In the beginning, fantasy and science fiction films often blended together, as science fiction was still developing its own identity. Over time, though, these related genres started to move in separate directions. While fantasy has evolved over the years, its core ideas have stayed consistent. It has always been a genre that pushes the boundaries of what audiences see on screen.
As of today, January 19th, the 1998 film The Man in the Iron Mask is surprisingly popular on Netflix, landing at number nine on the platform’s global Top 10 list, according to FlixPatrol. It’s currently more popular than movies like Madagascar, but less popular than One Last Adventure: The Making of Stranger Things 5, The Magnificent Seven (2016), Freelance, Accepted, How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World, KPop Demon Hunters, People We Meet on Vacation, and The Rip which is currently number one.
The X-Files originally ran for 11 seasons, and was briefly revived with new seasons in 2016 and 2018. The upcoming reboot directed by Ryan Coogler shows just how popular the show—and its characters Scully and Mulder—still are. Now’s a great time to revisit the series, as it’s currently available to stream for free on Pluto! While everyone has their favorite well-known episodes, like the serial killer story in “Beyond the Sea” and the monster in “The Host,” let’s shine a light on some underrated gems.
About a year ago, a first glimpse was shared of the two main actors in an upcoming series. They play space police officers who find themselves investigating a murder on Earth, specifically in the American heartland. Neither actor revealed much about the plot, though Nathan Fillion is known for his role as the Green Lantern, Guy Gardner, in Superman. Kyle Chandler recently appeared on TODAY to talk about the project, and he described his experience as very positive.
While the show definitely sparks debate, it proves this streaming service really understands what it takes to create a compelling fantasy world – better than many others. And now, with its animated series, they’ve found a fantastic franchise to build on. Featuring talented voice acting, stunning animation, exciting action, and plenty more, this show has become a major hit for the streaming service, and it just keeps improving.
Created by Steven Knight and Tom and Chips Hardy, the FX thriller Taboo bears the creative influence of Ridley Scott, who served as an executive producer through his production company, Scott Free Productions. The series, set in 1814 London, stars Tom Hardy as James Delaney, a resourceful adventurer and businessman, and delves into the darker aspects of 19th-century society. Taboo feels more like a carefully crafted film than a typical TV show, distinguished by its detailed sets and bleak mood. It offers a unique look at the hardships faced by the working class and the widespread corruption within the East India Company.
I absolutely love Arrival, and I just saw it’s currently available to watch for free on Tubi! But, sadly, it won’t be there forever. Tubi lists it as leaving soon, though they don’t tell you exactly when things disappear. My guess is it’ll be gone by the end of January 2026, as they get ready for their new February releases. If you’re like me and haven’t seen it yet – or want to watch it again – I’d definitely recommend checking it out on Tubi while you still can! You wouldn’t want to miss out.
As a total movie and TV buff, I’m always on the lookout for what’s worth watching. Right now, there’s a ton happening on Netflix, with shows like His & Hers getting huge buzz. But if you’re looking for my picks for the best shows to dive into – whether you want something to really settle into for a while or just a quick night of viewing – here are five that I think are definitely worth checking out this week.
There were rumors of a disagreement between director Nia DaCosta and Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige, but DaCosta insists that never happened. In an interview with Inverse, she explained, “It’s funny how it was reported. It seemed really dramatic, but I genuinely love Kevin Feige, and we have a great working relationship with everyone there.”
Thanks to its unique story, All of Us Are Dead quickly became one of the most popular and well-regarded zombie shows ever made. The series focuses on a group of high school students in South Korea who find themselves trapped and fighting for survival when a deadly zombie virus breaks out at their school. Most of the action takes place within the school building, highlighting the students’ fear and desperate struggle.