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On March 26, X (formerly known as Twitter) and other social media sites were suddenly and distressingly flooded with noxious, uncanny images. Old memes were suddenly recreated with round-faced, wide-eyed, warmly-lit, pastel animated characters, in a manner that’s initially pleasing but — the longer you look — feels increasingly and disorientingly soulless. Even those who aren’t well-versed in spotting AI-generated works probably wouldn’t be surprised to learn that this wasn’t an artistic trend: All of these images were instead created via OpenAI’s new 4o image generator, done entirely by an algorithm that scanned the beloved works of Studio Ghibli, the powerhouse Japanese animation studio, to replicate the instantly recognizable house style that has made the company such an international cultural juggernaut.

Many fans of Studio Ghibli decried the trend almost immediately, pointing toward generative AI’s infamously negative environmental impact, and — most pertinently — the company’s founder and...

Exclusive: Heading into the weekend, Disney’s Snow White was being called “Snow Woke” in vitriolic online circles, which begs the question how the movie fared at the box office in the Trumpier areas of a country divided into blue and red states.

The Rachel Zegler-Gal Gadot live action take of the 1937 Disney animated classic bombed at the domestic B.O. with a $43M opening off a $270M production cost (before P&a).

Here’s what we can tell you. Snow White, per box office analytics corp EntTelligence, minted 60% of her ticket sales and drew 56.5% of her total attendance (3.1M admissions) in theaters located in Blue counties.

Now, these figures come with an asterisk. It stands to reason that Snow White‘s business would be driven by Blue counties simply because the majority of theaters in the U.S. reside in such zones at 53% (as determined by the 2024 Presidential...

Snow White is officially out in theaters. The live-adaptation remake of the beloved 1937 animated movie of the same name, which has been plagued with controversy, is pulling encouraging numbers.

Per Deadline, Disney's Snow White has pulled strong preview numbers. On Thursday, the movie made $3.5 million domestically, and early PostTrak notes that it had 5 stars with kids under 12. The general audience's feedback is three stars.

Marc Webb's new film ranks above 2019's Dumbo, which had $2.6 million in previews, ending its run with only $353.1 million, and 2019's Maleficent 2, which opened with $2.3 million, ending its run with $489.1 million, but not far from DreamWorks Animation's Kung Fun Panda 4, which had $3.8 million in previews in 2024 and ended up grossing $547.8 million.

Initially, Snow White was projected to open with more than $60 million domestically. In recent days, the new live-action adaptation is looking at a $40 million+ debut.

Although the early reactions had nothing but praise...

Salem Horror Fest has announced the initial wave of programming for its 8th annual event, running April 30-May 4 in nine venues across Salem, Massachusetts.

Over 60 Official Selections — shorts, interludes (15-60 minutes), and feature length — will screen, in addition to repertory screenings, live podcasts, and other special events.

The annual opening night celebration at the Peabody Essex Museum will feature a Q&a with horror icon Ashley Laurence moderated by Rue Morgue‘s Andrea Subissati; a screening of Hellbound: Hellraiser II; keynote speaker Professor Tananarive Due, author of The Reformatory and executive producer of Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror; announcement of jury prizes; and a screening of the winning short.

Special Events

Local Mass Hysteria – A collection of shorts from New England filmmakers (April 30) Opening night with Ashley Laurence, Tananarive Due, and a screening of Hellbound: Hellraiser II (May 1) Book signing and panel with five horror authors including Tananarive...

After raiding the crown jewels for just about every live-action reboot imaginable, Disney has finally gotten around to the one that started it all, the 1937 classic Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. That film represents Walt Disney’s first-ever full-length animated feature.

Originally, Disney’s plan was to rerelease its animated vault treasures every seven years for a new generation of kids, but they got the bright idea to instead remake those films as live-action features. Thus we have had versions of Sleeping Beauty reimagined around evil Maleficent; Peter Pan; Fantasia; Dumbo; Pinocchio; three variations on 101 Dalmatians including Cruella; The Lion King; Jungle Book; Aladdin; Mulan; Alice In Wonderland; The Little Mermaid; and an unfortunate attempt to meddle with my favorite, Lady and the Tramp among others. The best in the live-action genre to date remain Bill Condon’s blockbuster Beauty and the Beast and Kenneth Branagh’s splendid Cinderella.

Studio Ghibli fans have reason to celebrate as one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most iconic films, Princess Mononoke, is returning to theaters in a stunning 4K remaster. This new restoration promises to bring the beloved 1997 classic to life like never before, offering an unparalleled cinematic experience. Set to debut exclusively in IMAX on March 26, this limited-time screening is a rare opportunity for both longtime admirers and new audiences to witness Princess Mononoke in breathtaking visual quality. The film’s intricate animation and sweeping landscapes will shine in a way never before seen on the big screen.

A cornerstone of Miyazaki’s work, Princess Mononoke is revered for its stunning animation, rich storytelling, and profound environmental themes. The film follows Ashitaka, a cursed prince caught in the struggle between industrial expansion and nature’s wrath, embodied by the mysterious San, or Princess Mononoke. With its deep ecological message and powerful visuals,...

