movie Franchises That Should Have Ended Sooner

    These franchises were fun in their day — but they all outstayed their welcome.

    READ MORE: The Worst Movie Titles in History

    12 Movies That Were Supposed To Start Franchises But Didn’t

    A lot of factors can affect the cancellation of a sequel, but it can typically be chalked up to poor box office numbers and/or bad reviews. Here are 12 movies whose sequels or franchises were cancelled following their disappointing releases.

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    Claire Epting

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  • Movies That Suddenly Change Genres In the Middle

    Movies That Suddenly Change Genres In the Middle

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    Is there anything more enthralling than a movie that keeps you on your toes? While it makes sense for some films to stick to one primary genre — such as comedy, historical drama, or romance — others are able to blend more than one genre seamlessly. In some very specific cases, however, the shift in genre is very noticeable. Essentially at some point during the movie, the plot becomes something else entirely, and as the audience, we must be ready to adapt. When done correctly, this subversive move can give an otherwise formulaic film an exciting edge.

    Now, to preface, we’re not talking about movies that balance two different genres the entire time. There are plenty of dramas that also manage to be wildly funny — and there are comedies that cut straight through to the heart. Some genres, such as “romantic comedy” or “science fiction” have two elements built right into their names. There’s the central romance, and there’s the comedic relief. There’s the science element, and there’s the fictional aspect. But there’s something special about a movie that’s able to pull a fast one on you, transforming into something unexpected right before your eyes.

    READ MORE: TV Shows That Should Have Ended After One Season

    From charming comedies that devolve into gruesome slasher films to romance movies that morph into thrillers, we’ve rounded up 10 films that completely switched genres during their runtimes. While all these movies are pretty different from one another, they all have one thing in common — watching them from start to finish is one wild ride.

    Movies That Changed Genres Halfway Through

    These movies looked like one thing — only to shift into a totally different genre in the middle.

    Popular Movies That Were Supposed To Be Way Darker

    Things might have turned out differently for these hit films if they’d stuck with their original (darker) scripts.

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    Claire Epting

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  • 10 Bad Movies With One Great Scene

    10 Bad Movies With One Great Scene

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    There’s no such thing as a “perfect” movie — although some films definitely come close. More often than not, movies have their strengths and weaknesses.  Some are consistently great throughout, while others fail to hit their marks. A film’s quality is not black and white — there is a lot of room for that gray area. There are plenty of fantastic films that have subpar scenes. On the other hand, even movies that are widely considered to be “bad” may have glimmers of greatness — or, at least, one incredible scene. Let’s take a look at some, shall we?

    Maybe it’s an epic opening scene that sets up what could have been an amazing drama. Or maybe it’s a shocking plot twist that energizes the narrative. Perhaps it’s even just a pleasant break from the movie’s main events. It’s important to remember that even though you may not be particularly enjoying the movie you’re watching, there’s always a chance that a truly memorable scene might be just around the corner. The right camerawork or a mesmerizing performance can elevate an otherwise lackluster film, if only for a few, brief minutes.

    While a movie’s greatness is subjective based on the viewer’s personal taste, there are certain movies that have gained a reputation for being, well … not good. Still, we’ve singled out one scene from each that stands out as being captivating. From elaborate chase scenes to show-stopping musical numbers, here are 10 well-executed, re-watchable scenes from movies that were panned by critics.

    READ MORE: The Worst Broadway Shows Based on Classic Movies

    • 1

      Suicide Squad (2016)

      The Scene: Harley Quinn’s Elevator Fight

      Suicide Squad was all over the place. The characters are thinly written, the story structure is chopped up… It fails to deliver on several levels. But Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn managed to be a bright spot. She was perfectly cast in the role, and watching her beat bad guys to a pulp with a baseball bat will always be fun. In one scene, she rides in an elevator, ruthlessly killing her opponents while simultaneously fixing her hair. When she strolls out of the elevator, she walks right past a crew of rough-looking characters, swaying her hips without a care in the world. It’s pretty badass.

    • 2

      The Prom (2020)

      The Scene: Trent Gives It His All With“Love Thy Neighbor”

      Ryan Murphy’s adaptation of Broadway musical The Prom hit a lot of flat notes during its 131-minute runtime, despite its lineup of world-class talent. It’s hard to blame any of the actors for the poor creative choices — although several critics didn’t love James Corden’s overly flamboyant performance as Berry Glickman. Regardless, the movie was the most fun to watch when the stars were given the chance to do what they do best — sing and dance their hearts out. The obvious standout is Andrew Rannells’ performance of “Love Thy Neighbor” in the Midwestern town’s local mall. Rannells, known for his work on Broadway in The Book of Mormon (as well as his role of Elijah on the HBO comedy Girls), reminds us that any movie musical should, first and foremost, be fun.

