Movies

George Lucas had a vision for Star Wars that wasn’t always written down as strict rules, but everyone has generally followed it. Every Star Wars film, including the newer ones from Disney, centers around the conflict between good and evil and always offers a positive message. They’re all suitable for families, combine elements of fantasy, science fiction, Westerns, and samurai films, and feel distinctly like Star Wars. While these core principles remain untouched, Disney is planning to deviate from another important aspect of Lucas’s original plan.

It’s no surprise that Netflix has led the way in bringing martial arts shows back to popularity, with successful series like Cobra Kai and Bloodhounds. While AMC’s Into the Badlands came first, Netflix has released many excellent martial arts dramas, including Wu Assassins, and has been key to making the genre widely popular.

Currently, Pokémon Winds and Waves is generating a lot of curiosity, but not a lot of concrete information. We’ve met the new starter Pokémon, seen some familiar faces like Wailord and Gloom, and gotten a first look at the game’s island setting, though its name hasn’t been revealed yet. While a 2027 release is confirmed, rumors suggest it will likely be released towards the end of the year. With so much still unknown about these Gen 10 games, news about pricing feels a bit premature.

During Disney’s presentation on May 13th, the studio revealed that several popular shows will be returning, including existing series and further information about Season 13 of American Horror Story. They also announced new programming, with Count My Lies set to premiere as a strong successor to the network’s previous psychological thriller.

According to FlixPatrol, the horror movie Whistle is currently the most popular film on AMC+ in the United States. It’s also performing well internationally: it’s a hit on Catchplay in Indonesia, Chili in Poland, and Rakuten TV in both Ireland and the United Kingdom. Viewers in Guatemala, Australia, and New Zealand can rent or buy it on the Apple TV Store and Google Store.

The Absolute Universe is a huge hit in the comic book world. Every month, fans are rushing to stores to buy the latest issue. The new universe features many beloved characters with updated looks and fresh backstories. Keep an eye out for Ares, who will be appearing in the Absolute Universe soon.

Prime Video has made a splash in the superhero world with popular shows like The Boys, The Tick, and Invincible, each offering a unique style and appealing to different viewers. Now, they’re expanding their superhero lineup with Spider-Noir, a live-action series created by Oren Uziel and starring Nicolas Cage. While based on a Marvel character, Spider-Noir takes place in a separate universe connected to Sony’s Spider-Man films.

Following the end of Daredevil: Born Again Season 2, The Punisher: One Last Kills offers a grounded look into Frank Castle’s life, showing his struggles both in combat and personally. Ultimately, the special moves beyond Frank’s quest for revenge, revealing the core of his identity as the Punisher: a flawed but dedicated protector of the innocent and a true antihero.

The Prime Video thriller The Rig is a captivating and creepy series that successfully combines the unsettling atmosphere of Lovecraftian horror with familiar elements from Stephen King’s stories. Set on an isolated oil rig in the North Sea, the British series begins as a tense survival story after a strange fog cuts off all contact with the mainland. Over its two seasons, The Rig transforms into something far more bizarre and mysterious, making it a truly binge-worthy watch.

Shows like The Witcher, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, House of the Dragon, and Percy Jackson and the Olympians are leading a recent surge in popular fantasy and adventure series. A major challenge for each of these shows is that they’re all based on well-known books or games with dedicated fan bases.