The trend of re-releasing movies from the past has now reached the anime industry and has targeted the biggest anime movie creator in the world. In a recent turn of events, one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most honorable gems, Princess Mononoke, is getting a re-release with 4K restoration. The movie will have both subbed and dubbed versions in the theaters.

Princess Mononoke | Credit: Studio Ghibli

Although it is indeed a piece of good news, fans of Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli projects are not too sure about it and have some big doubts about the restoration. One major doubt about Princess Mononoke’s re-release is whether the upcoming project will use Artificial Intelligence rescaling in order to transform the project into 4K resolution.

If this happens, it won’t be in favor of the movie or the studio at all, as Miyazaki has been against the use of AI within the anime community.

Iu and Park Bo-Gum’s When Life Gives You Tangerines hits No. 1 (Photo Credit – Netflix)

Iu has returned to the world of K-dramas with When Life Gives You Tangerines, and the series has already made a strong debut and recorded great viewership numbers on Netflix. It has gained a lot of attraction across the globe and has become an international hit. The series stars Park Bo-Gum, Moon Sori, Park Hae-Joon, and others, apart from the Korean idol-turned-actress.

It premiered on March 7, 2025, and has dropped only four episodes. And within these, the fans have fallen in love with the characters and their dynamics. While the Hotel del Luna actress is receiving a lot of love for her role as Ae-Sun, Bo-Gum is equally appreciated for portraying such a diligent and innocent character. Scroll ahead to know more.

When Life Gives You Tangerines was written by Lim Sang-Choon and directed by Kim Won-Seok.

The latest shakeup in the world of media has resulted in Disney laying off nearly 6% of its total staff across ABC News and its TV division. Per Variety, via a source close to the matter, the 6% figure means that about 200 workers across both branches will be losing their jobs.

Also, as part of the cuts, the company is discontinuing its FiveThirtyEight (538) data unit that had been part of ESPN before being absorbed by ABC News. The outlet had become a top source for analyzing polling data before various elections in the U.S. Disney did not make executives available for comment, Variety states.

The ABC News cuts are due to combining different staffing groups through moves that the company previously announced. For instance, all units of the ABC staple Good Morning America, including its daily morning news show as well as GMA3 and ABC News’ overnight broadcasts, were previously combined...

Moana 2 implies that Moana is now a demigod, much like her friend Maui. However, a key feature of Disney's first Moana was the character's relatability. She used to be a human girl with the will, courage, and strength to change the course of the world. By Moana's conclusion, she stayed grounded as a young woman who helped battle the fearsome Te Kā while restoring the nature goddess Te Fiti.

One would normally expect Moana to be gifted with the powers to do so, as she has the potential within her. If not, the ocean wouldn't have chosen her. But as the demigod Maui (Dwayne Johnson) told her, her true strength came from within. She didn't need anything from the deities above, but this has changed significantly in Moana 2, as the titular heroine has become a demigod as well.

Updated on March 4, 2025, by Andrea Sandoval: Moana 2 will...

Today, a new trailer for the Japanese dub of the donghua Wuliao Jiu Wanjie ("Don't Give Up!") has premiered. The trailer introduces new characters, new theme songs and a locked-in premiere date: April 2 . Check out the trailer for the series, which will be released in Japan as Kono Koi de Hanaji o Tomete ("Stopping Your Nosebleed with My Love"): Wuliao Jiu Wanjie Trailer Related: Wuliao Jiu Wanjie Donghua Gets Japanese Dub in April 2025 A new visual has also been released: Wuliao Jiu Wanjie Key Visual The trailer showcases two new additions to the cast: Dilly voiced by Tomokazu Sugita (Taro Sakamoto in Sakamoto Days ) Shanina voiced by Yoko Hikasa (Arthur Pencilgon in Shangri-La Frontier ) Tomokazu Sugita / Dilly Yoko Hikasa / Shanina Related: Sci-Fi Anime Film As One Releases in Japan Summer 2025 The trailer also features clips of the new opening and ending theme songs. The opening, titled "Brand New Day,...

Miramax Films’ musical fantasy comedy Ella Enchanted will officially be heading to a brand-new streaming home soon. The 2004 movie was led by Academy Award-winner Anne Hathaway in one of her earliest movie roles, following the success of 2001’s The Princess Diaries.

Beginning on March 6, Ella Enchanted will be available for streaming on Prime Video. In the film, Hathaway portrayed the titular role of Ella, a young woman whose fairy godmother granted her the magical gift of obedience. This ability requires her to immediately obey any command she has been given. However, as she grows up, this so-called gift proves to be more of a curse than a blessing, since it gives anyone the power to take advantage of her. During its theatrical run, it received negative reviews from critics and fans of the novel, with a Tomatometer rating of 51% on Rotten Tomatoes. This was due to its lack of faithfulness from the original source material.

The Tiana project is not moving forward at Disney+.

Walt Disney Animation Studios has officially cancelled its Tiana princess series, and will abandon original longform content for streaming, THR reports.

