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The summer tech lull is officially over thanks to Samsung.

Fans of the Galaxy line of smartphones, smartwatches, and earbuds will be happy to hear that the latest Samsung Galaxy Unpacked event is mere days away. It’s sure to have plenty of announcements about hot new flagship devices, and the good news is you can stream it live for free. Just go to Samsung’s YouTube channel at 7 a.m. PT/10 a.m. PT on Wednesday, Aug. 11 to catch all the big reveals live.

Samsung already released its latest flagship Galaxy smartphones earlier this year, so expect the August version of Unpacked to focus on other parts of the company’s broad tech portfolio.

Specifically, it seems inevitable that we’ll see more out of Samsung’s nascent foldable business. Recent leaks have pointed to the Galaxy Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3 being cheaper than previous models.

Beyond that, don’t be shocked to hear more about the future of the Galaxy Watch line, especially since Samsung confirmed there would be a new one in the second half of 2021.

Last but not least, Samsung’s wireless earbuds business will almost certainly expand beyond the Galaxy Buds Live and Galaxy Buds Pro, both of which launched in the past year. Supposed specs and renders have already leaked for the “Galaxy Buds 2,” suggesting they’ll have an egg-shaped form factor and active noise cancelation.

This is just the tip of the iceberg for late summer and early fall tech announcements, as Apple will inevitably have a big September blowout event. If you aren’t quite ready for a tech avalanche, you only have a few days left. Get to it.

The phrase “written by a woman” erupted on TikTok earlier this summer to describe men who were respectful, kind, and unafraid of femininity.

In contrast, the phrase “written by a man” gained traction to describe female characters written through the male gaze. Male authors have been accused of writing women as one-dimensional beings with little development compared to their male counterparts. Women written by men are also infamous for being described in vivid, unnecessary detail.

Discussions about men written by women and women written by men have been brewing on TikTok for months, inspiring a meme in which users transcended the gender dichotomy.

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On TikTok, the tag #menwrittenbywomen has 20.2 million views, and #writtenbymen has racked up 45.4 million. The trends are opening up larger conversations about the unrealistic and inaccurate way female characters are written, which has been a decades-long discussion online.

The most recent iteration of the debate started on BookTok, a limitless online book club of readers and authors who use the app to promote novels, discuss new reads, and fantasize about fictional men. To many on BookTok, male love interests written by female authors represent the ideal of a man for women — they’re eloquent, multi-faceted, and even if flawed, they’re willing to see the error of their ways to ultimately compromise. Men written by women, as described by BookTok creators, don’t have to be heroes, but they do have rich storylines.

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Think characters like Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice or Outlander‘s Jamie Fraser, who are often mentioned in TikTok videos by users fantasizing about men written by women. These love interests aren’t the center of the stories they exist in, but unlike the bulk of female love interests written by men, they have their own motives and traits outside of the protagonists’ own development. They aren’t necessarily effeminate, but their masculinity isn’t rooted in toxic standards.

In one of the earlier examples of this trend from March, TikTok user merhiddlesbatch joked that she hated men, but still adored men written by women. She used photos of Mr. Darcy, Laurie Laurence from Little Women, and the Hot Priest from Fleabag — all fictional men who played a love interest in stories by female writers — to prove her point.

Male authors, however, are notorious for their lackluster attempts at writing women, and often considered to be woefully out of touch with women entirely.

As TikTok users gushed about men written by women, other creators made fun of the way men continue to write women. And in late July, TikTok users began mocking the sexualized, unrealistic portrayals of women in pop culture by acting out tropes like sneaking out of a one-night stand’s bed, sleeping in a full face of makeup and lingerie, and discovering feminism.

The scenarios range from the mundane to dramatic, but each TikTok user’s skit skewers the way so many female characters are written in movies, TV shows, video games, and books. Creator zhannared, acting as a woman written by a man just having breakfast, seductively danced around her kitchen as she mixed pancake batter. YouTuber xowiejones, portraying herself as a “woman taking a bubble bath written by a man,” posed in the tub with a full face of makeup, carefully placed foam, and dozens of candles. Game developer and streamer Morgan Ling placed bowls on her chest to parody the gravity-defying, revealing outfits that female video game characters wear to fight.

“It’s a pretty common meme that women in some games [are] wearing basically a bra and panty set versus their fully covered male counterpart,” Ling said in an Instagram DM. “When you mainly sexualize female characters and don’t have diversity (body shape, race, etc.) women can feel like they don’t have representation and often feel objectified.”

As a woman who works in the male-dominated games industry, Ling is hyperaware of the way games tend to cater to men. While she noted that games are starting portray female characters more realistically, it’s a “hard truth” that female characters exist for their sex appeal.

On the other hand, men written by men are often crafted with rich backgrounds, complex motives, and unique character development arcs, bolstered with nuance and personality that female characters aren’t. Take the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which has long overlooked its female characters unless they’re paired up with a man for a last-minute romantic subplot, inciting criticism for the franchise’s paltry attempts at representation.

Women written by men, on the other hand, have plagued literature and beyond through human history.

From the earliest forms of storytelling to the novels lining modern bookshelves, female characters are seen as overwhelmingly one-dimensional compared to their male counterparts. Jonathan Franzen, an award-winning novelist hailed as his generation’s greatest writer, described one of the main female characters in his 2010 book, Freedom, as “notably larger than everybody else, also less unusual, also measurably dumber.” Freedom received critical acclaim, but also sparked backlash over how quickly the literary world fawns over white male writers.

In a 2013 Atlantic piece, novelist Sally Koslow theorized that patriarchal standards for literature may be to blame for the subpar female characters written by men.

“By default, women have it easier than men when they attempt to craft characters of the opposite sex,” Koslow said. “Because our whole lives we’ve been reading vast amounts of literature written by men.”

When male authors do write female characters — even in rare, otherwise well-written examples of female characters, like the ones in Stephen King’s novels — their focus on describing a woman’s appearance is often bizarrely detailed and uncomfortable.

The subreddit r/menwritingwomen, where Reddit users share excerpts of biologically impossible sex scenes and ridiculous descriptions of female characters, was formed in 2017 and grew to a community of 486,000 readers fed up with ridiculous descriptions of women’s bodies. Users frequently criticizes King for his fixation on breasts.

Describing women’s bodies in excruciating detail — regardless of relevance to plot — is so universal, it inspired a 2018 Twitter meme.

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That’s not to say that men are incapable of writing women entirely, or that women don’t write flat, over-sexualized male characters. As the Hairpin noted in a 2013 essay, “it’s not impossible to find good female characters in male writers’ books…it’s just harder than it should be.”

