Fans of horror films know that truly good horror can be hard to parse out from some less than stellar releases. This is especially true with the subgenre of sci-fi horror, which can be laden with cliché plots and shoddy performances. Thankfully, I’ve watched tons of movies in this subgenre, and can recommend some real gems for you. Whether you’re a fan of alien flicks or low-budget standouts, I’ve got a varied list for you to add to your watchlist. 2o1n67

The films on the list span from the 1980s to present, and include a variety of topics. Unsurprisingly, a good chunk of them deal with extraterrestrial beings. That being said, you can still find some tech-based films on this list, and even one that just deals with space and the human condition. Check all of them out if you’re down for mega-marathon of sci-fi horror.

10. Aniara 4jf3v

Aniara is a 2019 Swedish sci-fi drama about a ship lost in space, based on a 1960s TV movie of the same name. While not technically billed as a horror film, by its end, we don’t know how you could see this bleak movie as anything else. After getting hit by an asteroid en route to Mars, the Aniara (the name of the ship) struggles to stay on course. The crew and engers all gradually move through different stages of psychological despair, and the hopelessness never really stops in Aniara.

9. Life 3i1x1z

A more modern film than Alien, the 2017 movie Life still has bits of the classic film floating in its DNA. Ryan Reynolds plays Rory Adams, an engineer who is on a spaceship investigating the presence of life (named Calvin) recovered from a Mars probe. It doesn’t take long for things to go sour with Calvin and the crew, resulting in a gory mess by the end. Life is as fun as it is tense, and it doesn’t let up throughout.

8. 10 Cloverfield Lane 57i4i

What more could you ask for than a sci-fi horror starring Mary Elizabeth Winstead and John Goodman? 10 Cloverfield Lane is a wild ride that keeps you questioning yourself and perceptions until the very end. Winstead plays Michelle, a woman who wakes up in a bunker after a car accident. Goodman is her captor, telling her she can’t leave due to an apocalyptic event. She doubts his recounting of events and tensions mount. Watch 10 Cloverfield Lane yourself to find out how things unfold.

7. The Cabin in the Woods 1r6k6p

If you’re looking for a feature that’s more meta and comedy focused than some of our darker entries, check out The Cabin in the Woods. We know that when you start watching it, you’ll wonder how this classifies as a sci-fi horror movie (rather than a regular horror, as it initially appears). But trust us, continue watching The Cabin in the Woods blind, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the chaos to come after the twist presents itself. It’s a roaringly good time and full of meta-commentary on the horror genre.

6. Coherence 8534a

If you’ve been searching for a low-tech sci-fi horror, look no further than Coherence. The 2013 film was shot with a very limited budget, and it essentially takes place in one setting (kind of, but we can’t elaborate without spoilers). The entire draw of Coherence is the amazingly scary and mysterious story. While a group of friends meet for a dinner party, a ing comet causes things in the world to get downright weird and confusing.

5. Possessor 1v4a6d

The concept of Possessor alone is horrifying, but the execution only increases the terror by multitudes. A technological invention allows people to take control of others’ bodies, and Tasya Vos is an assassin who uses this device to take out contracted hits. The events of Possessor spiral from there, and Cronenberg has created yet another triumph of disturbing body horror (and we mean, really disturbing) to delight (or torture) the senses.

4. Annihilation 535e1v

Annihilation is not even that old of a movie (released in 2018), but it’s quickly primed itself to become an enduring classic for both the horror and sci-fi genres. It’s endeared itself to fans with its novel premise, otherworldly beautiful horror, and inventive visuals. Annihilation follows a group of women who set out on the second expedition into the Shimmer, an otherworldly phenomenon threatening to spread and consume Earth. Natalie Portman gives a star performance, but we will say the best performance probably goes to the haunting bear creature seen midway through Annihilation.

3. Nope 18h1w

If you’ve been following the directorial career of Jordan Peele, you’ll know that he has a talent for unique concepts. Nope may be Peele’s best work in this regard, combining several ideas into a masterpiece. The sci-fi and horror aspects of this film are evenly balanced, even featuring a few bright spots of comedy. Nope is even a movie that benefits from rewatches, making you appreciate smaller details you may have missed the first time.

2. Alien 6m4p59

Need tons of action to go with your sci-fi horror? Then, you can’t go wrong with Alien. The beginning part of Alien may be a bit slow, but things eventually pick up and become harrowing in a way that’s extremely enjoyable for viewers. Sigourney Weaver gives the most standout performance of this movie, but the rest of the cast is nothing to scoff at either. Alien is even still enjoyable even after multiple rewatches, providing new ways to perceive the movie.

1. The Thing 166t1k

You can’t get a movie much more quintessential to the sci-fi horror subgenre than 1982’s The Thing. Starring Kurt Russell and Keith David, The Thing is a horrifyingly daunting exploration of what to do when you can’t trust anyone, even yourself. An alien is hiding inside of someone in the Antarctic base, but who? The mystery lingers, even after the credits roll. For being a bit of a dated film, The Thing still holds up fairly well for modern audiences.

