Hulu is a great streaming service if you're looking for new shows to binge this weekend. It features a deep library of series from a range of Disney-owned networks, including FX, ABC and 20th Television. But it also has tons of original hit shows that you don't want to miss.

With so much available to watch, though, it can be overwhelming to decide where to start. Don't worry; I've put together a list of three new shows perfect for adding to your weekend watchlist.

First up is "The Bear" season 5, which is the show's final season. If you don't want to be spoiled, start watching now. Then, once you're done with "The Bear," check out the premiere of "Project Runway" season 22, which arrives on Hulu today (July 10). Finally, for the anime fans, "Jujutsu Kaisen" season 3 is dropping on Hulu today as well, and it's available in both subbed and dubbed formats. A big win for those of you without a Crunchyroll subscription.

Here are three new to Hulu shows you need to binge-watch this weekend, and why you need to watch them. For more recommendations, check out the full list of everything new to Hulu and Disney+ in July 2026.

'The Bear' season 5

Genre: Comedy-drama series

What's it about? Carmy Berzatto (Jeremy Allen White) announced he was leaving The Bear at the end of season 4. He's no longer in love with cooking and has decided it's time to call it a day on his dreams of a Michelin Star-worthy establishment. Before he can leave, though, he and the rest of the staff have to get it together for one final service and one last shot at glory.

Why you should watch it: If for no other reason, you should watch "The Bear" season 5 for no other reason than that this is the end. Seasons 1-2 were two of the best seasons of television this century. Season 3 may have fallen off, but season 4 bounced back, and you owe it to yourself to see it through to the end. For what it's worth, I think this might be the best season since the show's second.

Stream all five seasons of "The Bear" on Hulu now

'Project Runway' season 22

Genre: Reality fashion competition series

What's it about? "Project Runway" is a reality show that likely needs no introduction. The iconic series pits 22 aspiring designers against each other to see who is runway-worthy, and this year, one former competitor is re-entering the fray.

Why you should watch it: If you like competition shows, this is one of the best. If you like fashion, you almost certainly already know this series, but you might not know that Tyra Banks will be making an appearance as a guest judge. You'll have to watch to see when she'll arrive.

Stream the two-episode season 22 premiere of "Project Runway" on Hulu now

'Jujutsu Kaisen' season 3

Genre: Japanese fantasy anime series

What's it about? Based on the manga of the same name, "Jujutsu Kaisen" centers around high school student Yuji Itadori (Junya Enoki [Japanese]/Adam McArthur [English]), who joins a secret organization of Jujutsu Sorcerers. Their mission is to eliminate a powerful Curse named Ryomen Sukuna (Junichi Suwabe [Japanese]/Ray Chase [English]), but things get complicated when Yuji unintentionally becomes the host for Sukuna's spirit.

Why you should watch it: If you're looking to get into an anime, this show is among the best ones out there. In season three, the Sorcerers make their way into the "Culling Games" to try and rescue Satoru Gojo (Yuichi Nakamura [Japanese]/Kaiji Tang [English]), one of Yuji's mentors, from the Prison Realm. But there's no guarantee everyone makes it out alive.

Stream all 12 episodes of "Jujutsu Kaisen" season 3 on Hulu now

More from Tom's Guide

• 'House of the Dragon' season 3, episode 3 reaction: The plot thickens with an incredible twist
• Missed it in theaters? Here's every movie finally arriving on streaming in July 2026
• Netflix just added 37 new shows and movies — here's 5 I'd stream right now

Paramount+ is constantly adding new shows to binge, and this weekend is no exception. The streaming service drops new episodes of hit shows every week, and sometimes even entire seasons to binge. In fact, it just added 70 new movies and shows on July 1.

These aren't always new, original shows, though. While Paramount+ adds new shows from Paramount's networks, like CBS, as well as co-productions with international studios, it also brings back older shows, ripe for a binge-watch. It even has some live sporting events, including all major events from the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

This weekend, I've got two shows and one live event worth watching. First, fans of Tyler Perry will want to check out the "Zatima" season 4 finale, which just dropped earlier this week. Once you're done, you can also check out the season 1 finale of "Dutton Ranch," which wrapped up its debut season last week. Then, on Saturday, tune in at 9 p.m. ET for UFC 329: McGregor vs. Holloway, which marks Conor McGregor's first UFC fight since 2021.

Here are the three new to Paramount+ shows you need to binge-watch this weekend. If you need more recommendations, check out everything coming to Paramount+ in July 2026 for more options.

'Tyler Perry's Zatima' season 4

Genre: Drama miniseries

What's it about? This comedy drama was originally a spin-off of "Sistas" for BET+, but now, it's on Paramount+. It stars Devale Ellis as Zac and Crystal Renee Hayslett as Fatima, whose names combine for the titular portmanteau, "Zatima." But while they love each other enough for a cute couple nickname, their relationship is constantly under threat from secrets, lies ... and even guns.

Why you should watch it: Look, this show is essentially a soap opera, especially if the season 4 trailer is any indication. But guess what? People love soap operas. So, if you're someone who loves to feel good for a moment before getting dragged into some messy drama, this show could be your next favorite binge.

Stream all four seasons of "Tyler Perry's Zatima" on Paramount+ now

'Dutton Ranch' season 1

Genre: Neo-Western drama series

What's it about? "Dutton Ranch" stars Cole Hauser and Kelly Reilly, reprising their roles as Rip Wheeler and Beth Dutton from "Yellowstone." In this spin-off/sequel, they're starting over in Texas, hoping to get away from the baggage of Montana. But it turns out there's plenty of new drama in the Lone Star State.

Why you should watch it: "Yellowstone" never really spoke to me, but I've been really enjoying this spin-off. In my "Dutton Ranch" review, I highlighted Ed Harris and Annette Bening as being big reasons I liked it, and so far, they remain the highlights of the show. But the season finale brought in a major twist and a massive new player into the show, and frankly, I'm a bit annoyed I'll have to wait for season 2 to see how it plays out.

Stream all nine episodes of "Dutton Ranch" season 1 on Paramount+ now

UFC 329: MCGregor vs Holloway

Genre: Live sporting event

What's it about? Conor McGregor was the hottest name in the UFC when he beat Max Holloway in 2013. That was McGregor's 10th consecutive win in a 15-win streak. But now, it's Holloway who's arguably the more decorated fighter. He struggles outside of the featherweight division, so this welterweight bout might be the perfect opportunity for McGregor to mount a comeback.

Why you should watch it: Obviously, you can't binge a live sports event. But getting sports such as UFC is a major reason for having Paramount+, and this is undeniably one of the biggest fights of the year. Since it's technically a show, I couldn't leave it off the list this weekend.

Stream UFC 329: McGregor vs. Holloway on Paramount+ starting at 9 p.m. ET on July 11

More from Tom's Guide

• 'House of the Dragon' season 3, episode 3 reaction: The plot thickens with an incredible twist
• Missed it in theaters? Here's every movie finally arriving on streaming in July 2026
• Netflix just added 37 new shows and movies — here's 5 I'd stream right now

The weekends were made for watching some great movies, and fortunately, Netflix isn’t letting subscribers down. The popular streaming service recently added a wave of excellent films to its library, and I’ve combed through the new additions to pick out a trio of gems.

If you need a good cry, then Netflix has the perfect option: an emotionally devastating period drama from Oscar-winning filmmaker Chloé Zhao. Meanwhile, if you want a proper popcorn blockbuster, Tom Holland’s first Spider-Man is now on Netflix, and Brad Pitt’s excellent baseball drama is streaming too. You don’t even need to be a sports fan to enjoy that one.

Forget spending time outdoors in the summer sun; draw the curtains, turn on your AC (or oversized fan), grab some snacks, and stream these must-watch new to Netflix movies over the weekend instead.

‘Hamnet’ (2025)

“Hamnet” completely floored me when I caught it in theaters. This Oscar-winning drama is one of the most emotionally powerful movies I’ve ever seen, and I will warn you now it’s a heavy watch (doubly so if you’re a parent). But it’s also a truly marvellous film, spearheaded by Jessie Buckley’s multiple-award-winning performance. It’s a sterling testament to the power of cinema with a spine-chilling finale that won’t leave a single dry eye in the house.

Based on Maggie O’Farrell’s novel of the same name, “Hamnet” tells the story of the eponymous character, the son of William Shakespeare (Paul Mescal) and his wife, Agnes (Buckley). When the bubonic plague spreads through London, Hamnet falls gravely ill, leaving Agnes devastated. This drama is a remarkable tale of grief and parental love. Just don’t blame me if the movie makes you ugly cry for several minutes; I did warn you!

Watch "Hamnet" on Netflix now

‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’ (2017)

Looking for something a little lighter? Then “Spider-Man: Homecoming” is a great pick. With the latest big-screen outing for the webhead just weeks away, why not go back to where it all started with Tom Holland’s first solo movie as Peter Parker. “Homecoming” arrived when the Marvel Cinematic Universe was in its heyday, and it offers up a refreshing smaller-scale story, with Spider-Man battling a street-level villain rather than saving the world.

Set immediately following Holland’s first appearance in the MCU in “Captain America: Civil War,” Peter Parker is eager to prove himself to mentor figure Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.). Frustrated with merely being a friendly neighborhood crimefighter, he gets the chance to step into the big leagues when the villainous Vulture (Michael Keaton) arrives on the scene with a plan to sell alien technology to some very bad people.

Watch "Spider-Man: Homecoming" on Netflix now

‘Moneyball’ (2011)

The testament of a great sports movie is whether you can enjoy it even if you don’t know a thing about the sport in question, and “Moneyball” passes this test with flying colors. Sure, you’ll probably get even more from this biographical drama if you’re a baseball fan, but even if you’re not a follower, you should still give this 2011 movie a shot. It’s a compelling underdog story that explores a team that changed the game forever.

Based on true events and adapted from Michael Lewis’ book, Brad Pitt plays Billy Beane, the general manager of the Oakland A’s in the early 2000s. Struggling to compete with baseball’s biggest clubs on the A’s more modest budget, Beane is introduced to a new way of thinking by economics graduate Peter Brand (Jonah Hill). Putting faith in data rather than a scout’s gut feeling, they create a team of undervalued talent and take on the system.

Watch "Moneyball" on Netflix now

More from Tom's Guide

• New on Netflix in July 2026
• Netflix is testing free trials again for the first time in 6 years
• 3 new to Netflix thriller movies to stream this week

There's a saying that comedy is tragedy plus time. Unfortunately, not enough time has passed since I saw the tragic "Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass" for it to be a comedy I want to see again.

Granted, this was never going to be the biggest summer movie of the year. While the cast of the latest film from "Wet Hot American Summer" writer/director David Wain is certainly talented enough — you can sell me on Zoey Deutch, Jon Hamm and John Slattery any day — this always had a whiff of being an indie darling and nothing more. But I at least expected it to be funny, especially after watching the trailer.

Now, in the interest of full disclosure, I'm in the minority when it comes to disliking this movie and its jokes within. It currently holds an 80% fresh rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes. But I'm notably not the only critic to find it a miss, and nearly all of us blame it on the comedy in this comedic film simply not landing its punchlines.

‘Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass’ is a great premise poorly executed

The "hall pass" is not a new trope in romance. It's been done in plenty of shows and movies; my favorite example is Ross in "Friends" being shut down by Isabella Rossellini after she discovers she was taken off his list of celebrities he can be with for a fleeting tryst without reprisal from his partner.

And that's the initial thrust of "Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass," a title that is very much literal. Gail (Deutch) discusses the idea of being able to hook up with one celebrity, no strings attached, with her fiancé, Tom (Michael Cassidy). He finds it silly, but says that his choice will be Jennifer Aniston.

Spoiler alert: He meets Jennifer Aniston, and they hook up. So now, Gail goes to Hollywood to meet Jon Hamm (her "celebrity pass") and sleep with him, so she can even the score and finally marry Tom.

Now, that's not a bad premise. In fact, it's a pretty good one. It's then quickly muddled by Gail and a motley crew of misfits accidentally picking up a briefcase that belongs to a dangerous criminal (Sabrina Impacciatore), turning their quest to find Hamm into a fight for survival.

But that's not the most egregious misstep by this comedy. Nor is that it essentially is a twist on the "Wizard of Oz" by the time the movie's plot concludes. The worst thing about this comedy is the comedy.

Some bits work. There's a helpful hotel concierge who shows Gail and her friend, Otto (Miles Guiterrez-Riley), where to get a coffee, a bite to eat and the best oral sex you can get behind a Foot Locker. There's also a scene where they (and a few others) accidentally intrude on the musician Weird Al Yankovic, who proceeds to chase them off with an assault rifle.

But the movie mostly just assaults you with a spray of comedic bits, most of which either miss the mark or misfire entirely. A recurring joke about CAA may be funny to the actors in "Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass," several of whom might even be represented by the Hollywood agency, but it probably isn't to most anyone else. Narration can be funny when used sparingly, but it can get old fast, as it does in this movie. And ultimately, at the end of this film, which is just 94 minutes long, you're left wondering what the point of this movie was, let alone what the point was in you watching it.

Verdict: I didn't like this movie, but you might

I know I just spent paragraphs bashing it, but to be clear: I wanted to like this movie. If I think a movie is going to be bad, I try to avoid it unless it's a professional obligation. This movie had a funny premise, a great cast and a good trailer.

I also like David Wain's previous films, "Wet Hot American Summer" and "Role Models," as well as his iconic comedy shows "The State" and "Stella." I also like Ken Marino, who co-wrote and stars in "Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass." In short, everything was set up for me to like this movie.

But there's no denying I did not enjoy this movie. In fact, it's one of the worst movies I've seen all year.

That's just my take and my taste, though, and yours may differ. I'd say that, if the trailer doesn't speak to you at all, there's no chance you'll like this movie. But if, like me, you liked the trailer, wait for this movie to arrive on Netflix. As a Sony Pictures Classics film, it will eventually make it to the streaming service, where you can watch it as part of your subscription. That way, if you don't like the movie, you can stop watching rather than being stuck in a theater.

"Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass" is in theaters now

More from Tom's Guide

• These are the 5 Emmy nominees you need to stream right now
• Missed it in theaters? Here's every movie finally arriving on streaming in July 2026
• 3 new to Hulu movies you need to stream this weekend (July 10-12)

Theoretically, animated and live-action movies have different advantages, and can do different things more effectively and with greater artistry. If anyone at Disney understood that basic concept, I might be more inclined to give their live-action remakes of animated hits the benefit of the doubt. But as the new version of “Moana” proves yet again, the formula for these movies has been refined into slavish imitation, with only minimal variations on the source material.

“Moana” isn’t the worst of Disney’s many live-action remakes, but it’s one of the most pointless, and anyone who enjoyed the 2016 original would be better off just watching that again. Disney could save a lot of money by simply rereleasing that beloved film into theaters.

Anyone who hasn’t seen 2016’s “Moana” would also be well-advised to start there, since it’s not like the decade-old movie is in any way outdated. It’s obviously relevant enough to warrant a nearly carbon-copy remake, with multiple stars reprising their previous roles. The story remains solid, and the songs are still excellent, but the new movie is little more than an inferior re-enactment.

The new ‘Moana’ tells the same story, only worse

Nothing has changed about the plot of “Moana,” which is still set on the fictional Polynesian island of Motunui, where the inhabitants have lived in peace and isolation for centuries. Young Moana (Catherine Laga’aia) is the spirited daughter of the island’s chief, Tui (John Tui), and is expected to succeed him as leader one day. The one ironclad rule of Motunui is that no one ever ventures further offshore than the nearby reef, but Moana longs to explore the vastness of the ocean.

When the island’s coconut crops and fishing expeditions start to fail, both Moana and her grandmother Tala (Rena Owen) believe that the only way to save Motunui is to break an ancient curse brought on by the demigod Maui (Dwayne Johnson) when he stole the heart of the goddess Te Fiti. So Moana leaves Motonui with just her hyperactive pet chicken Heihei as her companion, to seek out Maui and convince him to return the heart of Te Fiti and bring prosperity back to Motunui.

As scripted by original “Moana” writer Jared Bush and “Moana 2” co-writer/co-director Dana Ledoux Miller, the new “Moana” follows all the expected beats, with only very minor additions. Yet the story that’s full of wonder and excitement in animated form feels largely lifeless when transposed to live action, augmented by more detailed but less appealing digital effects.

‘Moana’ falls flat when it should soar

The one major player who’s entirely blameless here is Laga’aia, who confidently steps into the role previously played by Auli’i Cravalho with all the charm she can muster. The live-action format means that she’s frequently alone onscreen, surrounded only by visual effects added in later, but she’s still compelling to watch, with a lovely singing voice and boundless energy.

It’s too bad that the movie around her doesn’t match her enthusiasm, especially Johnson’s desperate-seeming performance as Maui, returning after voicing the character in both animated movies. To help him more closely resemble the muscular but rotund Maui, he’s been saddled with bulky prosthetics that make him look more swollen than swole, like he’s experiencing an unfortunate allergic reaction. Add in a limp, awkwardly fitting wig, and he seems out of place the entire time as the cocky, carefree Maui.

The existing songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Opetaia Foa’i and Mark Mancina are just as good as they’ve always been — Moana’s “I want” song “How Far I’ll Go” remains one of the best Disney musical numbers of the past 25 years — and it’s always enjoyable to hear them again. But the staging is uninspired, which is especially disappointing given that “Moana” marks the feature-film debut of veteran Broadway director Thomas Kail, whose credits include the debut runs of “Hamilton” and “In the Heights.”

The value of hiring an experienced theater director should be in his ability to bring vibrant production numbers to life, but aside from the early performance of “Where You Are,” which features an ensemble of exuberantly dancing townspeople, the songs proceed in a vacuum of digital clutter. Ironically, Maui’s big number, “You’re Welcome,” is greatly enhanced by extensive animation, making it even more redundant.

Verdict: ‘Moana’ is a tedious retread

Jemaine Clement also returns to voice the greedy giant crab Tamatoa, and like Heihei, he looks essentially the same as his 2016 counterpart, only with drabber, more “realistic” animation that takes away much of his appeal. That applies to the movie as a whole, which looks busier but less colorful than the original, and comes off like cheap cosplay despite costing hundreds of millions of dollars to produce.

“Moana 2” wasn’t great, but at least it attempted to offer a new story, new songs and new supporting characters. All that the live-action “Moana” has to offer is a reminder of a much better movie that is readily accessible right now on Disney Plus.

“Moana” opens in theaters July 10

You could spend your weekend out in the summer sun, but if beating the heat sounds a little more appealing, then Prime Video is here to keep you entertained inside where it’s nice and cool. The Amazon-owned streaming service offers plenty of exciting thriller shows to binge-watch this weekend.

From a spy thriller, where you’re not quite sure who is playing who, a domestic drama that sees a protective mother clash with a conniving girlfriend (or is she?), and a murder-mystery with more than a pinch of family fallout, these Prime Video thriller miniseries will keep you clicking the “play next episode” button for hours upon end.

So, if you want to spend the next few days binge-watching some addictive streaming originals, here are three Prime Video shows that will have you hooked from the very first episode.

‘The Girlfriend’

“House of the Dragon” star Olivia Cooke finds herself in another fierce rivalry, but this time her character isn’t fighting over the Iron Throne, but rather the attention (and affections) of Laurie Davidson’s Daniel.

This psychological thriller limited series (which is getting a spin-off, aptly named “The Boyfriend”), sees Cooke at war with Robin Wright, a woman you don’t want to cross. This Prime Video show, which packs in plenty of juicy drama and exciting twists, is so addictive that you’ll probably tear through it in just a single afternoon.

Laura (Wright) is a well-presented member of high society and the doting mother to Daniel (Davidson). But when her son brings home his new girlfriend, Cherry (Cooke), Laura is convinced that her beloved child’s new partner is a manipulative social climber, and becomes determined to drive a wedge between the couple. But is Cherry truly a cunning gold digger in disguise, or is Laura just paranoid and overly protective of her son?

Watch "The Girlfriend" on Prime Video now

‘The Night Manager’

If you want a Prime Video series you can really sink your teeth into this weekend, check out “The Night Manager.” There are two six-episode seasons to binge, and even if you don’t have time to watch both right now, trust me, you’ll tear through the first season in no time at all.

Starring Tom Hiddleston, this spy drama does an excellent job of keeping you on the edge of your seat, as you attempt to figure out who is playing who. And if Hiddleston isn’t enough star power to catch your attention, the show also features Hugh Laurie, Oscar-winning Olivia Colam and Tom Hollander (No, not Spider-Man, that’s Tom Holland).

In season 1, hotel night manager and former military officer Jonathan Pine (Hiddleston) is recruited by the British Foreign Office to investigate Richard Roper (Laurie), an international businessman believed to be involved in the illegal arms trade. As Pine infiltrates Roper’s inner circle, the stakes are raised, and his true identity is in danger of being exposed.

Watch "The Night Manager" on Prime Video now

‘The Better Sister’

Based on the novel by Alafair Burke, “The Better Sister” is an eight-episode limited series that premiered on Prime Video last spring to praise from both critics and viewers. It’s definitely a series that gets its hooks in fast.

The lead pairing of Elizabeth Banks and Jessica Biel is one of the major draws, but what will keep you invested until the final episode is the show’s willingness to swim in morally grey waters. There are also plenty of mysteries spun up across its run, though some critics did argue that it takes a little too long to get around to actually delivering satisfying answers.

Chloe (Biel) is a successful magazine editor living a perfect life with her husband, Adam (Corey Stoll), and teenage son, Ethan (Maxwell Acee Donovan). All seems well until Adam is murdered, and Chloe’s estranged sister, Nicky (Banks), arrives on the scene. If a murder mystery wasn’t enough drama, Adam was previously married to Nicky, adding a big scoop of family resentment to the thrilling mixture.

Watch "The Better Sister" on Prime Video now

More from Tom's Guide

• New on Prime Video in July 2026
• 3 new to Prime Video thriller movies to stream this week
• How to get Prime Video for free

Paramount+ is a great streaming service for building your next movie marathon. It adds dozens of movies to the platform each month, and even just added 70 new movies and shows on July 1. Many of these are beloved classics or more modern hits, but a few times a month, you even get brand-new movies from Paramount Skydance studios.

This week, I've selected a new movie getting its streaming debut, as well as a few older movies that are absolutely. At the top of the list is "Wardriver," a new crime thriller from last year that's finally arriving on Paramount+. Once you're done streaming that, check out "City of God," which is one of the best foreign language films of this century. Finally, I'm recommending "Glory," a Denzel Washington movie that earned him his first Oscar.

Here are the three new to Paramount+ movies that you need to be streaming this weekend. If you need more recommendations, check out our full guide to everything new on Paramount+ in July 2026.

'Wardriver'

Genre: Crime thriller movie

What's it about? "Wardriver" stars Dane DeHaan as Cole, a hacker. After getting caught up in a cyber heist, he's lured into a deadly game of cat and mouse. If he's not careful, a botched line of code could see him dead.

Why you should watch it: This one is complicated. On the one hand, it got rave reviews from critics. It's currently rated 100% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. But audiences were far less kind, scoring it just 57% fresh. You'll need to stream it this weekend to see who is right.

Watch"Wardriver" on Paramount+ now

'City of God' (2002)

Genre: Brazilian epic crime movie

What's it about: Set in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro, "City of God" is centered around Rocket (Alexandre Rodrigues), a resident of Cidade de Deus (City of God) favela in Rio de Janeiro. He dreams of being a photographer, and when a gang war between drug dealers Li'l Zé (Leandro Firmino) and Carrot (Matheus Nachtergaele) breaks out in the favela, he seizes the opportunity to find a life outside the Brazilian slum.

Why you should watch it: In one of the worst Oscars snubs in recent memory, "City of God" didn't make the shortlist for Best Foreign Language Film, despite earning nominations for Best Director, Best Cinematography and more. Don't make the same mistake; stream this movie now and see for yourself why this should have taken home a golden statuette.

Watch "City of God" on Paramount+ now

'Glory' (1989)

Genre: Epic war movie

What's it about? "Glory" tells the story of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment. This was the first all-Black regiment not just in the Civil War, but in the U.S. military. The film features an ensemble performance that includes Matthew Broderick and Cary Elwes as officers, as well as Morgan Freeman, Andre Braugher, and Denzel Washington as some of the former slaves and freedmen fighting in the infantry ranks.

Why you should watch it: "Glory" is nearly four decades old, but still holds up visually against its modern counterparts. Denzel also wins an Oscar for his performance as Trip, who often serves as a devil's advocate-like figure throughout the movie. It's a performance that leads to some emotionally powerful moments, and a movie that's a must-watch.

Watch "Glory" on Paramount+ now

More from Tom's Guide

• 'House of the Dragon' season 3, episode 3 reaction: The plot thickens with an incredible twist
• Missed it in theaters? Here's every movie finally arriving on streaming in July 2026
• Netflix just added 37 new shows and movies — here's 5 I'd stream right now

Hulu is perfect for building your next weekend movie marathon. The streaming service regularly adds originals and classics to its library. Plus, because it's owned by Disney, it's the streaming home for new releases from several Disney-owned studios. It even has deals with some other studios to get new releases before any other service, whether they're produced by Disney or not.