A spokesperson for the company confirmed there “will be some layoffs in its Vancouver studio as a result of this shift in business strategy.”

Keep reading to find out more…

In addition to the Tiana series, an unannounced movie that was set to go straight to Disney+ has also been shelved.

Tiana was first announced in December 2020. At the time, it was planned to be a musical featuring Anika Noni Rose reprising her role as Tiana from the 2009 film The Princess and The Frog, Disney’s first Black princess.

Sources told THR that after much effort, including several changes to the creative team, Tiana ultimately wasn’t able to get where it needed to be given production costs.

The animation...

Masashi Kishimoto wrote some of the finest villains in Naruto. They are deeply flawed and complex in terms of their motives and backstories. From Pain to Sasori, the series gave us well-written and layered antagonists that embodied a menacing personality.

However, Kaguya Otsutsuki is an exception to that, especially with how she was introduced. Her being overpowered is one of the criticisms that is often thrown around like confetti. Fans, however, may have been too quick in their judgment of her character’s origins.

Team 7 during the Fourth Shinobi World War | Credit: Studio Pierrot

More often than not, people tend to overlook Kishimoto’s brilliance, and they might have done the same in this case. Fans may have ignored the foreshadowing aspect of the series, which makes the character’s path more coherent.

Kaguya’s foreshadowing in Naruto

From Jiraiya to Tsunade, most characters in Naruto draw inspiration from Japanese folklore.

Princess Mononoke introduced the world to the breathtaking story of Ashitaka, who strove to see with eyes unclouded by hate as he ingrained himself into the violent dispute between San, Moro and the denizens of the forest versus Lady Eboshi and her humans from Irontown. Hailed as one of Studio Ghibli’s most profound and morally gray films, Princess Mononoke has since acquired a cult following, thanks in large part to its stunning artwork, compelling characters and poignant storytelling.

Yet even as it celebrates its much-earned status as one of the best films from Studio Ghibli, some story elements within the narrative leave fans scratching their heads. From wolf princess San’s articulate mastery of human speech to Jigo’s apparently qualmless enthusiasm in handing over the secret of immortality for mere gold, these confusing details barely make sense, with their explanations getting glossed over in the grand scheme of Ashitaka’s epic tale.

Director Paul Verhoeven’s 1992 film, Basic Instinct, had arguably one of the most controversial scenes in cinema at the time. Sharon Stone’s famous interrogation scene in which she uncrosses her legs while wearing a white mini-dress has been a point of contention for the Golden Globe-winning actress since the film was released.

Per Deadline, in a new interview with The Times of London, Stone, who co-starred with Michael Douglas in Basic Instinct, talked about how before Basic Instinct, she made a significant career decision regarding the costumes she wears in the films she makes.

Stone said that she made a made-for-tv movie back in the 1980s and after filming, the studio ended up selling off her entire wardrobe at a discounted price. She said she felt embarrassed that potentially a member of the production crew would be able to buy her underwear. “I thought, ‘Never again,’” said the Casino actress.

Over the years, anime has seen tremendous growth and success, because of a handful of genres that have helped the artistic medium grow in popularity around the world. These genres feature an incredible variety of series, but arguably none are more consistently thrilling than the assassin genre.

Assassin anime has been a major part of the medium's success since the 1970s, and during this time, the genre has spawned many titles that earned impressive followings among their fans. That said, there are a select few assassin anime that are particularly well-received, including a few that rank among the most popular series in anime history.

Darker Than Black Trades Realism for Spectacular Flashy Fights Streaming on Crunchyroll

Assassins are one of the most dangerous (and chaotic) tools in the world for political conflict, and few series capture this better than Darker Than Black. This sci-fi mystery follows the journey of Hei,...

Quick LinksDisney's Live-Action Remakes are Losing SteamThe Hunchback of Notre Dame Was Disney's Darkest Renaissance Era MovieA Live-Action Hunchback of Notre Dame Can Fix Some Animated Issues

Disney has become known for live-action remakes of its classic movies for over a decade, with more of these movies on the way. While the concept sounds ripe for (now proven) success at the box office, fans and moviegoers have grown somewhat tired of what are now seen increasingly as "cheap cash grabs." Before Disney possibly puts the idea to rest, however, there's one animated movie from the studio that's begging for a live-action incarnation.

The Disney version of The Hunchback of Notre Dame was the darkest movie of the Disney Renaissance era, and perhaps one of the best. Its aesthetic and tone would actually fit perfectly in a live-action rendition, especially given its novel source material. Most ironically, this would be one...

With its release in 2010, Tangledwas instantly regarded as a true return to form for Disney while utilizing what was, at the time, a new animation style for the company. Grossing almost $600 million on a $260 million budget, the film rivaled Disney's renaissance-era films, including more contemporary musical numbers, featuring the vocals of '90s/early 2000s pop star Mandy Moore.