The phrase “written by a woman” was particularly popular on anime TikTok, where users spotlighted beloved shows like Fullmetal Alchemist and Black Butler as examples of well-rounded male characters who were created by female artists.

But the phrase received a fresh wave of criticism when TikTok users began using it to describe male characters who were not written by women, as well as real-life celebrities.

In a video captioned, “men I think were written by women,” TikTok user madelyn.mp4 listed popular creators like Bo Burnham, Kurtis Conner, and Markiplier as men written by women. Another video tagged #menwrittenbywomen, posted by kcrowley48, described Harry Styles, Timothée Chalamet, and Hozier. TikTok user brittanyleighball captioned a video of her boyfriend serving her breakfast in bed with, “My guy was definitely ‘written by a woman,” adding that she “truly hit the jackpot.”

They’re not written by women just because you think they’re hot.

If anything, the trend proves that online culture continues to idealize white men. Having a large female fanbase doesn’t mean men are infallible, and as predominantly straight white men, these “men written by women” are likely to have had some problematic takes on racism, misogyny, and sexuality. Burnham even addressed his past comedy routines — and the painfully low bar set for white men — in his latest special.

“They’re not written by women just because you think they’re hot,” TikTok user conniedont said in an exasperated TikTok in June. Responding to a comment noting that the phrase describes what women find attractive, conniedont added, “I’m talking about the term ‘written by women’ when applied to real life men. I think it’s a dangerous thing to put them on pedestals.”

Tabea Bussmann, a photographer who went viral for her cinematic portrayals of women written by men, doesn’t think fictional men and women are actually as black and white as the trends joke they are. Still, she likes that the trend forces some reality on impressionable young viewers.

“This is just a stereotype to make fun of,” Bussmann told Mashable in an Instagram DM. “It’s also important to show young women that you don’t have to behave like this.”

Regardless of who’s writing whom, if you’re writing a character of a different gender than yours, it’s probably just best practice to try interacting with someone of that gender in real life first.

Roses are red. Violets are blue. Here are some rom-coms, picked just for you!

Are you in the mood for a one-night stand? A workplace fling? A musical spectacular? A full-blown commitment stretched over 30 episodes? We’ve got you covered, as long as you’re also looking to laugh (and if you just want the love part, we’ve got you covered there too).

Here are the 20 best romantic comedies, both movies and shows, now streaming on Netflix.

20. Falling Inn Love

Imagine a home improvement show. Take that home improvement show and make it a scripted Bachelor spin-off. Now, take that home improvement show-turned-scripted Bachelor spin-off and set it in New Zealand. Finally, sprinkle in some puns and you’ve got Falling Inn Love!

Starring Christina Milian and Adam Demos, this delightfully delirious romp into renovation romance is the perfect comfort movie for a cozy afternoon on the couch. Marvel at the pretty settings, lust after the linen shirts, stare at the goat named Gilbert.

How to watch: Falling Inn Love is now streaming on Netflix.

19. Love

Love is a bit all over the place — but, so is its namesake.

Gillian Jacobs and Paul Rust star as Mickey Dobbs and Gus Cruikshank, two Angelenos who serendipitously meet at a gas station and fall hopelessly, madly in…something. Over the series’ brief three seasons, viewers are treated to the ups, downs, and sideways of finding the one. Come for the promise of happily ever after, stay for everything that isn’t that.

How to watch: Love Seasons 1-3 are now streaming on Netflix.

18. When We First Met

Somewhere between Hot Tub Time Machine and Some Kind of Wonderful, When We First Met imagines the perfect first date over and over and over again.

Adam DeVine and Alexandra Daddario star as one couple that just couldn’t get the timing right, with supporting performances from Robbie Amell and Shelley Hennig. This movie’s saccharine tone and overdone premise shouldn’t work, and yet they do. It’s…fate?

How to watch: When We First Met is now streaming on Netflix.

17. The Lovebirds

Issa Rae and Kumail Nanjiani play a charming couple stuck in a seriously screwed up situation in the spectacularly funny The Lovebirds. When our titular lovebirds get framed for vehicular homicide, date night becomes a race against the clock to solve the crime they didn’t commit. It’s the perfect popcorn flick with enough heart to get you invested in its leads.

How to watch: The Lovebirds is now streaming on Netflix.

16. My Best Friend’s Wedding

Julia Roberts has been in so many great rom-coms, it’s tough to pick a favorite. That said, My Best Friend’s Wedding is definitely in the running. Roberts stars as a woman hopelessly in love with her newly affianced best friend, played by Dermot Mulroney. It’s your classic “jealous lover tries to ruin the wedding” plot, but with a charismatic cast, including Cameron Diaz as the bride-to-be, that rises far beyond its simple premise. Plus, that ending. You will never recover.

How to watch: My Best Friend’s Wedding is now streaming on Netflix.

15. Always Be My Maybe

Baby Cobra fans were long overdue for a fictional Ali Wong fantasy, and Always Be My Maybe really, really delivered. Wong and Randall Park make for a delightful will-they-won’t-they, complete with love triangles, awkward childhood flashbacks, Keanu Reeves in the role he was born to play, and authentic representations of the Asian-American experience. Swoon.

How to watch: Always Be My Maybe is now streaming on Netflix.

14. Easy

Joe Swanberg’s Easy covers a lot of ground, but the more romantic episodes definitely stand out.

An intimate anthology examining relationships in Chicago, this series weaves together so many genuine displays of emotion it can be hard to keep your heart in check. Not all the characters fall in love, but you’ll absolutely fall in love with all the characters. Start anywhere during any of the three seasons, and see where it gets you. (Tears. Tears is where it gets you.)

How to watch: Easy Seasons 1-3 are now streaming on Netflix.

13. Been So Long

Adapted from the musical of the same name, Been So Long offers a dreamy look at a chance encounter between two people in desperate need of a break from reality.

With electric interactions between stars Michaela Coel and Arinzé Kene, this poppy romance will have you from the moment the first words are sung — and won’t let go until the very last verse.

How to watch: Been So Long is now streaming on Netflix.

10. The Prince & Me

In 2021, “small town girl falls for European royalty” is about as crowded as a subgenre can get. (Season’s greetings to A Christmas Prince.) And still, director Martha Coolidge’s 2004 hit The Prince & Me rises above the rest. Julia Stiles stars opposite Luke Mably in this fairytale story of two undergrads who must face the slimy obstacles that come with dating in the public eye.

How to watch: The Prince and Me is now streaming on Netflix.

9. The Incredible Jessica James

Get a masterclass in self-confidence and healthy communication from The Incredible Jessica James. Starring Jessica Williams opposite Chris O’Dowd, with a supporting performance from Lakeith Stanfield, this charming tale of a woman who will stop at nothing to be loved the way she deserves explores so much of what makes romance the sticky business that it is — but with just the right amount of optimism to keep you invested until its stunningly grounded happily ever after.