This weekend, I'm going with some new films that are being added to Hulu this Friday (July 10). First up is the psychological horror flick "Daniel Isn't Real," which stars Patrick Schwarzenegger as the titular Daniel. Then, you'll want to check out "The Legend of Molly Johnson," which is a highly rated Australian movie also known as "The Drover's Wife." Finally, "Redux Redux" makes its streaming debut after arriving in theaters earlier this year. It's directed by a pair of brothers and stars their sister, and that familial connection seems to have paid off with excellent reviews.

So, here are the three new to Hulu movies you need to stream this weekend. For more recommendations, check out the full list of everything new to Hulu and Disney+ in July 2026.

'Daniel Isn't Real' (2019)

Genre: Psychological horror movie

What's it about? Luke (Miles Robbins) witnesses a mass shooting as a kid, and quickly becomes friends with Daniel (Patrick Schwarzenegger), another kid he meets at the scene. Except nobody else can see Daniel, which starts to become a problem when Daniel comes back into Luke's life when the latter is in college.

Why you need to watch it: This movie is not for the faint of heart. It delivers twist after twist, and you won't see the ending coming until it's too late. If you love horror movies, this is a must-watch.

Watch "Daniel Isn't Real" on Hulu starting July 10

'The Legend of Molly Johnson' (2022)

Genre: Australian Western movie

What's it about? Directed, written, co-produced by and starring Leah Purcell, "The Legend of Molly Johnson" is adapted from her 2016 play of the same name, which in turn adapted a short story from 1892. In it, Molly (Purcell) is the pregnant wife of a drover (cowboy) who finds herself giving birth alone in violent times. That is, until Yadaka (Rob Collins) shows up, but it turns out he's on the run from the law and is being chased by the new military commander in the district (Sam Reid).

Why you need to watch it: If you're like me, having the vampire Lestat (Reid) in this movie is reason enough to watch it. But even without him, this gritty Western is full of drama, and it's not often you get to stream an Australian auteur film. Make time for this one.

Watch "The Legend of Molly Johnson" on Hulu now

'Redux Redux' (2026)

Genre: Sci-fi thriller movie

What's it about? Also titled "Find. Kill. Repeat.," this sci-fi thriller is set in a universe where there are numerous other parallel universes. Unfortunately for Irene (Michaela McManus), her daughter Anna (Grace Van Dien) is murdered by a restaurant cook named Neville (Jerry Holm) in every one of these universes.

Why you should watch it: "Redux Redux" is another auteur film, directed, written and co-produced by the brothers Kevin and Matthew McManus. They've cast their sister, Michaela, in the lead role, and by most accounts, the siblings knocked this one out of the park. It's currently at 97% on Rotten Tomatoes, though audiences rate it lower at just 62%.

Watch "Redux Redux" on Hulu now

More from Tom's Guide

• 'House of the Dragon' season 3, episode 3 reaction: The plot thickens with an incredible twist
• Missed it in theaters? Here's every movie finally arriving on streaming in July 2026
• Netflix just added 37 new shows and movies — here's 5 I'd stream right now

Netflix is always adding movies to its well-stocked library, and in particular it keeps a steady stream of thrillers in the pipeline. After all, the genre is persistently popular with subscribers, and as a huge thriller fan myself, I’m certainly not complaining about this.

I’ve combed through Netflix’s July 2026 slate and picked out the latest thrillers hitting the world’s biggest streaming service. These include a Christopher Nolan classic that’s the perfect watch ahead of “The Odyssey.” Or how about a mafia movie that stars Al Pacino?

If you’re looking to fill up your Netflix watchlist with recently added movies packed with tension, exciting and dramatic moments, here are the latest thrillers on the popular platform.

3 new to Netflix thrillers to watch this week

‘Donnie Brasco’ (1997)

Based on a true story, Al Pacino plays a mob boss in this crime thriller from director Mike Newell. It’s a story of torn loyalties, deception, and finding kinship in unexpected places. Also starring Johnny Depp, it’s a certified ‘90s classic based on the 1988 non-fiction book “Donnie Brasco: My Undercover Life in the Mafia.” It’s a must-watch for mob movie fans, and while Depp’s character is the lead protagonist, it’s definitely Pacino who steals the show.

Joespho Pistone (Depp) is an FBI agent posing as a jewel thief to attract the attention of the Bonanno crime family, one of the major mafia groups in 1970s New York. Under the name Donnie Brasco, he becomes part of hitman Benjamin “Lefty” Ruggiero’s (Al Pacino) inner circle. Working from the inside to bring down the crime organization becomes complicated when he develops a real connection with Lefty, and his loyalties are tested.

Watch "Donnie Brasco" on Netflix now

‘Memento’ (2000)

The hype surrounding Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” is building to a fever pitch with early reviews suggesting it’s another impressive blockbuster from one of the era’s most popular filmmakers. So, if you’re in the mood to watch a few of Nolan’s previous flicks to celebrate its imminent arrival, check out the psychological thriller “Memento." Nolan plays with a non-linear narrative in interesting ways, giving viewers an engrossing mystery to solve.

Alternating between black-and-white and color sequences, the thriller centers on Leonard Shelby (Guy Pearce), an insurance investigator who can't create new memories. Using a series of Polaroid photographs, handwritten notes, and tattoos inked on his own skin, he attempts to track down the man he believes is responsible for killing his wife. The movie builds up to a mind-bending twist, and rewards a second watch with the full picture clear.

Watch "Memento" on Netflix now

"Snowden" (2016)

“Snowden” is another movie based on real history. Directed by Oliver Stone, known for genre heavyweights like “Scarface” and “Midnight Express,” it takes the actions of Edward Snowden and adapts them into a tension-fueled drama. At times the movie’s thriller foundations conflict with the reality of the situation, but Joseph Gordon-Levitt gives a strong performance as the eponymous whistleblower, and the supporting cast is also great.

After a stakes-setting opening, in which Snowden holds a clandestine meeting with a journalist, this thriller flashes back to 2004 to explore how the former CIA employee went from working within the U.S. intelligence department to leaking classified information. The movie attempts to explore Snowden’s motivation, his conflicted headspace over whether to turn whistleblower, and how his actions led to major reforms and a wave of public scrutiny.

Watch "Snowden" on Netflix starting July 15

More from Tom's Guide

• New on Netflix in July 2026
• 5 best new Netflix movies and shows to stream this week
• The best streaming services to subscribe to right now

I’ve loved the Nintendo Switch 2 since launch. I said as much in my review last summer, where I labeled it the “hybrid console of my dreams.” 12 months later, and that stance hasn’t changed. However, I’ve had one persistent issue from day one: the relatively paltry internal storage.

The Switch 2 comes packing 256GB of internal storage (of that, only 249GB is usable), and there’s no escaping the fact this isn’t enough in a gaming landscape where blockbuster games boast install sizes best measured in dozens of GBs. Want to install Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition? That’s 60GB gone? Final Fantasy VII Rebirth? You need 90.5GB of space.

Even physical games won’t save you much room, with the emergence of the controversial “Game-Key Cards,” the entire game is installed on your Switch 2, similar to how discs work on PS5 and Xbox Series X. Yes, Switch 2 game files come in all shapes and sizes (The excellent puzzler Blue Prince takes up just 3.8GB), but if you want to play blockbuster games on the go, or have a large library installed at once, prepare for storage headaches.

For me, having a large cross-section of my Nintendo library installed at once is a necessity because I primarily use my Switch 2 for traveling. The last thing I want to do while on the road is be trying to find a Wi-Fi spot strong enough to download a Switch 2 game that’s taken my fancy.

Fortunately, upgrading your storage is a breeze; the process takes 30 seconds. The downside? Compatible microSD Express Cards are pricey.

So much room for more Switch 2 games

I recently got my hands on a 512GB Lexar Play Pro microSD Express Card, and it’s been a revelation. The install process is almost laughably simple.

Get your chosen microSD card (remember, it must be an Express model), lift up the Switch 2’s rear kickstand, and insert the card into the console’s SD card slot. Give your Switch 2 a few moments to format, and you’re all done. Nintendo really couldn’t have made the process any smoother.

As is typical with additional storage solutions, you don’t get the full memory listed on the packaging. With the 512GB Lexar Play Pro installed in my Switch 2, I was given an extra 465GB of storage capacity. When factoring in the internal storage (which remains useable), this is a pretty healthy amount of wiggle room, even as Switch 2 game install sizes balloon.

I’ve tested out several of the best Switch 2 games running off the Lexar Play Pro, including Fallout 4 Anniversary Edition, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and recently, the new Switch 2 port of Devil May Cry 5 (it's epic!). I’ve noticed no increase in loading times compared to playing these titles from the Switch 2’s internal storage, and no reduction in performance.

So, all of this is to say, if you also feel your Nintendo Switch 2’s built-in storage just isn’t big enough, then a microSD such as the Lexar Play Pro becomes a practically essential accessory. With the card snugly installed in my console, my only major remaining gripe with the hybrid console is the pretty lackluster battery life. Maybe I need to pick up a battery pack next?

More Switch 2 storage, but at a price

The asterisk on my glowing recommendation of the Lexar Play Pro microSD is the price. As of writing, on Amazon, a 256GB card costs $84 (currently 15% off, was $99); the model I’ve been testing, the 512GB, is priced at $149, and the largest size, a whopping 1TB, is a wallet-stinging $349. These prices aren’t dealbreakers, but they’re not impulse buys.

The big question is which size is suitable for most Switch 2 owners. I actually did buy a 256GB card last summer, but found the increased storage still wasn’t enough to keep pace with my growing Switch 2 library.

Meanwhile, much as I think the 1TB option will futureproof your console for years to come, ensuring an abundance of storage, $349 is an excessive price and likely pushes the card beyond the budget of most Switch 2 owners.

It’s the 512GB Lexar Play Pro microSD Card that finds the healthiest middle ground. You’re more than doubling your Switch 2 storage capacity, and while $149 isn’t cheap, it’s more budget-friendly than the 1TB option. If you’re looking to upgrade your own Switch 2 storage, I would recommend the 512GB card. It offers the best balance of storage and price, at present.

Of course, whether you need extra storage is a matter of personal preference. If you’re happy to be diligent with deleting/redownloading games, or only plan to play a small selection of titles at any one time, then you can absolutely enjoy the console with just the internal storage. While 256GB isn’t exactly roomy, it’s enough to install a handful of bigger titles.

However, if you’ve been a day-one Switch 2 owner since last June, or even if you just recently joined the ownership club (welcome!), and have found your storage space dwindling, then picking up a microSD card is a smart investment and resolves one of the console’s more noticeable flaws.

More from Tom's Guide

• Splatoon Raiders hands-on preview: I'm already hooked
• Best Nintendo Switch 2 games in 2026
• I gave my Switch 2 an upgrade, and saved $55 in the process

The 2026 Emmy nominations were just revealed on July 8, and, as always, there was a mix of surprises, snubs and deserved nominations. Top of the list was "Industry" season 4, which was shut out from the Emmys despite being the best show I've seen in 2026 so far.

But while "Industry" was snubbed, plenty of shows worthy of a watch were given a nod by the International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. And I should know; last year I watched 60 shows, and this year I've seen 35 shows and counting. Returning shows like "The Pitt" and "Hacks" lead the pack with 25 and 24 nominations, respectively, and both are immediately worth adding to your watch list. New series like "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms" and "Widow's Bay" also scored quite a few nominations in their debut seasons.

I haven't seen everything (nobody has the time), so there are some shows I can't recommend for or against. This year in particular, I missed out on the limited series nominees, though that partially comes down to "Task" being promoted from limited series to ongoing drama series. But I've seen 16 of the shows that earned at least one nomination at the 78th annual Primetime (and Creative Arts) Emmy Awards, so I feel relatively qualified to recommend five shows you need to watch right now that could win an award in September. Spoiler alert: "Task" makes this list.

So, without further ado, here are the five Emmy-nominated shows you need to stream right now. All five shows are available to watch on the best streaming services, including Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max and more.

'The Pitt' season 2 (HBO Max)

Genre: Medical procedural drama series

What it's about: "The Pitt" is set in the emergency department of the fictional Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center. Each season takes place over a single 15-hour workday in the ED. Like in season 1, season 2 juggles a lot of storylines across those mere hours, but the major story of the season is a cyber attack that's already taken out other hospitals in the area. Looming over it all is the countdown to the end of Dr. Michael "Robby" Robinavitch's (Noah Wyle) shift, after which he's going on a road trip, and he might not come back.

Why you should watch it: This show is "ER" meets "24," and through two seasons, that's been a recipe for success. Season 1 was my best show of 2025 and cleaned up at the Emmys last year, and I expect season 2 to win for Outstanding Drama Series once again this year. Especially since episode 11 of this season, "5:00 P.M.," is one of the best of any show so far this year.

Stream "The Pitt" season 2 on HBO Max now

'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' (HBO Max)

Genre: Fantasy drama series

What it's about: "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms" centers on Ser Duncan "Dunk" the Tall (Peter Claffey). A hedge knight (meaning a knight without a lord), he is headed to the tournament at Ashford Meadow. Along the way, he meets a young boy named "Egg" (Dexter Sol Ansell), and that meeting has consequences that will reverberate not just throughout Westeros but throughout history.

Why you should watch it: This "Game of Thrones" spinoff is different from "House of the Dragon." It manages to have an impact on larger, overarching storylines while remaining relatively focused and grounded. It takes place over just six 30(ish)-minute episodes, and the pre-climactic episode five, titled "Seven," is currently the best episode of any show I've seen this year. Whether or not you liked "Game of Thrones," you'll almost certainly find something to love in this new series.

Stream "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms" season 1 on HBO Max now

'Widow's Bay' (Apple TV)

Genre: Comedy horror series

What it's about: "Widow's Bay" is set in the titular New England island town, which has aspirations of being the next Martha's Vineyard. Unfortunately for Mayor Tom Loftis (Matthew Rhys), unlike Martha's Vineyard, his island oasis is secretly cursed, and it's not just the tourists who could be in danger.

Why you should watch it: The balance between comedy and horror that this show manages to strike is simply impressive. It's undeniably funny; former "Parks and Recreation" writer Katie Dippold is the creator of "Widow's Bay," and the office sitcom's fingerprints are visible on this new show. But there are truly horrifying moments, including a creepy clown that would put Pennywise to shame. This is one of the best shows of 2026 so far, period. It'd be my pick for Outstanding Comedy Series if I were an Emmy voter.

Stream "Widow's Bay" on Apple TV now

'Hacks' season 5 (HBO Max)

Genre: Dark comedy drama series

What it's about: "Hacks" stars Jean Smart as legendary stand-up comedian Deborah Vance, and Hannah Einbinder as her young protege/writer Ava Daniels. They've gone from revitalizing Deborah's career and taking it to the top of the world of late-night to watching it all come crashing down to earth. Now, in the show's final season, Deborah wants to go out on top — and on her terms.

Why you should watch it: "Hacks" season 1 and season 2 are two of the best seasons of a comedy show I've seen this decade. It's brilliant at times; not afraid to tug at your heartstrings, go to dark places or make you laugh uncontrollably at a politically incorrect joke. While seasons 3 and 4 were a bit of a drop-off in quality, season 5 was excellent, delivering two of the best episodes of TV I've seen in 2026 so far.

Stream "Hacks" season 5 on HBO Max now

'Task' (HBO Max)

Genre: Crime drama series

What it's about: "Task" stars Mark Ruffalo as Tom Brandis, an FBI agent reeling from a family trauma: the death of his wife. It's left the former priest turned law enforcement officer a shell of his former self. But he's been called back into service to form a task force aimed at hunting down Robbie (Tom Pelphrey), a criminal who's robbing the stash houses of a drug-running biker gang.

Why you should watch it: I was always going to love this show thanks to its Delco accents and Wawa coffee. But "Task" is truly an incredible show and a more than satisfactory follow-up to creator Brad Ingelsby's "Mare of Easttown." You become deeply invested in the characters as the show progresses, and that investment pays off massively in the show's final two episodes. The penultimate episode, in particular, "Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a river," will have you needing to remember to breathe. I just wish it had stayed a limited series, where it would easily clean up at the Emmys.

Stream "Task" season 1 on HBO Max now

• 'House of the Dragon' season 3, episode 3 reaction: The plot thickens with an incredible twist
• Missed it in theaters? Here's every movie finally arriving on streaming in July 2026
• Netflix just added 37 new shows and movies — here's 5 I'd stream right now

Netflix has a serious retention problem. According to internal data surfaced by Bloomberg, Netflix subscribers are abandoning shows after just one season at an alarming rate. Why? Because in an age of short attention spans, the multi-year wait between seasons is a total momentum-killer.

The numbers from the first four weeks of release tell a brutal story:

• "One Piece": Shed more than 30% of its audience between seasons 1 and 2.
• "The Night Agent": Lost 50% of its viewers.
• "Beef": A colossal 70% of the audience vanished.

These figures should deeply concern Netflix. Long waits for new seasons, coupled with the short attention spans of modern audiences, are proving to be a disaster for the streamer.

The 2-year wait vs. the TikTok effect

Modern audiences have less patience to wait years for new seasons to drop. It’s entirely understandable when you look at the competition. TikTok, Reels, YouTube channels and podcasts have become the dominant forces in entertainment by providing a constant stream of fresh content on a daily or weekly basis.

Then there's Netflix, asking those same viewers to wait years for a sequel. Many simply aren’t willing to do that, choosing instead to move on to the next big thing.

The bad news for Netflix is that there’s no easy fix for big-budget shows. In the age of the endless scroll, these massive productions simply take too long to make. Only top-tier juggernauts like "Bridgerton" retain enough repeat viewers to appease the streamer. The rest — including shows heralded as the next big "cultural phenomenon" — risk being cancelled due to diminishing returns. Netflix puts a massive amount of stock in how quickly viewers latch onto a show and binge every episode; if that immediate enthusiasm fades, the show dies.

Is AI the answer for Netflix's problem?

Something surely has to give. The most obvious fix to retaining viewers across multiple seasons would be getting compelling stories in front of people much faster. However, that speed would come at a cost.

First, quality would surely suffer. To speed up the timeline, every element of production — from the scripts to the set design — could face a downgrade. The upshot? Poor reviews from audiences who have come to expect high-end production value from big-name shows.

Quantity would also take a hit. Netflix would need to reduce the number of shows it produces to stop its resources from being spread too thinly. Personally, I would be OK with this; Netflix throws far too many shows at the wall just to see what sticks. But subscribers who love the platform's current variety might be put off by a sparser catalog.

Alternatively, Netflix could lean heavier on generative AI to bridge the multi-year gap. The streamer is already using artificial intelligence to cut visual effects costs, famously using AI prompts to render a collapsing building in "The Eternaut." Despite the inevitable backlash, it is a proven way to slash both production costs and turnaround time.

Ultimately, Netflix faces a dilemma of its own making. Does it keep producing a high volume of premium original programming and force viewers to wait? Or does it shrink its catalog and take production shortcuts to keep audiences hooked past season 1?

More from Tom's Guide

• I refuse to give Netflix a new email for every profile. Use this simple Gmail trick instead
• Netflix just added 37 new shows and movies — here's 5 I'd stream right now
• What to watch in July 2026

Rumors of a screen-free Garmin fitness tracker, potentially called the “Cirqa,” have reached a fever pitch. Plus, the fact that Garmin has officially trademarked, ”Cirqa” in several markets only adds to the anticipation for what could very well be the biggest challenger to the Fitbit Air in 2026.

Screen-free fitness trackers are clearly having a moment. Google just debuted its $99 Fitbit Air band to positive reviews, including from yours truly, and Oura just dropped a thinner, comfier flagship in the Oura Ring 5.

Of course, you also have the Whoop 5.0, Polar Loop, and Amazfit Helio Strap. So, what does Garmin need to do with the rumored Cirqa to set it apart from the competition? I have three big ideas.

1. Onboard GPS

In 2026, if you want to onboard GPS in your fitness-tracking wearable, you need to either opt for one of the best smartwatches or one of the best fitness trackers, like the Fitbit Charge 6. As of writing, there aren’t any smart rings or screen-free trackers with onboard GPS.

The advantage, of course, of a built-in GPS antenna is the ability to track an outdoor workout, like a walk, run, hike, bike ride, etc., without the need to carry a paired smartphone. Even the Oura Ring 5 and Fitbit Air piggyback off your phone’s location data when logging an outdoor exercise.

2. Wide-ranging, reliable auto-workout detection

One of my biggest complaints about the Fitbit Air is the auto workout detection feature. It only supports a very small selection of workout types, and you need to be doing one of those supported exercises for a minimum of 15-20 minutes for the feature to kick in.

The best Garmin watches already support loads of workout types; however, like the Fitbit Air, auto-detect is limited to roughly five common exercises, like walks, runs, and swims. Expanding that list and ensuring detection works even after a short duration would give the rumored Garmin Cirqa a major advantage over the Fitbit Air.

Perhaps Garmin should ask Oura for advice on how to best log a range of exercise types without any user input; the latest generation Oura Ring autodetects 40 different workout types.

3. Two weeks or more of battery

Finally, the rumored Garmin Cirqa could set itself apart from the Fitbit Air by cruising well beyond the week-long battery barrier. In my testing, the Fitbit Air can easily last up to seven days per charge. However, that’s nothing compared to the Whoop 5.0, which is good for up to two weeks.

If Garmin wants the Cirqa to be considered a premium wearable, as the rumored price suggests it might be, then matching or surpassing the latest Whoop’s battery life is a must.

What are you hoping to see in the rumored Garmin Cirqa? Let me know in the comments below.

More from Tom's Guide

• Leaked Apple Watch 12 design change is the opposite of an upgrade — and that has me worried
• Exclusive: Google design director says Fitbit Air reception proves they 'made the right decision' going screen-free
• Oura vs Whoop vs Fitbit Air — 5 questions to ask yourself before buying a screen-free fitness tracker

GTA 6 pre-orders went live last week, and if you haven't secured a copy yet or you'd rather not pay full price for it, Microsoft Rewards could help cover the cost.

I used the program to earn enough points to redeem Microsoft Gift Cards, letting me preorder the game without paying out of pocket. If you start now and stick with it over the next few months, you could do the same and grab the year's biggest game release without spending a dime.

How to set up for success with Microsoft Rewards

It all starts with something you're probably already doing — searching the web.

Instead of using Google on your phone or laptop, you can begin your quest for a free copy of GTA 6 by switching to and using Bing as your default search engine. Be sure to sign in with a Microsoft account and log into Bing with that account each time you search, though!

Once you're signed up, you can add a few daily Microsoft Rewards activities to your routine. They only take a few minutes and can significantly increase your point total over time. Even better, if you’re an Xbox or PC gamer, you can earn even more points simply by playing select games you already own, or by shopping for new games.

The ultimate goal for a free copy of GTA 6 on Xbox is to redeem 85,500 Microsoft Rewards points, while also reaching Level 2 status, which unlocks discounted redemption rates.

Point redemptions, explained

At Level 2 on Microsoft Rewards, you can redeem 10,000 points for a $10 Microsoft Gift Card, 25,000 points for $25, or 50,000 points for $50. Combined, that's enough to cover the standard Xbox version of GTA 6, including sales tax in many states. If you're aiming for the Ultimate Edition, you'll want to save 100,000 points for a $100 gift card, though you'll likely need to cover sales tax with your own cash.

If you're planning to buy GTA 6 on PS5 instead, Amazon gift cards are another option, though they typically require more points and aren't always available on Microsoft Rewards. When they're in stock, you can redeem 10,500 points for $10, 26,250 points for $25, 52,000 points for $50, or 105,000 points for a $100 gift card.

Microsoft Rewards also stocks Best Buy gift cards, should you prefer that retailer. It’s the most expensive gift card available — 14,000 points for a $10 Best Buy card, 35,000 points for $25 or 70,000 points for $50. You can max out at 140,000 points for $100.

Just remember, whichever route you choose, you'll need to keep earning at least 500 points each month to maintain the discounted redemption rate.

Microsoft is also known to frequently change Rewards offers, redemption rates, and available gift cards. The rates are current at the time of writing, so the exact number of points required may vary over time.

Every search counts

I've been using Microsoft Rewards for years, so I already had more than enough points to redeem the game for free. But even if you're just starting, you can still build a healthy balance before GTA 6 launches and, at the very least, take a big chunk off the asking price.

The easiest points earned come from Bing searches. Currently, you can earn up to 250 points per day by completing web searches across both your PC and phone, with each search worth 5 points. 100 total for mobile, and 150 total for PC.

Over a week, that’s 1,750 points, and in a month of 30 days, roughly 7,000 points. If you keep that pace up by the time GTA 6 launches, you'll earn around 42,000 points, which already knocks $40 or half off the price of the game on Xbox.