The film explores conflicted dynamics between the sly criminal Flynn Ryder and the sheltered lost princess Rapunzel. The two's development from unlikely friends to inseparable lovers coincides beautifully with the film's adventure elements. The film is an adaption of the beloved fairy tale Rapunzel and employs many key plot points from the story, but there is a more concentrated emphasis on the action within the film. This shift in direction for the film was decided to appeal to a more comprehensive audience, aiming to move away from the princess film archetype.

Abema, one of Japan’s leading streaming platforms, has released its annual anime rankings for 2024, revealing the most-watched and most-commented titles of the year.

The rankings, based on viewing data collected from Jan 1 to Dec 31, 2024, highlight the trends that shaped anime viewership on the platform.

The streaming service released two key rankings: the Annual View Count Ranking, which measures average views per episode, and the Annual Comment Count Ranking, which tracks fan interactions during broadcasts.

Oshi No Ko Dominates Streaming Charts for Second Year

For the second year in a row, Oshi No Ko secured the No. 1 spot in Abema’s Annual Views Ranking, with its second season continuing the success of its predecessor.

The second season recorded the highest weekly viewership in Abema’s anime history.

The full Annual View Count Ranking for 2024 is as follows:

Oshi No Ko Season 2 Crayon Shin-chan (Movie) Demon Slayer: Hashira Training Arc (TV...

“Pretty Little Liars” and “Which Brings Me to You” star Lucy Hale will topline the romantic comedy “Princess” from “The Cooler” screenwriter Frank Hannah.

Daniel Baur’s K5 Intl. has boarded “Princess” as its international sales agent and will commence sales at Berlinale’s European Film Market.

The plot centers on a woman who finally meets the man of her dreams, but first, she must contend with her beloved’s bulldog, Princess, who has a history of destroying any relationship her owner engages in. Think “Monster-in-Law” in tone.

Principal photography is anticipated to commence in Ireland spring 2025.

Best known for her breakout role on the hit series “Pretty Little Liars,” Hale has gone on to become an international star through films such as the romantic comedy “Which Brings Me to You,” Vertical’s “The Hating Game” and Sony’s “Fantasy Island.” Hale will star in Lionsgate and BuzzFeed Studios’ upcoming action comedy “F Marry Kill,...

Quick LinksDisney Princess Enchanted Tales Was a Planned Series in the Early 2000sDisney Princess Sequels Tend to Be CringeworthyCinderella III: A Twist in Time Is So Bad That It’s Good

The Disney Princess brand is one of The Walt Disney Company's hottest properties, but not every one of its endeavors has been a success. Although a princess (Snow White) was the beginning of Disney feature-length animated films, centering on one doesn't always guarantee success. Sleeping Beauty, for example, did not fare well at the box office upon its first release. Still, when Disney was in its Dark Ages in the 1980s, it was another princess (Ariel) featured in The Little Mermaid that kicked off Disney's Renaissance. And so, in the early 2000s, when Disney chose to build an entire brand around its catalog of princesses, statistically, they were hedging their bets on a relatively safe property.

In 2007, Disney...

On Tuesday February 11 2025, MTV broadcasts Help! I’m in a Secret Relationship!!

Lee & Princess Season 3 Episode 15 Episode Summary

The upcoming episode of “Help! I’m in a Secret Relationship!” titled “Lee & Princess” promises to be an emotional ride. Lee has been in a relationship with Princess for two years, and she believes that Princess is the one for her. Their love story took a big step when they decided to move across the country to Los Angeles together. Lee is excited about their future and is ready to take the next steps in their relationship.

However, there is a significant issue that Lee faces. Princess has been keeping their relationship a secret from her family and friends. This secrecy has created tension and uncertainty for Lee, who wants to be open about their love. As Lee prepares to confront Princess about this hidden aspect of their relationship, viewers can expect to...

The upcoming episode of “Big Boys,” titled “Thin Lips, Fat Lines and a Poem on Princess Di,” promises to bring both laughter and reflection. Set to air on Sunday, February 16, 2025, at 11:00 Pm on Channel 4, this episode dives into the quirky dynamics of friendship and self-discovery.

In this episode, Jack’s new habit of spoken-word poetry begins to irritate those around him. His friends find themselves caught between admiration and annoyance as Jack shares his latest creations. This change in Jack’s character adds an interesting twist to the group’s interactions, leading to both humorous and heartfelt moments.

Meanwhile, Corinne and Yemi find themselves at a crossroads, contemplating how to take charge of their futures. Their journey of self-reflection will resonate with many, as they navigate their ambitions and desires. Additionally, Cousin Shannon’s visit to a charity shop for some donated clothes adds another layer of comedy and chaos to the episode.

Vampire and witches are some of the most popular supernatural creatures in anime, right along with demons and yokai. They gained even more popularity in the early 2000s when anime series got pretty creative with creature lore. Some series have different categories of witches with specific powers and strengths, from elemental abilities to cast curses.

Some titles experiment with vampire lore, weaving together traditional sun-fearing vampires and formidable dhampirs. Witches and vampires are also perfect characters to incorporate into dark fantasy and gothic anime. Dark fantasy and gothic are ancient subgenres, but audiences were drawn to new takes on them in the early 2000s.