    • 3

      The Happening (2008)

      The Scene: Central Park Suicide

      M. Night Shyamalan’s The Happening is, quite frankly, a mess. But its initial premise is actually intriguing — the world is overrun with a mysterious disease that causes mass amounts of people to commit suicide. The movie opens in New York City’s iconic Central Park on an ordinary day, until crowds of people mysteriously freeze in their tracks. It starts with a girl on a park bench, who promptly puts down her book, pulls out her hairpin, and stabs herself in the neck. From there, it devolves into violent chaos. While as a whole, The Happening is incredibly silly, the opening scene is genuinely chilling.

    • 4

      Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)

      The Scene: Opening Sequence

      As the follow-up to Man of Steel, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice flounders amidst a potentially powerful story. It’s more frustrating than anything — there was so much potential for a movie where Batman (Ben Affleck) and Superman (Henry Cavill) go head to head. One thing the movie got right, however, was the opening sequence. In a flashback, Bruce Wayne runs from his parents’ funeral and falls into a cave, where he’s lifted up by a vortex of bats. The scene is cut with Bruce’s memories of his mother and father at the hands of an armed mugger, resulting in a stylish, moody sequence that helps humanize the Caped Crusader for the rest of the film.

    • 5

      Twilight (2008)

      The Scene: The Baseball Game

      Based on Stephanie Meyer’s best-selling novel of the same name, Twilight was not so much destined to be a cinematic masterpiece as it was to be fan service for a specific demographic of vampire-loving teens and tweens. While it’s become a campy cult classic for millennials, it was never really taken seriously. But we can all agree, that baseball scene during the thunderstorm is pretty epic, right? Set to Muse’s 2006 single “Supermassive Black Hole,” the scene depicts the Cullen family participating in what might be the coolest family sporting event of all time. Their superhuman strength and speed — combined with Alice’s iconic high kick pitching, is enough to fully engage any viewer.

    • 6

      X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2003)

      The Scene: Deadpool’s Fight Scene

      Despite Hugh Jackman’s compelling lead performance, X-Men Origins: Wolverine can’t overcome its cliched, overblown plot. One exception? Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds)’s fight scene. Not only is his showdown with Wolverine incredibly tight and well-choreographed, the scene also serves as Deadpool’s cinematic debut. While the Wade Wilson we see here is so different from the persona we meet in Deadpool, it’s still exciting to see an iconic character first come to life on screen.

    • 7

      Wonder Woman 1984

      The Scene: The Invisible Jet

      While Wonder Woman struck just the right tone, its follow-up, Wonder Woman 1984 was a much more uneven affair. The pacing is off, the story is convoluted, and any promising premises are abandoned as soon as they’re introduced. However, the movie shines whenever Diana Prince (Gal Gadot) shares the screen with Steve Trevor (Chris Pratt). The scene where they steal an invisible jet is sweet and romantic — and the moment when they fly through the fireworks display is downright magical. Gadot and Pine have great chemistry, and it’s a shame that the movie didn’t lean into that more.

    • 8

      Cats (2019)

      The Scene: Grizabella Belts Out “Memory”

      Once the absolutely abysmal reviews for the film adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Weber’s Cats came rolling in, the film’s A-list cast understandably distanced themselves from the horrible buzz. But besides the uncannily fuzzy human bodies and charmless dancing cockroaches, viewers could rally together behind one bright spot — Jennifer Hudson’s performance as Grizabella. Hudson is tasked with singing the musical’s most famous number, “Memory,” a song which has eclipsed even the tremendous popularity of Weber’s Broadway mainstay. And we’ll just say this — even obscured by a coat of scraggly CG fur, Hudson has some serious pipes. Her performance is raw, grounded, and ethereal, a sole highlight in a movie that disturbs more than it delights.

    • 9

      Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace (2002)

      The Scene: The Duel of the Fates

      The Star Wars prequel trilogy often leaves fans divided — but nearly all can agree that compared to the original trilogy, they’re simply not as good. The Phantom Menace gives us a glimpse of greatness, but ultimately, there’s just too much Jar Jar Binks and not enough depth and character development. That being said, the lightsaber duel between Obi Wan Kenobi, Qui-Gon Jinn, and Darth Maul is hands-down one of the franchise’s most thrilling sequences. An honorable mention goes to Anakin’s pod racing scene on Tatooine — it’s pretty dazzling.