Downloading the Bing mobile app gives you even more opportunities. You can check in to the app every day for a seven-day streak to earn bonus points, complete Bing's daily news reading tasks for up to 30 points per day, and keep searching on consecutive days to collect puzzle pieces that can unlock a 1,000-point bonus. The app has plenty of offers, so it’s always good to check the Rewards section!

Combined, these activities can add thousands of extra points over several months. Even without playing Xbox or PC games or buying anything from Microsoft, you'll still make meaningful progress toward covering the cost of GTA 6.

Bonus tips for more rewards

If you own an Xbox or regularly play games on PC, the rewards add up even faster. You can always check the Microsoft Rewards dashboard on the web, or the Xbox app for bonus activities, since these are always changing.

During the week I wrote this article, I earned 50 points from search bonuses with the Windows 11 Search Box, around 30 points per day from Microsoft's Daily Set, and 40 points each day for simply playing Forza Horizon 6 for 15 minutes on PC through Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.

Oh, and don’t forget that purchases from the Microsoft Store earn Rewards points too. Every dollar you spend with Microsoft helps build your balance, making future game purchases like GTA 6 even cheaper. Rates are 10:1 for Level 2 members of Microsoft Rewards.

I've accumulated nearly 2.5 million Microsoft Rewards points since joining the program, redeeming them for games, $200 toward a PS5, and another $200 toward a MacBook Pro. It takes consistency rather than luck, but spending just a few minutes each day searching with Bing and completing Microsoft's daily activities can add up to meaningful savings when you really want to buy something nice.

Microsoft Rewards might not replace an actual paycheck, but if you're already using Microsoft's services, the points can add up surprisingly quickly and help offset some of your gaming costs.

More from Tom's Guide

• GTA 6's Ultimate Edition is the real full game — and the rumors of it costing $100 were true after all
• I upgraded to an OLED TV and I wasn't prepared for the jump in picture quality
• The 6 best video games we've played in 2026 (so far) on PS5, Switch 2, PC and Xbox

School's out and the days are hot, so you might be craving a classic, sun-drenched TV marathon. If you're looking for the ultimate warm-weather watch to sink into this season, it's time to head back to the coast and revisit a late-'90s masterpiece: "Dawson’s Creek."

Set against the picturesque, waterfront backdrop of a fictional New England town, the beloved drama chronicles the lives, heartbreaks, and famously fast-talking relationships of Dawson Leery (the late James Van Der Beek) and his close-knit circle of friends as they navigate the messy waters of high school and college.

With 128 hour-long episodes packed with saucy storylines, sharp wit, emotional coming-of-age growth, and one of the greatest love triangles in television history, it remains the quintessential summer binge. Best of all, the complete series is currently streaming on Netflix.

What is 'Dawson's Creek' about?

Long before there was "The Summer I Turned Pretty," "Outer Banks" or "Euphoria", there was "Dawson's Creek,' the seminal '90s teen soap.

The Kevin Williamson-created WB drama, which ran for six seasons from 1998 to 2003, focused on four teenagers navigating adolescence and the challenges of growing up in the fictional New England town of Capeside, Massachusetts: aspiring filmmaker Dawson Leery (James Van Der Beek), sarcastic tomboy Joey Potter (Katie Holmes), charming slacker Pacey Witter (Joshua Jackson) and new girl in town Jen Lindley (Michelle Williams).

Couplings between the core four — particularly the angst-filled, ongoing love triangle between Dawson, Joey and Pacey — as well as latter additions like Jack McPhee (Kerr Smith) and Audrey Liddell (Busy Philipps), provide the bulk of the show's romantic messiness, but there's plenty of family drama, too, from an infidelity that rocks the Leery household to the legal issues of Joey's imprisoned dad.

Why you should you stream 128 episodes of 'Dawson's Creek' on Hulu

Though it paved the way for countless teen dramas over the decades, "Dawson's Creek" differed from previous youth-focused programming thanks to both the provocative storylines and thoughtful writing it afforded its young characters.

Over the course of 128 episodes, Dawson and the rest of the precocious, preternaturally articulate Capeside kiddos dealt with love and loss, divorce and depression, addiction and attraction — topics that were usually reserved for adult shows only.

And whether you're revisiting the "Creek" or watching it for the first time — all six seasons are available to stream on both Hulu and Tubi, BTW — there's a quaint thrill in seeing the early acting careers of now-staples like Joshua Jackson, Katie Holmes and Michelle Williams.

Altogether, "Dawson's Creek" is a nostalgic, engrossing watch, one packed with enough break-ups and make-ups, relatable characters and groundbreaking storylines to last you until Labor Day.

Watch "Dawson's Creek" on Netflix now

When people talk about memorable comedies from the 2010s, they're usually looking back on heavy hitters that everyone remembers: "Bridesmaids," "Superbad" and the like. But there are a ton more that ended up getting overlooked even though their stars oven overlap. Case in point: "Welcome to Me," starring "Bridesmaids" lead Kristen Wiig.

Wiig plays Alice Klieg, a woman with borderline personality disorder who wins the lottery and decides to bankroll her own talk show. That goes about as well as you'd think. It's not always a pleasant watch, but it does have plenty of darkly funny laughs along the way. That's why I appreciate it so much. "Welcome to Me is one of those rare projects that commits fully to its premise, even when things get difficult. Wiig is hilarious throughout, but mostly relatable, and I've always found it one of her best roles as she's wacky, but still quite grounded throughout.

If you have never seen it, consider this your herald to check it out. And if you have, you already know why this singular dramedy is worth returning to, especially now that it's streaming free on Tubi.

What is ‘Welcome to Me' about?

Alice Klieg (Wiig) is a woman living with borderline personality disorder. She has a pretty structured treatment routine that revolves around therapy, medication, and an intense fixation on Oprah. When she unexpectedly wins an $86 million lottery jackpot, she decides it's her chance to take control of her life in the boldest way possible: by purchasing her own daytime talk show.

Her show, "Welcome to Me", is a vanity project that lets Alice share secrets, talk about her past and entertain herself — no matter how uncomfortable it makes her small production team. Her best friend, Gina (Linda Cardellini), and a local TV station employee named Rich (James Marsden) try to support her, but it quickly becomes clear that Alice’s newfound wealth just makes her impulses harder to ignore and easier for her to act on.

Soon, the show begins to flop. The people closest to Alice question whether they are watching a woman claim her voice or spiral. At some point, she's got to ask herself who this show is even serving, and if it's time to pull the plug for good.

Why you should stream 'Welcome to Me'

It can be an incredibly isolating experience, dealing with mental health struggles without a support team. Even with a support team, it can be difficult. Wiig communicates that reality while making it easy to laugh at her escapades, all because they're just as believable as something that could happen to one of us.

She delivers one of the strongest performances of her career here. Fans who mostly know her from her sillier comedy get a more restrained and dramatic side, all peppered with plenty of dry humor. Cardellini and Marsden, ahead of their performances in "Dead to Me," help keep the story balanced as Alice’s behavior becomes harder to understand.

There's also exploration of the desire for attention, the appeal of reality-style entertainment, and what can happen when someone has the money to broadcast every part of their life. It asks uncomfortable questions and gives us answers we might not be ready for. But it does a great job eliciting laughs all the way through, and that is Wiig's doing.

Stream "Welcome to Me" free on Tubi

Narrowing down what to watch each week isn't always easy, especially with Netflix constantly adding new shows and movies to its lineup. Thankfully, the streamer's top 10 list makes the process a little simpler by highlighting which shows have subscribers buzzing the most at any given time. Since the rankings update regularly, it's a useful starting point when you're looking for your next binge.

This week's lineup features Netflix's latest addictive adaptation of a Harlan Coben mystery, an adrenaline-fueled revenge thriller, and a hit Canadian romance drama. To help narrow down your options, I've picked three standout shows from Netflix's current top 10 that are well worth your time. You can also find the streamer's complete rankings below. So scroll on to find your next binge-worthy watch!

Note: This list is based on the Netflix U.S. top 10 shows as of Tuesday, July 7, 2026.

Best shows in the Netflix top 10

‘I Will Find You’

Netflix's latest adaptation of a Harlan Coben novel, "I Will Find You," has been a fixture in the top 10 since it premiered on June 18, and already it's shaping up to be one of Netflix's biggest shows of the year. It's clear that Netflix subscribers still can't get enough of Coben's signature brand of impossible-to-put-down mysteries. "I Will Find You" stars Sam Worthington as David Burroughs, a former law professor serving a prison sentence for the murder of his young son—a crime he swears he didn't commit.

When his ex-wife (Britt Lower) uncovers evidence suggesting their son may still be alive, David sets out on a desperate mission to escape prison and uncover the truth, no matter the cost. In his search for answers, he uncovers some shocking revelations that force him to question everything he thought he knew about the people he trusts most. With time running out, he must unravel the conspiracy before he loses his chance to reunite with his son.

Stream all 8 episodes of "I Will Find You" on Netflix now

‘Agent Kim Reactivated’

Based on the hugely popular digital webtoon Manager Kim, this Korean revenge thriller transforms the source material into a stylish, action-packed TV series. It's a cross between "John Wick" and "Taken," constantly shifting between the calm of everyday life and explosive, high-stakes action that's perfect for your next adrenaline-fueled binge.

On the surface, Kim Do-hyeon (So Ji-sub) is living a quiet life as a bank manager, raising his teenage daughter, Min-ji (Seo Su-min). But he can't shake his past as an elite black-ops operative who once carried out covert missions for North Korea. When Min-ji is kidnapped, Kim is forced to dust off the deadly skills he thought he'd left behind. His search leads him into a brutal criminal underworld, where every clue brings him closer to the truth in a race against time to save his daughter.

Watch "Agent Kim Reactivated" on Netflix

'Sullivan's Crossing'

For a breezier watch, look no further than this hit Canadian romance drama "Sullivan's Crossing." Based on Robyn Carr's bestselling novel series, it stars Morgan Kohan as Maggie Sullivan, a successful neurosurgeon whose life is turned upside down after legal troubles force her to leave Boston and head back to her hometown in rural Nova Scotia. While stuck back in Sullivan's Crossing, Maggie begins rebuilding her life and mending her fractured relationship with her estranged father, Harry "Sully" Sullivan (Scott Patterson).

Throwing a wrench in the works is Cal Jones (Chad Michael Murray), a charming newcomer who catches her eye. As the two grow closer, Maggie must decide whether she's ready to embrace a fresh start or remain tethered to the life she left behind. The first season suffers from some serious Hallmark-y vibes, but if you love a formulaic, scripted romance drama like "Virgin River," then "Sullivan's Crossing" should be your next binge watch.

Watch all four seasons of "Sullivan's Crossing" on Netflix now

Netflix top 10 shows right now

1. "WWE Raw" (2026)
2. "Worst Neighbor Ever" (2026)
3. "I Will Find You" (2026)
4. "Sullivan's Crossing" (2026)
5. "Avatar The Last Airbender" (2026)
6. "Salish and Jordan Matter" (2026)
7. "Survival of the Thickest" (2026)
8. "Dark Winds" (2026)
9. "The Polygamist" (2026)
10. "Agent Kim Reactivated" (2026)

More from Tom's Guide

• 5 best new Netflix movies and shows to stream this week (July 6-12)
• Everything new on Netflix in July 2026
• Christopher Nolan's 'Memento' just landed on Netflix — and it's the perfect watch before 'The Odyssey' hits theaters next week

I’m spending my summer trying to figure out which titles from the tidal waves of new games dropping in September/October I’m going to make a priority before GTA 6 arrives. Originally I had The Blood of Dawnwalker, the upcoming fantasy RPG from debut developers Rebel Wolves (which includes several ex-Witcher 3 devs), edging towards the skip column.

I was intrigued by this role-playing game set in 14th-century medieval Europe (but with a fantasy, vampire twist), but wasn’t fully convinced that it needed to be on my must-play list in what’s shaping up to be one of the most overcrowded months for new games I’ve ever seen. And then I got to play four hours of The Blood of Dawnwalker at a recent preview event…

I guess I’m going back to the drawing board pronto to figure out how to fit this RPG into my fall gaming schedule, because having gotten a taste of The Blood of Dawnwalker’s excellent third-person combat, compelling day/night system, and dark fantasy story, I’m very eager to get back to the sprawling and content-rich Kingdom of Vale Sangora as soon as possible.

The RPG apple doesn’t fall far from the tree

As noted, The Blood of Dawnwalker comes from new studio Rebel Wolves, led by Konrad Tomaszkiewicz, a former developer at The Witcher-creator CD Projekt Red. It’s fair to say that under Tomaszkiewicz’s direction, Rebel Wolves are sticking with a role-playing formula that works well.

With a dark European fantasy setting, an eerily familiar UI and inventory screen, a musical score that feels ripped straight from The Wild Hunt, and even a protagonist complete with facial scars and flowing locks, The Blood of Dawnwalker takes plenty of obvious cues from The Witcher series.

Taking lessons from one of the best RPGs of all time is certainly no bad thing, and if you spent hundreds of hours adventuring as Geralt of Rivia, I think you’re going to feel right at home in The Blood of Dawnwalker. Within a few moments of picking up the controller, I felt comfort.

You play Coen, a human male, living with his family in a small village under the rule of an ancient vampire, Brencis. After a prologue sequence, Brencis turns Coen into a creature of the night, but rather than going full vampire, he becomes a Dawnwalker, essentially a being with human characteristics in the day and vampire abilities when the sun sets.

It’s a great setup for an RPG, allowing Coen to walk on both sides, somewhere between man and monster. And while my access to main story missions was limited beyond the prologue portion, I got a sense that much of The Blood of Dawnwalker will focus on deciding whether Coen retains his humanity or fully gives in to his new darker impulses.

Clashing steel swords, sharp claws and more

If much of the RPG trappings of The Blood of Dawnwalker crib from The Witcher 3, one area it does strike out on its own is the combat. Yes, it’s a third-person title, where you’ll often clash steel with guards and larger beasts, but the combat is built around a directional system. Think a third-person equivalent of the system in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2.

When you press the attack button, you also push the right joystick in one of four directions to strike left/right or up/down. The same goes for blocking; you have to block in the direction an enemy swings at you. You can’t just hold the block button and expect to emerge unscathed.

It took me a few encounters to get my bearings, but once I did, combat became rhythm-like. When I got into a flow, the satisfaction was immense.

Even more so when I took on an enemy camp I was clearly underleveled for, and managed to come out victorious (after multiple failed attempts) without taking a single hit. My feeling of victory was short-lived when I proceeded into a dungeon and came face-to-face with a tough miniboss.

Of course, just swinging a sword for dozens of hours could get pretty dull, so combat is spiced up with vampire powers, like being able to chomp on a foe's neck, both dealing damage and healing Ceon in the process.

During the day, when Ceon reverts to human, these powers are locked, but he can use magic to compensate. These all tie into the game’s deep skill trees, which offer your usual standard buffs like increased health or stamina, to more intriguing options that augment your vampire powers.

One slight concern with the combat is the camera, which is prone to erratic movements as it tries to account for enemies attacking you from off-screen while still giving you an indication of which way they’re swinging so you can block. I took several hits (and Ceon can’t take many even on the base difficulty) because the camera had lost its bearings.

Questing all day, and all night

Up to this point, I’ve been holding back what is The Blood of Dawnwalker’s most interesting and refreshing mechanic: Its day/night cycle.

For story reasons, which I won’t spoil, Ceon has exactly 30 days and 30 nights to defeat Brencis and his trio of vampire generals (each controls a different area of the open-world map). While the game doesn’t go full Dead Rising with a constantly ticking clock, your time isn’t infinite.

Progressing certain quests moves time forward. For example, I began a quest to destroy a barrel of blood-sucking leeches, used to nourish Brencis and his loyal allies, during the dead of night. Completing this simple quest cost me several “chunks” of time, pushing me closer to the dawn.

The game always warns you when a quest/activity will move time forward, which creates a great sense of urgency. In other RPGs, it’s easy to neglect the main quest to wander the world and complete all manner of side-quests, and while you are free to do the same in Blood of Dawnwalker, there is an ever-present feeling that you haven't got time to waste.

Moving the clock forward isn’t something to fear — after all, sometimes it’s necessary; certain quests and activities can only be completed as a vampire at night, others are locked until the brightness of daytime as a human — but it did result in me auto-failing a quest at the final hurdle.

I didn’t have the required time allowance left to complete the quest before a mandatory storybeat triggered. I’m curious to see if, in the full game, you can “waste” your time and get essentially locked out of major quests.

My early outlook on The Blood of Dawnwalker

The Blood of Dawnwalker gave me the exact feeling you always want after a hands-on session. I entered curious, but somewhat skeptical, and I left a full convert — and more than a little frustrated that I won’t be able to continue Coen’s adventure until the game’s launch in early September.

Its RPG nuts-and-bolts feel very familiar, but its more precise combat kept encounters engaging, and its day/night system, built around a looming deadline, made deciding what to do next feel surprisingly weighty.

Speaking to some of the team at Rebel Wolves afterward, they stressed that “choices” will play a significant part in The Blood of Dawnwalker, so I’m eager to see what tough calls lie ahead as you progress the main story.

The competition for my fall playtime will be fierce. However, after playing The Blood of Dawnwalker for four hours, I’m chomping at the bit to experience more, and already know I’m going to be carving out several dozen hours to experience everything it has to offer later this year.

The Blood of Dawnwalker launches September 3 on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. Stay tuned for Tom’s Guide’s full review closer to launch.

More from Tom's Guide

• Splatoon Raiders hands-on preview: I'm already hooked
• The best PS5 games in 2026
• PlayStation killing physical games could destroy gaming deals

Over on Prime Video, the thrillers don’t stop coming. It’s clear that the streaming service's bigwigs know that subscribers gobble up thriller movies like candy, so the Amazon-owned platform is constantly restocking its supply of films full of tension, twists and excitement.

Prime Video recently added a huge wave of movies to its library for July 2026, and naturally, that includes several thrillers, with a pair headlined by genre-favorite Jason Statham. Meanwhile, a dinosaur-themed sci-fi thriller is set to arrive this week, and no, this one isn’t part of the “Jurassic Park” franchise. It’s a rare dino adventure not set in that iconic universe.

To save you the headache of having to pick out the recently added thrillers yourself, I’ve rounded up all the latest picks on Prime Video down below.

3 best new to Prime Video thriller movies this week

'Death Race' (2008)

Jason Statham stars in this 2000s remake of 1975’s “Death Race.” From director Paul W. S. Anderson, most known for his sprawling but largely subpar “Resident Evil” series, it was no critical darling, but I consider this one a guilty pleasure. Its narrative is flimsy, and many of the characters aren’t particularly likeable, but the action comes thick and fast, and the central concept of a high-speed race to the death is ripe for thrilling sequences.

Set in an alternative United States where economic downturn and rising crime rates have demanded a radical solution, Warden Claire Hennessey (Joan Allen) creates “Death Race.” A three-day live-streamed event in which prisoners race in weaponized cars for a shot at freedom. Forced to compete is Jensen Ames (Statham), an industrial worker framed for the murder of his wife. The tournament is petrol-fuelled mayhem, where the only rule is to drive fast and do whatever it takes to cross the finish line.

Watch "Death Race" on Prime Video now

'Homefront' (2013)

If one dose of Jason Statham-led action-thrills isn’t enough for you, then you’ll also want to add “Homefront” to your Prime Video watchlist. To be clear, “Homefront” sticks in Statham’s well-established wheelhouse and has no ambitions of refreshing the genre, but if you're eager to see Statham square off against a whole load of bad guys, it’ll get the job done.

Phil Broker (Statham) is a DEA agent involved in an undercover raid on a drug lab. But when the operation goes wrong and his cover is blown, he decides to retire from the force and move to a small town to raise his young daughter, Maddy (Izabela Vidovic). But trouble has a way of finding Broker, and he soon finds himself at odds with a drug lord (James Franco).

The movie also stars Winona Ryder, Kate Bosworth and Frank Grillo, quite the cast list for what is ultimately a disposable action-thriller. But there can be enjoyment from simple ideas that offer no-frills entertainment.

Watch "Homefront" on Prime Video now

'65' (2023)

I won’t sugarcoat it; I did not like “65.” In fact, I ranked it among my least favorite movies of 2023 (and I saw more than 75 new releases in theaters that year). So, why have I included it in this roundup of new Prime Video thrillers? That’s because my colleague Alix Blackburn argues it’s “one of the most underrated sci-fi thriller movies” and advises you to “ignore the critics.” So perhaps this Adam Driver vehicle will also appeal to your tastes.

Driver plays an interstellar astronaut named Mills, who crash-lands on a mysterious planet that is quickly revealed to be Earth, 65 million years in the past (hence the movie’s name). If the bumpy landing that destroys his craft and leaves him scrambling for a way home wasn’t enough to deal with, prehistoric Earth is home to some very dangerous creatures: dinosaurs. Mills faces a desperate battle to survive, while also taking a fellow survivor of the crash, Koa (Arriana Greenblatt), under his wing.

Watch "65" on Prime Video starting July 8

More from Tom's Guide

• New on Prime Video in July 2026
• Prime Video's 'Legally Blonde' series left me feeling disappointed
• This Prime Video movie turns my deepest fear into a nightmare

Richard Gere has long been one of my favorite actors. It is incredibly exciting to still see him taking on compelling new roles, such as his latest part as Bosko, a CIA station chief in the Paramount+ thriller series "The Agency," which is currently airing its second season. Yet, out of his vast filmography, there is one particular movie that resonates with me to this day.

Released in 2002, "The Mothman Prophecies" still generates a healthy creep factor, even after my countless rewatchings. The overarching sense of something watching from a distance, coupled with an underlying feeling of despair for the characters, draws me in every single time.

Starring Richard Gere, Laura Linney, Will Patton, and Debra Messing, "The Mothman Prophecies" pulls you deep into a plot about a town disturbed by a mysterious creature supposedly sent to announce their demise. If you missed this one during its original release, it's streaming right now on Prime Video.

What is 'The Mothman Prophecies' about?

The film begins innocently with happily married couple John (Richard Gere) and Mary (Debra Messing) Klein buying their dream home. However, as they drive home late that winter evening, the opening music already hints at a looming doom. The tone shifts violently when Mary swerves to avoid a terrifying, red-eyed, moth-like creature, triggering a car accident that shatters their future.

John is relieved when Mary survives the crash, but she wakes up utterly changed, whispering an ominous question: “You didn’t see it, did you?” Strategic, isolating camera angles suggest something sinister is watching them from the hospital shadows. Soon after, doctors discover Mary has a brain tumor. She tragically passes away early in the film, leaving John devastated and unable to move on, even a year later.

One night, John drives out into the dark, his racing mind mirrored by the blurring scenery. He inexplicably loses track of time and distance; his car stalls hundreds of miles away in a remote West Virginia town. Seeking help at a nearby house, he is confronted by a paranoid resident, Gordon Smallwood (Will Patton), who claims John has been lurking outside his house for three nights in a row.

Local cop Connie Mills (Laura Linney) arrives to defuse the situation and helps John to a hotel. He quickly learns that the entire town is on edge due to bizarre sightings of a creature identical to the one Mary saw before her accident. From there, the story spirals into a gripping paranormal mystery, drawing John into a web of prophecies where everyone's life is at risk.

Why I recommend you stream 'The Mothman Prophecies'

What I love most about "The Mothman Prophecies" is that it doesn't go overboard with its paranormal elements. Instead, the film successfully leans into the eerie, grounded sensation of what if it’s true? The insular, small-town vibe only adds to the sense of impending doom. There is also plenty of strong acting by Gere and Linney, who pair up beautifully here. They manage to exhibit a strong on-screen chemistry without forcing the plot into an awkwardly placed romance.

The movie doesn't rely on startling ghosts or excessive jump scares, but it delivers plenty of psychological moments that will genuinely shock you. From Mary's chilling appearances after her passing, to the terrifying descriptions of the creature from various townspeople, to the entity who knows far too much — whom only Gordon can see and John can hear — no moment feels overdone.

If you love a good mystery or a cerebral paranormal thriller, make sure to add "The Mothman Prophecies" to your watch list.

Stream "The Mothman Prophecies" on Prime Video

It seems like there’s no going back. I initially thought that Sony’s decision to phase out physical discs for PlayStation 5 had such a long run-in time that there was deliberate wiggle room for a slightly embarrassing U-turn before 2028.

However, The Verge is reporting that Sony’s Thalgau plant is already being repurposed to make optical microlenses instead. In other words, this wasn’t testing the waters with an announcement and checking for feedback — this was fait accompli: a decision already decided upon, with loyal customers the last to know.

No wonder the company’s popular Xbox-baiting game loaning video from the PS4 era is now being thrown back in its corporate face. Despite effectively taking brutal advantage of Microsoft’s anti-consumer error with a viral marketing video, Sony got to a very similar place in the end. It just took them longer.