Princess Tutu Pairs a Whimsical Art Style with Heavy Themes & Evil Sorcery Series Years: 2002-2003; Streaming on Prime VideoImage via Hal Film Maker Studio.

A magical girl anime inspired by classical ballets, like Princess Tutu, doesn't seem like it would be a dark fantasy at first glance.

Nature as a theme and as a character sits at the very core of Hayao Miyazaki‘s films, many of which deal with the complex interdependence between humanity and the natural environment (the very meaning of the word ecology) – not to mention their destructive relationship. This is what Léo Favier’s French documentary discusses, although not always as directly, as rigorously or as thoroughly as one might wish.

“Miyazaki, Spirit of Nature”, a made-for-tv documentary, is very standardized in its formal approach to its subject matter: a traditional voiceover tells audiences about the Japanese director, his life and works, while the comments are illustrated with shots and scenes from his numerous movies. At other times, various experts are interviewed on camera to share their thoughts about Miyazaki and the way he approaches nature in his films. The fact that the documentary was first shown at the 2024 Venice Film Festival has...

Hayao Miyazaki’s movies are universally acclaimed for their enchanting animation, unforgettable characters, and rich narratives. Among these works, Porco Rosso holds a unique place in cinematic history for pushing the boundaries of animated storytelling as well as its iconic lines. However, despite its brilliance, it is Princess Mononoke that emerges as his magnum opus; surpassing other Studio Ghibli movies.

Princess Mononoke’s brilliance is still unbeatable | Credit: Studio Ghibli

With its mature, introspective storytelling and profound quotes, Princess Mononoke was way ahead of its time and stands as a cinematic masterpiece that still resonates across generations. Let’s delve into the cultural impact, themes, and power of Miyazaki’s words that make these movies classic gems.

Porco Rosso: Hayao Miyazaki’s timeless statement against fascism

Set in the premise of post-World War I Europe, Porco Rosso followed the adventures of a bounty hunter pilot cursed to look like a pig.

Utagoe ha Mille-Feuille , a music project featuring characters and young female voice actors, released its fifth CD single "Starlight" on January 22, 2025, accompanied by a music video on the project's official YouTube channel . Utagoe ha Mille-Feuille "Starlight" Music Video The CD single ranked #8 in Oricon's daily single charts on its first day. The coupling song of the single is a cappella cover version of Maaya Sakamoto's fifth single song in 1999, “Platinum” ( Cardcaptor Sakura opening theme). CD single jacket Based on the themes of "a cappella," "high school girls" and "complex," the Utagoe ha Mille-Feuille project launched by Pony Canyon in April 2022. The project depicts a story in which the characters and their voice cast members grow together through a cappella. The members include: Uta Komaki voiced by Mirai Ayase (her debut role): Musubu Mayumori voiced by Yuko Natsuyoshi (Tsubaki in In the Heart of Kunoichi Tsubaki ) Airi Kojo...

Get in touch to send in cinephile news and discoveries. To keep up with our latest features, sign up for the Weekly Edit newsletter and follow us @mubinotebook on Twitter and Instagram.NEWSInland Empire.Former MoviePass CEO Ted Farnsworth pleaded guilty to defrauding the company’s investors by making “materially false and misleading representations” of the company’s operations. In the words of a Justice Department official, Farnsworth “concealed that MoviePass’s subscription model was a money-losing gimmick and falsely claimed that [the company] used artificial intelligence to monetize MoviePass’s subscriber data,” the latter tactic described as “AI washing.”Shout! Studios has acquired the worldwide rights to the Golden Princess movie library, a collection of 156 Hong Kong action cinema classics that have been unavailable in Western markets for decades. The collection includes John Woo classics like The Killer (1989), Bullet in the Head (1990), and Hard Boiled (1992), as well as Tsui Hark’s...

Hayao Miyazaki is often regarded as one of the greatest filmmakers of all time in the field of animation, and his works have expanded beyond cultural and generational boundaries to become an integral part of the global cinematic industry. Among his most beloved works are Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke, both of which stand as monumental achievements in the world of animation.

Prince Ashitaka from Princess Mononoke | Credit: Studio Ghibli

Spirited Away has achieved remarkable success worldwide; becoming the first and still only non-English language animated film to win an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. However, it is often Princess Mononoke that remains overlooked, despite being arguably Miyazaki’s finest and most complex creation.

Princess Mononoke: A darker and more mature masterpiece

Princess Mononoke is often considered the more complex, mature, and thematically ambitious than Spirited Away. Released in 1997, it was a departure from the more fantastical and...

One of the main features that has made Disney Dreamlight Valley one of the most successful cozy games in recent years is the element of nostalgia that the game provides for players who grew up adoring Disney's beloved characters. From Pixar favorites to classic Disney stars like Mickey Mouse himself, there are many different characters to unlock and befriend in Disney Dreamlight Valley. For some players, the addition of Disney Princesses in the game is the most exciting feature, bringing with them all sorts of reward items and objects to collect in Scrooge's Store.

