There are two kinds of enduring mystery in the Star Wars franchise. The first is the big-picture, galactic-level kind that should ideally never be revealed, such as the biological aspect of the Force (looking at you, midichlorians). Then there are the “what happened to” kind — character-based mysteries that deepen and enrich the galaxy far, far away when finally revealed.

So when the first episode of The Book of Boba Fett dropped on Disney+ Wednesday with two “what happened to” reveals, Star Wars fans were delighted. One we’d been kind of expecting; the other was the surprising return of beloved musical characters. Both were callbacks to Return of the Jedi, the events of which took place five years prior to the present day in Boba Fett. But in our universe, nearly four decades have elapsed — which makes these character mysteries the most enduring in Star Wars history. Let’s break them down.

Sarlacc surprise

The fact that Boba Fett escaped his apparent death in the Sarlacc pit is something we’ve known since Temuera Morrison’s beloved bounty hunter first reappeared a year ago in The Mandalorian Season 2, episode 1. What that show studiously avoided answering was how he survived. The avoidance made sense, since none of Boba’s newfound friends in The Mandalorian would have known anything about the Sarlacc incident. (And Boba, taciturn at the best of times, was hardly likely to volunteer a story about the time a blind Han Solo accidentally activated his jetpack and sent him hurtling to his doom).

There had to be a good story to the escape, however, since we learned in Return of the Jedi that the Sarlacc was not a creature to be trifled with. Effectively a hundred-meter-tall Venus flytrap nestled in the sands of Tatooine, the Sarlacc was said to digest its victims slowly over a thousand years — “a new definition of pain and suffering,” as the ever-helpful Threepio put it. If it were at all easy to flee, if anyone had ever done it before Boba, why would Jabba the Hutt go to the trouble of dropping his enemies there in the first place?

Here’s where the fact that Star Wars has a long-defunct set of comic books and novels, now known as Legends, comes in handy. In those no-longer-canon tales, Fett escaped the Sarlacc by means of his unique tools — a flamethrower in his wrist gauntlet and the very jetpack that betrayed him in the first place. Book of Boba Fett had its star escape using the first of these tools, after introducing an extra wrinkle: The body of a long-dead Stormtrooper, whose suit Boba used to supply himself with breathable air.

After burning his way through the guts of the Sarlacc, however, Boba appears to have simply clawed his way up through many meters of sand to the surface rather than using the jetpack. Which makes sense for the story in multiple ways. He was covered in digestive juices, after all; not all his equipment was going to be in working order. Requiring such superhuman sand-digging effort also establishes the character’s grit. A jetpack escape would feel unearned, and wouldn’t explain why those pesky Jawas were able to strip his armor from his catatonic body, leaving him a sunburned wreck to be picked up by Tusken Raiders.

Plus, in telling the definitive Sarlacc escape tale, Book of Boba Fett establishes that it will use a cinematic device rarely seen in any Star Wars movie or show so far: the flashback. We’re likely to get more of them as the Book unfolds, given that episode 1 didn’t establish how Boba escaped his Tusken captors, or why he feels the need to rule the Tatooine crime scene in Jabba’s stead. This too is classic Star Wars: the answer to a character mystery should lead us to new character mysteries.

Tatooine supergroup

Tweet may have been deleted

The original Star Wars trilogy provided two Tatooine-based pop sensations. First came Figrin D’an and the Modal Nodes, the band whose Benny Goodman-inspired swing music provided the backdrop to the spaceport cantina where we first meet Han Solo and Chewbacca in A New Hope. Then in Return of the Jedi came the Max Rebo band, which performed a style of music officially and unfortunately known as “Jizz.” Before George Lucas tinkered with the music in the Special Editions of 1997, Max’s band played an experimental, quirky, synth-driven song called “Lapti Nek” for the denizens of Jabba’s palace. Lucas’ replacement was a rather hectic tune (with apparently bawdy lyrics) named “Jedi Rocks.”

Whichever version you prefer, Max Rebo was the clear breakout star of the Jabba’s palace scenes. An adorable blue elephantine creature who hammered away on a primitive form of keyboard, Max stole the show from his lead singer, the stick-legged Sy Snootles. According to Lucasfilm, Max signed what may be the worst music deal in the history of any galaxy; his band would perform for Jabba for life and get nothing more than free food in return.

Tweet may have been deleted

But once Jabba was killed on that sail barge, what was next for Max Rebo’s band? The Book of Boba Fett offers something of an answer. Max is seen playing at another cantina in Jabba’s former empire. Sy Snootles and the rest of the band are nowhere to be seen.

But who’s that performing next to Max? A Bith musician who may very well be a member of the Modal Nodes, perhaps even band leader Figrin D’an himself. If so, he seems to have branched out from his traditional horn to some kind of space mandolin. The Modal Node connection is made clear by the fact that they appear to be performing a smooth acoustic version of the classic New Hope cantina music, featuring an astromech droid on drums (thankfully, it seems we’re long past the days when droids were routinely banned from Tatooine cantinas).

Could this be an indication that Tatooine’s two most famous musicians have united to form a new supergroup? How acrimonious was the breakup of their former bands? Did Sy Snootles go solo? Are they working on new material, or merely reworking the old cantina classics? This too is the strength of Star Wars: Even the unexpected reappearance of background characters leads us to intriguing new mysteries. Here’s hoping Book of Boba Fett answers them in later episodes.

Just like any other year since the advent of smartphones, in 2021 we all spent way too much time looking at apps. Now, at least, we have some data telling us which apps were the most popular over the past calendar year.

Apptopia, an analytics firm, released its annual app download rankings to close out the year and, to be honest, there aren’t many surprises to be found here. It turns out the apps that people talk about the most are also the ones that people download the most. However, there are separate lists for downloads worldwide and in the United States, providing at least some interesting differences. 

For clarity, this data includes both iOS and Android downloads. Here were the most popular apps in 2021 globally:

1. TikTok

2. Instagram

3. Facebook

4. WhatsApp

5. Telegram

6. Snapchat

7. Zoom

8. Messenger

9. CapCut

10. Spotify

Again, there’s nothing especially shocking on that list. TikTok being the biggest app of 2021 is a no-brainer, while most of the rest are mainstays like Facebook, Snapchat, and Spotify. The only one that stands out is CapCut, a standalone video editing app that some TikTok users use to cut together their videos before posting them on the TikTok app. CapCut’s owner? That’s right, it’s ByteDance, the company that owns TikTok. 

As for the U.S., things are a little different just because of course they are. Here’s how things shook out in the states:

1. TikTok

2. Instagram

3. Snapchat

4. Cash App

5. Zoom

6. Messenger

7. Facebook

8. WhatsApp

9. YouTube

10. HBO Max

As you can see, TikTok reigns supreme stateside as well. Apparently we like moving money around between individuals more in America because Cash App made it onto our top 10. The same might be said for streaming, as YouTube and HBO Max made the list as well. Interestingly, Netflix and Disney+ (both on last year’s U.S. list) were bumped in favor of HBO Max this time around. But when you slice the data by entertainment apps across the globe, Netflix was at the top with HBO Max placing seventh. HBO Max topped the most downloaded entertainment app list for U.S. users, but Netflix took silver there.

The real lesson here is that you pretty much can’t escape TikTok at this point no matter where you go. If you live in a place where people download smartphone apps, TikTok is most likely going to be king there. We’ll leave it up to you to decide if that’s good or not.

For young people, 2021 was a year of Y2K fashion and vintage tech nostalgia.

Gen Z did what young people do best: pick the most iconic accessories and trends of the past and bring them back into style. Forgotten fashion moments like yoga pants and claw clips came to the forefront of pop culture this year thanks to TikTok, a platform that allows cyclical style trends to proliferate and become mainstream again.