Assuming there is no room for the expensive U-turn that Microsoft ended up screeching around 13 years ago, then that’s the end of the road for me with PlayStation.

It’s not that I’m averse to digital gaming, I just have very little faith in Sony’s ability to deliver it at a reasonable price.

The worst of both worlds

In theory, I can see the case for a digital-only console. A PS6 without a disc drive should be cheaper to manufacture (though that doesn’t mean cheap, given the soaring price of hardware), and as a PC gamer, I haven’t owned a computer with a disc drive in well over a decade.

But I consciously made the opposite choice when I pre-ordered my day-one PS5: I paid extra for the model with a disc drive, safe in the knowledge that over the long run, the extra cost would be recouped, after borrowing and trading in games had been taken into account.

Which isn’t to say I don’t see the benefit of digital. While nine times out of ten, I would buy the disc version for resale value and the ability to loan my favourite games to friends, I still would buy from the PlayStation store occasionally. After all, you can’t beat the convenience of instantly accessing a game no matter what time of day or night. The PlayStation Store never sleeps.

Indeed, 99% of my PC games come digitally via Steam, and it works brilliantly. But it’s not a like-for-like comparison, because ironically part of what makes Steam such a popular option is its competition. There’s no shortage of places to buy PC games from the Epic Store to GOG, so Steam can’t rest on its laurels: its prices have to stay competitive, especially during the frequent sales.

Sony could replicate this, allowing third-party game stores on PS6, but why would it? If there’s only one place to buy games, Sony can charge a healthy platform fee for every sale, safe in the knowledge that there’s no alternative (Valve gets away with between 20 and 30% depending on sales figures, despite gamers being able to vote with their feet).

There was outrage when it was announced that PS5 games would cost $70, but at least people knew they could recoup some of the costs when finished. With development costs spiralling, it wouldn’t be surprising if PS6 pricing goes even higher — and we’ve already seen some evidence of this price inflation with the MSRP of $80 plus for the digital-first GTA 6.

Without physical game shops to compete with, Sony has far more control over sales too. The company can reduce both frequency and discount percentage, safe in the knowledge that you’ve got no alternative. If you want the game, you’ll have to pay whatever Sony wants or go without.

That’s not even considering the other downsides of digital-only games. What if your account gets hacked and Sony bans you? You’ve lost access to all the games you’d paid for. What if Sony decides to remove a game before you downloaded it? Tough luck, it’s gone forever. That’s why PS4 consoles with the deleted PT demo were listed on Ebay for over $1,000 a decade ago.

Farewell PlayStation

With the expected price of PS6 blowing past even those PT scalping prices, I was already contemplating opting out of a Sony console for the first time since I was at university with my trusty GameCube.

This move seals the deal. I’ll keep playing PS5 games, but once publishers stop making them and I finish my substantial backlog, I’ll turn off a PlayStation console for the last time. If I have to play digital-only, my PC and Steam Deck will get all the love going forward. Thanks anyway, Sony.

More from Tom's Guide

• We spoke to Stop Killing Games about PlayStation killing discs
• Steam Machine vs. PS5 Pro — there’s a clear winner
• Splatoon Raiders hands-on preview: I'm already hooked

Hip mobility sounds like something you'd focus on in late life, when the stairs are looking a lot more problematic than they once did. But really, the best hip mobility exercises are as much preventative as they are reactive in managing hip health.

Despite it being more difficult to get clients excited about mobility drills than, say, dumbbell workouts or kettlebell conditioning, I will never forgo certain exercises, whether I get a groan in reply or not.

Done right, it can make an enormous difference in people's lives, whether that's during workouts, recovery, or just everyday life. And you don't need 30-minute stints, either; microdosing your routine can still pack in the benefits if you're intentional enough.

The mobility exercise below is one of my anti-aging weapons for helping unstick your hips and get you moving more freely. Plus, it's low-impact and beginner-friendly. You just need one of the best yoga mats to do it. Here's why I swear by it.

How to improve mobility in one move

This exercise alone won't change the world, but combined with a consistent routine including resistance training, gentle movement and some weekly mobility work, it can make a huge difference.

One way to improve mobility naturally is to be intentionally dynamic by moving often and in a variety of patterns, alongside strengthening and loading muscles using resistance. Even if that's adding a few extra walks into your day or having a quick stretch.

The more you get your body moving, the more you load your muscles and bones to withstand impact and more easily maintain the strength and muscle you already have. Being active is also good for maintaining a healthy metabolism; the more lean muscle mass you have, especially as you get older, the more energy you can expect to burn during the day.

Your joints, ligaments and fascia respond well to low-impact movement, which can be achieved through a challenging yet consistent mobility routine.

If you experience pain at any time, stop and rest. If you're working with an injury or health condition, or you're currently pregnant or postnatal, I recommend seeking advice before starting.

The routine: 3-4 sets, 8-10 reps per side.

What are the benefits?

Depending on ability, programs and individual preferences, I might consider weights, bands, or adjustments to reps and sets, but the basis of the exercise stays the same.

Here are some benefits:

• Stretches the hips and groin: The low side lunge position naturally opens the hip and stretches along the adductors (inner thighs) and groin. When the toes are pointed forward, the focus moves to the inner thigh; when the toes point upward, the hamstrings get more of a deep stretch. This is brilliant if you sit for long periods or tend to seize up.
• Helpful for back pain: While I cannot diagnose or treat back pain like a physio or physical therapist can, this is one of those exercises that many people find help manage and relieve back pain. Focus on keeping a tall spine and avoid hunching. I strongly advise sitting on a yoga brick at all times for support. If you are working with a back condition, speak with a medical professional first.
• Works the hips in two directions: As you draw your toes up, you rotate the hip outward; you'll do the opposite as you draw your toes forward. This rotation is brilliant lubrication for the pelvis, especially if you experience a lot of lower-body tightness. Essentially, you combine movement with stretching, which I personally find helpful for unsticking "desk hips."
• Effective as a warm-up: Finally, this exercise works well for warm-ups, especially if you plan to do squat-heavy leg programs or running. You might choose to reduce the reps and/or sets if you're about to begin weightlifting and combine with a few other moves as well.

Before you consider adding weight, focus on sitting as low as you can and moving with a full range of motion in both directions. I recommend starting seated on a chair with one leg out to the side, then progressing to sitting on a tall book or similar. Eventually, you might reduce the height setting, or you might take away all support.

Control each of these movements and make the most of them, even if that means reducing the sets or reps or adding more rest. Moving to your end range can be uncomfortable, but you shouldn't experience any sharp pain or pinching.

Find length through your spine and draw your shoulders down away from your ears. But most importantly of all, be patient; the benefits may not appear straight away, but they're coming.

Follow Tom's Guide fitness on Instagram for more workouts, routines, tips, and tricks.

More from Tom's Guide

• I’m a personal trainer: These 4 essential exercises are 'liquid gold' if you sit at a desk all day
• I'm a personal trainer who works with clients over 50 — these are the 3 mobility exercises I never skip
• I teach people over 50 to be mobile: 3 low-impact moves that build more stability than a 30-minute walk

After a week of testing it with the darkest scenes I could find, the Sony Bravia 7 II True RGB TV made me reconsider what today’s TVs are actually capable of in low light. I lined up the usual stress‑test material — everything from “The Batman” to “House of the Dragon” — and watched it alongside my Samsung Neo QLED TV to see how each set handled the same challenges. I wasn’t trying to crown a winner right away; I just wanted to see how differently two modern TVs approach the same problem.

In our Bravia 7 II review, we praised the TV for its ability to deliver "really deep blacks" alongside "precisely managed highlights", but its handling of contrast goes deeper than that — what stood out to me was how the Bravia 7 II's True RGB backlight system treated near‑black detail.

Even before digging into side‑by‑side comparisons, it was clear Sony’s Bravia 7 II had a distinct way of presenting dark scenes that didn’t rely on simply brightening them. That contrast with the Mini LED-backed Samsung TV became more noticeable the longer I watched.

The main takeaway is that the Bravia 7 II doesn’t try to reshape dark scenes to make them easier to see — it leans into how they were graded. Sometimes that means a scene stays intentionally dim; other times it reveals details that are easy to miss on other sets. Taking into account how difficult it is to accurately capture the colour and brightness of all RGB TVs in photos, here's how the Bravia 7 II handled the darkest scenes I could throw at it.

‘House of the Dragon’

Like many people who watched the first season of HBO’s “House of the Dragon”, I was incredibly frustrated by one episode that was almost impossible to sit through. I’m talking about episode seven, “Driftmark” — the one filmed and graded so darkly that I could barely tell what was happening on screen, even while watching on Samsung’s flagship at the time, the QN900A Neo QLED 8K TV.

In his testing, Vincent Teoh from the YouTube channel HDTVTest revealed that some sections of the episode “barely went above 1 nit” of brightness, so it’s no surprise that my television’s backlighting system went haywire in an attempt to compensate for the darkness on display, resulting in extreme haloing and light bloom. The episode also reportedly caused many OLED TVs to auto-dim until the image was almost totally black.

The backlash from viewers was so intense that showrunner Ryan Condal would eventually comment on the matter, telling Variety that future seasons would “take much more into account the fact that we are making the show for people’s television sets versus in a perfectly calibrated movie theater environment.” In other words, the viewing experience was less than ideal for those of us without super expensive reference monitors.

Naturally, this particular episode was my first stop in testing the Bravia 7 II’s handling of dark scenes. Taking into consideration Sony’s claims that its new True RGB TV range is factory-calibrated, I went in expecting the Bravia 7 II to do a decent job. Sure enough, I was pleased by how I could now make out what was happening in one of the most problematic scenes, which features two characters walking and talking on a beach. While the scene was clearly filmed day for night and then graded down for the sake of additional darkness, shadow detail was now much more visible, and I was able to see the characters’ faces without much issue. Don’t get me wrong — it’s still a very dark scene, but the murkiness and overcompensating backlight from my previous experience was gone.

The Bravia 7 II’s exceptional tone‑mapping also deserves credit here. Sony’s XR processor does a good job of preserving what the filmmakers actually meant you to see, especially in tougher HDR scenes. Instead of letting deep shadows swallow everything, it balances the contrast just enough so textures in faces or the outline of a creature in a night shot remain visible without brightening the whole frame.

‘The Batman’

I absolutely loved “The Batman” when I saw it in theatres, and was excited to watch it again once it hit 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray. While my current Samsung QN900C Neo QLED 8K TV did a decent job displaying most of the film, it did struggle with some of its darker scenes. The opening train station brawl, in particular, was one that caused my TV to raise the brightness until blacks became somewhat grey and washed out.

Predictably, the Bravia 7 II handled this scene far better, revealing far more shadow detail without dulling the film’s contrast‑heavy mood. The moment when Batman slowly emerges from the darkness to confront a group of thugs has always been a trouble spot on the aforementioned Samsung TV, yet here it finally looked as dark and dramatic as I imagine the filmmakers intended.

It’s likely that Sony’s XR Backlight Master Drive, which uses a proprietary dimming algorithm, played a big part in keeping “The Batman” moody and dark without letting the shadows turn into a murky blur. The automatic switch to Dolby Vision Bright could also have helped, lifting just enough detail out of the deepest parts of the frame without noticeably changing the film’s overall tone.

‘Only God Forgives’

Next, I moved to a film that’s notoriously tough on both OLED and Mini‑LED displays: “Only God Forgives”, from director Nicolas Winding Refn. Its relentless swings between pitch‑black shadows and hyper‑saturated neon highlights often expose local‑dimming delays, where the backlight or pixels can’t react quickly enough, creating faint ghosting that pulls you out of the moment.

The film’s heavy use of harsh red lighting against deep darkness also pushes the red channel hard, sometimes leading to clipping that bleeds into surrounding objects and wipes out fine detail along edges and contours.

A big part of why these issues show up is simply how most TVs generate brightness in the first place. Mini‑LED sets rely on a white backlight, and WRGB OLEDs boost luminance with a white subpixel. When a scene suddenly demands intense, saturated colour — especially neon red — the TV often leans on that white source to hit the required brightness. In a film this stylised, that can wash out the purity of the colour, lift nearby blacks, and make edges look a little less clean than they should.

Unsurprisingly, the Bravia 7 II’s ability to drive pure red, green, and blue light straight to the screen — without relying on any white backlight boost — made “Only God Forgives” look exactly the way I imagine the director and his cinematographer intended. While it’s still very much a dark film, the red highlights looked vibrant and well‑defined, without any noticeable bleed into faces or surrounding objects when viewed in person (that nuance doesn’t always translate perfectly in photos — as I mentioned earlier, TVs this bright and saturated can be surprisingly tricky to capture accurately).

In the end, the Bravia 7 II handled the darkest, most demanding scenes even better than I expected. It kept deep contrast intact while still pulling out the small bits of shadow detail that usually disappear on other sets, all without brightening the image in a way that would undermine what the filmmakers were going for. And with its True RGB backlight system doing the heavy lifting, the Bravia 7 II comes across as a strong option for anyone who cares about accurate, well‑controlled dark‑scene performance — one that gets about as close to a reference‑monitor experience as the consumer TV space currently allows.

More from Tom's Guide

• We just tested the Bravia 7 II — here’s why I think it could be the Sony TV to buy in 2026
• I saw Sony's Bravia 9 II up close and it completely shattered my expectations — here’s why it’s the king of RGB TVs
• Samsung's new Micro RGB TV is finally here — but I'd rather buy this OLED instead

Thanks to RAMageddon driving up the cost of consoles and PC components — not to mention $80 games potentially becoming the standard — gaming is now more expensive than it has been in ages. If you already own a (functional) gaming console or PC, then you’re largely unaffected. But for those looking to get into the hobby or who just want lower-cost options, it’s not as simple as it used to be.

One alternative is cloud gaming. Instead of shelling out for expensive hardware, you can stream games from powerful remote servers loaded with high-end GPUs. So long as you have a stable internet connection (50 Mbps+ and wired, if possible) and the appropriate peripherals (a controller or a mouse and keyboard), you can play games on your laptop, phone, tablet, or smart TV. No giant installs eating your SSD either!

Don’t get me wrong, this isn’t the first option I would think of either. Like you, I prefer to play games locally on a device. And cloud gaming isn’t perfect, as latency and compression depend on your connection. But playing games online has become more reliable over the years. With a stable internet connection and the wealth of games in digital libraries, it’s not a bad way to play.

If you’re willing to give cloud gaming a shot, there are several services to choose from. To that end, I’ve selected three of the best cloud gaming services for most players. I’ve tested and played on each one, so I can vouch for their strengths and weaknesses. No matter which one you opt for, you won’t go wrong — it just depends on your needs.

Nvidia GeForce Now

Nvidia GeForce Now is the cloud gaming service I recommend to most folks and the one I’ve enjoyed using the most over the years. It allows you to play games that you already own on Steam, Epic, Ubisoft, and other PC accounts, streamed right from Nvidia’s servers. If you already have an extensive library of PC games, GeForce Now is hard to top.

There is a free tier with limitations, plus paid Performance ($10 a month / $100 a year) and Ultimate tiers ($20 a month / $200 a year) that unlock better rigs, priority queuing, higher resolutions/frame rates, and extras like ray tracing and DLSS 4 at the top end. Ultimate taps into RTX 50-series-level performance. On a good connection, you might think that you’re playing a game locally instead of streaming it. If your existing laptop or older desktop struggles with newer, graphically demanding games, GeForce Now lets you play your existing library without dropping a ton of cash on new hardware.

As great as GeForce Now is, it has some notable setbacks beyond the usual issues associated with cloud gaming. You’ll need to own the games (or stick with the supported free-to-play titles), and not every game from your library will be available since publishers have to opt in. If you game regularly, the free tier isn’t ideal as you’ll have to endure queues during peak times and shorter or lower-priority sessions.

Drawbacks aside, Nvidia GeForce Now is an excellent cloud gaming service that has only gotten better over time. For those with sizeable Steam/Epic backlogs who want a way to play their games on whatever device they own, this is the closest thing to a high-end local experience that you can get.

Xbox Cloud Gaming (via Game Pass Ultimate)

The next-best cloud gaming service is Xbox Cloud Gaming. Don’t let its name fool you, as you don’t need to own an Xbox to use it.

This service allows you to stream a huge library of titles (over 500 at the time of writing) directly from Microsoft’s servers as part of Game Pass Ultimate ($23 a month). This includes day-one releases for many big Xbox and Bethesda games, plus EA Play integration. Xbox Cloud Gaming is available on phones, tablets, PCs, browsers, and smart TVs. You don’t need to own any of the rotating list of titles as they’re included while your subscription is active.

That last point is both good and bad, as the library isn’t static. Games regularly rotate in and out, so a game you’ve fallen in love with might disappear next month. Streaming quality is generally solid but can show compression or slightly higher latency than GeForce Now, which I’ve experienced myself. And since you don’t own the games, canceling your subscription means you lose access to everything.

If you’re an Xbox fan or like the games on offer, Xbox Cloud Gaming is an affordable way to access hundreds of games without an Xbox or an expensive PC.

Amazon Luna

I know what you’re thinking, and yes, Amazon Luna is still around! This is easily one of the least talked-about cloud gaming services, but it’s actually a pretty decent service for casual gamers. If you have an Amazon Prime subscription, you already have Luna Standard… even if you didn’t know it.

A $10 Luna+ subscription gives you access to a curated mix of indies, party games, and older favorites. Luna doesn’t have the deepest AAA catalog, but for an extra cost, you can add channels like Ubisoft+ for higher-end games. Naturally, Luna integrates well with Prime (monthly rotating Prime Gaming titles) and works smoothly on Fire TV devices, with good controller support, including Amazon’s own Luna controller. Yes, that’s still around too!

Where Luna falls short is in its game depth. The core library is much smaller than on Game Pass or what GeForce Now can access through your collection. If you want to play the latest blockbuster titles or want a variety of day-one releases, Luna is decidedly limited. Extras via channels can get expensive if you want a broader range of games. And though the experience is generally solid, it doesn’t quite match the visual fidelity or raw performance of GeForce Now’s Ultimate tier.

Amazon Luna might not razzle-dazzle, but it’s an easy entry point or supplement. If you’re more of a casual gamer who wants an affordable way to mess around with some titles and already have an Amazon Prime subscription, it’s certainly worth a look.

Give cloud gaming a shot

Cloud gaming cannot fully replace a local high-end rig or console if you prioritize zero latency, max settings, offline play, or permanent ownership. But with RAMageddon making upgrades painful, cloud gaming services let you keep playing (or start fresh) without dropping a fortune on components that are only getting more expensive.

The cloud gaming services I’ve listed in this piece should give you a clear picture of which one is best for you. Again, I understand that the idea of cloud gaming might sound alien, but it’s not a bad option for keeping you gaming until you can spring for new hardware. At the very least, you’ll save money now that you can spend later if and when prices settle (or you find a good deal). Your wallet will thank you.

More from Tom's Guide

• Stop Killing Games Founder on PlayStation's decision to kill physical discs
• PlayStation is officially killing physical discs
• PS6 price could be in the same stratosphere as the Steam Machine

“Heroes” is one of the greatest “what ifs” in television history. The first season debuted in 2006, and almost instantly became one of the most compelling “water-cooler TV shows" on air. Its multi-perspective storyline arcs, celebration of comic book aesthetics, and phenomenal cliffhangers had millions of viewers hooked within just a couple of episodes.

The first season wrapped up in May of the following year. Multiple Emmy nominations followed, and it looked like “Heroes” was going to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the likes of “Lost” and “Prison Break” as one of the era’s most defining TV shows. And then “Heroes” went off the rails, and I don’t just mean it strayed a little off course; it went down in flames, by the end limping through a fourth season before being put out of its misery.

Flash forward 20 years, and maybe “Heroes” will return to the spotlight because the complete original run has just been added to Netflix’s streaming library. I’m both delighted and a little melancholic to see the superhero drama resurface. Because while I will forever hold season 1 up as one of the best binge-watches in the business, the rest…not so much.

‘Heroes’ season 1 is bingeable TV at its very best

Years before the Marvel Cinematic Universe made superheroes mainstream, “Heroes” was laying the foundation. The show focuses on a group of seemingly ordinary people who discover they have extraordinary abilities.

There’s high school cheerleader Claire Bennet (Hayden Panettiere), who can regenerate from injury. Beat cop Matt Parkman (Greg Grunberg), who can read minds. Office worker Hiro Nakamura (Masi Oka), who can freeze (and later travel through) time. And nurse Peter Petrelli (Milo Ventimiglia), who doesn’t appear to have any powers, but his brother Nathan (Adrian Pasdar) can fly. And that’s just the start of the show’s roster of heroes.

Of course, every superhero story needs a villain, and “Heroes” had the perfect one out of the gate in the form of Sylar (Zachary Quinto), a mysterious, ruthless figure who is hunting down and murdering individuals with abnormal abilities. He’s one of TV’s great antagonists.

Across its 23-episode run, “Heroes” season 1 explores the core cast coming to grips with their powers, and slowly brings them together. The first half of the season revolves around a single warning: “save the cheerleader, save the world.” The second half builds up to an explosive premonition from painter Isaac Mendez (Santiago Cabrera), who can sketch the future.

In its initial season, the show was acclaimed for its slick storytelling, strong ensemble cast, and clever tributes to the comic book medium. To this day, it remains an addictive watch that you’ll probably polish off in days rather than weeks. It’s just a shame about what came after…

Just pretend ‘Heroes’ was a one-season show

I’m not going to sugarcoat this: After “Heroes” season 1, the show’s quality ranges from subpar to downright stinky. However, I will give the creatives a little slack for the immediate drop-off.

“Heroes” season 2 was infamously impacted by the 2007-2008 Writers Guild strike. This hurt effectively every scripted show at the time (“Lost,” “Prison Break,” “House,” etc.), but the damage to “Heroes” was major.

Season 2’s episode count was reduced to 11, and the entire season-long story arc had to be hastily reworked. The show also fell into a trap of taking an age to deliver answers and pay off plot points. Narrative beats that could be delivered in one episode were stretched across multiple. “Heroes’” momentum stalled, and it was never able to recover it.

At least “Heroes” season 3 had its moments, though short-lived, and even its peaks were no match for the show’s brief, single-season heyday. As for season 4, well, truth be told, I can barely recall it beyond the addition of Robert Knepper as the leader of a mysterious carnival.

Even fans who hadn’t given up (and many had already; ratings dropped more than 50% from season 1 to season 4) were left largely unimpressed, and the show limped across the finish line, ending on an unresolved cliffhanger, cementing “Heroes” as a show with unfulfilled potential.

There was an attempt to revive the series in 2015, with “Heroes Reborn,” which was canceled after a single 13-episode season (I’ll admit to skipping it), and there are further online whispers of a second attempt to bring the series back. But personally I say let “Heroes” rest now. It’ll always be remembered for its truly exceptional first season, and a testament to the fact that catching television lightning in a bottle multiple times is tough.

If you missed the height of “Heroes” mania (yes, that was briefly a thing), or want to reminisce about the good old days when we all thought we might have a new all-time great TV show on our hands, go stream “Heroes” season 1 on Netflix now. Just skipped the rest, trust me.

Watch "Heroes" seasons 1-4 on Netflix now

More from Tom's Guide

• How to watch the Marvel movies in order
• Netflix just added one of the darkest movies I’ve ever watched
• Netflix just added 37 new shows and movies — here's 5 to stream

This week, PlayStation announced its plans to stop producing physical game discs for titles released on its platform starting in January 2028. The internet's response has been strong and loud. In fact, I don’t think I’ve spoken to a single gamer who is in any way supportive of this decision.

Among the outraged, the main points of contention seem to be how this will affect those who take pride in displaying their vast physical game collection, and what this decision will mean for gaming preservation. There’s also a lot of fear about a theoretical future in which Sony decides to strip users of their digital purchases without warning — a nightmare outcome that I personally believe is not impossible, but highly improbable.

These are all valid points, but my real anger over this ill-judged decision is how it could make gaming deal-hunting a closed shop, robbing consumers of options to save money. I started my time at Tom’s Guide as a deals writer, and I know firsthand how many gamers are savvy shoppers, and how important scoring a big discount is for gamers who can’t afford to drop $70 (or $80 in the case of GTA VI) on a brand new release day one.

Once PlayStation takes physical games away in early 2028, the economics of buying video games will likely completely change for millions of people, and that’s something to be mad about even if you're already all digital.

No more discs could destroy gaming deals

For gamers who largely buy new releases day one, the removal of physical games won’t make all that much of a difference, at least in terms of affordability. Right now, if you want to pre-order an upcoming game — for example, PS5 exclusive Marvel’s Wolverine — it will cost you $69 on Amazon for a disc and also $69 on the digital PlayStation Store.

However, the shockwaves of no more physical games will be felt in the months after launch, and primarily by more patient gamers who don’t feel the need to pre-order to play on day one. Once a game has had its moment in the sun, retailers tend to discount remaining stock, but over on the PlayStation Store, prices can remain locked for months, even years.