    • 10

      The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014)

      The Scene: Gwen Stacy Dies

      The Amazing Spider-Man film series — while beloved by some diehard fans — didn’t receive a ton of praise at the time of its release. But ever since Andrew Garfield reprised his role of Peter Parker in Spider-Man: No Way Home, viewers have reminisced on his tenure in a more forgiving light. And, not to mention, the scene where Gwen Stacy (Emma Stone) falls to her untimely death is genuinely moving. Peter attempts to rescue Gwen as she descends from the clock tower, but his web grasps onto her body just a second too late — she makes contact with the pavement, and dies on impact. He utters the lines “You’re okay,” and “Stay with me.” He tries in vain to bring her back, but it’s too late. He doesn’t even get to say goodbye. It’s a heartbreaking moment that adds some much needed gravitas to the film.

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    Claire Epting

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  • 12 Shocking Disney Character Cameos In Other Movies

    12 Shocking Disney Character Cameos In Other Movies

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    One hallmark of Disney movies? Easter eggs. The creators behind some of the most beloved animated films have always had a knack for weaving in blink-and-you’ll-miss it moments that make you do a double take. Sometimes, they’re inside references to other movies — but other times, they’re full-on character cameos. In fact, some of your favorite Disney movies feature quick appearances from other movies’ characters. It’s all about keeping your eyes peeled.

    Luckily for you, we’ve done the hard work of tracking down these cameos in some of the most popular Disney films. Once you see them, you won’t be able to watch these movies again without taking notice. There are some cameos that are quite prominent — you don’t need to do any hunting to find them. Others are way more subtle, blending into the background so effortlessly, it’s a wonder anyone discovered them at all. It definitely helps that some of Disney’s most recognizable characters live a double life as inanimate objects. Just saying.

    READ MORE: The Best Disney+ Movies You Haven’t Seen

    In the world of Disney, nothing is ever an accident. A carefully placed cameo might not just be a delightful Easter egg, either. According to one elaborate fan theory, there’s a case that multiple Disney films actually exist in the same universe. Whether or not you believe that all Disney movies are connected, one thing’s for sure — the animators put a ton of effort and meticulous detail into crafting each and every shot.

    Below, you’ll find 12 surprising character cameos in Disney movies that you might have missed on the first watch.

    12 Surprising Character Cameos In Disney Movies You Might Have Missed

    These iconic Disney characters showed up in other Disney movies — did you spot them?

    The Most Underrated Disney Movies Of The Last 25 Years

    No one considers these Disney movies “classics” — but they should.

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    Claire Epting

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  • Actors Who Used Body Doubles For Nude Scenes

    Actors Who Used Body Doubles For Nude Scenes

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    It’s not uncommon for actors to employ a double for particularly intense stunts — not to mention, a good stand-in comes in handy while the lights and camera are being positioned. But there’s another reason why an actor or director might request a body double on set: Nude scenes. While some actors are ready to strip down in front of the camera, others have good reasons to be a bit more reserved — which is fine, since there are professionals who will gladly bare it all in their place.

    There are some cases, however, where the decision to fly in an anonymous actor’s body part is purely practical. For example, an star may have a tattoo that their character wouldn’t. Or, the actor is required to skinny dip in a freezing body of water. Whether it was for logistical or personal reasons, these actors skipped the disrobing for pivotal movie scenes — and the audience was none the wiser. To be honest, very few of us would notice the difference if these actors didn’t share their experiences using body doubles.

    READ MORE: The 25 Most Important Sex Scenes in History

    Some actors have even revealed that they were allowed to pick their own butt doubles. Keep in mind that there aren’t unlimited options, however. A couple of stars stressed the importance of finding someone with a similar build and height — in one certain actor’s case, it was a matter of trusting the performer to get the job done right. Below, discover ten famous actors who opted to use body doubles for nude scenes in movies, as well as their reasons for doing so.

    Movie Actors Who Used Body Doubles For Nude Scenes

    Seeing is not always believing when it comes to movie sex scenes…

    Sex Scenes People Thought Were Real

    These love scenes were so convincing, some audiences thought the sex wasn’t simulated.

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    Claire Epting

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  • Every Spider-Man Movie, Ranked From Worst to Best

    Every Spider-Man Movie, Ranked From Worst to Best

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    Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is the second part of Sony and Marvel’s Spider-Verse trilogy. It’s also the latest installment in an even bigger universe of franchises (some might say spider-verse of franchises) that have spanned decades, featuring multiple casts, acclaimed directors, and at least one superhero looking up stuff on the internet using Bing. As a wise man once said, with great search power comes a great responsibility to use Bing. (That man, of course, was Bill Gates.)