So far, Disney Dreamlight Valley has introduced many Disney Princesses, including Rapunzel, Ariel, Mulan, Tiana, Elsa and Anna, and Belle. For fans of Disney's Sleeping Beauty, Princess Aurora might join the party in The Storybook Vale "Part Two" upon its release at the end of 2025. However, this leaves a couple of the Disney franchise's beloved princesses missing from Disney Dreamlight Valley,...

From witches to warlocks, Hayao Miyazaki’s world is filled with fantasy and magic. It is imbued with surrealistic elements enmeshed with conflict and war. And it would be a gross understatement to call it a wonderland.

Amidst the beauty and chaos, the Ghibli filmmaker has set a benchmark with his use of traditional and handcrafted methods of animation. This isn’t to say he’s aversive to technology, but he has a solid reason behind it.

Kiki and Jiji in a still from Kiki’s Delivery Service | Credit: Studio Ghibli

This holds especially true for his opinions regarding CGI animation. With new-age films incorporating advanced technologies, Ghibli has stuck to its guns for the most part. It has inspired several films, including The Glassworker and so on.

But that is not all considering its influence on storytelling and filmmaking on the whole. For decades, Ghibli has inspired other studios...

There have been some rumors recently that The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess will be getting a second remake, and I can’t think of a better Zelda game to get this treatment. Although my first two Zelda games - the influential A Link to the Past and Ocarina of Time - will always hold a special place in my heart, Twilight Princess is my favorite of the series. However, it isn’t just my personal bias that makes me think Twilight Princess is the most deserving game for a remake.

Although it was released more recently than remakes of older Zelda games like Ocarina of Time or Majora’s Mask, the remake of Twilight Princess is not easy to find. Re-releasing it wouldn’t only make it more accessible to players, and I think it could also impact the future of the Zelda series if it is a major success.

As any fan of Family Feud can tell you, there are certain undeniable truths about the show. One: some contestant will answer the question with something bawdy. Two: that answer will be on the board, but with a slightly more family-friendly name. Three: a contestant will give an answer that has no connection to the question being asked, like an epic fail of answering "Hannibal Lecter" when asked "Which Disney Princess would you be if you could?" Four: Steve Harvey will be sent into fits of laughter over that answer. Five: out of all ten contestants, at least one is going to be flat-out weird. These truths may not materialize in every episode, except for truth number six: the winning family will play, not pass.

Twenty years ago, Beyoncé rode into Houston’s Nrg Stadium on the back of a palomino horse. She smiled wide and waved out to her hometown audience as she was guided toward the stage for her first solo performance at the Houston Rodeo. Last night, she made another horseback entrance at the stadium — not as a rodeo performer, but as the NFL Christmas Gameday halftime show headliner. This was the Beyoncé Bowl.

Beyoncé didn’t wait for the white stallion to lead her through the tunnels towards the field to begin singing.

Disney is hard at work on a live-action Snow White remake following the lead of previous revamps like Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin. In some ways, it is a bit surprising that Disney waited as long as it has to do a remake of Snow White. After all, the original 1937 Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was Disney's very first animated feature, and thus it casts a long shadow over the company's output ever since. Then again, perhaps Snow White's status as the textbook Disney Princess fairytale is why Disney has been hesitant to bring it to live-action.

The original Snow White is a landmark animated movie and is perhaps Disney's signature production. So many aspects of Snow White influenced Disney movies that followed, so living up to its legacy will be challenging. Yet, that is exactly what today's Disney team will now attempt to do with its live-action Snow White,...

The ‘Tis Time for "Torture," Princess Jump Festa 2025 stage event today introduced Mutsumi Tamura (Kobayashi in Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid ) as the voice of Sakura Heartlock for the anime’s upcoming second season. No further details about the second season's release date, cast nor staff was announced at the time of reporting. The second season of ‘Tis Time for "Torture," Princess was announced in May . Related: ‘Tis Time for “Torture,” Princess Season 2 Anime Confirmed Based on the manga by Robinson Haruhara and Hirakei, Yoko Kanamori directed ‘Tis Time for “Torture,” Princess at studio Pine Jam, with series composition by Kazuyuki Fudeyasu ( Shangri-La Frontier ), character designs by Toshiya Kono ( Sword Art Online monster designer) and Satoshi Furuhashi and music by Masaru Yokoyama ( Horimiya ). Crunchyroll currently streams the first season and describes the story: As the war between the Imperial Army and Hellhorde rages on, the Princess, despite being armed with her mythical sword Excalibur,...

Fire Force is one of the most popular shonen of the last decade. It has become a fan-favorite despite the series' flaws, like gratuitous fan service. It has some exemplary episodes, like Shinra's initial introduction to the Fire Force. Several episodes, especially from the anime's first season, are masterclasses in combining creative fights with emotional storytelling.

Fire Force builds on many of the elements it learns from its anime predecessors, like its explosive duels. While slightly silly, the series has many deeply emotional and profound moments. Episodes like "The Hero and The Princess" are great examples of the balance between the impassioned and comical. Fire Force has some amazing and interesting episodes that are marvelous feats of modern shonen.