How to watch: The Incredible Jessica James is now streaming on Netflix.

8. Alex Strangelove

To find true love, you’ve first got to find yourself.

Featuring heartbreaking performances from Daniel Doheny, Antonio Marziale, and Madeline Weinstein, Alex Strangelove is a coming-of-age story designed to make your palms sweat. A poignant and touching look at coming out, this world is filled with good people doing good things that will make any viewer need a handhold.

How to watch: Alex Strangelove is now streaming on Netflix.

How to watch: Easy A is now streaming on Netflix.

7. Sex Education

Sex Education had us from the moment its lead pretended to pretend to masturbate.

There’s plenty to love about this perfectly cast teenage dramedy. But in light of the events of Season 2, nothing feels more pressing than the relationship between Otis (Asa Butterfield) and Maeve (Emma Mackey) — except maybe Eric’s (Ncuti Gatwa) love triangle. At the heart of every great story is a great romance, and Sex Education has more than its fair share.

How to watch: Sex Education Seasons 1-2 are now streaming on Netflix.

6. Never Have I Ever

Created by Mindy Kaling and Lang Fisher, this smart, sweet coming-of-age story was among the most fulfilling Netflix binges of 2020. Lead Maitreyi Ramakrishnan will steal your heart as Devi, a high school sophomore reeling from the loss of her father the year before — but with big plans for a future as vibrant and fearless as she. Culturally important as it is authentic, Never Have I Ever serves not only as a critical step for representation, but also as a dreamy teen rom-com you’ll adore.*

How to watch: Never Have I Ever Season 1 is now streaming on Netflix.

5. Bridgerton

Where to begin with the scandalous, sexy, and silly sensation that is Bridgerton? In this period dramedy, Regency-era Londoners look for love under the critical eye of the Queen and a host of courtiers, while dodging scandal at every turn. It’s Gossip Girl meets Downton Abbey with a How To Get Away with Murder-type twist that’s undeniably Shonda Rhimes. You’re going to love it, so much so that you should plan on bingeing this one.

How to watch: Bridgerton Season 1 is now streaming on Netflix.

4. Crazy Ex-Girlfriend

Monuments should be erected in honor of this television masterpiece, but a spot on this list will have to do for now. With four spectacular seasons of musical-infused madness, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend is as much a gooey rom-com as it is a fearless portrait of self-love. Whether you’re single, attached, or moving to West Covina for Josh from camp, Rebecca Bunch (Rachel Bloom) and her gaggle of lovable pals will welcome you with open jazz hands. “Weeeest Coviiiinaaaaa—“

How to watch: Crazy Ex-Girlfriend Seasons 1-4 are now streaming on Netflix.

3. Set It Up

An enticing combination of Devil Wears Prada and Jim and Pam’s The Office romance, Set It Up makes workplace love almost seem like a good idea.

Starring Zoey Deutch and Glen Powell as two overworked assistants intent on making their bosses fall in love, this breezy comedy delivers on laughs and butterflies in equal measures. Plus, Taye Diggs and Lucy Liu hook up and it is very, very appealing. You’re welcome.

How to watch: Set It Up is now streaming on Netflix.

2. Scott Pilgrim vs. The World

Based on Bryan Lee O’Malley’s beloved graphic novels, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World isn’t your traditional romantic comedy, and that’s precisely what makes it so special.

When Scott (Michael Cera) falls in love with the mysterious Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), he must battle for her affection in video game-style levels with her “Seven Evil Exes” serving as bosses. You’ve got Chris Evans as a douchebag on a skateboard, Mae Whitman as the worst kind of ex-girlfriend, Anna Kendrick as the annoying younger sister, the list goes on and on.

How to watch: Scott Pilgrim vs. The World is now streaming on Netflix.

1. To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before

If you’ve reading this list, there’s just no way you haven’t seen To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before (and probably also its sequel, To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You). But with its second sequel To All the Boys: Always and Forever out Feb. 12, now is the time for a rewatch. Bask in the chemistry of Lana Donor and Noah Centineo. Delight in the drinkable yogurt representation. Consider why you never dressed this well in school. Then, send out your letters!

How to watch: To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is now streaming on Netflix.

Honorable Mention: Big Mouth: My Furry Valentine

Big Mouth‘s Valentine’s Day special is a lot of things, but a “rom-com” isn’t one of them.

Still, when you’re in the mood for some melt-in-your-mouth, cover-your-eyes, run-away-screaming awkwardness, this show is your best best. You won’t get that grande finale kiss or heartwarming profession of love, but you will watch romances so ill-fated you’ll laugh until you cry. And in “the time of the Valen,” that’s pretty much the same deal.

How to watch: Big Mouth Seasons 1-4 are now streaming on Netflix.

Asterisks (*) indicate the entry comes from a previous Mashable list. This story was originally published in February 2020 and updated in August 2021.

Nothing feels as good as a deep, genuine laugh. It’s an expression of joy! It’s a workout. It’s a sign that you’ve having a good time.

Netflix has a huge archive of comedy movies that put that good-time feeling on demand, and there’s something for anyone who wants to kick back and enjoy the glory of filmed farces, jokes, and general mayhem. Of course, if you’re more in the mood for the best Netflix movies in general, or a nice Netflix original series, we’ve that covered too.)

From hidden gems to legendary favorite films, here are our top 12 picks (plus, two honorable mentions) for the best comedies on Netflix streaming right now. Enjoy!

Note: We’ve ranked Netflix’s best stand-up specials and romantic comedies separately.

12. Andaz Apna Apna

The greatest comedy in Bollywood, Hollywood, and human history is tucked away on Netflix. Andaz Apna Apna is an Indian cult classic starring Aamir Khan, Salman Khan (two huge stars who rarely if ever share top billing), Karisma Kapoor, and Raveena Tandon. Amar and Prem (Aamir and Salman, respectively) are extraordinarily lazy schemers who dream of getting rich without lifting a finger. When they hear that the wealthy heiress Raveena (Tandon) is visiting from London to find a husband, they both seek her hand and all its perks.