With a little help from Emma Chamberlain, Olivia Rodrigo, and an unwavering nostalgia for simpler times, Gen Z brought back a slew of iconic tech and fashion accessories… much to the collective dismay of Millennials.

Here are my favorite things Gen Z brought back:

1. Wired headphones

A cheaper and cooler alternative to AirPods, wired headphones are the latest go-to tech accessory for style influencers. Although they largely became obsolete after AirPods came onto the scene in 2016, they had their comeback in 2021. Pioneered by “It” girls like Lily Rose Depp, Zoe Kravitz, Bella Hadid, and the Olsen twins, wired headphones exude a studied carelessness and have a nostalgic charm. They’ve become so synonymous with fashion “It” girls that there’s an entire Instagram account (@wireditgirls) dedicated to documenting “hot girls with wired headphones.”

SEE ALSO: Why Gen Z is plugging in wired headphones and tuning out AirPods

2. Yoga pants

Or should I say “flared leggings.” Yoga pants were the athleisure pant of choice in the ’90s and early 2000s, but fell out of fashion in the 2010s. Leggings and sweats emerged in place of yoga pants, but thanks to YouTuber and Gen Z fashion guru Emma Chamberlain, yoga pants are back. Now they’ve been rebranded as “flared leggings,” but it’s the same thing. Chamberlain styles her yoga pants with big crewneck sweatshirts and statement sunglasses, or dresses them up with Doc Martens and a turtleneck — and her loyal fans are following her lead.

3. Flip phones

Between TikTokkers encouraging young people to ditch their iPhones, trendy iPhone cases made to look like flip phones, and anti-social media Gen Z icons like Lorde, flip phones are making a comeback. Young people are attracted to both the Y2K aesthetics of flip phones, as well as what they represent: an alternate way of living that doesn’t involve seven-plus hours behind a screen.

SEE ALSO: Is Gen Z bringing flip phones back?

4. Uggs

If yoga pants are back, you already know Uggs are too. They’re a package deal. Emma Chamberlain also championed the return of Uggs. Chamberlain wore Ugg slippers in her “every outfit she wears in a week” video for Vogue and even titled one of her October vlogs, “ugg season.” Chamberlain wasn’t the only fashion icon spotted in Uggs this year. In January, models Kendall Jenner and Emily Ratajkowski stepped out in mini Uggs, and in April, Gigi Hadid was photographed in the iconic tall Uggs.

5. Emoji

Gen Z has embraced using emoji… ironically. Rather than using emojis in the cringey Millennial way, like overusing 😂, Gen Z has carved out their own digital language. They’ve repurposed 😭 and 💀 to mean laughing and embraced Apple’s newer less-established emoji. Additionally, young people are using Millennial coded emoji satirically and I’m finding it pretty funny.

SEE ALSO: Emoji helped me find my voice in our new remote reality

6. Butterflies

Butterflies are classic symbols of the Y2K era, and boy did they come back this year. Emanuel Ungaro’s iconic wrap-around butterfly top that Mariah Carey famously wore in 2000 had the internet in a chokehold more than two decades later. Dupes of the legendary top popped up all over digital marketplaces, and it was a staple of fashion TikTok. But the obsession with butterflies didn’t end there, Olivia Rodrigo embraced the trend by releasing a phone case with Casetify covered in butterflies, and she even wore the sequin-covered top for a magazine shoot. Not to mention, baby butterfly hair clips had their moment.

7. Camcorders

Like wired headphones and flip phones, camcorders are vintage tech from the not-so-distant past that Gen Z embraced this year. YouTubers like Chamberlain used camcorders from the ’90s to document their lives on the platform, giving their videos a nostalgic feel. Olivia Rodrigo even used a camcorder to film her “get ready for the Met Gala with me” video for Vogue‘s YouTube channel. Like flip phones, camcorders are not just relics of the past — they evoke a mood that modern tech just can’t replicate.

SEE ALSO: Why YouTubers are using vintage camcorders to feel something

8. Baguettes

Gen Z is nothing if not consistent. Sticking with the early 2000s nostalgia sweeping the internet, the aughts bag of choice, the baguette, is back in vogue. Baguettes are bags so small that they nestle just under your armpit if you wear them slung over your shoulder. Baguettes have been worming their way back into style since 2019, and this year anyone who is anyone was spotted with a tiny bag in tow.

9. Claw clips

Arguably the most practical accessory Gen Z resurrected this year, claw clips were all the rage for young people looking to keep their hair out of their faces while still looking fashionable. Like wired headphones, claw clips have an effortless cool-girl factor that made them the “It” accessory on TikTok. Claw clips were inescapable on the app, working their way into outfit of the days, hot girl tote bag videos, and hot girl bedside table videos. Plus, there are just so many options when it comes to claw clips. Do you want a boxy, neon claw? A classic acrylic? A chic matte-colored claw? The options are endless.

10. Pop-punk

This list wouldn’t be complete without a nod to the music Gen Z bumped this year. Olivia Rodrigo, WILLOW, and Machine Gun Kelly all released music this year inspired by pop-punk, which speaks to the angst we all felt in 2021. Who can blame them? It is brutal out there.

SEE ALSO: 2021 revived pop-punk. It makes perfect sense.

If you want to get your space fix without spending millions of dollars to be flung into the ether a la William Shatner, I have excellent news: It costs zero dollars to follow NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope’s trek to its final destination.

NASA launched the new $10 billion observatory into space on December 25, naming the tricky and difficult deployment process  “29 days on the edge.” You can track it at the NASA website dedicated to this mission, with details about its location, speed, temperature, and more. As of Wednesday, the telescope is over 355,000 miles away from Earth — which is equivalent to driving the length of the United States more than 120 times. It’s traveled almost 40 percent of its journey to its final orbit. It has unfurled its solar array, and completed two mid-course correction maneuvers, according to Space.com.

Tweet may have been deleted

In a positive turn of events, the telescope actually used less propellant than the team originally thought it would need. That means that Webb should have extra propellant, which will allow the observatory to stay in orbit for more than ten years — doubling the five-year minimum for the mission.

Webb is on its way to its orbit, which is nearly 1 million miles away from Earth. The telescope will support operations for years, helping scientists from NASA, the European Space Agency, and the Canadian Space Agency to seek light from other galaxies, explore our own solar system, and check out exoplanets.

“The James Webb Space Telescope represents the ambition that NASA and our partners maintain to propel us forward into the future,” NASA administrator Bill Nelson said in a press release. “The promise of Webb is not what we know we will discover; it’s what we don’t yet understand or can’t yet fathom about our universe. I can’t wait to see what it uncovers!”

Back in April, the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), the association that puts on the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), optimistically announced that CES would go forward in 2022. Hooray?! 

But COVID, of course, said: Not so fast.

With the Omicron COVID variant spreading throughout the world, thousands of people gathering in windowless Las Vegas convention centers during the first week of January to salivate over canapés and the latest gadgets sounds like not the greatest idea. That’s especially true considering that some think CES 2020 was an early coronavirus super-spreader event. 

Some major exhibitors apparently agree. Over the last week, multiple big name tech companies have decided to forsake their Vegas trips and “attend” CES virtually. Meanwhile others like Panasonic will be shifting to virtual events but plan to still have limited on-site staffing.

“Due to the large group of participants and the different country-specific regulations, a solid, safe and harmless implementation for all participants is unfortunately not feasible in the current situation,” a Mercedes-Benz spokesperson said in a statement.

The CTA has mandated mask wearing and that attendees show proof of COVID vaccines to enter. It will also be providing free COVID tests. Regarding the cancellations, the CTA’s response has been that they are not that significant considering that there are over 2000 exhibitors, and there had “only” been 42 cancellations, as of Tuesday. 

But when those cancellations include the likes of heavy hitters like Microsoft, the “everything is fine” stance rings a little hollow. 