In the table below, I’ve compared prices for some of the biggest PS5 exclusives across major retailers and on the PlayStation Store (prices correct as of Friday, July 3). It paints a bleak picture. If Sony’s desired future comes to pass (and there are no signs of a U-turn yet), then gamers looking to pick up older titles could be forced to pay launch day prices.

Digital deals do exist, but choice is non-existent

All of this isn’t to say that deals don’t exist on digital games. I’ve been tracking PlayStation Store deals for years, and can say firsthand that there is pretty much always some form of sale running. Right now, it’s the July Savings sale, offering up to 75% off select PS5 and PS4 titles.

The problem here is that PlayStation gamers will be at the mercy of these limited-time sales. Let's say right now in July 2026, you decide you want to pick up God of War Ragnarök. While it’s been on sale digitally before, it’s not included in the July Savings promotion at present. It costs a full $70. Meanwhile, on Amazon you can grab a physical copy for just $32.

I can imagine a future where circling back to a game you skipped at launch means waiting months, if not longer, until it appears in one of the PlayStation Store’s rotating sales, unless you’re willing to pay the day-one price. In an all-digital future, shopping around for the best deal might be a non-starter; you will have only one storefront to buy PlayStation games on.

This situation could be mitigated by Sony allowing additional storefronts onto its consoles, but I would suggest the odds of this are slim to none. Or perhaps a more likely solution is hinted at in the PlayStation Blog article announcing this unwelcome news, which states “new games will be available on PlayStation Store and at retailers in digital formats only.”

Perhaps post-2028, PlayStation will permit the likes of Amazon, Best Buy and Target to sell digital game codes directly (at present, they only sell PlayStation Store credit vouchers). This could lead to more deals and discounts. Amazon could reduce the price of a digital game code in the months/years after launch. But remember, a digital code doesn't take up warehouse space, so retailers will have less incentive to clear out inventory.

However you slice it, any new game releasing on PlayStation platforms post January 2028 will seemingly be at the mercy of Sony’s and/or the publisher’s digital pricing strategy. That could mean that shopping for the best gaming deals whenever suits you becomes a thing of the past.

More from Tom's Guide

• We spoke to Stop Killing Games about PlayStation killing discs
• Steam Machine vs. PS5 Pro — there’s a clear winner
• Splatoon Raiders hands-on preview: I'm already hooked

Way back at the end of March, I was lucky enough to be one of the first people to test the new AirPods Max 2. With an all-new H2 chip, improved ANC, and a more vibrant sound, they were (and still are) some of the best headphones I've ever had the pleasure of using.

But not everything came new and improved. Much to everyone's chagrin, Apple made zero upgrades to the design or battery on the AirPods Max 2. This decision was a little baffling, if you ask me. The most common complaints with the predecessor? Poor battery life and extremely heavy weight. So why didn't Apple fix these for the "upgraded" version?

Alas, this is still a mystery, but three months later, I've spent a lot of time with the new AirPods Max 2. I've been using them as I'd use my normal headphones — at work, on the bus, at the gym, out and about — and I'm intimately familiar with them now.

Sound quality? Connectivity? Style? Top marks all round

The AirPods Max 2 are the best-sounding headphones at this price point, and I'm sorry to say this, but there's very little competition. While the Bose QuietComfort Ultra ($449) have superior ANC and comfort, the sound is too bassy and muddy for my personal sonic palate. And while the Sony WH-1000XM6 ($459) are, again, much comfier and have better call quality, there's some vibrancy missing in the sound for me.

But the AirPods Max 2 sound perfect. I honestly could not improve them. They sound so good that I forget I'm wearing headphones and feel like the music is traveling directly from the artist's mouth into my brain. The treble is clear and vibrant, the mids are balanced, detailed, and expansive, and the bass is well-rounded and rich without overpowering soft details. Yep, I have nothing bad to say about the sound quality at all. It's my perfect signature.

Connectivity is another thing I take really seriously. I want my headphones to move with me, from my phone to my laptop, and back to my phone again. Thankfully, because I have an iPhone and a MacBook, the AirPods Max 2 do just that. I can listen on all my Apple devices without having to fiddle with my settings, and this is a luxury I can't live without now.

Last, and also kind of least, is the style. I'm not the kind of person who will buy headphones purely for aesthetics, but it helps when they're pretty. Thankfully, the AirPods Max 2 are supremely pretty. The anodized aluminum ear cups are super premium and the minimalist, sleek Apple design is so simple yet effective. No egregious touch controls (unlike Bose QuietComfort Ultra and Sony WH-1000XM6) and a weight-bearing mesh headband make these my perfect headphones.

Sorry, but I'm an AirPods Max 2 apologist. I feel like Apple designed them just for me.

But those "AI features"? I've not touched them once

Some people may disagree with me here, and that's fine. Life would be boring if we all shared the same opinions! But I'm not the kind of person who wants, or needs, AI in her headphones. I've gone my whole life without having a (disobedient, cloth-eared) personal assistant living in my headphones, so why would I need one now?

The Live Translation feature? Sure, I've used it for fun. I've used it after my Duolingo lessons to check I've got my pronunciation right. I used to live in South Korea, so I've used it to test my (dwindling) Korean skills.

But I've not used it for its intended purpose, and I really don't think I will.

The same can be said for the "improved" Siri integration. Siri is a glorified egg timer at this point, and I just use my brain instead of asking Siri. The likelihood is, she wouldn't listen anyway. Girl's got serious obedience issues — she needs military school, stat.

Of course, don't take my negativity as gospel. You may love having these features. Maybe you're always on vacation and need to communicate with people who don't speak your language, or you're super busy and need to check your calendar hands-free. But that's just not me.

These features are great if you need them, but don't ditch your non-smart headphones if you're anything like me.

But they're not for everyone

There are three types of people who should not buy the AirPods Max 2.

1. No iPhone? No MacBook? No iPad? Don't get the AirPods Max 2.
2. Can't drop $500 on headphones? Don't get the AirPods Max 2.
3. Want "audiophile" sound? Don't get the AirPods Max 2.

There's very little point in investing in extremely expensive headphones if you don't have the ecosystem they're built for. Even though you can use AirPods Max 2 with an Android phone, you don't get the full experience. You can't customize any settings or take advantage of the AI smart features.

If you have an Android, I would recommend getting the Sony WH-1000XM6 instead, which are some of the best headphones you can get, period.

Again, if you can't afford $500 on headphones (me neither), then you shouldn't buy the AirPods Max 2. To put it kindly, they're overpriced. I would go for the Soundcore Space One Pro, JBL Live 780NC, or the CMF Headphone Pro. At $199, $249, and $99 respectively, these headphones sound good, look cool, and won't break your bank.

And, finally, arguably the touchiest of all subjects — sound quality. Don't get me wrong, I love how the AirPods Max 2 sound. They scratch that audio itch perfectly. But I know Apple's sound signature can upset some people. In that case, you should invest more in headphones like the Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H95 or the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2. Both headphones offer superior sound — and an even steeper price tag to match.

Am I going to keep using the AirPods Max 2? 100%. They are my perfect headphones. As someone who takes connectivity, ANC, and sound quality seriously (everything else I can take or leave), the AirPods Max 2 are ideal. They automatically switch between my MacBook and my iPhone and they block out every speck of sound. Of course, the best part is the sound quality — Apple's sound signature must have been designed solely for me. It's everything I want and more.

Even so, I know the AirPods Max 2 are overpriced, and that battery life makes them a pretty controversial product. But what do you think? Let me know your thoughts in the comments.

More from Tom's Guide

• 9 Anker headphones and speakers I recommend for your next summer getaway
• I tested the minimalist Cambridge Audio L/R S — and they’re some of the most premium-feeling midrange speakers on the market
• Ruark Audio Sabre-R review: Bookshelf speakers for grown-ups

Feeling decision fatigue? We can't blame you; from what to wear to what to eat to, yes, what to watch, constantly faced with choice can be admittedly and understandably exhausting. So let us choose for you, at least where TV is concerned.

If you're looking for a great series to click "play" on next, why not give a little love to a Hulu show that might have heretofore gone overlooked against bigger, better-known titles like "The Handmaid's Tale," "Shōgun," "Only Murders in the Building" and the like. We're talking about "Mr Inbetween," an Australian import created by, written by and starring Scott Ryan as a gun for hire hilariously tasked with balancing his brutal criminal activities with his more mundane duties as a father, brother and boyfriend.

The series ran for three seasons from 2018 to 2021, and though it got plenty of love from the critics (the half-hour comedy has an overall approval rating of 95% on Rotten Tomatoes), you might have missed it the first time around. Here's why you should check out "Mr Inbetween" on Hulu.

What is 'Mr Inbetween' about?

Expanding on a character he first introduced in his 2005 indie film "The Magician," Scott Ryan reprises his role as hitman Raymond "Ray" Shoesmith for this Down Under dark comedy.

In the suburbs of Sydney, Ray leads a humorous double life as a gun-toting criminal and professional "fixer" with the domestic demands of raising a child — he's got a young daughter, Brittany (Chika Yasumura), who he shares with his ex-wife Jacinta (Natalie Tran) — caring for a sick sibling (Nicholas Cassim plays Ray's terminally ill brother Bruce and being a good partner to his girlfriend Ally (Brooke Satchwell).

As any good TV antihero, Ray has a clear code of ethics he employs ("If you respect me, I respect you. Now, if you don't, we got a problem") that helps keep things compartmentalized, but soon enough, his violent professional activities start to affect his personal relationships.

Why I recommend streaming 'Mr Inbetween'

If you're a fan of darkly funny but dangerously gritty crime dramas like "Barry" and "Breaking Bad," you'll likely find plenty to like about "Mr Inbetween," which blends sharp writing, dry, deadpan humor and gripping performances from its cast. (Alongside the aforementioned actors, series regulars also include Justin Rosniak, Damon Herriman, Matt Nable and Jeremy Sims.) But the distinct, offbeat Aussie-ness of the whole show — from the authentic slang to the localized storytelling — helps the hitman dramedy stand out from its American-born contemporaries.

For his role as Ray, Scott Ryan took home two AACTAs (basically an Australian Emmy) for Best Lead Actor in a Television Drama, as well as another for penning the season three episode "Ray Who?" And the show overall received widespread acclaim both in its home country and with critics abroad: John Doyle of The Globe and Mail called it "a little masterpiece of quiet, compulsively watchable comedy/drama. There are no big ideas here, but the strength of its small-scale narrative is breathtaking."

Stream "Mr Inbetween" on Hulu now

More from Tom's Guide

• Hulu just added this wickedly twisted survival thriller with Rachel McAdams — and it’s one of my favorite new movies of 2026 so far
• Hulu just added a survival thriller you (probably) missed — and it’s not what I expected from a zombie film
• Hulu just added one of my favorite psychological thriller movies of the decade — and the ending still keeps me up at night

"Obsession," the supernatural horror phenomenon starring breakout Inde Navarrette, just landed on digital after a $376 million box office run that made it the highest-grossing movie Focus Features has ever released.

Navarrette plays Nikki, the longtime crush of a lovesick music store employee named Bear (Michael Johnston), who breaks a mysterious "One Wish Willow" to make her fall in love with him. The wish is granted, but the spell forces her to harbor affection for him until it festers into an intense, all-consuming compulsion to "love" Bear that gets very hard to survive.

If you're craving more movies like "Obsession," you're in luck. There are plenty of other great flicks (many much, much better, in fact) in that same vein you can stream right now. And you're in luck. We've done the digging for you, so there's no need to embark on a search yourself.

So whether you loved everything "Obsession" had to offer and you want more like it or you wish you could find something in a similar vein that actually sticks the landing, we've got you covered. Check out our picks for movies like "Obsession" that you can watch next below.

'Possession' (1981)

Andrzej Żuławski's surreal "Possession" is the deranged patient zero of the "obsessive romance" trope, and a far more cerebral trip than what "Obsession" provides. Sam Neill plays Mark, a man who comes home to find his wife Anna (Isabelle Adjani) suddenly desperate to leave him. He hires a detective and assumes there's another man, but he slowly uncovers behavior far stranger and far worse than a simple affair.

It starts as a study on a crumbling marriage. But then it devolves into full-blown body horror, with a subway breakdown so unhinged it's still rattling viewers to this day. It's not a comfortable watch by any means, but it is a fantastic one.

Watch on Prime Video

'Pearl' (2022)

In this prequel to Ti West's unhinged "X", we learn about the life of Pearl (Mia Goth), a farm girl stuck in 1918 Texas caring for her ailing father under the thumb of her controlling mother while her husband is away at war.

She dreams of dancing across a movie screen and being loved by everyone, and when she can't fulfill her fantasy, she starts eliminating anyone standing in her way. It's obvious Navarrette's performance as Nikki pays homage to Goth's impeccably bizarre behavior in this film, so if you want to see Nikki's breakdowns turned up to 11, "Pearl" can deliver them in droves, and more deeply disturbing ones at that.

Rent or buy on Apple TV

'Misery' (1990)

Talk about true obsession. This Stephen King favorite will chill you to the (broken) bone. James Caan plays Paul Sheldon, a novelist who wrecks his car in a blizzard and wakes up in the home of Annie Wilkes (Kathy Bates), a former nurse who cheerfully introduces herself as his "number one fan."

At first she seems like a lifesaver. Then she reads his new manuscript, learns he's killed off her favorite character, and her sweetness disappears. She's actually incredibly unstable and is willing to do unspeakable things to keep Sheldon writing for her. Bates won an Oscar for the role, and one particular scene involving a sledgehammer will stick with you long after the credits roll. And let us tell you, "hobbling" someone is far more disturbing than Nikki's backward walk, if you've got the stomach for it.

Rent or buy on Prime Video

More From Tom's Guide

• 3 new Netflix exclusive movies and TV shows to stream this week
• Netflix just added 37 new shows and movies — here's 5 I'd stream
• Netflix just added one of the darkest movies I’ve ever watched

It's no secret that phones have been pretty stagnant for the past several years. In fact, the last time phones started doing something truly original was eight years ago, when the first foldable phones hit the scene, and even that was an exception rather than the norm. Incremental updates are just part and parcel of the phone industry.

In recent years, phone companies have been trying to offer a different solution: AI.

Rather than offering major upgrades to the phones themselves, it's all about the newest AI features and capabilities that are on offer. While I will be the first to admit that software is just as important as hardware, it's starting to feel like phone makers are using AI as a crutch to cover for their own weak upgrades — and I'm rather sick of it.

Considering flagship phones cost several hundred dollars, and over a thousand in many cases, we need more than just a few more flashy AI-centric features that may or may not be useful.

Overreliance on AI is lazy

Yes, I get it, having a strong AI means the features on your phone are bigger and better than they otherwise could have been. In theory, features like Samsung Now Nudge or Google Lens wouldn't be as effective if there weren't an AI model working in the background to analyze all the relevant data and figure out exactly what the user wants and needs.

But this doesn't change the fact that AI seems to be the only thing any phone company is willing to talk about right now. The emphasis does not seem to be on making better phones; it's about filling them up with as many AI features as possible at the expense of other advancements.

Take, for instance, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra. It is, without any doubt, one of the best phones you can buy right now. But its hardware hasn't changed all that much from the Galaxy S25 Ultra that was released last year. The biggest upgrades are the addition of the Privacy Display and the increased wired and wireless charging speeds. But everything else? The differences are so minor that the majority of people won't notice any difference.

The same was true of the Pixel 10 Pro. The phone did come packing Qi2 wireless charging, complete with full magnetic support; the rest of the phone is only marginally different from the Pixel 9 Pro. The camera quality is identical, battery life has barely improved, and the Tensor G5 is honestly not that impressive.

What both these phones have in common is how much their respective makers invested in the additional AI features. There were a lot of them, too, ranging from 100x Super Res Zoom to a more advanced Circle to Search. Potentially very useful things to have on your phone, but they aren't exactly major selling points. Certainly not when the hardware itself hasn't really improved by all that much.

AI features rarely stay exclusive for long

It's also worth noting that AI features that arrive on new phones have a habit of working their way back to older devices as well. There are limits to this, and there are AI features that require a certain kind of hardware to function properly — such as Siri AI's Expressive Voice feature, which is only available if your iPhone has at least 12GB of RAM.

But there have still been plenty of instances where older devices get access to new AI features. Often, that means there's some sort of wait, but if you're patient, you will still get some, if not all, of the newest AI features on an older device.

Samsung's One UI 8.5 update is a good example of that, removing Galaxy S26 exclusivity from a bunch of AI features like Call Screening, Creative Studio and Audio Magic eraser. That allowed older devices, notably the Galaxy S25, to gain access to those features with a delay of just three months. Some features took a little longer to arrive, such as Priority Notifications and File Summaries, which landed as part of a security patch just last month.

I'll admit, some of the biggest features like the more advanced Circle to Search and Now Nudge are still exclusive to Galaxy S26 phones, so backward compatibility is never fully guaranteed. But if there's a precedent for bringing new AI features to older devices, then instigating an AI-first policy on future models may not be the success phone makers hoped it would be.

AI has limits, and RAMageddon proves it

The other big problem with hedging all your bets on AI is that we're starting to see exactly how much of a financial cost that has. It doesn't matter whether AI features are designed to run on your device or through a cloud server; they rely on a specific level of hardware to operate.

The problem is, the ongoing AI boom means that this hardware has suddenly skyrocketed in price, and that means the price of your phone has to increase to offset the extra costs. So far, the smartphone industry hasn't been hit too hard by these effects, but we have still seen a variety of price hikes — such as those affecting the Galaxy S26 Plus and Galaxy S26 Ultra.

On top of that, we have seen Apple raise prices on its computing hardware, and all the predictions point to price hikes on the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max when they arrive in September — and could rise as high as $200 as a result. All because the cost of RAM and storage is now significantly more than it was a year ago, because of the demand caused by the recent AI push.

Suddenly, phone companies have a choice: either increase the price of their devices and risk the wrath of their customers, or downgrade the hardware and limit the on-device AI capabilities. It's very much a no-win situation, caused in part by the emphasis on creating "AI phones" and focusing on artificial intelligence above all else.

Bottom line: Phones need to be a good mix of everything

I go to a lot of events featuring new phones, including some of the biggest phone launches of the year. The one common factor they all have is the dominance of AI, especially in the premium models. I've never made any secret of my general dislike for AI, especially on phones, but the fact it keeps stealing so much focus really grinds my gears.

Can including AI make your smartphone experience better? Absolutely. Whether it's using computational photography to improve camera performance or adding various editing tools that fix those bothersome issues with the final product, there's definitely a place for AI on your phones. But it shouldn't come at the expense of everything else.

AI may be the new hip trend in the tech industry, with every company trying to capitalize in any way it can, but it shouldn't come at the expense of everything else. What I'm saying is, I'd like to see phone companies start to emphasize more than just how much AI they can cram into their phones with each passing upgrade. I want phone makers to start caring about the hardware these devices are packaged into, and how they can make it better with each passing year.

I'm sure plenty of other people will agree that being asked to pay hundreds of dollars for a brand-new phone is more palatable if you can actually see the improvement over your existing model.

More from Tom's Guide

• I just got both my battery packs confiscated at a Chinese airport, and I wish I’d known about this one thing before flying
• Samsung Galaxy S27 Pro and Ultra tipped for an iPhone-like camera upgrade that'll massively improve selfies
• Apple finally threw Android users a bone with this new iOS 27 photo feature — here's how

It's not often that I test a gadget that I don't want to box up. It's a rare occurrence, sort of like a blue moon, or someone on the internet admitting, "You know what? You're right, I'm wrong." So when it does happen, I get really excited. It happened recently when I tested the Inkwon Tag, and originally, I was skeptical. "The world's first 4-in-1 portable inkjet printer? Really?" I thought to myself.

Well, skepticism begone. After having used the Tag for over a month, I can confirm that it's surprisingly competent — and I can't stop thinking about what I'll create next with it. As a 4-in-1 printer, the Tag does way more than just print paper. It can create temporary tattoos, stickers, and even heat transfers for designing your own t-shirts.

The Tag is a great little printer that's extremely easy to use — I wager even a 10-year-old could use it. Feeding in paper is easy, using the app is even easier, and it takes just over a minute to print out temporary tattoos, light fabric heat transfers, and more. Here's why it's the ultimate gadget for DIY projects — and for being the life of the party.

Setup and use? Easy as pie

It couldn't be easier to get started with the Inkwon Tag. Inkwon happily includes a starter cartridge (for 60 prints) that features a magnetic mechanism, so all you need to do is pop it into the printer after taking its top cover off. Once that's done, you need to download the AiYin app on Android or iOS and connect it to the printer via Bluetooth.

And you're ready to print! The app is super straightforward to use. You can either select your own design and edit it before printing, or choose a pre-made design to print out. The latter is handy for creating temporary tattoos as there are plenty of designs to choose from, such as animals, birds, seashells, and more.

Alongside easy setup and use, the Tag's other big selling point is its pocketable design. It measures just 4.13 x 3.82 x 1.77 inches and weighs 8.29oz, which means it's extremely easy to carry in your handbag, backpack or even pocket. It doesn't take up much space, so it's the perfect gadget to take to parties.

Call me a DIY guru

I've made a lot of prints with the Inkwon Tag. I've printed photos I've taken on Instax film-like paper (which has white space at the bottom for writing); and I've printed stickers which I've then cut and stuck on my laptop and phone. The quality of these prints is surprisingly good, too, so you shouldn't underestimate the Tag.

It utilizes a CMY three dye-based ink system, and it has a print resolution of 600 dpi, which is suited to small-sized prints. You can see a few examples in the gallery above. Images look detailed enough, and the colors look lovely too. One of the Tag's drawbacks is that it doesn't feature a dedicated black ink so blacks don't appear as deep and inky — but this isn't really a deal-breaker.

When I first heard the Tag is capable of printing temporary tattoos, I knew I had to test the claim. I've got nearly 20 tattoos — the permanent kind — and I'm always planning my next one. But given that I'm running out of space on my arms, I appreciate being able to visualize a tattoo's placement before getting in touch with a tattoo artist.

And the Tag makes that possible. There are several pre-made designs to choose from, so I printed out one featuring sharks, as you can see above. I then applied it to my skin and held a wet cloth over it for a few minutes. It instantly transferred to my skin and as you can see, it looks lovely! The colors look great, especially the rich blues.

Finally, I used the Tag to customize my own t-shirt too, using some pre-made designs as well as one my partner (who's an artist) made ("We are bodies of water"). Transferring the light fabric heat transfer designs on to a white t-shirt and a small tote bag was a walk in the park as I used the included transfer paper and a hot iron to do so.

As you can see above, the prints look beautiful on the t-shirt and the bag. The inks haven't bled and the designs haven't lost their resolution either. The Tag gives you very little to complain about, really.

Take it anywhere

If you attend a lot of fun parties or social gatherings, or you're into scrapbooking and creating physical prints of memories, then you need the Inkwon Tag in your life. Funded through Kickstarter, the Tag has a retail price of $299 for the basic pack which includes 60 sheets and one ink cartridge. The Mega Pack bundle costs $349 and it includes two cartridges, 120 sheets, a photo frame, a tote bag, and a plain white t-shirt.

Although initial costs are a little high, running costs aren't — around 33 cents per print, and $19 to $25 for paper (packs of three). Few other portable printers are as competent as the Tag, and if you want be the life of the party with temporary tattoos, create the ultimate scrapbook, and more, this is the one for you.

More from Tom's Guide

• I just tried ‘the world’s first 4-in-1 portable color inkjet printer’ — and the Inkwon Tag is perfect for stickers, temporary tattoos, and even designing your own t-shirts
• The 5 best all-in-one printers in 2026 worth your money, tested by experts
• The DJI Osmo Pocket 4 is already getting an update — I spent 3 days with the Osmo Pocket 4P in Malta and here's what I'm allowed to tell you (with sample footage!)

When you think of zombies, it’s easy to imagine the slow-walking kind in shows like “The Walking Dead” and movies like “Night of the Living Dead.” Even though they can still be gory, they often lose a sense of tension because they’re relatively easy to outrun. “World War Z,” on the other hand, strays from that and features hundreds of infected who can sprint and climb walls.

Based on the 2006 bestselling horror-apocalypse novel, the film essentially takes the book’s title and discards almost everything else, but still makes for a gripping watch for genre fans.

It’s even better timing that Prime Video added “World War Z,” given the sequel is officially back in the works. If you didn’t know, a second film spent over a decade stuck in development hell, but Paramount formally confirmed the project at CinemaCon in April 2026. A sequel was actually planned years ago, and at one point even had legendary director David Fincher attached. So there’s no better time to stream the first film and ramp up your excitement.

If you’re in need of an intense horror-thriller to stream this weekend, or just want to see Brad Pitt use his fighting skills in the middle of an apocalypse, here’s why “World War Z” should be on your Prime Video watchlist.

What is ‘World War Z’ about?