The two are sometimes the best of friends and worst of enemies throughout this quest, which also involves Raveena’s assistant (Kapoor), dubious manager, and evil uncle (Paresh Rawal) plotting her murder. Did we mention the millions of rupees in stolen diamonds? Just watch it. -Proma Khosla

How to watch: Andaz Apna Apna is now streaming on Netflix

11. Between Two Ferns: The Movie

Zach Galifianakis’ awkward celebrity interview web series Between Two Ferns might not seem like fodder for a full-length movie, but Between Two Ferns: The Movie goes double meta by presenting Galifianakis’ success on Funny or Die as an insult to the actor’s intention to host a “serious” interview show. Galifianakis the character sets off to correct the assumption that his original show is a joke by interviewing even more celebrities, like John Cho, Keanu Reeves, Gal Gadot, Tiffany Haddish, and more. -Alexis Nedd

How to watch: Between Two Ferns: The Movie is now streaming on Netflix

10. Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga

Will Ferrell and Rachel McAdams really commit to their roles as wannabe Icelandic pop stars in Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga. Fire Saga’s journey from their small town to the big Eurovision stage is packed with dazzling (and occasionally slapstick) stage performances, quirky regional humor, and a touching romance at the heart of it all. Also, Downton Abbey‘s Dan Stevens plays a Russian Eurovision contestant and he’s incredible. That’s all, really. -AN

How to watch: Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga is now streaming on Netflix

9. Hunt for the Wilderpeople

Taika Waititi’s 2016 charmer stars Deadpool 2’s Julian Dennison and Jurassic Park’s Sam Neill as an unlikely family unit bonded by loss and life on the run. Ricky (Dennison) is a delinquent sent to live with Hector (Neill) and his wife Bella, but the caring Bella suddenly passes away leaving the de facto father and son to butt heads. Ricky runs away from home with Hec hot on his heels and they agree on one thing: To live in the New Zealand bush and never go back to society. That decision goes over with literally everyone else, namely the government, who track Hector and Ricky through the wilderness and threaten to separate them for good.

Look out for a signature cameo from the writer/director and Thor Ragnarok’s Rachel House, as well as that unapologetically Kiwi humor that is Waititi’s sweet spot. -PK

How to watch: Hunt for the Wilderpeople is now streaming on Netflix

8. Dolemite Is My Name

Once again, legend Eddie Murphy completely crushes it. Portraying the late Rudy Ray Moore (aka Dolemite), Murphy embarks on the poignant and uproarious ride of an underdog with a dream. Supporting performances by Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Wesley Snipes, Craig Robinson, and more. -Alison Foreman

How to watch: Dolemite Is My Name is now streaming on Netflix.

7. Hail, Caesar!

The Coen brothers bring their signature style to old Hollywood in Hail, Caesar!, a period comedy about a studio problem-solver who has to wrangle pregnant starlets, miscast cowboys, kidnapped actors, and gossip columnists as part of a day’s work. Its great cast includes Scarlett Johansson, George Clooney, Alden Ehrenreich, Tilda Swinton, and Ralph Fiennes. -AN

How to watch: Hail, Caesar! is now streaming on Netflix

6. Lady Bird

Coming-of-age stories are nothing new at the movies, but Greta Gerwig’s sharp, funny, and empathetic portrait of a mid-aughts Sacramento teen’s senior year of high school still stands out as something special. The sense of time and place leaps off the screen (those perfect music cues!), and the details of Lady Bird’s (Saoirse Ronan) complicated relationship with her mother (Laurie Metcalf) and with herself made us flash back to a time when life was all crushes and friendships and waiting, and possibilities felt both just out of reach and approaching more quickly than ever.

How to Watch: Lady Bird is now streaming on Netflix.

5. The Mitchells vs. The Machines

Take your typical family road trip comedy, toss in a robot apocalypse, and top it all off with a heavy smattering of meme-worthy filters, doodles, and GIFs, and you might end up with something like The Mitchells vs. The Machines: a truly fun-for-the-whole-family feature that hinges on whether an artsy teen (voiced by Abbi Jacobson) and her luddite dad (voiced by Danny McBride) can set aside their differences long enough to save all of humanity from being launched into space by Siri Pal.

Come for the jokes about our impending AI-led dystopia, stay for the heart-tugging moments of Mitchell family bonding. Seriously, we might never hear T.I. and Rihanna’s “Live Your Life” without tearing up ever again.

How to watch: The Mitchells vs. The Machines is streaming on Netflix.

4. Legally Blonde

Legally Blonde is one of the shiniest jewels in queen Reese Witherspoon’s crown because it’s basically a comedy masterpiece. It’s a careful and hilarious deconstruction of the “dumb blonde” stereotype that doesn’t make women choose between caring about how they look and being taken seriously by their peers. So many of its iconic lines and scenes have entered the pop culture vernacular — who can’t perform the Bend and Snap at will? — and will be a comedy classic for years to come.

How to watch: Legally Blonde is now streaming on Netflix

3. Vampires Vs the Bronx

It takes one hell of a good script to break into the zombie and vampire–saturated comedy-horror genre with a fresh perspective and a crystal clear parallel to gentrification, and Vampires Vs. The Bronx absolutely has one of those scripts. It’s funny and spooky without being too scary, and its fantastic cast of young actors more than carry the burden of making this movie a future Halloween comedy classic.

How to watch: Vampires Vs the Bronx is now streaming on Netflix

2. Monty Python and the Holy Grail

There are tons of great Monty Python films to pick from (including Life of Brian, which is also streaming on Netflix), but The Holy Grail will forever hold a special place in our hearts. It’s endlessly quotable, stupidly funny, and captures everything that made this comedy team spectacular. Not to mention, it forever changed how we see coconuts, swallows, hamsters, and elderberries. -AF

How to watch: Monty Python and the Holy Grail is now streaming on Netflix.

1. Scott Pilgrim vs. The World

We are Sex Bob-Omb: 1-2-3-4! Based on Bryan Lee O’Malley’s beloved graphic novel series, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World is the favorite we keep coming back to. It’s got great actors: Chris Evans! Anna Kendrick! Brie Larson! Kieran Culkin! Plus, a killer soundtrack, wonderful visual effects, more references than you can count, and some of the best lines ever written. We’re in lesbians. -AF

How to watch: Scott Pilgrim vs. The World is now streaming on Netflix

Honorable Mention: The Unauthorized Bash Brothers Experience

A celebration of rap, comedy, and the Oakland Athletics, The Unauthorized Bash Brothers Experience is the surprise short film Lonely Island fans didn’t know they needed. Andy Samberg and Akiva Schaffer, portraying MLB players Jose Canseco and Mark McGwire, unceasingly commit to the bit in a 30-minute tribute to the limits of sanity, reason, and acceptability.

How to watch: The Unauthorized Bash Brothers Experience is now streaming on Netflix

Honorable’s Mention’s Honorable, Mention: Frankenstein’s Monster’s Monster, Frankenstein

As the foremost experts on David Harbour’s mind-boggling short film, we cannot begin to recommend this Netflix original enough. We’ve seen it countless times, analyzed it even more, and sought answers every way we know how. Still, it charms us with its perplexing WTF-ery each time. You’re welcome.