Mashable decided against attending CES in-person from the get-go, and multiple media organizations have also dropped out in recent days — despite receiving emails from the CTA over the last eight months with subject lines like “Excitement Builds for CES 2022 as Confirmed Exhibitors Surpass 2100.” Excitement builds, indeed.

CES going ahead under the shadow of Omicron is a real bummer for smaller companies that might be hoping to get their start at CES. Not everyone can afford to just cut their losses and cancel a planned in-person presence. But hopefully, COVID precautions and fewer attendees will lead to a safer conference for everyone. 

Here are the major companies that have dropped out of CES in-person events. We’ll be updating this list, so check back for the latest.

• Google

• Amazon

• Lenovo

• Microsoft

• Intel

• AMD

• MSI

• AT&T

• OnePlus

• Meta/Facebook

• Twitter

• T-Mobile (limited attendance)

• Pinterest 

• General Motors

• Procter & Gamble

• Velodyne Lidar

• Panasonic

• Mercedes Benz

UPDATE: Dec. 29, 2021, 12:45 p.m. PST This post has been updated with information about Panasonic and Mercedes-Benz, which confirmed to Mashable they would not be participating in-person at CES.

Take a 15-year-old fandom, add in a heap of meme-based absurdist comedy, and place a 20-year-old who’s never read the source material at the helm. That’s Shaiann Alger’s Twilight fan account.

Without being a part of Twilight fandom, knowing the inside jokes, major characters, or fun facts, Alger’s created a landing space for its enthusiasts, and her profile is just the latest in successful “one-line-at-a-time” fandom accounts. 

“I know, generally, it’s about a vampire and werewolf, but I’ve never read it so I don’t know the exact details of the story,” she explained. 

One-line-at-a-time accounts like Alger’s use a pretty simple format. Pick a book, movie, or TV show, make an account on your favorite social media platform (usually Twitter or, now, TikTok), and start tweeting a single line, sentence, or quote at a similar time each day. Some accounts go chronologically through a screenplay or book, but others mix it up. Schedule the tweets to go up each day and boom! Instant community. 

These accounts live at the intersection of two social media trends — daily out-of-context accounts that share images from the internet’s favorite shows and movies, and repetitively reliable meme accounts that have turned social media posting into a precise, weekly formula. These accounts include the “Ladies and gentlemen, The Weekend” account that tweets a Daniel-Craig-hosting-SNL GIF every Friday, or the Russian Doll fan page that shares the same show image every Thursday.

For fans, one-line-at-a-time accounts serve as daily reminders of lifelong faves and yet another opportunity to commune with fellow obsessives, even as the source material ages and the fanbase dwindles. (Or maybe even convert some new fans). 

After 400 days of posts to @new_poop15, Alger isn’t even done with the first of Twilight‘s 25 chapters yet. (Her account’s name is a play on words referencing New Moon, the second book in the Twilight franchise.) Alger was inspired by fellow TikTok accounts doing the same thing for other cult favorite books, like user @sillyspence, who was reading Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone one sentence at a time. Her mom also played a part. “I was talking about maybe watching the movie and she was like, ‘Don’t watch the movie. Just read the book. The movie was really bad.'” 

As Alger can attest, one-line-at-a-time pages require consistency, tight schedules, and accuracy (the real fans know when you’ve missed a crucial sentence). 

“I’m kind of retelling Twilight in this slightly twisted, slightly unique way.”

Each of her videos, which have netted more than 29,000 followers and a collective 1 million likes, has a similar vibe. She introduces herself with a different meme-worthy name each day — “Hi. I’m the 50th Shade of Grey and this is day 390 of reading Twilight. One sentence at a time.” — reads a single line, and then gives the viewers an analysis or prediction for the rest of the story. And the viewers in the comment section play right along, guessing with her in playful ignorance. “I wonder if bella will ever be done with lunch or if she’ll just live in the cafeteria forever,” user @captainmorgs commented on the video from Dec. 19. “Haven’t checked in here in a while. Looks like we’ve made some progress. Very good,” wrote user @amberandthings. 

What keeps bringing me back is that for Alger, every sentence is a new, out-of-context piece of information. As a former Twihard and historical witness to the Twilight craze, it’s startlingly fun to watch someone read the book with fresh eyes. Alger’s account is like rediscovering a childhood favorite alongside thousands of friends. It’s a community of people who love the humor of pretending to not know that Edward and Bella end up in eternal love together, and also a group who crave a kind of nostalgia only found in our favorite youth-related media. It helps, too, that the Twilight franchise has found a resurgence online in the last couple years. 

And since she exists somewhere outside the fandom, Alger adds a refreshing spin to something that’s already been consumed and reproduced over and over again. “I try to come up with funny commentary after reading the sentence. And I usually take things very literally. Like when Bella ‘dropped her eyes’. She still hasn’t picked them up. They’re still on the floor,” Alger said. “I definitely think, in a way, I’m kind of retelling Twilight in this slightly twisted, slightly unique way.”

Similar one-line-at-a-time accounts have long taken over Twitter, including ones focused on the entire Twilight Saga. There are even separate script bots for each of the film adaptations — Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, Breaking Dawn: Part 1, and Breaking Dawn: Part 2. 

Popular bots also tweet multiple lines a day from the scripts of beloved, currently-running TV Shows like Ted Lasso and Succession. And the Lady Bird bot successfully tweeted every line from Greta Gerwig’s award-winning 2017 dramedy in August 2018. The bot was still tweeting lines from the movie in March 2021. 

Tweet may have been deleted

Tweet may have been deleted

And social media is reinvigorating other old media, not just the meme-worthy. Take The Goldfinch bot, which posts a line from Donna Tartt’s 2013 novel The Goldfinch every four hours. The book was adapted into a highly-anticipated film in 2019, the same year the Twitter account was created, and it’s still trending among readers in TikTok’s book community two years later. 

In the same way The Goldfinch won’t leave BookTok recommendations, the last year of online Discourse™ was a cycle of younger generations rediscovering art and media beloved by the rest of us for years. Annoying to some, it’s a testament to the source material’s longevity. Teens obsessed with the online “dark academia” trend are introducing each other to the 1989 movie Dead Poets Society and Tartt’s other 1992 novel The Secret History — which is now the #9 most discussed book on Tumblr. LGBTQ kids are learning about cultural icons and discovering LGBTQ novels, like Madeline Miller’s greek myth retelling The Song of Achilles, published 10 years ago. The intensely dedicated The Song of Achilles bot, posts a quote from the book every single hour and has 24,000 followers. 

Some of the creators who run these accounts become characters to obsess over themselves, especially in TikTok’s universe — just ask the devoted dozen followers that interact with Alger’s videos everyday. 

“I really love the community of people that comment on my videos every day. It’s always so fun to see what they have to say about the sentence or about whatever joke for an intro I made that day,” Alger said. “It almost feels like they’re all just doing the same joke along with me, instead of me doing a performance for a bunch of people.”

The account’s comment section, even on days when only those loyal few are in attendance, remains humorous, light, and positive — hate comments and trolls are rare. There’s inside jokes, like the early Chevy truck “plot line” that dominated dozens of videos, the seven days Alger introduced herself as Beyoncé, or the running gag that she thinks Bella will end up with minor character Eric. 

New fans are joining old fans as Alger reads us one line a day from Twilight, now a 16-year-old book series. “I think I picked one of the best books I could have done for the series, just because it’s a book that everyone knows about. And like, people either really like it or really hate it. And I feel like my videos can capture both of those audiences,” Alger said. 

For some followers, her videos have also been constants in a time of uncertainty. 

During the pandemic, knowing that someone would post a video everyday of something I was already familiar with was a mental comfort and a sense of minute control. Fans can rely on one-line-at-a-time accounts to offer the same brand of content everyday, about a topic they already love.