Former United Nations investigator Gerry Lane (Brad Pitt) is stuck in traffic with his family in Philadelphia when a sudden, violent outbreak erupts across the city. A rapidly spreading infection turns humans into aggressive, fast-moving infected, causing global collapse within hours.

Recruited back to the UN, Gerry is tasked with travelling the world to trace the origin of the outbreak and find a way to stop it in exchange for his family’s safety. His journey takes him through devastated cities and military zones in South Korea, Israel, and on board a WHO aircraft, where he gathers fragmented clues about the behavior of the infected.

As safe zones collapse and transportation routes become increasingly dangerous, Lane’s mission becomes a race to gather information from different hotspots before communication and infrastructure break down entirely.

‘World War Z’ is intense, gripping and furious

Apocalyptic movies are always huge in scale, and because of that, there are often multiple characters interwoven throughout the story. “World War Z” thankfully chooses to focus on one family, with the man determined to keep them safe by using his expertise to find a potential cure. Even though it takes little from the source material other than its name and infection lore (the book was widely considered unfilmable by Hollywood standards), it makes a smart choice by following a single character through the chaos. That’s what kept me invested.

“World War Z” opens with a jarring montage of real-world news broadcasts over the opening credits before we meet the protagonist, Gerry, who has retired to spend more time with his family. The transition from safety to apocalypse happens in a matter of minutes during a family drive through downtown Philadelphia.

Action lovers will be pleased to know the first wave of the infected hits very soon into the film, and it’s arguably one of the best scenes.

It’s hard to call this film “overlooked” considering it pulled in $540 million worldwide, making it the highest-grossing zombie film ever made and one of the biggest hits of Brad Pitt's career. But in recent years, it’s definitely been somewhat pushed into the shadows, and will likely get another boost in attention once the sequel is out. I compare it favorably to Steven Soderbergh's movie “Contagion” since it makes the effort to include the science of a pandemic rather than just cheap jump scares, and its true strength lies in Pitt’s performance as an exhausted father trying to solve a catastrophic puzzle.

While the film is formulaic and loses its grip on the story’s human aspect by the third act, it still remains a blast, even more so for genre fans. It earned 67% on Rotten Tomatoes (72% from audiences), with the site’s critics consensus reading: “It's uneven and diverges from the source book, but World War Z still brings smart, fast-moving thrills and a solid performance from Brad Pitt to the zombie genre.” Basically, if you love large-scale survival movies, “World War Z” should be at the top of your Prime Video watchlist.

Stream "World War Z" on Prime Video

More from Tom's Guide

• Prime Video just added 69 new movies and shows
• Everything new on Prime Video in July 2026
• Netflix wants every profile to have its own email login

We've reached the point of the Denzel Watchathon that I think a lot of people have been waiting for. This week marks the first of Denzel's movies from the 2000s, and that means I'm watching (more accurately, rewatching) "Remember the Titans."

Like many of you reading this, I've seen this sports movie before. More than once. When you think of Denzel's career, this might not be the first movie you think of, but it'd be close. Coach Herman Boone is an iconic Denzel role, with more than its share of memorable moments and quotable lines.

And yet, incredibly (and perhaps ironically), I had forgotten just how good Denzel is in this movie. In fact, he elevates it. It's a good movie in its own right, but when you rewatch it, you find some weak spots. Particularly when the movie focuses more on the student athletes or Coach Yoast's (Will Patton) daughter, Sheryl (Hayden Panettiere). This is clearly meant to be a feel-good, inspiring movie, and as such, it struggles to avoid being plucky or corny at times.

That said, I also forgot what an incredible period piece this movie is. In fact, it might be a better period piece than a sports movie. The racism that existed in 1971 Virginia is (relatively) accurately portrayed, but far more casually and prolifically than I recalled from my viewings of this movie in my youth. Aside from Denzel's performance, it was probably what stunned me the most.

If you want to watch this movie before you read on, I have great news! Not only is "Remember the Titans" streaming on Hulu, one of the best streaming services out there, but you can also stream it on Disney+.

'Remember the Titans' is a better period piece than a sports movie

Based on a true story, "Remember the Titans" is the story of the 1971 T.C. Williams Titans state-championship-winning football team. Led by Herman Boone (Washington), this team went 13-0, won the state title, and finished the season as the second-best high school football program in the U.S.

Now, when I say "based" on a true story, I mean it. While a great movie, there's a lot about this sports drama that isn't historically accurate. If you go to Wikipedia, you'll find an extensive list, but the highlights are the game against George C. Marshall being a mid-season matchup, and that Alexandria legally integrated its schools in 1959, not 1971.

That said, T.C. Williams was created as an intentionally integrated high school in 1971, merging three existing schools. One of these schools was Francis C. Hammond, which was predominantly white and where Coach Yoast (Patton) had just won the state championship the year before.

Virginia, at the time, was also undeniably still struggling with racism and desegregation. Part of the Jim Crow South and the literal capital of the ethnostate Confederate States of America, just over 100 years earlier, it would have been facetious not to portray race relations at the time, to say the least.

That said, I was still stunned by how casual and prolific the racism was in this movie. Again, not because it didn't exist, but because this is a Disney movie about high school football.

Yes, Denzel's Coach Boone marched with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., which the movie makes sure to point out. And yes, he's forced to stand out on his porch with a gun in his hand after a racially motivated attack, in a scene almost copied from "Malcolm X." But this is ultimately a movie about a team going undefeated to win a championship.

Frankly, it almost felt like Quentin Tarantino directed it at times, with how much racial vitriol is casually thrown around. However, in Disney fashion, it is worth noting that the one time it seems that someone is about to use the N-word, they're conveniently cut short. In reality, things probably didn't play out quite that way.

It's not just the racism that makes this movie an exceptional period piece. The production design, period-accurate cars, etc., are all hallmarks of a well-done historical retelling, and this movie nails them, aside from only allowing Sunshine (Kip Pardue) to have long hair (in reality, Gerry Bertier [Ryan Hurst] and others also had long hair). But it's the movie's commitment to portraying the harsh realities of the South in the 1970s that really impresses me now, 26 years after it was released in theaters.

Verdict: This movie is great, but it'd be worth watching for the Denzel performance alone

As impressive a period piece as "Remember the Titans" is, the reason this movie is a classic is Denzel's performance as Boone. While this is truly an ensemble film with a deep cast that includes Ryan Gosling, Ethan Suplee, Wood Harris and Donald Faison, it's Denzel's moments that are the star.

Because of this, the movie does stumble a little as it approaches its conclusion. The beginning of the film is all about Boone having to unite this team, his coaching staff and to an extent, the city of Alexandria. So the movie naturally focuses on him.

The scenes that involve the preseason camp in Gettysburg are probably the high point of the movie for this reason. The first interaction with Bertier is incredible, as is his first conversation with Lastik (Suplee). The enforcement of three-a-day practices and the speech at the graveyard at Gettysburg Battlefield are peak Denzel.

But then the team starts winning, and it's clear that they have enough talent to win. So the story shifts to ancillary conflicts and puts its focus more frequently on Coach Yoast, as well as the burgeoning friendship between Gerry Bertier and Julius Campbell (Harris). These storylines are still good, as are the performances, but they're noticeably not as demanding of your attention as when Denzel starts to speak.

Regardless, "Remember the Titans" is still a great movie and worthy of your time, whether it's your first watch or your tenth. Even if you've seen it a few times in the past, I recommend checking it out again, because I truly forgot how good not only it is, but how good Denzel is in it.

Stream "Remember the Titans" on Hulu or on Disney+ right now

More from Tom's Guide

• Missed it in theaters? Here's every movie finally arriving on streaming in July 2026
• 3 new to Hulu movies you need to stream this weekend (July 3-5)
• Netflix just added 37 new shows and movies — here's 5 I'd stream right now

I don’t think anyone is purposely trying to spend more time on their smartphone these days. Instead, we’re all trying to use them less, even as social media algorithms, vertical videos, and online shopping conspire to draw us back in. I’m just as guilty as anyone — but I may have finally found a way to keep my doomscrolling at bay. All it took was a teensy, tiny e-reader.

Now I’ll admit, I was caught up in an endless scroll through YouTube Shorts when I first discovered Xteink’s X4. This small, surprisingly simple, single-use device immediately captured my attention. A few days later, Amazon Prime Day was in full swing. While looking for deals to cover, it popped up right in my feed, on sale no less.

I’m no stranger to trying out new devices. Just like with the Playdate handheld, I decided to buy an Xteink X4 just to experience this now-viral gadget for myself. I’m glad I did. It wasn’t just a fun piece of tech to play around with; it actually got me reading again, albeit in small spurts when I normally would have been scrolling.

Here’s what it’s been like using a tiny, open-source, barebones e-reader for a week — and why it just might be the missing puzzle piece to break your endless scroll.

Trading smarts for buttons

Unlike one of the best Kindles or even TCL’s NXTPAPER tablets, Xteink designed the X4 to be as simple as possible. It doesn’t have a touchscreen, and you can’t even read in the dark since there’s no backlight. Instead, you’re getting an incredibly simple e-reader that’s for reading and nothing else. Heck, you can’t even make annotations or look up unfamiliar words using a built-in dictionary.

At 4.49 x 2.72 x 0.23 inches, the X4 is an incredibly small device. Sure, it’s slightly bigger than its predecessor, the X3, but compared to a modern day smartphone, it’s light as a feather at just 74 grams. Unlike many of the best smartphones, you actually get a few accessories in the box, including a microSD card reader for your computer, a screen protector, and a few magnetic rings in case, like me, you’re not using an iPhone. Surprisingly, it also comes with a microSD card pre-installed. Even at 16GB or 32GB, this is still more than enough space for thousands of ebooks.

Given the lack of a touchscreen, the X4 relies on a series of physical buttons on the front and sides to navigate. Underneath the screen, you'll find navigation buttons used to scroll through the menus on the home screen or flip pages while reading. Then on the right side, in addition to another dedicated set of page-turn buttons, there’s a sleep button and a recessed reset button sitting right above the device’s microSD card slot.

The left side of the X4 is button-free. Instead, it houses a USB-C charging port, a tiny LED charging indicator light, and a lanyard loop cutout. Meanwhile, the top and bottom edges of the device are completely bare.

That initial YouTube video I saw was impressive enough to convince me to pick up my own X4, but after holding it in my hands, I’m even more impressed with its simple, understated design. With my unboxing out of the way, it was time to power the X4 on, load up some ebooks and start reading.

A page at a time

Now with the X4, you won’t be heading to Amazon's Kindle Store or another ebook shop on the device itself to load up some books. Instead, this is a BYOB — bring your own books — situation. You can certainly buy your own ebooks and put them on the X4 if they’re in the EPUB format. However, you can also download free ones and load them onto the device.

I read through all of the classics available from Project Gutenberg back when I first started e-reading on my old iPod touch. However, one of my favorite modern sci-fi authors, Cory Doctorow, also offers several of his novels for free under Creative Commons licenses. So I downloaded the novel Eastern Standard Tribe to try re-reading it on the X4 along with one of his books I hadn’t read yet, Makers.

From there, I just copied the EPUB files onto the X4’s included microSD card, powered the device on, and I was good to go. Since I had a medical appointment downtown, I decided to bring the X4 with me to do a bit of reading in the waiting room. Once that was done, I took it outside to see how well its 4.3-inch screen handled direct sunlight. It did so surprisingly well, remaining perfectly legible even in direct glare.

Since my wife and I were already downtown and planned on cooking Korean BBQ at home this weekend, we swung by H Mart to pick up all the ingredients we needed. Just for fun, I pulled the X4 out while we grocery shopped to see if I could squeeze in a few paragraphs here and there. On the compact screen, those paragraphs turned into pages incredibly fast, and before I knew it, I was a full chapter in.

A trip to H Mart is always a good excuse to pick up your favorite ramen alongside a bowl or two of flavors you haven’t tried before. While my wife browsed through some of the more outrageous options, I woke up the X4 and got back to reading. While you can’t read at night unless you get one of those old-school, clip-on reading lights, this little e-reader was incredibly clear under the harsh, overhead lights of a supermarket.

Before I knew it, we were at the register checking out and I had made serious progress in my book. That’s really the beauty of the X4. Since it isn’t bogged down with loads of extras, it wakes up from sleep instantly. There is nothing to distract you; one second it's in sleep mode, and the next, you’re right back into the paragraph where you left off.

Magnetic to a point

Now, before you rush out and pick up an Xteink X4 after watching a vertical video like I did, there are some limitations you need to be aware of. Yes, the device itself is magnetic and you can attach it to the back of your smartphone to bring this tiny e-reader everywhere you go. However, your mileage can — and likely will — vary.

For instance, in the video I watched, the person filming had the X4 attached perfectly to their phone. Since I’m still daily driving a Nothing Phone 2, I borrowed my wife’s iPhone 14 Pro Max to test this out. As you can see, the X4 does magnetically attach to her phone, but not in the way you’d think.

On that older Pro Max model, it only attaches sideways, which is less than ideal for slipping both devices into your pocket. I tried this with a standard iPhone 15 later on, and it aligned perfectly. Surprisingly, just like with the Google Pixel Tablet, I was also able to stick my X4 directly onto the front of my fridge without any modifications. Then again, you do get a two-pack of adhesive magnetic rings in the box, so regardless of what phone you use, you should be able to make things work.

Besides the lack of a backlight, the other big limitation is the X4’s stock software. Fortunately, there’s a very easy fix for that. The community that’s sprung up around this tiny e-reader has created its own custom firmware called CrossPoint, which drastically improves the reading experience. Flashing it onto my device took less than five minutes. Afterward, I even went back onto my computer and loaded some custom wallpapers onto the SD card. Let me know in the comments below if you’d like a step-by-step walkthrough on how to install CrossPoint and customize the X4.

There is an X4 Pro on the horizon that adds a touchscreen, but for me, that defeats the purpose of this tiny e-reader’s charm. I like not accidentally turning pages. The tactile, analog feeling of pressing a physical button to flip to the next page is something I’m sure users of older Kindles still miss to this day.

At its $70 full price — or the $55 discounted price I paid — the Xteink X4 is an absolute steal that could very well reignite your love for reading just like it did for me. Just don’t go into it expecting a tiny Kindle Scribe, and I bet you’ll be incredibly pleased with this little, single-purpose device too.

• I asked Perplexity for a reading list — and it outperformed every book app I use
• I tested the brand-new Kindle Colorsoft 2026 — and it’s still the King of e-readers
• I tried the TCL NXTPAPER 11 Plus and this budget tablet is easily my iPad killer — here’s why

Hulu is a great streaming service if you're looking for new shows to binge this weekend. It features a deep library of series from a range of Disney-owned networks, including FX, ABC and 20th Television. But it also has tons of original hit shows that you don't want to miss.

With so much available to watch, though, it can be overwhelming to decide where to start. Don't worry; I've put together a list of three new shows perfect for adding to your weekend watchlist.

First up is "The Bear" season 5, which just dropped on Hulu last week. If you don't want to be spoiled about the show's final season, start watching now, because I already had the ending ruined for me. Once you're done with "The Bear," check out "Welcome to Wrexham" season 5, which just wrapped up this past week. Finally, there's "Not Suitable for Work," a new comedy series from Mindy Kaling that's been a hit with audiences, even if critics aren't so keen.

Here are three new to Hulu shows you need to binge-watch this weekend, and why you need to watch them. For more recommendations, check out the full list of everything new to Hulu and Disney+ in July 2026.

'The Bear' season 5

Genre: Comedy-drama series

What's it about? Carmy Berzatto (Jeremy Allen White) announced he was leaving The Bear at the end of season 4. He's no longer in love with cooking and has decided it's time to call it a day on his dreams of a Michelin Star-worthy establishment. Before he can leave, though, he and the rest of the staff have to get it together for one final service and one last shot at glory.

Why you should watch it: If for no other reason, you should watch "The Bear" season 5 for no other reason than that this is the end. Seasons 1-2 were two of the best seasons of television this century. Season 3 may have fallen off, but season 4 bounced back, and you owe it to yourself to see it through to the end.

Stream all five seasons of "The Bear" on Hulu now

'Welcome to Wrexham' season 5

Genre: Sports docuseries

What's it about? It seems like just yesterday that actors Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds bought a Welsh football club, Wrexham A.F.C. But it's actually been years, and now, the team is on the precipice of promotion to the English Premier League, which would change the club's fortunes forever.

Why you should watch it: At least one episode each season of "Welcome to Wrexham" will devastate you emotionally, and this season, the showrunners hit me with a gut punch right out of the gate. Even if you already know how Wrexham's promotion bid ends (this show chronicles real-life events, after all), this documentary is worth watching to have your eyes and heart opened to Wales and the Welsh people.

Stream all five seasons of "Welcome to Wrexham" on Hulu now

'Not Suitable for Work' season 1

Genre: Comedy series

What's it about? "Not Suitable for Work" stars Ella Hunt, Avantika Vandanapu, Will Angus, Jack Martin and Nicholas Duvernay. They portray a group of 20-somethings trying to make it work as young professionals in Manhattan. But given that one of them, AJ (Hunt), is already attracted to her boss (Jay Ellis), it's safe to say things won't go smoothly.

Why you should watch it: This show seems funny, at least based on the trailers. But critics on Rotten Tomatoes have not been kind. That said, audiences seem to like it, rating it quite highly. The season finale just dropped on Hulu last week, so now is the perfect time to check it out.

Stream all nine episodes of "Not Suitable for Work" season 1 on Hulu now

More from Tom's Guide

• Missed it in theaters? Here's every movie finally arriving on streaming in July 2026
• Netflix just added 37 new shows and movies — here's 5 I'd stream right now
• 'Minions and Monsters' is no 'Toy Story 5,' but you'll still have a blast

Paramount+ is constantly adding new shows to binge, and this weekend is no exception. The streaming service drops new episodes of hit shows every week, and sometimes even entire seasons to binge. In fact, it just added 70 new movies and shows on July 1. These aren't always new, original shows, though. While Paramount+ adds new shows from Paramount's networks, like CBS, as well as coproductions with international studios, it also brings back older shows, ripe for a binge-watch.

This weekend, I've got three shows worth watching. First, there's "Dutton Ranch," which just dropped its season 1 finale this morning. Once you're done watching that, you can start binging all 10 episodes of "The Agency" season 2. Finally, once you've watched all nine episodes of "Dutton Ranch" and all 20 episodes across both seasons of "The Agency," you can start on "Tyler Perry's Ruthless" season 6, which just had its season premiere this week.

Here are the three new to Paramount+ shows you need to binge-watch this weekend. If you need more recommendations, check out everything coming to Paramount+ in July 2026 for more options.

'Dutton Ranch' season 1

Genre: Neo-Western drama series

What's it about? "Dutton Ranch" stars Cole Hauser and Kelly Reilly, reprising their roles as Rip Wheeler and Beth Dutton from "Yellowstone." In this spin-off/sequel, they're starting over in Texas, hoping to get away from the baggage of Montana. But it turns out there's plenty of new drama in the Lone Star State.

Why you should watch it: "Yellowstone" never really spoke to me, but I've been really enjoying this spin-off. In my "Dutton Ranch" review, I highlighted Ed Harris and Annette Bening as being big reasons I liked it, and so far, they remain the highlights of the show, though some other characters are starting to grow on me. I haven't stopped watching and you should start.

Stream all nine episodes of "Dutton Ranch" season 1 on Paramount+ now

'The Agency' season 2

Genre: Spy thriller series

What's it about? "The Agency” is an adaptation of the acclaimed French spy thriller series "Le Bureau des Légendes" (or "The Bureau"). It's set at the CIA's London office and stars Michael Fassbender as a deep-cover agent named Brandon, though he mostly goes by his codename: "Martian." His cover and his work life are dangerously intertwined, and in season 2, he will betray the CIA to save the woman he loves (Jodie Turner-Smith).

Why you should watch it: I've already seen the entire season, and in my "The Agency" season 2 review, I landed firmly in the camp of loving this show once again. It's not a perfect show, and most of the problems from season 1 are still there in season 2. But this show knows how to build to an explosive finale, and I don't mean that metaphorically.

Stream the entire second season of "The Agency" on Paramount+ now

'Tyler Perry's Ruthless' season 6

Genre: Drama miniseries

What's it about? This spin-off of "The Oval" stars Melissa L. Williams as Ruth, who has become entangled in a powerful sex cult. Six seasons in, she's now pregnant with the child of The Highest (Matt Cedeño), who leads the cult, and that's finally given her an opportunity to wield power within it.

Why you should watch it: I'll be honest, this show sounds absolutely insane. But people love Tyler Perry's shows, so it felt wrong not to mention that one of his series had just returned for a sixth season. Clearly, something is working with this series.

Stream the two-episode season 6 premiere of "Tyler Perry's Ruthless" on Paramount+ now

More from Tom's Guide

• Missed it in theaters? Here's every movie finally arriving on streaming in July 2026
• Netflix just added 37 new shows and movies — here's 5 I'd stream right now
• 'Minions and Monsters' is no 'Toy Story 5,' but you'll still have a blast

Prime Video is a great streaming service for finding your next favorite movie. While Amazon doesn't have the deepest library of original movies, it adds dozens of movies to its streaming service each month. In fact, it just added 69 new movies and shows on July 1 alone.

This week, I've scoured the list of what's on Prime, and I've landed on three must-watch films. At the top of the list is "Project Hail Mary," which is making its Prime Video debut this weekend. Then, there's "Gladiator," a movie that needs no excuse to be watched. Finally, I'm ending things on a high note with "Tropic Thunder," which absolutely would not get made today, yet remains a comedy classic.

So, here are the three new to Prime Video movies that you need to be streaming this weekend. If you need more recommendations, check out our full guide to everything new on Prime Video in July 2026.

'Project Hail Mary' (2026)

Genre: Science fiction movie

What's it about? "Project Hail Mary" stars Ryan Gosling as Grace, a school teacher who awakes to find himself in space, where he meets the alien, Rocky (James Ortiz). Together, they try to solve why an alien dubbed "Astrophage" is killing nearly every sun in the galaxy, while Grace starts to remember who he is and how he ended up as part of Project Hail Mary.

Why you need to watch it: This was my best movie of 2026 until it was finally beaten out by "The Invite" at the end of June. It's an incredible display of technical filmmaking skill, anchored by Oscar-worthy performances from Gosling and Ortiz, who is both the puppeteer for the alien Rocky and the voice.

Stream "Project Hail Mary" on Prime Video now

'Gladiator' (2000)

Genre: Epic historical fiction movie

What's it about? "Gladiator" tells the tale of Maximus Decimus Meridius (Russell Crowe). Commander of the Armies of the North, General of the Felix Legions. Loyal servant to the true emperor, Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris). Father to a murdered son (Giorgio Cantarini), husband to a murdered wife (Ginnina Facio). He will have his vengeance, in this life or the next.

Why you need to watch it: This movie is always worth a rewatch. If you've never seen it before, go watch it now. If you don't like it, I'll give you your money back (but not really).

Stream "Gladiator" on Prime Video now

'Tropic Thunder' (2008)

Genre: Action comedy movie

What's it about? "Tropic Thunder" stars Ben Stiller as action star Tugg Speedman, who, along with Jeff Portnoy (Jack Black), Kirk Lazarus (Robert Downey Jr.) and many other (fictional) stars, heads to Vietnam to film a war movie. But when the film's director (Steve Coogan) explodes, stepping on a land mine, and Tugg gets captured by rebels, everything becomes chaos.

Why you need to watch it: This movie is, simply put, hysterical. The cast is excellent, especially Downey Jr., whose Kirk Lazarus is in Blackface as Lincoln Osiris for nearly the entire movie. Even though it's a satirical performance, it almost certainly would stop this movie from getting made today, despite earning the Marvel star an Oscar nomination.

Stream "Tropic Thunder" on Prime Video now

More from Tom's Guide

• Missed it in theaters? Here's every movie finally arriving on streaming in July 2026
• Netflix just added 37 new shows and movies — here's 5 I'd stream right now
• 'Minions and Monsters' is no 'Toy Story 5,' but you'll still have a blast

July officially kicks off what I like to call “the summer of smartwatch launches.” Samsung tends to get things started with a new slate of Galaxy Watches toward the end of the month, then Google answers with fresh Pixel Watches sometime in August, before Apple closes things out in early September with the latest Apple Watch debuts.

This schedule is, of course, not set in stone, but based on the recent past, it seems likely that the summer of 2026 will look a lot like 2025 and 2024, in terms of launch timing.

While an Apple Watch Ultra 4 and/or a replacement for the budget-friendly Apple Watch SE 3 are far from certain, we’ll almost certainly lay eyes on the Apple Watch Series 12 in just over two months. After all, Cupertino has shown off a new flagship Apple Watch series every single year for the past 11 straight years.

As a smartwatch reviewer with no shortage of Apple Watch 12 rumors to go off of, these are the three upgrades — that actually have a chance of coming to fruition — I’m hoping for most, plus one I desperately don’t want to happen.