How to watch: Frankenstein’s Monster’s Monster, Frankenstein is now streaming on Netflix.

This story was originally published in March 2020 and updated in August 2021.

Fans of The Office, welcome. You’ve come to the right place.

Though the beloved workplace comedy may have ended in 2013, we here at Mashable will forever be fans of the Dunder Mifflin crew. That’s why we faithfully cover the Office Ladies podcast and are constantly on the lookout for new show-related revelations. (Like the possibility that David Wallace might be the Scranton Strangler. Yikes.)

In our latest show of appreciation for the series and all its superfans, we’ve gathered every single cold open from Season 2 through 9 of The Office in one convenient place. This very article! (Before you get mad, Season 1 didn’t have any cold opens.)

Thanks to the official Peacock YouTube channel — which has been uploading the hilarious show intros season by season — you can now easily binge the cold opens whenever your heart desires. Crucially, you can watch them even if you don’t have a Peacock Premium subscription. What a treat!

OK, OK. Enough blabbing — let’s get to the goods. Here’s every single cold open from the U.S. verson of The Office. Get ready to laugh, get ready to cry, and get ready to cry from laughing so hard.

The Office Season 2 cold opens

What’s updog? Openers from all-time great Season 2 episodes, including “Office Olympics,” “Christmas Party,” and “The Injury” are in the video above.

You can find the rest of your favorite Season 2 cold opens here.

The Office Season 3 cold opens

From the “Gay Witch Hunt” cold open, where we flash back to the iconic Jim and Pam “Casino Night” kiss, to the “Traveling Salesman” episode, which feature’s Michael’s talking computer, you’ll find some of Season 3’s greatest hits above.

You can find more memorable Season 3 cold opens here.

The Office Season 4 cold opens

Ah yes, Season 4. The season that brought us the wildly satisfying DVD logo cold open, which has quite the story behind it.

Season 4 has a bunch of other wonderful openers too, so be sure to check out the second batch here.

The Office Season 5 cold opens

Season 5 gave us one of the best cold opens in Office history: “Stress Relief” aka Dwight’s fake fire drill, which sends the office into complete and utter chaos.

You can watch that masterpiece above (it’s also Angela Kinsey’s favorite opener) and see more Season 5 cold opens right here. Just know, they’re not gonna top the fire drill.

The Office Season 6 cold opens

Parkour! PARKOUR! Hardcore Parkour! Party like it’s 2004 with Michael, Dwight, Andy and the “Gossip” cold open above. Just don’t hurt yourself.

When you inevitably get tired out from all the jumping you can watch more Season 6 cold opens here.

The Office Season 7 cold opens

Season 7’s “Nepotism” features the Dunder Mifflin fam trying their hardest to go viral. How? Well they record a nearly flawless lip dub of The Human Beinz’s song, “Nobody but Me,” of course.

Relive the glory in the cold open mashup above and check out the rest of Season 7’s openers here.

The Office Season 8 cold opens

A gorilla suit, Robert California, and planking, Oh my! There’s a lot of chaos in store above, and even more in this second batch of Season 8 cold opens.

The Office Season 9 cold opens

Click above to watch Dwight do a confessional with a pumpkin on his head. You won’t regret it.

Then, to conclude your great Office cold open journey, we present the final openers of the entire series.

Just like the show, these cold opens make for great rewatches. So perhaps you want to bookmark this article for easy access in the future. Just a suggestion. You’re welcome!

Starting on Friday, Aug. 6, at 6 p.m. ET, anyone and everyone can log into Fortnite to experience being picked up by Ariana Grande’s giant hand while she sings her biggest hits.

After last year’s larger-than-life Travis Scott concert, Fortnite is once again expanding the metaverse with the Ariana Grande Rift Tour. Taking place over three days and five show times, the pop star is transformed into an ethereal, digitized version of herself, taking players through a concert experience unlike any of her in-person events.

“Working with Epic and the Fortnite team to bring my music to life inside the game has been so fun and such an honor,” Ariana told Epic Games. “I can’t wait to join my fans and see all of your reactions to such an unforgettable, magical journey to new realities.”

Fortnite recommends that viewers make sure they have the most up-to-date version of the game and log in an hour before the concert starts to explore the Rift world. Once it starts, the show takes players through several world landscapes, letting you ride on rainbows through clouds, climb glowing stairs, and work to shoot down an evil adversary.

While the experience of an in-game concert is entirely different from hearing Ari’s insane vocals IRL, the interactivity of Fortnite’s world makes this virtual show a significantly cooler experience than simply logging into a live stream. Even for a Fortnite newbie like myself, the impressive graphics, play elements, and Ari-specific design made for an immersive and genuinely fun virtual concert.

“[My favorite part is] the moment when all the players in Fortnight kind of come together,” Phil Rampulla, Head of Brand at Epic Games, told Mashable. “I think that’s probably one of the more meaningful moments for our teams to pull off because I think it extends the experience beyond more than gaming. It’s an art form that really leans into connection, especially against the backdrop of this past year.”

The set list itself is pretty short, opening with songs from Juice WRLD, Sia, Diplo, and others, then segueing into the main event with recognizable Ari hits like “7 Rings,” “The Way,” and “Positions.” If you missed the first show, you can tune in again on Aug. 7 at 2 p.m. ET or Aug. 8 at 12 a.m., 10 a.m., and 6 p.m. ET.

The Rift Tour follows the immensely successful Astronomical tour from Travis Scott, which pulled in 27.7 million unique players over the five events. Truly an impressive number, Epic Games hopes to top that by enticing both Fortnite-first fans and Ari stans.

“Ultimately, we want Fortnight to be a place that everyone can find something that they’re interested in and passionate about. And we have a lot of opportunities and room to grow there,” Rampulla told Mashable. “We want to build that world and expand that digital surface area, and hopefully we’re bringing in new folks. And the folks who have been with us since day one, [we hope] they’re also equally as happy every single time they jump into the world of Fortnight.”

Long at forefront of the metaverse discussion, Fortnite is hoping to keep working with entertainers, comedians, writers, or any kind of content creators to keep building out this universe.

“The more we create what I call digital real estate for different opportunities and experiences in this world, the more we increase that scope and scale, the more we will build something closer to the metaverse,” said Rampulla. “One of the biggest underpinnings of a real metaverse is that we’re not going to be able to do it alone. We need partners like Ariana Grande and partners who are folks that are building content inside creative platforms already in Fortnite right now.”

To experience any of the remaining Rift Tour showtimes, players new and old can log on via PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Android, PC, and Mac.