“Not all my videos will make it on the For You Page. So people are going out of their way to go to my channel and leave a comment, which is about the same amount of work I do for my videos every day,” she said. “It always made me really happy to know that I was kind of helping them by just being some sort of anchor, some sort of thing that happens every single day.”  

Her followers have done the math — it’ll take her 33 years to finish Twilight at the rate she’s currently going. But most seem undeterred. The account will run until Alger decides it’s over, or TikTok dies just like its predecessor Vine, or the world ends, whichever comes first. 

“I plan on reading the entire book right now. Something might happen, like I might die, and then I wouldn’t be able to do that anymore. But you know, assuming something like that doesn’t happen in the next 30 years, I can see myself finishing it. I can see it just becoming a thing that I do every day,” Alger said. I know, carrying on in my optimistic denial and fervent fandom, that I’ll still be there on day 12,386. 

UPDATE: Dec. 29, 2021, 2:00 p.m. EST This story has been updated to reflect current pricing, including a slew of TCL mini LED and Samsung’s The Frame TVs on sale.

• The Samsung 70-inch Q60A Series is a large, entry-level QLED that brings out HDR and looks great in bright rooms— $999.99 $1,349.99 (save $350)

• The LG 65-inch C1 Series OLED 4K TV has dazzling picture that can keep up with gaming — $1,896.99 $2,499.99 (save $603)

• The Insignia 70-inch F30 4K Fire TV operates on Amazon’s Fire TV platform and is cheaper than it was on Black Friday — $549.99 $749.99 (save $200)

---

Large 4K TVs no longer have to cost an exorbitant amount of money. Rather, these high-quality TVs featuring punchy colors, decipherable shadows, and smooth transitions are actually affordable for regular consumers. And to make them even more budget-friendly, we’ve gathered up the best deals on 4K and QLED TVs from top brands like Samsung, LG, Sony, and more.

Samsung TV deals

Why we love it

A pre-holiday 2021 survey by Adobe found that more time spent at home has movie theater stans looking to bring the big screen experience home. Spending less than $1,000 on this sizable Samsung QLED seems like a sweet way to upgrade. The Q60A is Samsung’s entry-level QLED but it still makes HDR pop far better than 4K can, and looks great in sunny rooms.

More Samsung TVs on sale

• Samsung 43-inch Q60A QLED TV — $499.99 $599.99 (save $100)

• Samsung 55-inch 7 Series 4K TV — $399.99 $499.99 (save $100)

• Samsung 55-inch Q70A QLED TV — $849.99 $999.99 (save $150)

• Samsung 55-inch The Frame QLED TV — $1,197.99 $1,499.99 (save $302)

• Samsung 55-inch Neo QLED QN90A Series 4K TV — $1,497.99 $1,799.99 (save $302)

• Samsung 65-inch 7 Series 4K TV — $499.99 $649.99 (save $100)

• Samsung 65-inch 8000 Series 4K TV — $679.99 $799.99 (save $120)

• Samsung 65-inch The Frame QLED TV — $1,599.99 $1,999.99 (save $400)

• Samsung 75-inch 7 Series 4K TV — $929.99 $1,099.99 (save $170)

• Samsung 75-inch Q70A Series QLED TV — $1,699.99 $2,099.99 (save $400)

• Samsung 75-inch The Frame QLED TV — $2,299.99 $2,999.99 (save $700)

• Samsung 75-inch QN84A Neo QLED TV — $2,649.99 plus a $500 Best Buy gift card $2,799.99 (save $150)

LG TV deals

Why we love it

The LG C1’s OLED display has more than 8 million pixels to bring you deep blacks and vibrant colors. Its 4K AI processor adjusts with the content to ensure everything you watch looks the best it can. Its zippy refresh rate keeps heavy-graphics gaming on point, too.

More LG TVs on sale

• LG 48-inch C1 Series OLED 4K TV — $1,096.99 $1,599.99 (save $403)

• LG 55-inch NanoCell 80 4K TV — $646.99 $799.99 (save $153)

• LG 55-inch A1 Series 4K OLED TV — $1,096.99 $1,299.99 (save $203)

• LG 65-inch UP7000 4K TV — $499.99 $619.99 (save $120)

• LG 65-inch NanoCell 75 Series 4K TV — $749.99 $949.99 (save $200)

• LG 65-inch 90 Series QNED Mini LED 4K TV — $1,599.99 $1,999.99 (save $400)

• LG 70-inch UP8070 4K TV — $749.99 $999.99 (save $250)

• LG 70-inch NanoCell 75 Series 4K TV — $899.99 $1,199.99 (save $300)

Sony TV deals

Why we love it

Sony doesn’t often have the budget-friendly range that Samsung or LG do, so a 50-inch 4K TV for under $600 feels lucky. This X80J and the slightly more expensive X85J use different panels and offer different viewing experiences. If you care about wide viewing angles, this living room-sized X80J is the way to go.

More Sony TVs on sale

• Sony 50-inch X85J 4K TV — $649.99 $849.99 (save $200)

• Sony 55-inch X85J 4K TV — $749.99 $999.99 (save $250)

• Sony 65-inch X85J 4K TV — $899.99 $1,199.99 (save $300)

• Sony 75-inch X85J 4K TV — $1,299.99 $1,599.99 (save $300)

• Sony 75-inch X90J 4K TV — $1,599.99 $2,099.99 (save $500)

• Sony 77-inch X80J OLED 4K TV — $2,999.99 $3,499.99 (save $500)

• Sony 85-inch X95J Bravia XR 4K UHD — $3,999.99 $4,499.99 (save $500)

Other TV deals from TCL, Vizio, and more

Why we love it

The price on this XL Fire TV is still $30 cheaper than it was on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. The F30 series is the latest version of one of the best bargain TVs available. (It’s not to be confused with Amazon’s Omni series) It makes content look crisper than a non-4K TV does — plus, it has the Fire TV platform built-in.

More TVs from TCL, Vizio, and more

• Hisense 50-inch A6G 4K TV — $309.99 $389.99 (save $80)

• Insignia 50-inch Class F30 4K Fire TV — $349.99 $449.99 (save $100)

• Toshiba 55-inch C350 4K Fire TV — $399.99 $519.99 (save $120)

• Hisense 55-inch U6G ULED TV — $449.99 $549.99 (save $100)

• TCL 55-inch 6-Series Mini LED QLED TV — $699.99 $949.99 (save $250)

• Hisense 65-inch 65A6G 4K TV — $499.99 $599.99 (save $100)

• Insignia 65-inch Class F30 4K Fire TV — $489.99 $699.99 (save $210)

• Vizio 65-inch V-Series 4K TV — $499.99 $599.99 (save $100)

• Vizio 65-inch P-Series Quantum 4K TV — $999.99 $1,299.99 (save $300)

• Hisense 75-inch U6G ULED TV — $899.99 $1,049.99 (save $150)

• TCL 75-inch 6-Series Mini LED QLED TV — $1,299.99 $2,299.99 (save $1,000)

Explore related content:

• A shoutout from a celeb on Cameo is the best personalized gift, actually

• The best 4K TVs: For gamers, Netflix binge-watchers, and everyone else

• Your TV needs a soundbar. Here are our faves.

You might not immediately think of Disney+ as a go-to for documentaries, but there’s more than you think there are.

Whether you’re looking for a behind-the-scenes look at The Mandalorian or Marvel’s big action scenes, or want to learn about where we’re at with climate change (spoiler: it’s not great), the streaming platform has many really strong documentaries on offer. Don’t forget there’s a whole National Geographic channel alongside the stash of Disney classics and Marvel menu, and there’s a starting lineup of ESPN’s 30 for 30 long-running documentary series — including a truly exceptional Bruce Lee film.