    In honor of Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse — and because I’m a huge Spider-Man nerd who’s always watching these movies whether there’s a newsworthy reason to or not — I decided to rank every Spider-Man feature to date. Although they never played in movie theaters in the states, the trio of films based on the 1970s Spider-Man TV series did get distributed internationally, and they’re widely available online, so they are included. Avengers: Endgame is not included, on the other hand, because Spidey’s only onscreen in it for maybe four minutes and it didn’t seem fair to judge that movie alongside others where he plays a key role. (I also didn’t include the two Venom movies because there’s almost no trace of Spider-Man in those, but I reserve the right to retroactively include them in future iterations of this list if further sequels warrant it.)

    READ MORE: All the Coolest Easter Eggs You Missed in Spider-Man: No Way Home

    So here they are, from the least sensational to the most amazing (though not the most Amazing, because, well, those movies were not the best) — every Spider-Man movie ranked, starting with…

    Every Spider-Man Movie, Ranked From Worst to Best

    With great power comes great Spider-Man movies. (Sometimes.)

    Every Marvel Movie Ever Made, Ranked From Worst to First

    From the Captain America serial to Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, we ranked the entire history of Marvel at the movies.

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    Matt Singer

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  • TV Shows That Should Have Ended After One Season

    TV Shows That Should Have Ended After One Season

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    Many television shows take at least one season — in some cases, a few seasons — to truly hit their stride. It takes time to figure out what works, and what doesn’t. That first season is so crucial in establishing the series’ tone, pacing, and character relationships. As the show progresses, the hope is that each season will top the last. Every now and then, a series debuts with a phenomenal first season that gains attention right out of the gate. But that doesn’t mean it’s built to last — knowing when to end a series is an art within itself.

    While there are some amazing TV shows that ended much too soon, there are others that overstayed their welcome on our screens. What’s more, there are even some series that would have probably been better off ending after Season 1. The past few years have shown us that an expertly crafted limited series can dominate the TV conversation just as much as an ongoing one. From Netflix’s The Queen’s Gambit to Disney+’s WandaVision, there’s something powerful about a show that leaves its audience wanting more. But, there’s often pressure from studios to churn out more of a hit title, even if it wasn’t intended to be an ongoing series in the first place.

    READ MORE: TV Shows That Shared Sets Without People Noticing

    That’s how we end up with once brilliant shows that run past their expiration dates, with later seasons merely reminding viewers how good they used to be. While some stories are too complex to be reduced to a single season of television, others actually might have benefitted from a more concise structure. Here are ten TV shows that probably should have wrapped things up after their first season.

    TV Shows That Should Have Ended After One Season

    These shows had incredible first seasons followed by disappointing ones. Maybe they should have just ended after one season in the first place?

    10 Popular TV Shows That Were Almost Cancelled Too Soon

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    Claire Epting

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  • The Silliest Names For DVD and Blu-ray Director’s Cuts

    The Silliest Names For DVD and Blu-ray Director’s Cuts

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    Marketing and hyperbole go together like Turner and Hooch: You can’t have one without the other. That’s especially true in the home video market, where the job of the people promoting DVDs, Blu-rays, 4Ks, and digital copies is to sell potential customers who skipped a film in theaters to pony up this time around — or to convince the folks who did go see something on the big screen, that there’s an even better version now available that they need to see again. 

    As a result, the covers in the movie aisle of your local store will practical scream their special features at you. This isn’t just the same old movie that played in multiplexes; this is the director’s cut, this is the extended cut, this is the unrated cut or — hold on to your butts — this is the extended and unrated director’s cut. That’ll be $19.99, please.

    READ MORE: The 20 Movies With the Best Unrated Cuts

    But sometimes, marketing a home video release as a director’s cut or an unrated cut is deemed not enticing enough. At that point, you have to go for the hard sell, pulling out even more over-the-top adjectives to describe this incredible heretofore unavailable and undeniably spectacular motion picture. That practice has led to some truly bizarre and downright silly names for DVD director cuts. As a movie lover — and as someone who worked in a video store for a while — I have become something of a connoisseur of these titles. And now I wish to impart my knowledge of these goofy home video releases to you. Enjoy.

    The Silliest Names for DVD Director’s Cuts

    These movies couldn’t just call their DVDs “director’s cuts.” Oh no; that would be much too simple or normal. They had to choose these bizarre, confusing, inaccurate, and hilarious names instead.