It’s time to accept Catherine the Great (Elle Fanning) as our benevolent ruler once again.

That’s right: Season 2 of The Great, Hulu’s (very liberal) retelling of the Russian Empress’s life, is coming soon, premiering on Nov. 19. While Season 1 saw Catherine planning a coup behind her husband Emperor Peter’s (Nicholas Hoult) back, Season 2 sees her seize the Russian throne and deal with the fallout. Orchestrating a coup was one thing, but ruling a country as unruly as Russia? That’s a different beast entirely.

As Catherine works to bring Enlightenment-era ideals to Russia, she’ll have to contend with her court, her mother (Gillian Anderson), and her ever-changing relationship with Peter, who, at least for the moment, appears very much alive.

Season 2 of The Great premieres November 19 on Hulu.

Looking for something to keep you screaming streaming?

From thrillers and mysteries to slashers and ghost stories, Amazon Prime Video has a killer lineup of terrifying titles perfect for scaring up your movie night. Whether you’re in the mood for a creepy comedy with some teeth, a menacing mystery with a twist ending, or an original nightmare not so easily described, Prime Video has tons of great horror movies included free with your subscription.

You have other options too, of course. Netflix has a ton of great horror movies to choose from. So does Hulu. If you have a streaming subscription in your life, you have a library of fright-filled scarefests that you might not even know about. Amazon Prime Video is just one more option in a long lineup of them.

But what battles should you brave first? To help you get started on your binge, here are the 20 best horror movies now streaming free on Amazon Prime Video.

1. Unsane

Steven Soderbergh’s feature-length fright fest made on the iPhone 7 is claustrophobic in all the best ways. In Unsane, Claire Foy plays a woman plagued by a dangerous stalker. But when she seeks counseling for her trauma, she finds her sanity in question and her safety at risk. What follows is a nail-biting nightmare with a twist last act sure to get a big (if not entirely good) reaction out of you.

How to watch: Unsane is now streaming free with Amazon Prime Video.

2. Suspiria (2018)

This 2018 Suspiria remake has been described by director Luca Guadagnino and star Tilda Swinton as a “cover” of Dario Argento’s 1977 classic — exploring rather than mimicking Argento’s perspective on supernatural horror. With this mission in mind, Suspiria is a gratifying watch that exemplifies how identical genre tropes can be employed for disparate emotional effects. Yes, it’s all fear, but fear of different kinds that present an unsettling experience unto itself.

How to watch: Suspiria (2018) is now streaming free with Amazon Prime Video.

3. The Love Witch

Scrolling past The Love Witch, it’s easy to mistake writer-director Anna Biller’s 2016 title with a forgotten gem of the 1960s. Designed to mirror the glamorous Hollywood of old, this story of a magical temptress looking for romance offers both camp and tragedy. Star Samantha Robinson shines as the bewitching Elaine, an understated icon of feminist horror well worth meeting.

How to watch: The Love Witch is now streaming free with Amazon Prime Video.

4. Come To Daddy

Top to bottom, director Ant Timpson’s Come To Daddy is bonkers. In this comedic thriller with some serious gore, Elijah Wood portrays a son visiting his estranged father, played by Stephen McHattie, when he is unexpectedly confronted by his father’s past. Full of some killer twists and turns — seriously, buckle up — this one is better left unspoiled.

How to watch: Come to Daddy is now streaming free with Amazon Prime Video.

5. The Lighthouse

Willem Dafoe and Robert Pattinson star in this absolutely baffling inquiry into sanity. Known for his feature-length debut The Witch, director Robert Eggers delivers intense atmosphere and explosive performances in this stark, black-and-white tale of a two men stationed at a remote lighthouse. (If at the end you’re left wondering what it all means, don’t worry — us too.)

How to watch: The Lighthouse is now streaming free with Amazon Prime Video.

6. We Need To Talk About Kevin

We Need To Talk About Kevin is an exploration of warning signs and violence that’s sure to leave many viewers feeling unsteady. Tilda Swinton and John C. Reilly lead as the parents of Kevin, a disturbed teenager played by Ezra Miller, who goes on an unexplained killing spree. More meditative than attention-grabbing, director Lynne Ramsay’s psychological thriller asks you to make sense of the senseless, even as this tale’s inescapably horrible conclusion looms large.

How to watch: We Need To Talk About Kevin is now streaming free with Amazon Prime Video.

7. The Neon Demon

If Vogue released an issue in collaboration with the Necronimcon, its contents might resemble something like director Nicolas Winding Refn’s The Neon Demon. Starring Elle Fanning as a doomed ingénue, this stylish fever dream explores the Los Angeles modeling scene for an indictment of western beauty standards and commercialization that’s as captivating as it is biting.

How to watch: The Neon Demon is now streaming free with Amazon Prime Video.

8. Hellraiser

From the phenomenally twisted mind of Clive Barker, the original Hellraiser is as scary today as it ever was. Descend into this puzzling world of monstrous torture (see what I did there?) with genre icon Pinhead, played by Doug Bradley, facing off against protagonist Kirsty, played by Ashley Laurence. No matter where you stand on the most recent Hellraiser installments, it’s hard to deny that this 1987 nightmare is an all-time great.

How to watch: Hellraiser is now streaming free with Amazon Prime Video.

9. Midsommar

Following the critical success of Hereditary, writer-director Ari Aster returned to theaters with an eerie fairytale starring Florence Pugh. Midsommar is an atmospheric drama that turns the occult abduction formula inside out for a trippy meditation on acceptance and rejection that’s more intense than terrifying. If you’re looking for big, beautiful, haunting images accompanied by excellent characters and production design, this is your pick.

How to watch: Midsommar is now streaming free with Amazon Prime Video.

10. The Ring

Director Gore Verbinkski’s The Ring doesn’t hold up in all of the ways we’d like (the film’s intentionally jarring narrative devices have aged more like continuity problems, tbh), but it remains a pivotal title in aughts horror history that’s enough fun to merit a rewatch. Naomi Watts stars as an investigative journalist who stumbles across a VHS tape with a deadly history.

How to watch: The Ring is now streaming free with Amazon Prime Video.

11. Rear Window

Alfred Hitchcock is the master of suspense, and nowhere is that more apparent than in Rear Window. The whole movie is confined to the apartment of L.B. Jefferies (Jimmy Stewart), a photographer stuck at home with a broken leg. He observes his neighbors through his rear window in order to pass the time, but everything changes when he witnesses a sinister act. Hitchcock masterfully uses the claustrophobia of Jefferies’ plight to build tension throughout this classic mystery, resulting in one of the greatest thrillers of all time. —Belen Edwards, Entertainment Fellow

How to watch: Rear Window is now streaming free with Amazon Prime Video.