Here are the best documentaries on Disney+, both films and series, that will give you a closer look at the entertainment we inhale, the superheroes we fly with, and the planet we’re constantly begging world leaders to save.

Before we start, I’ve left out Taylor Swift’s Folklore: The Long Pond Studio Sessions and Billie Eilish’s Happier than Ever: A Love Letter to Los Angeles, as they’re more concert films, but they’re both worth watching as they’re both beautifully shot.

---

1. Be Water

How much do you actually know about Bruce Lee? Directed by Bao Ngyuen as part of ESPN’s long-running “30 for 30” documentary series, Be Water chronicles the tragically short but nonetheless influential life of the actor and martial arts expert. The story begins in 1971, when Lee had returned to his parents’ homeland of Hong Kong from America. There, he completed four films in two years, including the iconic Enter the Dragon. Tragically, Lee died just before it was released, at 32 years old.

Be Water explores Lee’s struggle to find community and industry support amid a time of blatantly racist representation of Asian Americans in Hollywood. Alongside the second-class treatment and pay that non-white actors received, most roles were played by white actors — take John Wayne as Genghis Khan or Mickey Rooney’s horrifying performance in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, for example. “When you saw Asian Americans on screen, they were usually crazed, maniacal, robotic stereotypes or serving white folks,” says cultural critic and writer Jeff Chang. The documentary speaks to how Lee was “rejected by Hollywood,” as his wife Linda Lee Cadwell says, “and so he had to show them that an Asian could be a strong leading man.” Lee refused to play roles that were demeaning to Chinese people or a “novelty.” So he started creating his own in Hong Kong.

The story is primarily told through old interviews with Lee and through those who knew him best — one of the most poignant features of the film is the access to Lee’s writings over the years, which are beautifully read by his daughter, Shannon. His poignant reflections on racism in America and Hollywood, as well as on humanity and expressing your true self, are strikingly relevant today.

How to watch: Be Water is now streaming on Disney+.

2. Free Solo

A truly staggering feat in front of and behind the camera, Free Solo will deprive you of your fingernails (it’s that nervous-making). This Oscar-winning documentary is a stunning portrait of free soloist climber Alex Honnold, who is training and preparing to climb the 3,000-feet-high El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, “the most impressive wall on Earth,” with no rope. His painstakingly planned journey is boldly captured by documentary maker E. Chai Vasarhelyi and photographer/mountaineer Jimmy Chin, along with a team of filmmakers/professional climbers. “I’ve always been conflicted about shooting a film about free soling just because it’s so dangerous,” says Chin. “It’s hard to not imagine your friend, Alex, soloing something that’s extremely dangerous and you’re making a film about it, which might put undue pressure on him to do something, and him falling through the frame to his death.”

You’ll follow Honnold as he plans every move before heading up the wall of El Cap without that all-important rope. “There’s no margin for error,” big-wall free climbing legend Tommy Caldwell says in the doc of his friend’s task. “Imagine an Olympic gold medal level athletic achievement that if you don’t get that golden medal you’re gonna die. That’s pretty much what free soloing El Cap is like. You have to do it perfectly.”

How to watch: Free Solo is now streaming on Disney+.

3. Get Back

Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson was allowed access to 50 hours of “lost” footage from the 1970 documentary by Michael Lindsay-Hogg, which chronicled the making of The Beatles’ final album, Let It Be. Painstakingly trawling through it to build a new, vivid portrait of the legendary band in their last recording days together, Jackson crafted Get Back, a stunning three-part series for Disney+. As Mashable’s Adam Rosenberg writes in his review, “Jackson saw something in the vaulted studio footage that painted a different picture of the Let It Be sessions than anyone outside The Beatles organization had ever known. This wasn’t where The Beatles explicitly ended, Get Back contends. It’s four friends trying their damnedest to make their magical collaboration work one more time. There were aggravating factors during the recording that widened cracks that were already there, but the actual day-to-day work of building the next Beatles album was much more frequently a joyous and playful affair.” The moment in which you spy Linda McCartney and Yoko Ono having an inaudible chat in the background is worth it all.

if you’d like even more Beatles after Get Back, Paul McCartney sits down for a one-on-one interview with producer Rick Rubin in McCartney 3, 2, 1, also available on Disney+.

How to watch: Get Back is streaming on Disney+.

4. LA 92

Directed by Daniel Lindsay and T. J. Martin, LA 92 examines in detail the 1992 Los Angeles riots, from the simmering lead-up through the riots themselves to the fallout. The documentary looks at police brutality and violent systemic racism leading to the events in April and May 1992. Rodney King, an unarmed Black man, was brutally beaten by four white Los Angeles police officers on March 3, 1991. The assault was filmed by a neighbour and brought to the attention of the country through the press. The officers involved — who had delivered 56 baton blows in the course of the beating — were acquitted. The documentary footage showing the officers confidently entering the court building before the ruling, combined with the reactions from the Black community when it’s delivered, is chilling, infuriating, and devastating. The lack of repercussions for those responsible for this violence against Black people sparked demonstrations, marches, and eventually riots, violence, and looting across the city of Los Angeles. LA 92 looks at these events from multiple perspectives, much of it from handheld footage across the city. It’s a hard documentary to watch, with significant moments of violence shown, but you should.

How to watch: LA 92 is now streaming on Disney+ (UK only).

5. Summer of Soul

An incredible directorial debut from Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, Summer of Soul (…or, When the Revolution Could Not be Televised) centres around a truly pivotal music event in 1969 that took place 100 miles south of Woodstock: the Harlem Cultural Festival, a huge moment in Black history and culture. Stevie Wonder played. So did Nina Simone. Sly and the Family Stone, too, along with Gladys Knight and the Pips, B.B. King, The 5th Dimension, Mahalia Jackson, and many more. Footage from the six-week festival had never really been seen, until Questlove crafted this 2021 documentary. As Mashable’s Adam Rosenberg writes, “It’s a tragedy, and sadly a product of deep-seated racism in the U.S., that this beautiful expression of love and culture was completely hidden from public view for half a century. That sense of something lost is expressed implicitly again and again all throughout Summer of Soul.”

How to watch: Summer of Soul is now streaming on Disney+.

6. Disney Gallery: The Mandalorian

This one is made for people who really love them some Star Wars: a 10-part docuseries about the making of The Mandalorian series. Going behind the scenes of Seasons 1 and 2, Disney Gallery: The Mandalorian examines everything from the special and visual effects to the writing, acting, and directing. You’ll get little tidbits of trivia, like how Star Wars legend Dave Filoni almost didn’t get his first job at Lucasfilm, and that actor Carl Weathers’ character Greef Carga was meant to die in Season 1.

While you’re here and into bounty hunters, check out Under the Helmet: The Legacy of Boba Fett, a comprehensive look at the beloved character, with early costume tests and character development. And there’s more Star Wars ahead…

How to watch: Disney Gallery: The Mandalorian is now streaming on Disney+.

7. Empire of Dreams: the Story of the Star Wars Trilogy

A long(ish) time ago, in the galaxy you currently reside in, the Star Wars trilogy changed everything — and Empire of Dreams takes you behind the scenes of it all. This 2004 documentary obviously doesn’t cover the newer films, focusing instead on how the original films (Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back, and Episode VI: Return of the Jedi) changed the way movies were made. Yes, it’s a little cheesy in its production (this is an early ‘00s doc), and it’s the official Lucasfilm story, so take it with a grain of salt and expect extreme reverence. But this means plenty of access to footage from the set (including the cast mucking about, and the incredibly tricky Dagobah swamp set), screen tests, early scripts, Ralph McQuarrie’s concept art, storyboards, and truly awesome videos of robotic droid testing, not to mention interviews with the big guns: George Lucas, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, and more.