    10 Movie And TV Locations You Can Stay At Overnight

    These famous locations from movies and TV not only exist in the real world — you can rent them for your own personal vacation!

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    Matt Singer

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  • 10 Famous Movie and TV Locations You Can Stay In

    10 Famous Movie and TV Locations You Can Stay In

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    There’s no doubt that our favorite movies and TV shows play an important role in our lives. We talk about them with our friends, their jokes influence our own sense of humor, and we refer to the characters as if they were actual people in our lives. In fact, they may even influence where we go on vacation. Believe it or not, there are plenty of iconic filming locations that operate as hotels or short-term rentals — giving you the opportunity to fully immerse yourself into the world of a beloved movie or TV series.

    Whether you wish to relax at Tony Stark’s lakeside cabin from Avengers: Endgame or live it up on the beach like Reese Witherspoon’s character in HBO’s Big Little Lies, these lodgings provide movie and TV-lovers with a one-of-a-kind experience. Some are surprisingly wallet-friendly, while others cost a pretty penny — but there’s a wide range of stays to suit every budget. Now, re-enacting your favorite scenes with your friends or family members? That’s entirely up to you. Still, you’ll want to be sure to bring a reliable camera so you can capture your own memories you make in the noteworthy space.

    READ MORE: Famous TV Shows That Shared Sets

    Below, discover all of the unique Airbnbs, bed and breakfasts, and hotels that served as the backdrop for some incredibly popular movies and TV shows. It’s never too early to start planning your next vacation — keep in mind that many of these recognizable locales book out far in advance. Which one of these filming locations do you want to stay at first?

    10 Movie And TV Locations You Can Stay At Overnight

    These famous locations from movies and TV not only exist in the real world — you can rent them for your own personal vacation!

    12 Abandoned Film Sets You Can Visit In Real Life

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    Claire Epting

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  • TV Shows That Changed Drastically After Their Pilots

    TV Shows That Changed Drastically After Their Pilots

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    A pilot episode is an opportunity for a show’s creators to give networks a taste of what their TV series has to offer. For that reason, crafting a pilot is a particularly painstaking process. And, since television shows often morph and evolve as they go, it’s hard to nail down exactly what to include in a single episode. Of course, the main characters must be front and center — their dynamic must be introduced, as well as their setting. If the show is a comedy, its distinct brand of humor will ideally be on display, as well.

    Of the many TV pilots made every year, most of them are never seen by the public. That’s why, when a show does get ordered to series, it’s such a big deal. However, it is possible for a studio to see potential in a show while still wanting to change several elements before it hits the air. In fact, some of your favorite TV shows have unaired pilots that are drastically different from what finally made it to your television screen.

    READ MORE: Famous TV Shows That Shared Sets Without Anyone Noticing

    What’s more, even if a pilot does end up airing, it can still have a noticeably different tone from the rest of the show. Pilots are an opportunity for writers to find their footing — you’d be surprised how many popular shows started out on an uneven note. The goal is that the show will run for enough time to eventually fall into its groove. Luckily, these shows did. Here are 10 popular TV series that made drastic changes after their pilot episodes.

    TV Shows That Changed Drastically After Their Pilot Episodes

    These beloved TV shows started their lives as very different pilot episodes.

    TV Series That Shared Sets With Other Shows

    These famous TV shows shared sets and almost no one noticed.

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    Claire Epting

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  • Every Marvel Movie Ever Made, Ranked From Worst to Best

    Every Marvel Movie Ever Made, Ranked From Worst to Best

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    In 1939, pulp-magazine publisher Martin Goodman decided to give the new medium of comic books a shot. He called his company “Timely.” Its first publication was a series called Marvel Comics.

    In time, the company’s flagship title became its name, and Marvel Comics became synonymous with superheroes across the globe. Although Marvel became one of the two dominant forces in comics by the mid-1960s, it took another 20 years before Marvel ever got a movie into theaters, and then almost 20 more years before those adaptations even came close to capturing the energy of literary Marvel Universe. 20 year after that, Marvel has scaled to the very top of the Hollywood food chain, pumping out multiple movies every year, and laying claim to the title of the biggest box-office hit in history.

    In the eight decades between Marvel Comics #1 and the construction of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, more than 70 big-screen movies have been made out of the company’s hundreds of properties. (That number doesn’t include things like the 1994 The Fantastic Four that was produced but never released, or assorted direct-to-video animated features such as Next Avengers: Heroes of Tomorrow.) The list below contains them all, ranked from the most brutally unwatchable to the most superhuman entertainment. It will differ from other lists like this based on the author’s personal biases (He’s the guy who wrote an entire book about Spider-Man, after all), but it is nonetheless backed up by a lifetime of research into this extremely dorky field.