Apple Watch 12 upgrade no.1: Touch ID

Punching in a passcode on the Apple Watch 11’s modest-sized display is a pain in the butt, which is why I keep the security feature turned off, even though I know better. One way to improve things? Add Touch ID support.

Not only would Touch ID make unlocking the smartwatch a breeze, but it could also be used to confirm purchases via Apple Pay and/or app downloads.

According to a report in Macworld, Touch ID on the Apple Watch Series 12 is a real possibility. Then again, separate leaks suggest that Face ID could also be in the cards. Both of these upgrades would require additional onboard hardware, in the form of either an under-the-display fingerprint scanner or front-facing camera. I'd ultimately be pleased with either.

Apple Watch 12 upgrade no.2: A brighter display

The Apple Watch Series 11 display maxes out at a respectable 2,000 nits of brightness, which is enough output to view the screen in most lighting conditions. However, both the Google Pixel Watch 4 and Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 boast displays with 3,000 nits of max brightness, and their successors might push that output even further.

To both stay competitive and to ensure optimal viewability, even when lounging on white sand beaches under clear blue skies, I’m hoping the Series 12 at least matches the screen brightness of the Apple Watch Ultra 3 and the above-mentioned watches, 3,000 nits.

Apple Watch 12 upgrade no.3: AI-powered Siri

It’s not even close: Google’s Gemini AI voice assistant for Pixel Watches and select Samsung Galaxy Watches is a zillion times better than the same-old Siri that’s been offered in every Apple Watch for more than a decade.

When I reviewed the Pixel Watch 4, I was genuinely impressed by the onboard AI assistant’s ability to answer genuinely complex questions with helpful, accurate replies.

Of course, we know Apple has partnered with Google to power Siri 2.0 with Gemini, and we've already had a taste of what that looks like on iPhone. The question is, will this be ready in time for the fall? I sure hope so, particularly if it debuts alongside a new dedicated gesture control to wake it, similar to Google's "raise to wake" gesture for Pixel Watch 4.

Apple Watch 12 — what I don’t want: A redesigned band system

One Apple Watch 12 “upgrade” rumor I’m hoping doesn’t come to pass, though it's been widely reported on, is a redesigned case with a new system for attaching straps. Apple has used the same band system ever since the original Apple Watch debuted.

One of the nicest things about upgrading from an older Apple Watch to a newer model is the ability to bring your band along with you, assuming you're sticking with a similar case size.

For example, I’ve got four or five favorite Apple Watch bands, and I’d be seriously annoyed if none of them worked on the Series 12.

Apple Watch Series 12: What do you want?

So, now that you know my three biggest Apple Watch Series 12 wishes, I’m curious to hear your thoughts. What are you most hoping to see in the next flagship Apple Watch model? Let me know in the comments or survey below.

More from Tom's Guide

• Your Samsung Galaxy Watch now supports blood pressure tracking — but it’s not the same as Apple’s Hypertension Alerts
• 5 reasons why I sometimes still wear a 'dumb' watch
• Snapdragon Reality Elite is here, and I’ve already tested it without realizing in Xreal’s Project Aura — its a giant step towards the future of smart glasses

Director Robert Eggers is the modern master of chilling period horror. With the first trailer for Eggers' next movie, “Werwulf,” debuting this week, it’s a reminder that nobody does folklore chillers quite like the New York-born director. From “The Lighthouse” to 2024’s “Nosferatu,” Eggers is one of the most exciting and acclaimed horror filmmakers of the past decade.

Cinephiles will know that Egger exploded onto the scene back in 2015 with “The Witch,” a movie that arguably remains his gold standard, and this genuinely unnerving folk horror just arrived on Netflix. With the hype surrounding “Werwulf” building, now is the time to watch (or rewatch) “The Witch,” particularly now it's on the world’s biggest streaming service.

In fact, the movie didn’t just introduce the world to Robert Eggers’ trademark style of authentic period production and deeply disturbing atmosphere; it also marked Anya Taylor-Joy’s film feature debut. If you can handle the chilling tension, uneasy sense of paranoia, and the dialogue, which is spoken in period-accurate English (prepare for lots of “thou’s” and “thee’s”), you’ll find few psychological movies more worthy of your time.

What is 'The Witch' about?

Set in 17th-century New England, “The Witch” centers on a settler family, led by father William (Ralph Ineson). Recently banished from their Puritan community over a religious dispute, they’ve now moved into the wilderness to build a home of their own next to a secluded forest.

However, when the family’s youngest son, Samuel, disappears, Thomasin (Taylor-Joy), the oldest daughter, is blamed, as she was supposed to be watching him at the time. With the family in turmoil and paranoia mounting, Thomasin is suspected of engaging in witchcraft.

As “The Witch” builds to its nerve-jangling finale, it explores themes of faith, love and family ties. But above it all is the alarming question of whether a sinister coven of witches is really terrorizing the family or not.

'The Witch' needs to be on your Netflix watchlist

“The Witch” is as authentic as it is deeply chilling. The period New England setting is brought to life on screen in a way that fully transports viewers to 1600s America. It’s a slow-burn horror, but rewards your patience as its central cast is put through the wringer. By the end, the family’s loving bond has dissolved, and each member’s faith in a higher power and each other has been deeply shaken.

It’s a movie that thrives on a phenomenal sense of atmosphere and mounting dread. It’s a horror that focuses on unease rather than resorting to cheap tricks like jump scares, and all the better for it. The performances are also exquisite. Anya Taylor-Joy’s star has risen considerably in the years since, but anybody who watched “The Witch” upon release in 2015 knew she was going places.

And I should tip my cap to Ineson and Kate Dickie as well. The latter plays the family's mom and features in a scene that genuinely made my skin itch.

I’m not the only person with plenty of praise for Egger’s directorial debut. On Rotten Tomatoes, the movie scores an impressive 91%. The site’s consensus reads, “As thought-provoking as it is visually compelling, ‘The Witch’ delivers a deeply unsettling exercise in slow-building horror that suggests great things for debuting writer-director Robert Eggers.”However, the more mixed 61% audience score shows how it’s not for everybody.

Still, if the new “Werwulf” trailer has you hyped or you enjoyed Eggers’ spin on “Nosferatu” and haven’t seen “The Witch” yet, its recent arrival on Netflix should be your cue to get this absorbing but unquestionably bleak movie on your watchlist. It might be among the darkest movies I’ve ever watched, but it’s also one of the most meticulously crafted and memorable.

Watch "The Witch" on Netflix now

More from Tom's Guide

• 3 best movies to watch after 'Backrooms'
• New to Netflix thriller movies to stream this week
• 5 best horror movies of 2026 (so far)

Spending the weekend outdoors enjoying the summer weather sounds nice in theory, but you know what’s even better? Skipping the sun to spend the whole weekend indoors where it’s nice and cool. Plus, then you can binge-watch a load of the best new Netflix shows.

The big red streaming service is giving subscribers plenty of reasons to spend summer inside with a host of new arrivals that will have you clicking that “play next episode” all day long. From a thrilling Harlan Coben miniseries to the return of a fantasy adventure epic, there’s also a new true-crime docuseries that centers on some real-life neighbors from hell.

I’ve rounded up the Netflix series you need to have on your watchlist this weekend down below. These recently added shows are so bingeable you’ll finish them before Monday morning arrives.

‘I Will Find You’

Netflix’s latest collaboration with crime author supremo Harlan Coben, “I Will Find You,” shows no signs of slowing down as it enters its third week on the platform. This mystery drama mini-series has ruled as Netflix No. 1 pretty much since the moment it dropped on June 18, and is already among the platform’s most-watched shows of 2026. Clearly, Netflix subscribers aren’t close to worn out on Coben’s particular brand of twist-driven television.

Based on Coben’s 2023 novel of the same name, “I Will Find You” sees former law professor David Burroughs (Sam Worthington) imprisoned for the murder of his son. A crime he swears he didn’t commit. But when he receives information from his ex-wife (Britt Lower) that his son might still be alive, he is determined to break out of prison and find some answers.

Watch "I Will Find You" on Netflix now

‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’

The second season of Netflix’s live-action adaptation of Nickelodeon’s beloved “Avatar: The Last Airbender” cartoon hasn’t been able to overthrow “I Will Find You,” but it’s got the second spot on lockdown (as of writing). Fear not, this is no disaster like the terrible 2010 movie adaptation from M. Night Shyamalan, though critics note it doesn’t quite live up to the legacy of the animated original. Season 2 also has a problem with its rapidly aging young cast, but at least season 3 was filmed concurrently.

Following their costly victory over the Fire Nation at the culmination of “Avatar: The Last Airbender” season 1, Aang (Gordon Cormier), Katara (Kiawentiio), and Sokka (Ian Ousley) must set off on a new quest. This time they’re hoping to convince the mysterious Earth King to join their cause as they seek a way to stop Fire Lord Ozai (Daniel Dae Kim) for good.

Watch "Avatar: The Last Airbender" on Netflix now

'Worst Neighbor Ever'

If you were hooked by Netflix’s true-crime docuseries “Worst Roommate Ever,” wait till you’re introduced to these real-life neighbors from hell. Even just watching the trailer makes me very thankful that my worst experience with neighbors has been the occasional loud noise in the early hours of the morning.

This four-episode series looks like a must-watch for anybody who cannot get enough of true crime, and if the most-watched charts are any indication, that applies to many Netflix viewers. In this collection of hour-long episodes, you’ll meet paranoid neighbors with an axe to grind, experience an explosive feud in a quiet Indiana suburb, and witness a relentless harassment campaign that turns a couple’s living situation impossible to endure. After watching, you might wish to live in a remote cabin in the woods with no neighbors for miles.

Watch "Worst Neighbor Ever" on Netflix now

More from Tom's Guide

• Every Harlan Coben show you can stream, ranked
• I used to watch Netflix shows on day 1. Here's why I've stopped
• 3 new to Netflix thriller movies to stream this week

Apple is one of those companies that values loyalty, and routinely rewards it with various exclusive perks and features that can only be accessed from an iPhone or some other kind of Apple device. But if you're not an Apple user, or dare to prefer one of the best Android phones, Apple tends to try and ignore your very existence. The same is true for Windows PCs.

There are occasions where Apple will get a little generous, and throw a bone to the people that don't actively buy its products. Sometimes that involves giving them access to Apple services, like Apple Music or Apple TV, and others it means access to features that Apple had previously kept locked inside the walled garden for its own users.

Here's the good news: iOS 27 will give Android and Windows users the ability to take full advantage of iCloud Shared Albums without needing an Apple device.

Shared Albums for everyone

iCloud Shared albums are exactly what they sound like. They are albums, stored within iCloud, that allow multiple people to share photos and videos together. Each album can store up to 5,000 photos and videos, and previously anything added to those albums didn't count towards your iCloud storage limits.

That'll stop being the case in iOS 27 and macOS 27, but we will get to that annoying piece of small print a little later.

Shared Albums, previously referred to as iCloud Photo Sharing, have existed in some form for a long time. The idea is that you can easily share photos and videos with up to five other people, giving everyone the ability to add and edit photos as they see fit. Better still, Apple Photos didn't cordon off those files into their own separate albums, and instead shows them in your main feed alongside everything else you've shot.

Sadly, Apple kept unlimited access to those shared albums exclusive to its own devices. So you needed an iPhone, iPad or Mac to be able to get the full shared album experience. Windows users could get limited viewing privileges via the iCloud app, while Android users could view them in their web browser.

But Apple is changing that with the next wave of OS upgrades. Once you have access to iOS 27 and macOS 27, you'll be able to "upgrade" your shared albums and bring Android and Windows users into the fold — and let them add their own photos just as they would if they owned an iPhone. These upgrade albums also let everyone share full-resolution, uncompressed files for the first time.

The downside is that these new upgraded shared albums are apparently no longer exempt from iCloud storage limits. Instead, it appears that the person who upgrades the album is responsible for everything that gets stored — which is going to be a real pain if your friends insist on posting large video files to the shared album.

It's not clear why, though my guess would be that Apple doesn't want non-Apple users taking advantage of free iCloud storage when they don't directly contribute to its bottom line. Android phones have no ability to pay for an iCloud subscription, after all, and they don't buy iPhones.

There are temporary shared albums that remain free for 30 days, but any permanent option is going to cost you money.

Apple should be more mindful of Android and Windows users

I get why Apple focuses on its own users over everyone else. These are the people who have iPhones, Apple Watches, and probably an iPad or Mac as well, and it's just good business to keep these people happy with a constant string of features and upgrades that make their devices more useful.

But at the same time there are plenty of things Apple could be doing to try and appeal to non-Apple users as well. I don't expect Apple to start unlocking exclusive AirPods features, or offering unrestricted Apple Watch access to Android users. It would just be nice if Apple realized that there are ways it can benefit from opening up to those people as well.

This could be as simple as adding a remote control feature to the Apple TV app on Android. I recently bought an Apple TV 4K, switching over from Roku despite the fact I knew there wasn't an official virtual remote. Naturally,

Having an official remote on my Pixel 10 Pro would be a massive quality of life improvement for watching TV during those occasions when I can't find or reach the actual remote.

It would also be nice for Apple to offer access to some of its other services, like iCloud, to paying customers off platform. Not because I have any major desire to switch all my cloud storage needs to Apple servers, versus Google's, but because it's nice to have extra options.

I know what people will say. Having access to Apple services is a selling point for Apple devices, with the cost of entry being the few hundred dollars you spend on your device. Offering too much without that paywall would only devalue Apple's ecosystem — which is not something Apple wants to happen.

Cross platform interaction is a work in progress

We also have to remember that iPhone and Mac users don't exist in a vacuum, and they do interact with Android and Windows users on a regular basis. Ensuring better methods of communication between those groups benefits everyone, including Apple's own users.

The recent push to add AirDrop support to Android's QuickShare is a great example of this, and while Apple could have shut down Google's attempts to make it happen without discussion, it makes sense to allow Android and iPhone users to be able to share files easily and seamlessly — even though they're on opposing platforms.

The same is true for the addition of RCS messaging support. iMessage only works on iPhones, and messaging Android defaulted to SMS which is unencrypted and compressed shared files within an inch of their life.

Some have claimed that Apple was forced to add RCS support by the Chinese government, but it doesn't change the fact that messaging Android users from an iPhone is far more user-friendly and secure than it was in the past. And that's better for everyone.

Bottom line

There's never going to be true parity between Apple products and those running on other platforms. Apple has invested too much in keeping users tied to the Apple ecosystem and offering too much to people who don't buy iPhones or Macs is just going to make their own platform less appealing.

This would devalue the Apple experience, and harm the company's bottom line. That means it's never going to happen, and Apple will continue to try and ignore Android, Windows and any other rival platform out there for as long as humanly possible.

But this doesn't change the fact that there are benefits to allowing better connectivity between Apple devices and those same rivals. It could be a way to draw some extra revenue from people who wouldn't otherwise be Apple customers, or to improve the cross-platform experience for people who are.

The tides have been turning for this, and iCloud Shared Albums are the latest example of how Apple has figured out that it needs to be more mindful of Android and Windows users. But, as ever, there's always more that can be done.

More from Tom's Guide

• I just got both my battery packs confiscated at a Chinese airport, and I wish I’d known about this one thing before flying
• Apple expects 10 million people to buy a $2,500 iPhone Ultra — and it's a huge gamble
• Major security holes in AirDrop and QuickShare put your phone at risk of attack — here's how to protect yourself

After a year and a half away, "Silo" returns with a challenge that every prestige streaming drama eventually faces: How do you pick up the pieces after a finale that left viewers with 100 unanswered questions? If you're anything like me, you'll probably want to watch a recap before diving back in. Season 2 ended in a flurry of revelations and plot movements, and the details might feel a bit fuzzy.

Fortunately, season 3 doesn't expect you to remember everything. Instead, it takes an unexpectedly clever approach by dropping us into Silo 18 in a way that makes it feel just as unfamiliar to us as it does to Juliette Nichols (Rebecca Ferguson).

After watching the premiere episode, I'm already convinced the Apple TV sci-fi drama hasn't lost its touch. If anything, it feels like a show that's finally shifting from asking questions to answer them — and setting the pieces in place for the endgame.
Very light spoilers for "Silo" season 3 episode 1 ahead.

Juliette digs into a new mystery — and so do we

Picking up three months after last season's explosive finale, Silo 18 has reorganized itself in ways that are new to us. Juliette doesn’t recognize it either, because she has amnesia after surviving the fire. She’s now the mayor, apparently, and the rebellion seems to be over.

Amnesia is hardly the freshest storytelling device. I’ve seen enough “who am I?” storylines to last several lifetimes underground. But it actually works here because it isn’t just a gimmick meant to tread water; Juliette’s confusion becomes our own and we’re invited to play detective alongside her.

Every interaction hints that something is off. Camille (Alexandria Riley) is the new head of IT and a much more powerful player, with direct access to the Algorithm and the savviness to manipulate Juliette. Then there’s Camille’s husband and new Judge, Sims (Common), who is still as menacing as ever. Even Juliette’s friends, like Shirley (Remmie Milner) and Knox (Shane McRae), behave strangely around her. She may be back home, but Juliette once again must figure out who has key information and who can actually be trusted.

And then there’s the Before Times storyline, which I didn’t expect to be this intrigued by so quickly. For two seasons, the biggest question hanging over the series hasn't just been what's outside the silo, but why humanity ended up underground in the first place.

Finally beginning to explore that history adds fresh energy, especially in key figures like Congressman Daniel (Ashley Zukerman) and journalist Helen (Jessica Henwick), who stumble upon an unfolding conspiracy. Their storyline, alongside glimpses of political and military actions, hints at how decisions made in the Before Times ripple forward into the silos, making the past feel just as relevant as the present.

Verdict: ‘Silo’ season 3 hits the accelerator

I’ve never read Hugh Howey’s books, so I have no expectations of fidelity to the page. But as a viewer, I can feel the show shifting from “what’s happening in the silo?” to “why has all of this happened?” and that’s a much more compelling direction than just stacking new mysteries on old ones. There's real momentum here.

Rebecca Ferguson remains the show's not-so-secret weapon. Even with Juliette stripped of her memories, Ferguson grounds every scene with the same stubborn determination she’s had from the beginning. Watching Juliette slowly realize that something about her new reality doesn't add up is every bit as gripping as seeing her go outside to “clean.”

Of course, one episode isn't enough to judge an entire season, but as premieres go, this is an excellent one. It smartly avoids the temptation to tell, not show, and lets us into the mysteries as if this is an RPG. If the rest of season 3 can build on the intrigue established here, I’m excited to keep watching.

The Steam Machine promised to bring the PC experience to the living room at an affordable cost. While it has certainly lived up to the former, it has absolutely not lived up to the latter. Sure, it can play the best Steam games, but it’s going to cost you at least $1,049 to buy Valve’s system — or it will cost that much when you’re next up on the waitlist.

In fairness to the Steam Machine, the price of all gaming hardware has increased dramatically thanks to the RAM crisis. Case in point: the PS5 Pro, which was already pricey at its original $699 price, now costs $899! No matter what, gamers are paying a premium. Given that, you want to make the best choice before plunking down your hard-earned cash on your next system.

To that end, I want to compare the Steam Machine to the PS5 Pro. I’ll take a look at what each offers in terms of performance, price, and gaming libraries to see which system is the best one for you. Should you get the Steam Machine or the PS5 Pro? Let’s find out!

Pricing & value

To be clear, the Steam Machine and PS5 Pro are not inexpensive systems. This is especially true because of the dreaded RAMageddon, which is driving up prices for components like RAM and SSDs. With that established, here’s how much you’re paying for each system.

The PS5 Pro now costs $899, up from its original $699 starting price two years ago. It offers strong raw graphics performance and ample storage for the price. You get the system and a single controller in the box.

Then there’s the Steam Machine, which starts at $1,049 for the 512GB model and jumps to $1,349 for the 2TB model. Neither of these comes with a controller, so you’ll have to pay $1,128 and $1,428 (respectively) for models bundled with the Steam Controller.

Again, neither of these systems is cheap, but if you want to make less of a dent on your wallet, then the PS5 Pro is the way to go.

Performance & specs

The PS5 Pro runs on a custom AMD Zen 2 CPU and a powerful custom RDNA GPU capable of 16.7 Teraflops with Sony’s PSSR machine-learning upscaler. The system also has 16GB of unified GDDR6 memory and a 2TB SSD.

Based on raw, unoptimized rendering, the PS5 Pro has power comparable to an AMD Radeon RX 7700 XT or an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 Ti. However, when you factor in console-level optimization and PSSR, Sony’s console can deliver performance comparable to an RTX 5060 Ti or an RX 9060 XT.

Select PS5 Pro-enhanced games offer 60 fps at the same resolution as the base PS5’s Fidelity mode (which limits gameplay to 30 fps). For instance, The Last of Us Part II Remastered uses the Pro’s improved processing power to deliver an upscaled 4K image while maintaining a rock-solid frame rate. The PS5 Pro also delivers ray tracing, which adds lifelike reflections to certain games. Ray tracing usually comes at the cost of performance, but it sure makes games look beautiful.

As for the Steam Machine, it’s running on a semi-custom AMD Zen 4 CPU and RDNA 3 architecture. It comes with 16GB of DDR5 RAM, 8GB of dedicated GDDR6 VRAM, and a 2TB NVMe SSD.

In terms of power, the Steam Machine’s GPU is roughly equivalent to a desktop AMD Radeon RX 7600 or an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 in raw raster performance. Since it uses a lower-power, mobile-tier chip similar to an RX 7600M, it’s fair to say it sits between an Xbox Series S and a PS5 in overall gaming performance.

To be clear, the Steam Machine is not a 4K gaming machine. It’s basically a 1080p system with some QHD on the side. While it does well with less demanding games, things fall apart the instant you try to play anything AAA. You can make 4K work at FPS, but you’ll lose detail since you’ll have to rely on FSR. Also, forget about ray tracing at 4K, as that is this system’s kryptonite.

With FSR and settings tweaks, you can make 4K work at 60 FPS, but by that point, you lose the detail. Cyberpunk 2077 is the ultimate proof that ray tracing is this machine’s kryptonite, as it simply did not run in 4K.

When it comes to specs and performance, the PS5 Pro easily bests the Steam Machine. So if your primary concern is performance, Sony’s console is the one to get between these two.

Gaming experience

Here is where performance becomes less important. After all, what’s the point of owning a powerful system if it doesn’t have the games and experiences you’re looking for? Yes, both systems can play many of the same titles, but there’s more to it than that.

Naturally, the PS5 Pro has all the latest PlayStation exclusives at launch. Yes, there are many PlayStation games on PC, but they’re mostly older titles. If recent reports are true, Sony plans to stop launching its single-player exclusives on PC. If that pans out, you’ll need a Sony system (either the PS5 Pro or PS5) to play Sony’s games.

Beyond exclusives, the PS5 Pro (and PS5) is a plug-and-play system that doesn’t require tweaking settings, updating drivers, or troubleshooting, unlike the more hands-on PC gaming experience. That’s not to say you’ll always get a smooth experience, as games can crash or updates might cause problems. But for the most part, the PS5 Pro delivers a seamless console experience because, well… it’s a console!

While the Steam Machine ostensibly offers a console-like experience with its intuitive UI, it’s still a PC at its core. For instance, the Linux-based SteamOS lets you boot into desktop mode, connect DisplayPort monitors, and use third-party launchers and emulators. If you wanted to, you could use the Steam Machine as your primary home computer. None of these features are available on the PS5 Pro.

The Steam Machine also lets you play the thousands of games available on Steam. This includes modern AAA blockbusters, indie titles, strategy games, older classics, and early access games that you won’t find on any console. If you’ve accumulated a giant Steam library over the years (I know you have!), the Steam Machine is a convenient way to enjoy it in your living room.

For a no-frills console experience, the PS5 Pro is the winner here. However, if you want an open platform for gaming or other projects, the Steam Machine offers more freedom.

Bottom line

Inflated costs aside, both the PS5 Pro and Steam Machine deliver on their respective promises. The PS5 Pro is a powerful, plug-and-play console, while the Steam Machine gives you the freedom of a PC in your living room.

You can’t go wrong with either system, but for the average gamer who wants a higher-end experience, the PS5 Pro is the better option. For $899, it has a wide selection of first- and third-party games that can run at 4K resolution and up to 120 fps. And since it’s a console first, you don’t have to mess around with settings.

Though the Steam Machine is a wonderful little device, its $1,049 asking price is too high for what is effectively a 1080p machine. Those already heavily invested in Steam will want to pick this up (if they can justify the price), but for everyone else, get a PS5 Pro. Not only is it the better overall option, but you also don’t have to join a waitlist to get one right now.

More from Tom's Guide

• Stop Killing Games Founder on PlayStation's decision to kill physical discs
• PlayStation is officially killing physical discs
• PS6 price could be in the same stratosphere as the Steam Machine

Apple Watch rumors are a dime a dozen, so getting bent out of shape about one in particular isn’t advisable. Then again, the vast majority of Apple Watch leaks suggest positive improvements to Cupertino’s range of wearables, not potentially negative changes.