Did you know that Harrison Ford improvised the line “I know” in Empire? Did you know Darth Vader’s identity was kept a secret (with a false page included in the script) from everyone, including Mark Hamill, who was told just minutes before the scene — even James Earl Jones thought Vader was lying? Well, that’s what this documentary will tell you. Like Mashable’s Chris Taylor in his book (but not as in-depth), the documentary spends time exploring Star Wars as a cultural phenomenon, as well as the monumental wave of merchandise that came with the film’s popularity. Plus, you get to see the original trailer, featuring whatever footage the team had thrown together when they were still working on the movie.

How to watch: Empire of Dreams: The Story of the Star Wars Trilogy is streaming on Disney+.

8. The Rescue

In 2018, a rescue mission captured the attention of the world when 12 boys and their football coach were trapped deep inside a flooded cave in northern Thailand. Monsoon rains had cut off the group, who were stranded in the dark two kilometres into the cave — a labyrinth of tunnels completely filled with water. Against all odds, an incredibly high-risk, complicated rescue effort was formed, and The Rescue, from Free Solo directors E. Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin, tracks it all.

“At its core, ‘The Rescue’ is a story about a collection of people of all different nationalities, languages, and cultures working together to achieve a common goal,” said Vasarhelyi and Chin in a press statement. “In making the film, we were reminded of the beauty of humanity, especially after the last several years where the world has seemed more divided than ever before.” It’s a claustrophobic, stressful watch for the most part, and for everyone glued to the news when it was happening, it’ll bring back all those emotions of anticipation, stress, and finally, relief. The moment when British divers Richard Stanton and John Volanthen first find all 13 in the cave is astounding and deeply moving. But it’s just the beginning of a perilous mission.

How to watch: The Rescue is now streaming on Disney+.

9. Pride

Covering six decades of resistance from the ’50s to the ’00s, the FX series Pride focuses on the personal stories of LGBTQ people in America, and the long (and continuing) fight for civil rights. Each episode has been made by different queer filmmakers and takes on a new decade, from the riots and revolutions of the ’60s to the underground ball scene of the ’80s, through to the “culture wars” of the ’90s and the new age of queer visibility in the 2000s. The six-part series uses actors to recreate some of the vibrant lives lived by queer people in these times, including Alia Shawkat, who plays Brooklyn-born employment lawyer and LGBTQ rights activist Madeleine Tress, reading out her memoirs. The episode on the ’70s made by Cheryl Dunye is a highlight, focusing on poet Audre Lorde and filmmaker Barbara Hammer. The series features events and people you might know, and others that have received less coverage — but each story is treated with respect, love, and admiration for those who have fought for equality, justice, and the right to live as their truest, most excellent selves.

How to watch: Pride is now streaming on Disney+.

10. Howard

If you grew up singing loudly in the car to “Part of Your World” from The Little Mermaid, “Be Our Guest” from Beauty and the Beast, or “Suddenly Seymour” from Little Shop of Horrors, you have lyricist Howard Ashman to thank. Ashman is the focus of Disney documentary Howard, which explores his early life, his career-defining work with Disney while battling AIDS, and his death at the age of 40. As Brooke Bajgrowicz writes for Mashable, “Whether you’re Disney-obsessed or not, you can get a lot out of Howard. If this film recognizes anything, it’s that story — even in the context of a documentary — is what will keep the audience engaged. And what better story is there to tell than one about a man who used songs to tell some of the greatest stories?”

There are a lot of documentaries on Disney+ about the makers of Disney films and the broader universe of the animation giant, naturally, so you could also check out Waking Sleeping Beauty, Frank and Ollie, The Imagineering Story, The Boys: The Sherman Brothers’ Story, Prop Culture, Behind the Attraction, The Pixar Story, and Inside Pixar, among others.

How to watch: Howard is now streaming on Disney+.

11. Assembled

Like the ol’ special features section of a DVD, Assembled gives you a look behind the scenes of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Phase Four releases. Sitting at five episodes so far, the series covers the making of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, WandaVision, Loki, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, What If…? , and Black Widow. You’ll be able to see how those ’60s Bewitched-style scenes in WandaVision were filmed with a live audience (and you’ll be able to see the sets and costumes in full colour), and watch Kathryn Hahn doing a full-on evil laugh take. You can watch Simu Liu in all those hectic action sequences in Shang-Chi. Loki-wise, you can see Tom Hiddleston’s early audition tapes for Thor and watch him making a speech for the crew in front of a giant tesseract cake.

If you want to watch a behind-the-scenes look at the earlier Marvel phases, check out the short documentary Assembling a Universe, which goes right back to the early Iron Man days.

How to watch: Assembled is now streaming on Disney+.

12. Behind the Mask

If you know nothing about Marvel Comics, want a quick overview in an hour, and don’t mind a bit of brand-led reverence, Behind the Mask is for you. Directed by Michael Jacobs, it’s probably more of a documentary for newcomers to the Marvel universe, but there’s enough compelling discussion, nostalgic interviews, and strong visuals to keep hardcore fans engaged — you’ll be revisiting a huge amount of Marvel comic frames, some of which are animated. If you don’t have the time or inclination to do what Douglas Wolk did and read every Marvel Comic ever (he’s in this film!), this might be just what you need to navigate the MCU.

Yes, it’s a documentary about Marvel created by Marvel and hosted on the streaming service that owns Marvel — so it’s more than a little reverent, but surprisingly self-aware when it comes to discussions around representation. But as well as having access to all of Marvel Comics’ major players, it’s still a solid crash course in the historical context amid which Marvel’s biggest characters were released to the world — the section on Black Panther is particularly strong.

If you want even more Marvel, check out Marvel 616, which looks at parts of the Marvel universe you might not know about, like the Japanese version of Spider-Man.

How to watch: Behind the Mask is now streaming on Disney+.

13. Jane

Made using over 100 hours of footage that had never been seen before, Jane is the quintessential portrait of Dr. Jane Goodall. Thought lost until its rediscovery in 2014, the footage was filmed by her ex-husband, the legendary wildlife photographer Hugo van Lawick in the ’60s, when he was sent on assignment to document Goodall’s work studying chimpanzees in Gombe, Tanzania. She was 26 at the time, recruited by Dr. Louis Leakey for the study in 1957, though she had no training or a scientific degree — yet her research was one of the first studies of its kind, to become the longest continuous study of any animal in their natural habitat in history. “I had no training, no degree,” says Goodall. “But Louis didn’t care about academic credentials. What he was looking for was someone with an open mind, with a passion for knowledge, with a love of animals, and with monumental patience. My mission was to get close to the chimpanzees, to live among them, to be accepted.”

Written and directed by Brett Morgen based on Goodall’s own writings, with a whimsical orchestral score from composer Philip Glass, Jane gives you a very close insight into Goodall’s research that made connections between chimpanzees and humans (that some tried to discredit), her relationship with Van Lawick (there’s an extremely sweet exchange of proposal via telegram), the results of human interference with animal habitats, and her decision to raise awareness of chimpanzees disappearing across the continent of Africa.

How to watch: Jane is streaming on Disney+.

14. Paris to Pittsburgh

If you’re not sure what you can do on a local level to contribute to the goals of the Paris Agreement and aren’t happy to wait around for your federal government to act on climate change, check out this empowering documentary. Directed by National Geographic filmmaker Sidney Beaumont and documentarian Michael Bonfiglio, Paris to Pittsburgh follows Donald Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement in 2017 and the Mayor of Pittsburgh’s decision for the city to stay in (this was all before Joe Biden’s rejoining in Jan. 2021). Citizens hit the streets, which drove a national movement in cities around America that pledged to uphold the Paris goals and commit to using 100 percent renewable energy.