Fire Force's First Episode Immediately Pulls You In Fire Force, Season 1, Episode 1, "Shinra Kusakabe Enlists"

During his childhood, Shinra Kusakabe loses both his mother and brother to the phenomenon of spontaneous combustion.

A new study from the USC Annenberg Norman Lear Center’s Media Impact Project revealed that Jewish representation on-screen still falls flat, leaning into detrimental stereotypes and highlighting only specific types of Jews.

Researchers from the Media Impact Project analyzed 108 Jewish characters across 49 episodes of 15 TV series that aired from 2021 to 2022. They found that in scripted television Orthodox Jews are often othered, while Jewish people at large are painted in broad strokes as a monolith.

Out of the 15 series studied, they found 95% of Jewish people represented on screen were white – only three characters were perceived as Black, one as Asian and one as Middle Eastern Asian. Additionally, Jews with intersectional identities, including queer representation and body diversity, were largely absent.

Antisemitism in America has become increasingly rampant since the Oct. 7 attacks last year and the Israeli military response that followed in Gaza. In late October, FBI director Christopher Wray warned that antisemitism in the U.

While Beauty & The Beast's Yuletide spinoff Belle’s Enchanted Christmas isn't as famous as its theatrically released predecessor, the interquel does offer the franchise’s best villain in the form of Tim Curry's Forte. Not every Disney princess movie has a great villain, and this can occasionally mar the viewing experience upon a re-watch. Frozen is a modern classic, but it is hard to work out exactly why the duplicitous Prince Hans would reveal his nefarious plan to Anna when he does, unless he hopes to get caught. Similarly, although Beauty & The Beast’s Gaston is an iconic villain, he has one problem.

Related Top 10 Reasons Why Beauty And The Beast Is The Best Disney Princess Movie

There are many wonderful, magical Disney Princess movies but there is one that stands out above the rest, Beauty and the Beast (1991).

Gaston is a perfect embodiment of small-town bigotry,...

1000-Lb Sisters spoilers reveal that there are fans who seem to be embarrassed for Tammy and Amy Slaton. This season of the show has shared a lot of family drama like never before. The Slaton sisters are discovering more about themselves and their family. A lot of this has been shocking for viewers to watch.

Now Tammy and Amy are flying to the U.K. to learn more about their roots. They wanted to learn about their relatives there, but as viewers watched on, they began to feel embarrassed for them, why? Let’s take a closer look.

1000-Lb Sisters Spoilers – The New Family Discoveries

The Slatons haven’t always had the best family ties. Their youth wasn’t exactly pleasant, but they are trying to learn more about their family tree now.

On the latest episode of 1000-Lb Sisters, Chris Combs and Amy went to visit a genealogist to...

Moana's recent sequel has brought the ocean-adventuring not-princess back to everyone's mind. After her musical adventure in 2016, Moana (Auliʻi Cravalho) became the first Polynesian princess in the Disney Princess franchise, though the character would deny her royal status. Still, as fans look back on her story, they may find a parallel between Moana and an earlier Disney film also written by John Musker and Ron Clements: The Little Mermaid. The 1989 Disney classic about a mermaid princess longing to be human was instrumental in bringing the animation company into what is now called the Disney Renaissance. Even 35 years after its release, The Little Mermaid is widely popular and recently received the live-action remake treatment.

Disney has used Moana 2's story to set it up as the perfect replacement for a different, massively successful franchise. The 2025 film has performed well at the box office and with critics, ensuring that the House of Mouse will continue diving deeper into this tale. What's more, Moana 2's success couldn't have come at a better time for Disney since the animation studio had been hit or miss with its recent releases. It's been tough for anything to stack up to the kind of profit and social impact resulting from the Frozen franchise, but it certainly seems that Moana 2 is on its way.

Very few Disney Princess (or adjacent) movies get theatrical sequels, and Moana was initially meant only to get a Disney+ spinoff series rather than a feature film continuation. However, the House of Mouse changed gears at the last second, and the TV show project...

Shueisha's Shonen Jump+ digital manga platform celebrated its 10th anniversary beginning in September of this year. To mark the occasion, an art exhibition dedicated to titles published on the platform—such as Kaiju No. 8 , Spy x Family , Dan Da Dan , `Tis Time for “Torture,” Princess and more—is on the way. Titled Shonen Jump Plus 10th Anniversary Exhibition , the event will be held in Tokyo at the Terrada Warehouse G1 Building venue from April 18 – May 18, 2025. Teaser art (above) and a teaser video (below) have been revealed. Shonen Jump Plus 10th Anniversary Exhibition Teaser Trailer Related: Shueisha Announces Jump Next Generation Battle Manga Award Advance tickets to the exhibition will begin distribution via a lottery style drawing that runs from January 15 – 26, 2025. After a second round of advance ticket sales, the tickets to the exhibition will be available to the general public on a first-come, first-served basis. Additional information about the exhibition,...