12. Alien

Alien isn’t just one of the best space movies of all time — it’s also one of the best movies of all time, full stop. Thanks to Ridley Scott’s direction and visual design led by Swiss artist H. R. Giger, this science-fiction horror film is genuinely creepy and claustrophobic, taking our intrinsic fear of dark and narrow corridors and using it to masterful effect. In a lot of ways, Scott’s sci-fi behemoth set a template for future space movies. —Sam Haysom, Senior UK Culture Reporter

How to watch: Alien is now streaming free with Amazon Prime Video.

13. The Monster Squad

It’s really more of a comedy than a horror, and a family-friendly comedy at that. But this family-friendly comedy classic features a supernatural rogue’s gallery of household movie monsters — baddies like Dracula, Wolf Man (who, it should be noted, has nards), and the Mummy — going up against a gang of kids. Call it a cult favorite, call it the Goonies of horror movies— call it whatever you want, really. The Monster Squad kicks ass. —Adam Rosenberg, Weekend Editor and Senior Entertainment Reporter

How to watch: The Monster Squad is now streaming free with Amazon Prime Video.

This story was originally published in March 2020 and updated in August 2021.

Looking to spike your cortisol levels? Then we’ve got the Netflix streaming guide for you.

From old frights to new fears, we’ve scoured Netflix’s horror catalog to find the best cinematic nightmares for darkening your device. Of course, not all terrifying titles are born of the same fire and brimstone — so we’ve included a variety of ethereal ghost stories, stark home invasion horrors, psychological thrillers, classic creeps, satirical scares, and more. Yes, Netflix originals like the Fear Street trilogy and I’m Thinking of Ending Things are on here. But we’ve also got genre staples like Insidious and The Strangers, plus hidden gems like 1BR and Creep.

Here are 20 of the best scary movies currently streaming on Netflix — all of them packed with eerie entertainment value because you don’t need to sleep ever again. Happy haunting!

20. The Babysitter (2017)

Y’know, I’m not sure The Babysitter really works as a movie, it’s more the idea of a movie loosely strung together by one-liners and style. Still, it’s a fun way to kill a few hours. Samara Weaving stars as the titular childcare professional, a popular teen with a passion for human sacrifice and one-liners. Judah Lewis stars as the kid being babysat, with supporting performances by Hana Mae Lee, Robbie Amell, Bella Thorne, and Andrew Bachelor. The sequel, released this past September, is more of the same — so if you like the first, do a double feature.

Where to watch: The Babysitter is now streaming on Netflix.

19. Velvet Buzzsaw (2019)

From the dude behind the brilliant 2014 psychological thriller Nightcrawler comes a hilarious — and horrifying — send-up of the Los Angeles art scene. In writer-director Dan Gilroy’s epic Velvet Buzzsaw, Jake Gyllenhaal, Rene Russo, Toni Collette, and half a dozen other performers you probably love act their hearts out as fine art appreciators hunted down and killed by their priceless pieces. (Seriously, Billy Magnussen gets strangled by a painting of monkeys. It’s awesome.)

Where to watch: Velvet Buzzsaw is now streaming on Netflix.

18. Blood Red Sky (2021)

Netflix’s Blood Red Sky is one of those horror movies made so much better by knowing as little as possible going into it that I’m going to try to say as little as possible to get you to watch it. Directed by Peter Thorwarth, who co-wrote the script with Stefan Holtz, this action horror adventure combines the best parts of Flight Plan with tinges of A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night. Star Peri Baumeister is completely breathtaking as a woman attempting to protect her son from hijackers aboard a transatlantic voyage.

Where to watch: Blood Red Sky is now streaming on Netflix.

17. The Ritual (2018)

In director David Bruckner’s scenic tour of a hellscape, four pals hike through northern Sweden to honor a departed friend. Of course, their trip soon morphs into a torturous and never-ending nightmare — with a killer lead performance by Rafe Spall. Slippery and divisive, this movie begs to be picked apart. More likely than not, you’ll love the world it creates but hate the way it ends. Or, like me, you’ll love the world it creates and how it ends. Have fun with it! And pack bug spray!

Where to watch: The Ritual is now streaming on Netflix.

16. Apostle (2018)

Before Michael Sheen became the Angel Aziraphale in Amazon’s Good Omens, he celebrated religion in a, uh… “different” way. Apostle is a completely bonkers period horror film that features Sheen at his most terrifying, playing a cult leader with an affinity for bloodletting and other “creative” religious sacraments. Lead Dan Stevens keeps the slow-paced narrative moving, with stunning supporting performances by The Politician‘s Lucy Boynton and Welsh stage actor Mark Lewis Jones.

Where to watch: Apostle is now streaming on Netflix.

15. 1BR (2020)

Writer-director David Marmor’s 1BR is like the bratty little sister The Invitation (now streaming on never had — and I mean that as the highest compliment. Nicole Brydon Bloom stars as Sarah, an aspiring costume designer who moves into a seemingly perfect apartment complex only to find herself trapped in an insidious scheme. Better left unspoiled, 1BR is a great time for folks who can handle a little gore, and one especially grim scene involving a cat.

Where to watch: 1BR is now streaming on Netflix.

14. Cam (2018)

One of the most underrated titles in Netflix’s original horror catalog, Isa Mazzei and Daniel Goldhaber’s Cam combines the tumultuous world of professional webcam modeling with the insidious terrors of a body-snatching whodunnit. The Handmaid’s Tale‘s Madeline Brewer stars as Alice Ackerman, an ambitious performer eager to climb up the digital ranks who finds herself confronted with a doppelgänger gunning to take her spot, her fans, and maybe, her life.

Where to watch: Cam is now streaming on Netflix.

13. Hush (2016)

Genius writer-director Mike Flanagan tackles the home invasion subgenre with remarkable clarity and creativity in the completely excellent Hush. Kate Siegel stars as an author living in the woods, who must use everything at her disposal to outsmart a killer. If you’re looking for pure, unfettered suspense, then this is the title to cue up right now.

Where to watch: Hush is now streaming on Netflix.

12. 1922 (2017)

Directed by Zak Halditch and based on Stephen King’s novella of the same name, 1922 tackles classic themes of guilt, envy, and evil through the grim lens of the American Dust Bowl. Thomas Jane and Molly Parker square-off to striking effect, painting a portrait of a marriage that is as at once remarkably absurd and nauseatingly plausible. The couple’s son, played by Dylan Schmid, is just as compelling, with a heartbreaking storyline you won’t soon forget. (FYI fans of the book, there are big changes to the adaptation’s ending that didn’t bother me, but could bother you.)