Narrated by The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel‘s Rachel Brosnahan, the documentary consults climate scientists, geologists, politicians, and local pioneers to understand what those cities are actually doing to achieve this. This includes renewable energy efforts in Adjuntas, Puerto Rico, hammered by extreme weather events like Hurricane Maria, which caused widespread power outages, and Miami, Florida, affected by flooding from rising sea levels. Plus, it names and shames climate deniers within the American government, and points out shameful budget cuts to the EPA by the Trump administration.*

Where to watch: Paris to Pittsburgh is now streaming on Disney+.

15. One Strange Rock + Welcome to Earth

Will Smith teamed up with director Darren Aronofsky for two stunning documentary series that urge you not to take Earth for granted. The earlier of the two, One Strange Rock, is a 10-parter that examines the beautiful weirdness of our planet, as Aronofsky pulls together some truly beautiful footage of Earthly landscapes that look quite alien, or like something you’ve seen in a sci-fi film. In order to take a truly large step back to see the Earth from afar, the documentary series features interviews with astronauts Chris Hadfield, Mae Jemison, Peggy Whitson. Leland Melvin, Mike Massimino, Nicole Stott, Jerry Linenger, and Jeffrey A. Hoffman.

The newer series, Welcome to Earth, sees Smith joining up with explorers around the world to find a new appreciation for how the world connects and moves from a sensory perspective: for example, in the first episode, Smith joins mountaineer Erik Weihenmayer, who is blind, and vulcanologist Jeff Johnson on the edge of a volcano in an effort to understand the spectrum of sound and mapping. In both series, the Hollywood-ness of it all can’t be denied, but the ambitious cinematography, swift pace, and Smith’s seemingly genuine need to understand a new perspective make these both truly engaging series about our planet.

How to watch: One Strange Rock and Welcome to Earth are now streaming on Disney+.

16. Before the Flood

If you’re not into climate change documentaries helmed by celebrities, this one might not be for you. However, even if you’re not a fan of the Hollywood actor, Before the Flood presenter, and U.N. Messenger of Peace Leonardo DiCaprio, his use of star power and sizable budget to draw attention to the climate crisis in this documentary is undeniably impactful, encouraging people to admit what they don’t know and make the decision to get educated. “The truth is, the more I’ve learned about this issue and everything that contributes to the problem, the more I realise how much I don’t know,” he says.

Released in 2016 in conjunction with the Paris Agreement, Before the Flood covers many of the same areas as Al Gore’s films, functioning as a strong primer on climate change, the damage we’ve done, and what’s likely to happen if we fail to act. DiCaprio spent two years traveling to key locations: the melting ice sheets in Kangerlussuaq in Greenland and Baffin Island in the Canadian Arctic; flooding Florida with its electric flood pumps and raised roads; and the Sumatran rainforest, where deforestation is causing wildlife habitat destruction and increased industrial carbon emissions. DiCaprio also interviews a heck of a lot of people, everyone from world leaders, including then-President Barack Obama and Pope Francis, to Arctic explorers and guides, climatologists, astronauts, scholars, economists, marine ecologists, and Elon Musk inside Tesla’s Gigafactory in Nevada.

Though it’s years old now, the arguments are frustratingly the same today.

How to watch: Before the Flood is streaming on Disney+.

17. Fauci

Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, became a symbol of progress for many Americans during the coronavirus pandemic. Though he’d been in the same job for 40 years, the outbreak of COVID-19 would see Fauci find international fame amid the crisis, and this National Geographic documentary explores this moment amid his broader career. The documentary tracks Fauci through the daily challenges of the pandemic, from NIAID staff meetings to briefings with the president, to personal threats delivered to him and his family by far-right extremists claiming COVID-19 vaccines as part of a hoax. But it also examines Fauci’s incredibly important work during the HIV/AIDS crisis in the ’80s and ’90s, and compares and contrasts this global crisis to our current one.

How to watch: Fauci is streaming on Disney+.

18. Elephant

One of the collection of Disneynature documentaries on Disney+ more aimed at kids, this sweet film follows a herd of elephants, focusing on 40-year-old Shani and her son Jomo, as they make the eight-month, thousand-mile journey from the Okavango delta across the Kalahari Desert to the Zambezi river. Extremely jovially narrated by Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, the documentary has plenty of beautiful footage of these wondrous creatures, woven together by directors Vanessa Berlowitz and Mark Linfield. The score makes it feel super Disney, and all that footage is just made for an afternoon curled up with the whole family watching the herd roll around in the mud while Meghan announces, “It’s tiiiiiime for a pool party!”

There’s plenty more Disneynature options if you want more like this, with Dolphin Reef and Penguins are worth checking out. And if you want more on the flooding of the Okavango delta in Botswana, check out The Flood, narrated by Angela Bassett, which is also on Disney+.

How to watch: Elephant is now streaming on Disney+.

19. Becoming Cousteau

A deep dive by definition, Becoming Cousteau explores the depths of the legendary oceanic explorer and filmmaker. Director Liz Garbus delves into the life of Jacques Cousteau, whose documentation of ocean creatures with newly adapted equipment changed the game — all aboard his boat, the Calypso. His work, including 50 books, award-winning films, and long-running television shows, The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau and The Cousteau Odyssey, was highly influential on aquatic exploration. If you’ve seen Wes Anderson’s The Life Aquatic, you’re gotten a taste of the signature aesthetic. Garbus was granted access to 550 hours of archival material — including over 100 hours of audio journal entries and interviews from collaborators and crew members — to create this documentary, and she brings to life his innovation and dedication to environmentalism, alongside his family life and creation of The Cousteau Society.

How to watch: Becoming Cousteau is now streaming on Disney+.

20. Secrets of the Whales

When I tell you the cinematography of the National Geographic series Secrets of the Whales is stunning, it’s an understatement 10,000 leagues deep. Filmed over three years, this four-part documentary explores whale culture through orcas, humpbacks, belugas, narwhals, and sperm whales, including looking at how each family speaks a unique language, and how whales experience love, joy, and grief. Directed by Brian Armstrong, the documentary features the National Geographic explorer and renowned whale photographer Brian Skerry, and comes narrated by Sigourney Weaver. This is the kind of documentary you should watch if you’re done with people for a bit, but want to find some kind of human connection with these incredible underwater animals.

How to watch: Secrets of the Whales is now streaming on Disney+.

21. Among the Stars

If you really want to know what years in the life of a NASA astronaut can entail, check out Among the Stars, a six-part docuseries that goes behind the scenes of the American space agency on the ground and aboard the International Space Station. Filmed over two years and directed by Ben Turner, the documentary focuses on former NASA astronaut Chris Cassidy — including his final, critical mission aboard the ISS to repair the alpha magnetic spectrometer (AMS) a state-of-the-art particle physics detector. Many other astronauts are featured, including ESA’s Luca Parmitano and NASA’s Drew Morgan. You’ll go inside NASA’s training facilities (including the spacewalk pools), meet the whole team of engineers and specialists involved in the mission, and head all the way to the station, watching video logs, livestreams, and tense helmet cams — especially in the opening spacewalk.

Disney+ has a heap of space documentaries on the platform — check out The Real Right Stuff for the true story behind the film.

How to watch: Among the Stars is now streaming on Disney+.

*Asterisks indicate the writeup is adapted from another article.

The Navarro College cheer team returns to Netflix next month for Season 2 of Cheer.

Coach Monica and her championship squad face similar drama to Season 1 of the hit show: fierce rivalries, off-mat personality clashes, and a quest for a national title. But Season 2 adds the drama of the team dealing with the challenges of newfound reality-TV fame.

The trailer also briefly mentions allegations against Season 1 breakout star Jerry Harris. The FBI arrested Harris in September 2020 on a federal child pornography charge. In December 2020, additional charges were added, including multiple charges of sexual exploitation of children. Harris has pled not guilty to all charges and a trial date is still pending.

Cheer Season 2 debuts on Netflix Jan. 12.