This is why one particular Apple Watch 12 rumor has me a bit, shall we say, perturbed, particularly as someone who’s invested heavily over the years in accessories for the best Apple Watch models, namely, a large collection of Apple Watch straps.

A new case design could mark the end of an era

Ever since the first Apple Watch launched over a decade ago, Apple has consistently used the same strap attachment system. Sure, it's proprietary, and an old-fashioned spring bar works just as well, but now, nearly eleven years later, many of us have acquired a sizable array of compatible bands.

I know I have my favorite Apple Watch straps, which I frequently shift between the Apple Watch Series 11, SE 3 and Ultra 3, depending on what I’m testing/writing about (I’m quite partial to the Nike Sport Loop).

Well, if a recent report from the known leaker Instant Digital proves to be true, Apple could be moving away from the strap attachment system we’ve all come to know and, well, tolerate. Such a move would surely irritate Apple Watch owners everywhere, myself included.

Apple is already in hot water with some smartwatch owners

With the recent debut of watchOS 27 beta, Cupertino has already thoroughly irked a wide swath of the Apple Watch faithful. Why? The next-gen operating system for the watch — which fully launches this fall — will only support the very latest Apple Watch models.

That list includes the Series 11, Series 10, Series 9, Ultra 3, Ultra 2, and SE 3. Basically, unless you purchased your Apple Watch in the past two to three years, you’re out of luck, software-wise.

Now owners of the Series 8, SE 2, Ultra, etc., have to decide whether to upgrade to a newer Apple Watch model or bail on the form-factor/move to a competitor like Garmin. What better way to convince them to stay than by making their existing collection of straps obsolete? Heck, Apple might as well introduce a newer charger while it's at it (Dear Apple: Please, don't).

What are your thoughts on Apple potentially switching to a new band attachment system for the Apple Watch Series 12 or Ultra 4? Let me know in the comments below.

More from Tom's Guide

• Apple Watch Ultra 4: All the design, health, and battery life rumors so far
• The end of an era: Apple is quietly ditching one of its iconic Apple Watch features with watchOS 27
• I tested the $79 Amazfit Bip 6 vs the $249 Apple Watch SE 3 — and the cheaper smartwatch is a lot better than I thought

Paramount+ is perfect for building your next movie marathon. The streaming service adds dozens of movies to the platform each month, and it just added 70 new movies and shows on July 1 alone. Many of these are beloved classics or more modern hits, but a few times a month, you even get brand-new movies from Paramount Skydance studios.

This week, I've selected a couple of classics alongside a more modern hit. At the top of the list is "Everybody Wants Some!!," and while it's the newest movie on this list, it feels like a classic. Then, there's "Good Morning, Vietnam," which might be my favorite Robin Williams performance of any movie he's been in. Finally, I'm going with "Marathon Man," a Dustin Hoffman thriller that nearly broke the actor thanks to a scene where he has to stay awake for three days.

So without further ado, here are the three new to Paramount+ movies that you need to be streaming this weekend. If you need more recommendations, check out our full guide to everything new on Paramount+ in July 2026.

'Everybody Wants Some!!' (2016)

Genre: Comedy movie

What's it about? "Everybody Wants Some!!" stars an incredible ensemble cast that includes Blake Jenner, Zoey Deutch, Glen Powell, Ryan Guzman, Tyler Hoechlin, Will Brittain and Wyatt Russell. Arguably a spiritual sequel to "Dazed and Confused," it follows the lives of several college baseball players in Texas in 1980.

Why you should watch it: If "Dazed and Confused" and its 1970s setting are too dated for you, "Everybody Wants Some!!" is a (slightly) more modern take on the coming-of-age tale. It's also an excellent period piece, something that Linklater has nailed more than once in his career.

Watch "Everybody Wants Some!!" on Paramount+ now

'Good Morning, Vietnam' (1987)

Genre: War comedy-drama movie

What's it about? "Good Morning, Vietnam" is not your typical Vietnam War movie. Set in Saigon in 1965, it stars Robin Williams as a military radio DJ named Adrian Cronauer (loosely based on real-life events) whose irreverent broadcasts are popular with the troops. He's aided by PFC Edward Garlick (Forest Whitaker) in his endeavours, which don't always jive with what his superiors would like.

Why you should watch it: This war movie may be undeniably funny, but it's still a war movie. And that means plenty of drama and violence. As a decent person, Cronauer tries to connect with the local Vietnamese, but doesn't always take into account that they might not want to connect with him, and with good reason.

Watch "Good Morning, Vietnam" on Paramount+ now

'Marathon Man' (1976)

Genre: Suspense thriller movie

What's it about? "Marathon Man" stars Dustin Hoffman as "Babe" Lev. He's a graduate student and distance runner at Columbia University, but his life becomes forever changed when his brother (Roy Schieder) unwittingly gets Babe involved in a plot by Nazi war criminal Christian Szell (Laurence Olivier) to retrieve ill-gotten diamonds from a safe deposit box.

Why you should watch it: This is genuinely a great movie. It was nominated for multiple Oscars, including one for Hoffman's performance. But my favorite thing about this movie is that, to prepare for a scene, Hoffman stayed up for three days with no sleep. When his co-star, Olivier, learned about this, he said, "My dear boy, why don't you just try acting?" The intent of this comment was a joke, according to Hoffman, but it's a legendary moment, regardless.

Watch "Marathon Man" on Paramount+ now

More from Tom's Guide

• Missed it in theaters? Here's every movie finally arriving on streaming in July 2026
• Netflix just added 37 new shows and movies — here's 5 I'd stream right now
• 'Minions and Monsters' is no 'Toy Story 5,' but you'll still have a blast

Hulu is a great streaming service for building your next weekend movie marathon. It regularly adds originals and classics to its library. Plus, because it's owned by Disney, it's the streaming home for new releases from several Disney-owned studios. It even has deals with some other studios to get in new releases before any other service, whether they're produced by Disney or not.

This weekend, I have three movies that were just added to Hulu this week that are a must-watch. First up is "Interstellar," in honor of Sir Christopher's latest movie, "The Odyssey," arriving in theaters later this month. Once you're done with that nearly three-hour epic, reset a bit with the original "Iron Man," which remains a great movie that you can just sit back and relax with. Finally, wrap up your movie marathon with "The Wolf of Wall Street," a movie that frankly needs no introduction thanks to an incredible Leonardo DiCaprio performance.

Here are the three new to Hulu movies you need to stream this weekend. For more recommendations, check out the full list of everything new to Hulu and Disney+ in July 2026.

'Interstellar' (2014)

Genre: Epic sci-fi movie

What's it about? "Interstellar" stars Matthew McConaughey as Coop, a retired NASA pilot living on a version of Earth ravaged by famine and environmental disaster. He uncovers a secret mission to find faraway planets to serve as humanity's next home, and joins it, though at great personal cost.

Why you need to watch it: To many, this is Christopher Nolan's best work. While I personally probably have it outside my top 5, it's still a great film and well worth a watch. Check it out this weekend and see what all the fuss is about.

Watch "Interstellar" on Hulu now

'Iron Man' (2008)

Genre: Marvel superhero movie

What's it about? "Iron Man" stars Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark, a billionaire playboy philanthropist whose life is forever changed in a cave in Afghanistan. After being hit with one of his company's own missiles, he builds an armored suit powered by an arc reactor that's now embedded in his chest, keeping him alive. The rest, as they say, is history.

Why you need to watch it: Given that the MCU is the biggest film franchise in human history, I probably don't need to tell you why you need to watch this movie. But I do want to remind you that this movie was made with only minimal expectation that it would one day tie into a larger Marvel universe. That makes it a tight, self-contained story that's enjoyable to rewatch, even if later Marvel movies would become bloated messes.

Watch "Iron Man" on Hulu now

'The Wolf of Wall Street' (2013)

Genre: Biographical dark comedy movie

What's it about? "The Wolf of Wall Street" stars Leonardo DiCaprio as Jordan Belfort. A notorious stockbroker, the movie follows Belfort's rise from the ashes of Black Monday to become a multimillionaire Wall Street finance bro running pump and dump schemes from his firm, Stratton Oakmont. Another Scorsese movie, another portrait of a complicated man.

Why you should watch it: I don't know that this is my favorite Leo movie, but I think I'd have to admit it's his best performance. He's charismatic and cocky; he's a terrible human being that you can't help but root for despite all the crimes he commits. This movie is undeniably a must-watch, so make sure to save time for it this weekend.

Watch "The Wolf of Wall Street" on Hulu now

More from Tom's Guide

• Missed it in theaters? Here's every movie finally arriving on streaming in July 2026
• Netflix just added 37 new shows and movies — here's 5 I'd stream right now
• 'Minions and Monsters' is no 'Toy Story 5,' but you'll still have a blast

Netflix subscribers looking for exciting thriller movies this week are positively spoilt for choice. The world’s most popular streaming service just refreshed its library to kick off July 2026, and this week has added a trio of truly excellent thrillers, including a movie from “The Odyssey” and “Oppenheimer” director Christopher Nolan.

If a Nolan fan-favorite wasn’t enough, there’s also a film directed by David Fincher, who, in my eyes, is quite simply one of the best thriller genre filmmakers of all time. And if Nolan and Fincher aren’t enough to keep you satisfied, there’s also a vital thriller from a first-time filmmaker which offers a gripping cat-and-mouse chase sharpened by a powerful message.

Thriller fans are certainly eating good this week, so without further introduction, here are three gripping, twisting movies you need to add to your Netflix watchlist this week.

3 new to Netflix thrillers to watch this week

'Gone Girl' (2014)

“Gone Girl” is one of the 21st century's finest thrillers. With the meticulous David Fincher in the director’s chair, and adapting Gillian Flynn’s 2012 page-turner of the same name, it has all the ingredients to deliver a compelling mystery movie that explores two sides of a marriage. It also features an Oscar-nominated performance from Rosamund Pike, with Ben Affleck, Neil Patrick Harris, Tyler Perry and Carrie Coon adding further star power to the mix.

On the day of their fifth wedding anniversary, Nick Dunne (Affleck) returns home to find his wife, Amy (Pike), missing and signs of a struggle. As the police start investigating, media interest in the case intensifies, and while Nick is initially treated with sympathy, he soon becomes the prime suspect. Fincher’s slick style brings the popular novel to life, making this a thriller that will have you glued to your seat within moments. It’s an essential watch.

Watch "Gone Girl" on Netflix now

‘Queen & Slim’ (2019)

“Queen & Slim” is a movie that works on multiple levels. Those looking for a propulsive Bonnie-and-Clyde thriller are well catered to, but there’s more bite to this one as its powerful (and increasingly timely) message lingers long after the credits roll. It’s all anchored by Daniel Kaluuya and Jodie Turner-Smith, who are quite the double act as the eponymous Slim and Queen. Oh, and this 2019 movie was the directorial debut of Melina Matsoukas, quite an achievement to make something this fantastic on your first try.

After an unspectacular date, Queen (Turner-Smith) and Slim (Kaluuya) are driving home when a cop cruiser pulls them over. The situation escalates, and Slim ends up shooting a police officer in self-defense. Believing they won’t be given the chance to explain their side of the story, they go on the run. As they make a break for freedom, a deep bond develops. However, with the authorities circling, they have only one shot to get out of dodge.

Watch "Queen & Slim" on Netflix now

‘Memento’ (2000)

Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” hits theaters later this month and is undoubtedly going to be one of the biggest movie events of the summer. So, if you’re in the mood to watch a few of Nolan’s previous flicks to celebrate its imminent arrival, meet “Memento" In this psychological thriller, Nolan plays with a non-linear narrative in some interesting ways, giving viewers a puzzlebox mystery that’s deeply satisfying to solve.

Alternating between black-and-white and color sequences, the thriller centers on Leonard Shelby (Guy Pearce), an insurance investigator who can't create new memories. Using a series of Polaroid photographs, handwritten notes, and tattoos inked on his own skin, he attempts to track down the man he believes is responsible for killing his wife. The movie builds up to a mind-bending twist, which will have you eager to watch it a second time with a greater understanding of its hidden secrets.

Watch "Memento" on Netflix starting July 5

More from Tom's Guide

• New on Netflix in July 2026
• Use this Gmail trick to avoid Netflix's new email requirements
• The best streaming services to subscribe to right now

Besides the iMac, there’s never been an Apple desktop quite like the Mac mini. It’s small yet powerful while still being whisper-quiet on your desk — and with the M4 model, you finally get front-facing ports.

Still, just like they often do with other Apple products, accessory makers were quick to try and fix its biggest flaws: an inaccessible power button and the lack of full-sized ports. While Cupertino wanted you to leave your new machine running full-time and toss out all your USB-A cables, many people like myself just weren’t ready to be that drastic.

That’s why the first accessory I added to my new desktop was a USB hub that doubled as a stand. I had one on my older M2 model for the same reason, so when Satechi released an upgraded version for this new completely redesigned Apple mini PC, I was ecstatic.

After using Satechi’s M4 Hub & Stand for months, I eventually swapped it out for a similar accessory from Orico that transformed my Mac mini into a miniature Mac Pro. Both devices worked well, but recently, I decided to give one more dock a chance, and I’m glad I did.

I didn’t expect to like this add-on from a company best known for its chargers and NAS devices, but Ugreen just might have made the most useful one yet. Here’s why.

Docked and fully loaded

At first glance, I wouldn’t blame you for mistaking Ugreen’s Mac mini M4 dock for Satechi’s. Both have a similar design and a matching silver finish, but Ugreen trades a third USB-A port up front for a full-sized SD card reader sitting next to a microSD one. It’s also slightly taller, measuring at just over an inch versus Satechi's sleeker, sub-inch height.

The one thing that really surprised me about Ugreen’s dock, though, is that it isn’t made from aluminum like Satechi’s. Instead, it’s entirely made from plastic with a very convincing paint job. Although this might sound like a downgrade at first, by opting for plastic over anodized aluminum, Ugreen solved one of the biggest issues docks like this have when sitting under your Mac mini: signal interference. From Wi-Fi to Bluetooth, having a big block of metal underneath one of the best mini PCs can significantly hamper your connections.

When you flip Ugreen’s dock over, you can easily add more storage to your Mac mini without having to pay the Apple Tax. Unlike Satechi’s hub, which caps out at 4TB, you can add up to an 8TB drive here. Now, I know that’s easier said than done, as we’re currently living through RAMageddon which has also greatly affected storage prices. However, it’s nice to have the option to add all that extra room, and who knows — maybe once the AI boom dies down, you just might be able to.

Besides that extra storage potential, it’s the rear ports that convinced me to give Ugreen’s dock a try in the first place. While Satechi keeps all of its connectivity up front and leaves the back bare, Ugreen did the complete opposite. You still get the hardwired USB-C cable that plugs into your Mac mini to get things started, but the back expands into even more ports than you do on the best MacBooks, including three more USB-A ports and two USB-C ones.

Interestingly, Ugreen also included another USB-C port on the back. Instead of using it to connect more accessories, it’s designed to plug directly into a power adapter, as the “IN 5V” label underneath it suggests. You see, with an 11-in-1 hub like this one, there’s no way you’d be able to reliably run all of those rear connections, the front card readers, and a high-speed SSD off the Mac mini’s bus power alone. By plugging Ugreen’s dock into a power strip underneath your desk, you completely avoid slow data transfer speeds, disconnected peripherals, and worst of all, random SSD disconnects that could corrupt your data.

If all those rear ports and extra power weren’t enough, Ugreen’s Mac mini M4 dock has one more trick up its sleeve that completely took me by surprise.

Power with a twist

As I’m currently in the process of reviewing MSI’s new Pro Max QD-OLED Mac monitor, I decided to set up my Mac mini M4 with Ugreen’s dock next to it. However, as this is one of the rare Mac monitors you can also play PC games on — unlike Apple’s new Studio Display XDR — I also have the Khadas Mind 2S with the company’s Mind Graphics 2 eGPU next to it.

In my testing, Ugreen’s dock for the Mac mini M4 worked in a similar way to Satechi’s. It gave me quick access to full-sized ports and an SD card reader without having to use a bulky dongle. One thing I prefer about it, though, is that with Ugreen’s dock, I can hide the 2.4GHz USB dongles for my keyboard and trackball mouse at the rear instead of having them front and center like with Satechi’s dock. Likewise, if you need to run cables from the back of your Mac mini behind your desk, this dock is the better option hands down.

I didn’t think to test and compare the Wi-Fi speeds on my Mac mini when using these two docks. However, with Ugreen’s, I didn’t notice any interference at all, nor did my speeds dip down. If you want me to put both docks through a Wi-Fi speed showdown, let me know in the comments below.

Even though I’ve come to terms with the Mac mini’s awkward power button placement after leaving it on for over a month, it’s still nice to be able to easily reach it. While Satechi has a standard cutout to make it more accessible, Ugreen took things a step further.

At the top left corner of Ugreen’s dock, there’s a physical plastic pass-through lever that makes pressing the Mac mini’s power button almost effortless. A simple press up and your Mac mini magically springs to life, while holding it down while the device is on brings up Apple’s shutdown menu. It’s a small detail, but in my day-to-day use, it made a noticeable difference.

Now, if you’re thinking about adding this dock underneath your own Mac mini, you do need to be careful. You see, Ugreen actually makes two docks for this mini PC, not just a single one. The $89 base version doesn’t have an SSD slot on the bottom, nor does it have this lever. Instead, it uses a basic cutout just like Satechi’s.

For $10 more, though, you can get the dock I have here which supports up to an 8TB SSD. Because it houses that drive, it’s slightly taller, hence the inclusion of that ingenious power button lever at the back.

A final docking place

There are only so many times you can redo your Mac mini M4 setup, and after years of experimentation, I think I’ve finally found my forever dock.

While I love how Satechi’s standard dock is an exact match to the design and materials Apple used, its lack of rear ports and smaller SSD capacity hold it back. Alternatively, you could pair your Mac mini with Satechi’s Thunderbolt 5 CubeDock if you want even more power, much higher data bandwidth and support for up to an 8TB SSD. Then again, that professional powerhouse costs $399 on its own, whereas all of these other docks sit comfortably under $100.

Orico’s dock, on the other hand, is as much of an enclosure for Apple’s mini PC as it is a dock. I’ll admit, it did look really cool on my desk. However, it forces your Mac mini into an awkward sideways position, meaning you lose out on seeing the beauty and compactness of Apple’s redesign. It does support up to an 8TB SSD, but you are ultimately left with fewer ports overall.

Having tried all three of these options for extended periods, Ugreen’s is my favorite yet, and for good reason. Those extra ports and having them hidden at the back really make a massive difference. At the same time, since it can be independently powered, I know that all of my connected devices won’t be constantly fighting for wattage.

You really can’t go wrong with any of these docks, but the right one for you will depend entirely on your specific workflow. If you just managed to pick up a new Mac mini or you’re looking to give your current setup a serious upgrade, at least you have plenty of great options.

More from Tom's Guide

• I’ve reviewed a ton of mini PCs and my favorite Mac mini alternative just got cooler and quieter
• I went all-in on this 40-inch ultrawide and it’s incredibly immersive without breaking the bank
• I finally tried a vertical mouse and it was the ergonomic upgrade my desk setup was missing — here’s why

I used to be Netflix’s ideal viewer: the type who bought into the hype, tracked the trailers, and streamed a new release on day one. I would wax lyrical about a show on social media and blitz through the episodes just to avoid spoilers. I was the quintessential early adopter, a viewer who helped generate buzz and served as a massive tick on a corporate engagement metric.

But no more.

Now, I refuse to watch shows the moment they drop. Instead, I opt to wait for a formal renewal before watching even a single minute of the first episode. Cynical? Perhaps. But I am simply sick of getting burned by an industry that treats its audience as mere data points on a spreadsheet.

Why should I invest my time and energy into a new series that might vanish after one season? Why willingly invest in a story destined to have a beginning and a middle, but no end? I choose to do neither. Instead, I sit tight, ignore the hype machine and take a more measured approach to my viewing habits.

This shift boils down to two main reasons.

1. I no longer trust that a show won’t get canceled

Streaming services have trained me to expect betrayal. In television, few things are more frustrating than learning your favorite show — one you’ve invested weeks, months, or even years into — has been axed with zero warning or explanation. It recently happened with "The Boroughs," the elder sci-fi drama that Netflix canceled after just one season, despite it hitting No. 1.

As viewers, we are left in the dark, forced to assume the numbers just didn't add up on a spreadsheet someone, somewhere, is using to decide a show's fate. This metric-driven approach completely nullifies the time commitment and emotional investment of the audience. To discover a show has been canceled after one season without a proper conclusion is incredibly frustrating. It’s even worse when a show has run for several seasons, leaving long, complicated character arcs forever unresolved.

Because I’ve been burned by sudden cancellations once too often, I’ve jumped off the hype train. It is simply better to wait until a show is safely renewed for a second season before diving in feet first.

2. The hype around new shows has become intolerable

Netflix now hypes its new releases to ridiculous levels, and I’ve grown tired of the inevitable letdown. Every premiere is marketed as a “must-watch masterpiece,” a “groundbreaking series” or the next “cultural phenomenon.” In reality, even the best new shows are usually just good — worth watching if the genre, creator or cast appeals to you, but rarely revolutionary. Yet, the moment the hype cycle ends, everyone stops talking about them and immediately moves on to the next big thing.

For a time, I bought into it all, believing the grand claims made by streaming platforms and their acolytes on social media. After all, there’s joy in believing that the show debuting next week might rival all-time greats like "Breaking Bad" or "The Sopranos."

The problem is that reality rarely lives up to the marketing. The first season of "Squid Game" came close, but subsequent seasons dropped off significantly. "Stranger Things" debuted before the hype machine reached its current, suffocating peak, but its later seasons certainly suffered from the weight of oversized expectations.

I’m done with the modern watercooler moment, where everyone is driven to stream the exact same show at the exact same time, only to discuss it ad nauseam via podcasts, thinkpieces, and memes. It feels entirely artificial. By opting out, I can bide my time and watch a show when I want to — well after the renewal announcement and long after the exhausting hype has died down.

More from Tom's Guide

• I refuse to give Netflix a new email for every profile. Use this simple Gmail trick instead
• Netflix just added 37 new shows and movies — here's 5 I'd stream right now
• What to watch in July 2026

Are you an engineering student or recent grad? Then we want to hear your thoughts! I'm working with our computing team on updating our Best laptops for engineering students guide with some up-to-date real-world advice from current engineering students — and we'd love to know which aspects you most value in your hardware.

I've put together a super quick poll that we'd be really grateful to have your thoughts on, here (you can pick up to three options):

As well as your poll votes, I'd really appreciate your comments on this topic, which we may use in our updated guide. What advice do you wish you'd been given when you were shopping for a laptop to complete your degree with? What did your school of engineering advise, or was it a little vague?

My dad and partner are both working engineers (mechanical and aerospace, respectively) but they graduated during the dark ages so haven't offered much of an opinion beyond "uh, plenty of horsepower for CAD and Excel."

I think we can all agree that a lag and crash-free experience when loading hungry programs and handling multiple data points is the basic goal. But what makes all the difference at 10pm on a Sunday night when you're cramming or chasing a project deadline?

Is there an optimum screen size, in your opinion, that would enhance prospective students work?

I've already sought opinions from our wonderful Tom's Guide Forum members, where COLGeek said, "Discrete GPU is a must for a workstation class laptop that is ideal for engineering students.

"The ability to easily upgrade memory, storage, etc is a major plus. The Dell Mobile Precision series does these things well."

On another Tom's Guide Forum thread from last year, TannerT posted, "I just finished my first year at NC State University studying Engineering. If you're studying engineering, get something with power behind it. I'd go with the Dell XPS 15 or MacBook Pro 14" if you're running CAD, MATLAB, or anything heavy. Both handle demanding software without lag.

"For something more affordable but still solid, the Lenovo Legion 5i runs most tools fine and gives you dedicated graphics. Avoid low-power laptops. You’ll regret it once the projects start piling up. Hopefully this helps someone."

Coincidentally, we also rated the Lenovo the best value laptop for engineering students, after our computing team's extensive testing of hundreds of laptops.

And finally, bendenvor111 offered a genius hack for disciplines where GPU is important, "I bought a gaming laptop to handle all of these softwares and it's been working out for me. Alienware for the win!"

Do you agree? Engineering is of course a pretty broad umbrella, so have your needs evolved as you've taken on more specific projects (that you may not have envisaged at the outset)? Tell us in the comments below. And if you're still a student, good luck with the rest of your studies!

More from Tom's Guide

• We bet you can't name all 9 of these 90s trends
• 'For the first time since 1984 when I bought my first Mac, I am thinking about bailing on Apple' — customers weigh in on Apple's eye-watering price hikes
• I review laptops for a living, and I'd buy these 3 to go back to school