Shueisha's Shonen Jump+ digital manga platform celebrated its 10th anniversary beginning in September of this year. To mark the occasion, an art exhibition dedicated to titles published on the platform—such as Kaiju No. 8 , Spy x Family , Dan Da Dan , `Tis Time for “Torture,” Princess and more—is on the way. Titled Shonen Jump Plus 10th Anniversary Exhibition , the event will be held in Tokyo at the Terrada Warehouse G1 Building venue from April 18 – May 18, 2025. Teaser art (above) and a teaser video (below) have been revealed. Shonen Jump Plus 10th Anniversary Exhibition Teaser Trailer Related: Shueisha Announces Jump Next Generation Battle Manga Award Advance tickets to the exhibition will begin distribution via a lottery style drawing that runs from January 15 – 26, 2025. After a second round of advance ticket sales, the tickets to the exhibition will be available to the general public on a first-come, first-served basis. Additional information about the exhibition,...

Snow White Live-Action Remake (Photo Credit – Instagram)

Guess what, Disney fans? The studio is finally diving into a live-action Snow White remake, and honestly, it’s about time. Given that the 1937 Og Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was Disney’s first-ever animated feature, it’s wild that they waited that long. Probably, it’s because the original is such a classic; they might have been scared to mess with it. Either way, this upcoming remake has some big, glass-slipper-sized shoes to fill.

Moreover, the original wrote the Disney Princess playbook, so balancing nostalgia with fresh takes will be tricky. But we know Disney, so we should expect some magic and probably some spicy debate. What’s a remake without a bit of drama, right?

Learn everything about the Snow White remake.

Trending No Good Deed Season 1 Ending Explained: How Did Jacob Die In The Show?

Rhobh: Dorit Kemsley Slams...

Kate Middleton may have a new title to add to her list, which includes Princess and Duchess of Cornwall, if she wins an award she is now nominated for from Time.

Time Magazine has announced its annual Person of the Year 2024 shortlist, which includes ten influential people. Happily, Kate is on the revered list.

According to Time, Kate Middleton is a nominee, among other newsworthy individuals such as Kamala Harris, Elon Musk, Yulia Navalnaya, Benjamin Netanyahu, and Joe Rogan.

Kate made the list, presumably because of her tumultuous year with her health and public outcry over her wellbeing.

For months, the public worried about her and her health, as well as that of King Charles, as they both battled cancer news and were ecstatic when news was released that they were both doing well.

Now, fans are weighing in over the news that Time has nominated Kate as a potential Person of the Year 2024 winner.

There are not normally a lot of barricades outside our humble event honoring some of our favorite filmmakers, stars, and artisans on the trail this awards season, but the winter edition of IndieWire Honors, our first to focus solely on film, was our starriest event yet.

At a cocktail hour, guests sipped on Gia Coppola Wine, Francis Ford Coppola Winery’s Diamond Collection Sauvignon Blanc and Prosecco, and Rabbit Hole Whiskey. In attendance were the casts and filmmakers of “The Last Showgirl” and “Nickel Boys,” who met backstage, including director Coppola, screenwriter Kate Gertsen, actors Brenda Song, Ethan Herisse, plus recent Gotham Award winner Brandon Wilson — there to support Performance Award recipient Pamela Anderson and Auteur Award recipient RaMell Ross. Then the awards kicked off. IndieWire publisher James Israel and editor-in-chief Dana Harris-Bridson provided an overview of the night honoring everyone from “Dune” director Denis Villeneuve to stars Jennifer Lopez...

On Thursday 5 December 2024, BBC Three broadcasts Smoggie Queens!

A Smoggie Feud Season 1 Episode 3 Episode Summary

The upcoming episode of “Smoggie Queens,” titled “A Smoggie Feud,” promises a mix of fun and drama as it takes viewers on a journey aboard the Teesside Princess. This episode centers around Mam, who is excited to host a Titanic-themed drag brunch. With the vibrant atmosphere and creative performances, the event is set to be a highlight for the local community.

However, things take a turn when Mam encounters an unexpected figure from her past. This unwelcome surprise threatens to overshadow the festivities and create tension among the guests. The clash between Mam and this person could lead to some emotional moments, revealing deeper stories and connections that have long been buried.

As the brunch unfolds, viewers can expect a blend of humor, heartfelt interactions, and the signature flair that “Smoggie Queens” is known for.

Disney has produced a wide range of movies, but the IP has become strongly affiliated with its animated features — in particular, the Disney Princesses. The phenomenon began with Disney's first full-length animated feature, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, in 1937. Since then, the beloved studio has spearheaded many female-led animated films, including Cinderella and Mulan. Each of these princesses are a celebrated icon, but the foundations for the female protagonists have shifted in recent years with the Disney Renaissance changing Disney princesses for the worse. Because of this, 2025 will be the perfect time to retire the "Disney Princess" label.

Moana calling into question the definition of a princess suggests that the term has become figuratively obsolete. The system of who makes it onto the official Disney Princess line has always been confusing and somewhat biased; notably, Elsa and Anna are not official Disney Princesses, despite having led the biggest Disney...