    Every Marvel Movie Ever Made, Ranked From Worst to First

    From the Captain America serial to Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, we ranked the entire history of Marvel at the movies.

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    Matt Singer

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  • Popular Movies That Were Supposed To Be Way Darker

    Popular Movies That Were Supposed To Be Way Darker

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    While there are plenty of aspects that go into making a good movie, the overall “tone” is certainly one of the most important. This goes beyond the overall genre of a film — for example, a romance movie can be playful or serious, while a comedy can be silly or rife with cynicism. Therefore, any type of film can be classified as “dark” — and the term can mean several different things.

    A dark horror movie may be particularly violent, a dark comedy may be tinged with morbidity, and a dark drama may be bleak and tragic. No matter how you slice it, a dark movie can basically be chalked up as the opposite of a “feel-good” movie. But did you know that some of your favorite movies — including campy cult classics and lighthearted comedies — were once envisioned as being much darker?

    READ MORE: The Most Unintentionally Hilarious Horror Films of All Time

    Oftentimes, a production team will start out with one concept for a movie, only to see that concept morph as the script is rewritten, roles are cast, and filming commences. Changes continue throughout the production process all the way down to the final edit, which can be heavily influenced by test audiences and studio executives. It’s not uncommon for a finished product to look totally different than its initial script. In the cases of these movies, that meant cutting back on violence, gore, and other dark themes to appeal to a wider audience demographic.

    If their success is any indicator, it’s safe to say that these popular movies ended up becoming exactly what they needed to be — even though some of these original visions sound pretty cool. Here are ten films that were supposed to be way darker, but were toned down before being released in theaters.

    Popular Movies That Were Supposed To Be Way Darker

    Things might have turned out differently for these hit films if they’d stuck with their original (darker) scripts.

    Actors Who Were Traumatized By Their Roles

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    Claire Epting

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  • Bad Movies People Love

    Bad Movies People Love

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    Think about your favorite movie. You probably love it for a variety of reasons. Maybe it’s the memorable performances, or the incredible soundtrack, or the joke-a-minute dialogue. Maybe you associate it with a particularly important phase of your life. But when you reflect on why this movie is your favorite movie, you’re not asking yourself if it won any awards. Because, when it comes down to it, a film doesn’t have to be particularly great — or even technically “good” — to be the one you love the most.

    What makes a movie good, objectively speaking? One might attribute a movie’s quality to its tight script or some beautiful cinematography, but it really comes down to a matter of personal taste. No one movie is going to be loved or hated by all, and just because critics pan a particular film doesn’t mean it won’t find a fanbase somewhere. In fact, there are many films that are widely considered — by critics and certain audiences — as bad, but are still incredibly popular. Some have even gained a loyal following in the decades since their release, becoming more of a household name now than ever before. As it turns out, being a bit of a clunker doesn’t spell the end for a movie — it may only be just the beginning.

    READ MORE: The Worst Movies That Grossed $1 Billion at the Box Office

    The following movies are a reminder that a work of art doesn’t have to be a masterpiece to make audiences smile. In fact, these campy cult classics prove that a movie can be so bad, it’s actually good. Here are 10 “bad” movies that people love.

    Bad Movies That People Love

    These “so-bad-they’re-good” films are incredibly popular with audiences.

    The Franchises With the Most Bad Movies

    Usually, when a franchise gets bad, that’s the beginning of the end. But some film series are too successful to ever truly die.

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    Claire Epting

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  • Famous TV Shows That Shared Sets With Other Series

    Famous TV Shows That Shared Sets With Other Series

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    Sometimes, in Hollywood, you have to cut corners. Especially when it comes to television. Some of the most popular TV shows were filmed on sets that were recycled for a completely different series — and you probably never even realized it.

    Unlike movies, which often shoot on location anywhere in the world, television shows (and especially sitcoms) predominantly shoot on one fixed set. At least, they did up until around a decade ago. Nowadays, TV series are granted the freedom to be filmed just like movies — and that includes a greater variety of onscreen locales. Even so, a great deal of television shows tend to be shot in or around Los Angeles. And, since ongoing series pretty much have to repeat locations at some point, quite a few places have become famous thanks to the television shows they were featured in.

    READ MORE: These Futuristic Sci-Fi Films Are Now Set in the Past

    But when the same location is featured in two different shows, it can be tricky to put two and two together — especially when the series are notably different from one another. For example, you’re not going to be thinking about a wholesome sitcom like The Andy Griffith Show while watching a sci-fi epic like Star Trek. However, television sets have a surprising way of transforming themselves. In some cases, a show will borrow only a single location from another show, but there are some instances where two shows were practically filmed on the exact same set. Once you find out about these TV show connections, you’ll never be able to watch them the same way again.