Where to watch: 1922 is now streaming on Netflix.

11. Unfriended (2014)

I will defend director Levan Gabriadze’s oft-maligned Unfriended until my dying day. Yes, the title is stupid. Sure, some of the acting could be better. Of course, that isn’t what the average blender would really do to a human hand. (An immersion blender, maybe.) Still, I challenge you to watch this sucker on a laptop and not feel something lurking behind your browser for days to come. It’s got a good story, excellent pacing, and enough solid jokes and gore to make its comedy a high point.

Where to watch: Unfriended is now streaming on Netflix.

10. Insidious (2010)

The Insidious franchise went out with a whimper on The Last Key (2018), but the original remains an electric horror experience with some of the most memorable scares ever.

Patrick Wilson, Rose Byrne, and Ty Simpkins star as a family haunted by a demonic presence who won’t go down without a fight. If you’re a fan of director James Wan’s The Conjuring universe who hasn’t gotten fully obsessed with this interdimensional fright fest yet, you’re missing out on its perfectly maintained tension and killer world-building. Here’s hoping Insidious 5 helps bring this narrative back to its satisfying beginnings.

Where to watch: Insidious is now streaming on Netflix.

9. The Fear Street trilogy (2021)

Director Leigh Janiak pulls off a small movie miracle in her Fear Street trilogy, delivering consistently fun and fright-filled sequels that just keep getting better. Start your journey off with Fear Street Part One: 1994, in which we meet the cursed teens of a town named Shadyside. For years, the suburban haven has been terrorized by mass murderers — all of them normal townspeople who seemingly “snapped” over nothing.

Across Fear Street Part Two: 1978 and Fear Street Part Three: 1666, get to the bottom of the mystery behind these killings and their connection to the legendary Shadyside Witch. Based on the Fear Street books by R.L. Stine, this is a punchy slasher with enough gore and goofs to fuel a straight-through binge.

Where to watch: Fear Street is now streaming on Netflix.

8. The Perfection (2019)

From cellos and foreplay to hallucinations and hiking, The Perfection does absolutely whatever it wants. Featuring Allison Williams in her best role since Get Out and Dear White People‘s Logan Browning in her best part ever, this vibrant genre blend will get a reaction out of you. Not necessarily a good reaction, but a reaction nonetheless. It’s body horror meets psychological thriller meets occult drama meets classical music. With bugs. And vomit. I, for one, loved it!

Where to watch: The Perfection is now streaming on Netflix.

7. His House (2020)

Writer-director Remi Weekes’ His House is easily my favorite scary Netflix release of the year. Wunmi Mosaku and Sope Dirisu star as refugees from South Sudan seeking asylum in Britain who are assigned to live in an eerie neighborhood where they aren’t welcome. Spectacularly frightening and ruthlessly critical of its subject matter, His House delivers everything it must — and then some.

Where to watch: His House is now streaming on Netflix.

6. It Comes at Night (2017)

As far as infectious disease-fueled apocalypses go (how topical!), It Comes at Night is hard to beat. Written and directed by Trey Edward Shults, this poignant 2017 film infuses every minute of its runtime with an increasing sense of panic as regular people grapple with doing whatever it takes to survive. Joel Edgerton leaves it all on film, and Christopher Abbott does his best movie work yet.

Where to watch: It Comes at Night is now streaming on Netflix.

5. Gerald’s Game (2017)

Another romp from Mike Flanagan, based on one of Stephen King’s lesser known terrors, Gerald’s Game follows a couple on a romantic trip to a remote cabin where things are totally fine and nothing bad happens. Just kidding! It’s so, so, so bad! This survival thriller rooted in psychosexual trauma offers an exquisite performance by Carla Gugino who is devastating nearly every moment she is on screen. Really. It’s Haunting of Hill House times 10. Watch it for her.

Where to watch: Gerald’s Game is now streaming on Netflix.

4. Crimson Peak (2015)

Directed by creature connoisseur Guillermo del Toro, Crimson Peak is a dark gothic fantasy you’ll want to fall into head-first. Mia Wasikowska leads as a 19th-century American heiress, whisked away to England by her handsome new husband, played by Tom Hiddleston. Once the young bride arrives at her groom’s family mansion, however, visions of ghosts begin to plague her. That her sister-in-law, played by Jessica Chastain, treats her with mysterious disdain isn’t helping.

An epic mystery with more exquisite scenes than you can count, this spectacular ghost story gives longtime del Toro fans the horror flick they’ve always wanted from the iconic director.

Where to watch: Crimson Peak is now streaming on Netflix.

3. Creep (2015)

Oh, you thought you liked Mark Duplass? Because he was the love interest in all those indie rom-coms, played that doctor in The Mindy Project, and is easily the best character in The Morning Show? Well, think again! In Creep, a found-footage film that foregoes pageantry for a stark sense of panic, Duplass plays a strange loner named Josef that freelance documentarian Aaron, played by writer-director Patrick Brice, can’t quite pin down. Duplass’ performance is intoxicating, and Brice imagines a universe so compelling it absolutely merits its equally great sequel (also on Netflix.)

Where to watch: Creep is now streaming on Netflix.

2. The Strangers (2008)

Playing on one of humanity’s most common fears, The Strangers is a stark home invasion story that prioritizes believability above all else. Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman star as a traveling couple who receive unexpected visitors at the house where they’re staying. When the mysterious guests break into the home and refuse to leave, a slow-burn nightmare sets in.

With some of the best jump scares in the biz and the emotion to back them up, writer-director Bryan Bertino delivers a genuinely scary outing with The Strangers. This is a film best enjoyed with the lights off, the volume up, and the door locked.

Where to watch: The Strangers is now streaming on Netflix.

1. I’m Thinking of Ending Things (2020)

Emotional demolitions expert/filmmaker Charlie Kaufman destroys audiences once more in the mind-boggling I’m Thinking of Ending Things. Adapted from Iain Reid’s novel of the same name, this cryptically titled psychological thriller follows a woman, played by Jessie Buckley, and her boyfriend, played by Jesse Plemons, on a disturbing visit to his parents’ remote farmhouse. What follows? Well, that depends on who you ask.

A transfixing meditation on art, existence, value, authorship, isolation, and more, I’m Thinking of Ending Things is a truly one-of-a-kind experience as profound as it is disquieting. You may not have a great time in this house of abstract horrors (especially when Toni Collette is onscreen doing those classically terrifying Toni Collette things), but it will be a lasting one. *

Where to watch: I’m Thinking of Ending Things is streaming on Netflix.

A Columbia University study found that actively de-stressing could bring the color back to gray hairs — but there’s a lot we still need to figure out.