UPDATE: Dec. 28, 2021, 4:00 p.m. EST This story has been updated with the best sex toy deals we could find as of Dec. 28.

• The Lionness Vibrator 2.0 in Purple is a smart vibrator that helps you orgasm and gives you data that teaches you about the way you orgasm — $199 $229 (save $30 with code NEW-O)

• Satisfyer Pro 2, a suction toy that uses air pulses and vibrations, yet still keeps costs low — $39.95 $89.99 (save $50.04 with code HOLIDAY)

• The Lelo Ina Wave 2 is one of the best rabbit vibrators out there, thanks to its Wave Motion technology — $159 $199 (save $40)

---

We’re not saying that treating yourself to some new sex toys will almost certainly improve your life, but we’re also not not saying that. Spending some money on upping your solo sesh game or adding a little spice with a partner is well worth the investment. Though we do believe in springing for well-made toys since you’ll be putting them in, on, and around your genitals, that doesn’t necessarily mean you have to drop a ton of cash. Every week, we’ll be rounding up the best deals directly from manufacturers and online sex shops alike, so you can find a toy you’ll love, at prices you’ll love (almost) as much. Check out our finds from this week below.

Vibrator deals

Why we like it

Read more from Mashable about the Lionness Smart Vibrator.

Yes, $200 is a lot of money to drop on a vibrator. But this, my friends, is no ordinary vibrator. One reviewer on Lionness’ website described it as a “Fitbit for your clitbit” and well, yeah, it pretty much is. This toy syncs with an app to collect data on your sessions, so you can understand more about how your body responds to stimulation, which you can use to find out what works best for you when orgasming, which can certainly beat shrugging your shoulders and hoping for the best. The brand doesn’t run sales too often, so if you’re interested, you’ll want to check it out before it ends on Jan. 2 at 11:49 PT.

More vibrator deals:

• Babeland Spritz vibrator — $7.99 $16 (save $8.01)

• Lovehoney Bliss Bullet Silicone Bullet Vibrator — $18.99 $44.99 (save $26)

• Love Honey Bigs Bunny Girthy Rechargebale Rabbit Vibrator — $44.99 $89.99 (save $45)

• Adam & Eve Silicone G-Gasm Rabbit — $49.95 $59.95 (save $10)

• Original Magic Wand — $55.96 $99.99 (save $44.03 with code HOLIDAY)

• Lovehoney Dream Wand Rechargeable Mini Massage Wand Vibrator — $55.99 $79.99 (save $24)

• Doxy Number 3 Extra Powerful Travel Massage Wand Vibrator — $111.99 $159.99 (save $48)

• Lelo Ina Wave — $143 $179 (save $36)

• MysteryVibe Crescendo vibrator — $149 $199 (save $50)

• Lelo Ina Wave 2 — $159 $199 (save $40)

• Lelo Soraya 2 — $175 $219 (save $44)

Clitoral stimulator and suction toy deals

Why we like it

Suction toys are great for those that love all the attention on their clit, but they can also be quite expensive. With the Satisfyer Pro 2, you don’t have to sacrifice quality for cost. Unlike other clit stimulators, the Pro 2 uses air pulses and vibrations (with 10 different vibration modes, by the way), so getting that just-right intensity is as easy as it should be. Plus, this USB rechargeable waterproof toy allows you to take those good vibes to the bath and shower without any worries.

More clitoral stimulator and suction toy deals:

• Mantric Rechargeable Rabbit Ears Clitoral Vibrator — $32.49 $64.99 (save $32.50)

• Womanizer Starlet 2 — $55.99 $79.99 (save $24)

• Better Love Tap Dancer — $69.99 $175.99 (save $106)

• Lelo Sona Cruise — $90.01 $137.99 (save $47.98)

• Zumio I — $93.99 $109.99 (save $16)

• Womanizer Premium Clitoral Suction Stimulator — $119.99 $199.99 (save $80)

• Lelo Sila — $135 $169 (save $34)

Dildo deals

Why we like it

When it comes down to it, everyone will have their own preferences when it comes to dildos (or any sex toys, for that matter), but here’s why this one is worth a second look. The silicone material gives the dildo some flex, so you can find those just-right angles (which can feel even better thanks to its approachable size). The circular base doubles as a suction cup too, making this dildo easy to hold, fit into a harness, or stick on to the non-porous surface of your choosing.

More dildo deals:

• Lovehoney Realistic Suction Cup Dildo 7.5-inch — $12.49 $24.99 (save $12.49)

• Adam & Eve Cool Curve Jelly Dildo — $19.95 $24.95 (save $5)

• Fifty Shades of Grey Feel It Baby Color-Changing Silicone G-Spot Dildo 7 Inch — $20 $49.99 (save $29.99)

• Lovehoney Pink Spiral G-Spot Sensual Glass Dildo — $22.19 $36.99 (save $14.80)

• Lovehoney Double Delight Adjustable Vibrating Strap-On Dildo — $24.99 $49.99 (save $25)

• Adam & Eve Adam’s True Feel Dildo — $34.95 $44.95 (save $10)

Deals on sex toys for penises

Why we like it

When it comes to sex toys specifically for people with penises, Fleshlight might just be the most recognizable name out there, and for good reason — they’re masters at the masturbation sleeve. Fleshlight’s sleeves have made our favorites list before, and this bundle comes with a compact version of one of the brand’s most popular sleeves, the Stamina Training Unit, as well as lube and cleaner. This deal’s a holiday special though, so don’t wait around if you’re looking to save some cash.

More deals on sex toys for penises:

• Cal Exotics Super Head Honcho Masturbator — $19.95 $29.95 (save $10)

• Lovehoney Ring It On Rechargeable Vibrating Rabbit Cock Ring — $23.99 $39.99 (save $16)

• Adam & Eve Juicy Lucy Self Lubricating Stroker — $29.95 $39.95 (save $10)

• Lovehoney Hot Shot Rechargeable Warming Male Masturbator — $44.99 $89.99 (save $45)

• Satisfyer Men Heat Masturbator — $54.95 $79.99 (save $25.04)

• Lelo F1S V2 penis sleeve — $186 $219 (save $33)

• MysteryVibe Tenuto wearable vibrator — $199 $229 (save $30)

• Fleshlight Quickshot Launch Vantage Pack — $221.95 $246.85 (save $24.90)

Anal toy deals

Why we like it

We’ll be blunt — anal play can feel really great, but jumping right in to putting a seven-inch dildo up your butt can be markedly less so. That’s where an anal training kit, like this one from Adam & Eve, comes in. These three sizes of plugs are designed to slide in with minimal friction, and allow you to work your way up to what feels best. The tapered tips and bottoms makes insertion simple and safe, and according to reviewers, these plugs are perfect for beginner use.

More anal toy deals:

• Lovehoney Booty Buddy Silicone Butt Plug — $8.49 $16.99 (save $8.50)

• PinkCherry Graduated Anal Beads — $8.98 $24.99 (save $16.01 with code HOLIDAY)

• Liquorice Dip Butt Plug Set (3 Piece) — $13.49 $26.99 (save $13.50)

• Adam & Eve 4-Piece Anal Plug Kit — $19.95 $24.95 (save $5)

• Zero Tolerance Intro to Prostate Kit — $34.95 $39.95 (save $5)

• Mantric Rechargeable Remote Control Prostate Massager — $53.99 $89.99 (save $36)

• Lelo Hugo prostate massager — $175 $219 (save $44)

Even more sex toy deals:

• Black Furry Hand Cuffs — $4.95 $19.99 (save $15.04 with code HOLIDAY)

• Strap-On Harness Kit with Realistic Dildo 6.5 Inch — $19.99 $39.99 (save $20)

Explore related content:

• What to look for when buying a sex toy

• Where to buy sex toys online (even at Target)

• The best budget-friendly sex toys under $50