    Here are ten series that shared filming locations with other popular TV shows.

    TV Series That Shared Sets With Other Shows

    These famous TV shows shared sets and almost no one noticed.

    10 Popular TV Shows That Were Almost Cancelled Too Soon

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    Claire Epting

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  • 10 Futuristic Sci-Fi Movies That Now Take Place In the Past

    10 Futuristic Sci-Fi Movies That Now Take Place In the Past

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    Movies just don’t take place in the present day — you’ll find plenty that are either set in the past or in the future. Period pieces have the distinct advantage of a historical record, so they can better emulate the time in which the story takes place. But science fiction films that take place in the future don’t have the luxury of history books or photographs to draw from. Rather, the filmmakers have to get creative and build a vision of the future that feels removed from current everyday life, but still believable enough to exist within the realm of possibility.

    As it turns out, humans envisioned much different outcomes for the future of civilization than we’re currently experiencing now — and these movies are proof. Why is that? Because the “future” depicted on screen has already come to pass. We may not have flying cars, but we do have self-driving ones. Technology has made leaps and bounds, just not in all the ways someone from a previous era might expect. That being said, you’ll notice a few key similarities between these films’ projections of the world of tomorrow and what ended up transpiring in real life. Who knows which elements of today’s future-set movies will end up coming true in the decades to come?

    READ MORE: 10 Sci-Fi Movies That Accurately Predicted the Future

    While the following films may have seemed futuristic when they were first released, the people of the future (us) can see the errors in their predictions. Believe it or not, these famous science fiction movies now officially take place in the past.

    Futuristic Sci-Fi Movies That Are Now Set In The Past

    When these sci-fi movies came out, they offered predictions for the future of society — years later, they’re officially set in the past.

    The Best Sci-Fi Movie Posters Ever

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    Claire Epting

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  • Every Star Wars Movie Ranked, From Worst to First

    Every Star Wars Movie Ranked, From Worst to First

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    When I was a kid there were three Star Wars movies. When I was a teenager, there were six. Now there are 12, plus a slew of Disney+ TV shows like The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett. Under Disney’s ownership, Star Wars has expanded from a galasy into an entire multimedia universe. So why not rank it?

    The only rule for inclusion on this list was theatrical films only. It didn’t seem fair to compare Rogue One to Caravan of Courage: An Ewok Adventure or Ewoks: The Battle For Endor. Maybe we should have (Caravan did play in theaters in Europe, after all) but we didn’t. (Count your blessings, Rogue One! You’re lucky.) These are specifically the 12 theatrical Star Wars features to date, from worst to first. We can rank the TV stuff another time. (1: The Star Wars Holiday Special, 2: Everything Else.) And if the latest round of announced Star Wars movies — like James Mangold’s Dawn of the Jedi or Dave Filoni’s Disney+ Star Wars Avengers hullabaloo — ever do make it to theaters, we’ll rank those too.

    READ MORE: Why Are Some Fans Struggling With The Mandalorian Lately?

    You may not agree with my list. (Based on the comments most of my writing about Star Wars gets on Twitter, the odds are very good you will not agree my list.) And that’s totally okay. As long as you agree that Attack of the Clones is the worst prequel. If we’ve got in common, we’re going to be just fine.

    Every Star Wars Movie, Ranked From Worst to Best

    Here is every theatrical Star Wars movie, ranked from the worst to the best.

    10 Actors Who Turned Down Star Wars Roles

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    Matt Singer

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  • 10 Marvel Actors Who Took Home Props From Their Movies

    10 Marvel Actors Who Took Home Props From Their Movies

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    Being an actor in a Marvel movie seems like a pretty sweet gig. You get to bring an iconic comic book character to life for millions of fans. And while the costume may not always be comfy — in fact, quite a few actors openly hated their ensembles — you sometimes get to take home a cool souvenir. Yes, that’s right. Some Marvel actors have been lucky enough to walk away from set with a piece of movie magic, whether it’s a prop, a wardrobe piece, or even a part of the set.

    In some cases, these tokens are given to the actors as presents to thank them for a job well done. But Marvel isn’t always so keen on handing props over to actors to keep for good. For example, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings star Simu Liu asked the producers if he could take home a pair of his character’s shoes, but his request was denied. That’s why some actors simply steal their desired prop and hope nobody notices. Many of them have even gotten away with it, too — until they confess to their stolen treasures in interviews. Of course, no Marvel actor has gotten in serious trouble from taking home a prop. After all, it’s quite hard to imagine an A-list actor such as Tom Holland or Ryan Reynolds getting in trouble for simply bringing home a bit of their character with them.

    READ MORE: 20 Actors Who Were Wasted in Marvel Roles

    Below, you’ll learn about all of the high-profile Marvel actors who currently have mementos from their movies in their homes.

    Marvel Actors Who Took Home Props From Set

    These actors commemorated their time playing a Marvel superhero or villain by taking home a piece of the production with them.

    Actors Who Turned Down Major Marvel Roles

    Not everyone wants to be a part of the Marvel universe. These actors all got offered high-profile gigs in Marvel movies and turned them down.

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    Claire Epting

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  • ‘Super Mario Bros. Movie’: All the Classic Nintendo Easter Eggs

    ‘Super Mario Bros. Movie’: All the Classic Nintendo Easter Eggs

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    The Super Mario Bros. Movie utilizes state-of-the-art computer animation to bring to life the story of Mario, a humble and extremely Italian plumber from Brooklyn who gets sucked down a pipe into the Mushroom Kingdom. Thanks to modern digital technology, you can see every fiber on Mario’s overalls, every scuff on his brown work boots, and every hair in his bush mustache.

    So the movie looks great. And it’s also aimed at an young audience that plays modern Mario games on their Nintendo Switch, and weren’t even alive when the original Super Mario Bros. debuted on the Nintendo Entertainment System back in 1985. (Heck, some of those kids’ parents weren’t even alive in 1985 at this point.)

    And yet despite all of that, The Super Mario Bros. Movie is filled — and I mean absolutely jam-packed from start to finish — with references to the long history of Mario and Nintendo games. Some of the references are more recent, but a lot of them date back to 1985 or earlier, to the first origins of the Mario franchise and the gaming company that gave him life.

    READ MORE: Our Super Mario Bros. Movie Review

    The list below contains a ton of examples from the movie, although there are undoubtedly more hidden throughout its various fantastical lands of the Mushroom Kingdom and, uh, Bay Ridge. Bear in mind that while I don’t really get into the plot of The Super Mario Bros. Movie, there might be a few minor spoilers sprinkled throughout. (Then again, there’s very little in this movie that can be spoiled if you’ve played a Super Mario Bros. game in the last 40 years. If you know the games, you know the movie already.)

    Here are the old school Nintendo references and Easter eggs in The Super Mario Bros Movie…

    All the Old School Nintendo Easter Eggs in The Super Mario Bros. Movie

    The Super Mario Bros. Movie is loaded with callbacks to Nintendo history. How many of them did you spot?

    The Worst ’80s Movies, According to Letterboxd

    According to thousands of users on the movie website Letterboxd, these are the 15 worst movies released during the 1980s.

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    Matt Singer

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  • Controversial Superhero Casting That Paid Off

    Controversial Superhero Casting That Paid Off

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    When it comes to movie adaptations of popular comic books, many fans are likely going to have strong opinions about, well, everything. From thoughts about costumes to critiques of special effects, devotees of the genre often aren’t shy to voice how they feel about a filmmaker’s interpretation of Marvel or DC source material. This also includes major casting decisions.

    Sometimes, a studio’s choice to cast a certain actor creates a ripple of controversy throughout the franchise’s fanbase. People may be disgruntled that an actor doesn’t resemble the comic book version of a character closely enough — or, in some cases, an actor may be too recognizable from another project to convincingly play an iconic role. There are so many reasons fans may disagree with a casting decision, but more often than not, those decisions end up being the right ones in the long run.

    READ MORE: 10 Actors Who Hated Their Superhero Costumes

    While casting these actors in well-known superhero and villain roles was once considered risky, time has proven that the heads in charge ended up making the right choice. In fact, it’s pretty much impossible to think of anyone else in these roles now. It just goes to show that having a bit of faith in the creative forces behind a project usually pays off — and initial impressions can often be deceiving. An actor doesn’t get cast in a high-profile superhero movie by mistake, although it may take an audience actually watching their performance to win them over. Here are ten examples of superhero movie casting that were initially controversial — but paid off big time.

    Controversial Superhero Casting That Paid Off

    Fans were not into these actors playing these roles when they were first announced. But all was forgiven when they saw the finished product.

    Actors Who Hated Their Superhero Movie Costumes

    These actors looked great in their superhero outfits. But they were literally a pain in the butt (or other body parts) to wear.

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    Claire Epting

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