The Emmy Award-winning television and film actor John Goodman first gained worldwide acclaim with his masterful acting before making headlines with his jaw-dropping 200-pound weight loss. The veteran actor fell victim to the celebrity death hoax earlier this year in January (via Monsters & Critics). He then again made headlines for a possible heart attack or stroke. However, the man behind several larger-than-life characters is fortunately alive and well.

John Goodman has been a prominent TV and film industry figure since his early 20s. Originally aspiring to become a football player, he had his career trajectory altered by an injury, leading him to the world of cinema. Call it fate’s work; Goodman turned out to be one heck of an actor who has appeared in more than 200 movies and TV shows. Here are 10 of his most memorable performances!

Tv Shows 1j4r3h

5. Treme (2010–2011) g63f

John Goodman had an outstanding performance in HBO’s Treme as an ensemble cast member exploring the lively cultural landscape of post-Katrina New Orleans. His emotionally charged performance as English professor and aspiring author Creighton Bernette stood out in season 1. Goodman meticulously crafted his persona to capture the essence of real-life New Orleans blogger Ashley Morris. The production was praised for its creative accomplishments, and Goodman competed favorably with the extensive cast.

4. Roseanne (1988–1997; 2018) 2nw35

In the well-liked ABC series Roseanne, John Goodman portrayed Dan Conner, the middle-aged head of the Conner family. With the warmth and relatability he brought to the role, he became one of the most adored TV dads of the age. The audience also widely loved his banter and realistic couple chemistry with Roseanne Barr, who played his on-screen wife. Goodman garnered praise from critics for handling the series concept, which focused on a working-class family’s challenges and daily life.

3. Alpha House (2013–2014) 6l6j28

John Goodman is beloved for his role as Gil John Biggs, a Republican U.S. Senator from North Carolina, in the popular political satire Alpha House. Inspired by several real Democratic Senators who share a row house in Washington D.C., the Amazon Prime Video series is among Goodman’s best comedies. Being a major character in the show, Goodman won praise for his ability to balance humor and sincere emotional depth. Alpha House takes an irreverent look at the world of American politics, and Goodman delivers the message perfectly.

2. Black Earth Rising (2018) 3e1k5u

In Netflix’s Black Earth Rising, John Goodman delivers one of his best ing performances as an ICC lawyer. The British television miniseries about prosecuting international war criminals is a testament to Goodman’s unmatched range as an actor. He perfectly inhabits Michael Ennis’ strong moral com in the part, giving it the right amount of weight and depth. Playing an essential role in unfolding the plot, Goodman excellently brings the complex narrative to life even as a ing character.

1. The Righteous Gemstones (2019–present) 4f5x2m

In Danny McBride’s darkly comedic crime series, The Righteous Gemstones, John Goodman seizes a prime opportunity to showcase his exceptional talent for portraying complex and dysfunctional characters. He steps into the shoes of Eli Gemstone, the widower patriarch of a well-known but chaotic televangelist family. His engaging and complex portrayal of a person with moral failings stands out in the series, proving his talent even at a ripe age.

Movies 2df3o

5. Matinee (1993) 2u3462

As a flamboyant and quirky B-movie producer and showman, John Goodman is remarkable in the 1993 comedy film Matinee. As Lawrence Woolsey, he exhibits his characteristic charm, wit, and larger-than-life personality to the fullest. He wonderfully conveys the spirit of a performer who is committed to amusing his audience. Matinee makes up for a great watch for fans who want to catch Goodman in his comfort roles.

4. True Stories (1989) 2l2q2i

In True Stories, Goodman plays one of his most iconic larger-than-life characters, Louis Fyne. In the film, Louis embarks on a quest for love and genuine connections in the fictional town of Virgil, Texas. Goodman fully displayed his humor and charm, elevating Louis to one of the film’s standout highlights. Though the film received mixed critical reception upon its release, it has since attained cult classic status, particularly among fans of David Byrne’s distinctive creative work.

3. 10 Cloverfield Lane (2016) 2hj2n

A spiritual successor to Cloverfield, a 2008 found footage monster movie, 10 Cloverfield Lane presents John Goodman in an intricate role alongside John Gallagher Jr. and Mary Elizabeth Winstead. He embodies Howard Stambler, a survivalist who meticulously builds an underground bunker to endure a purported end-of-the-world scenario. Goodman excellently conveys Howard’s volatile attitude, layered with paranoia and control. 10 Cloverfield Lane marks a notable shift from his customary comedic parts and challenges him to construct a menacing presence.

2. Argo (2012) 2z2a3x

In Ben Affleck’s Oscar-winning masterpiece Argo, John Goodman plays the role of a real-life Oscar-winning makeup artist who played a pivotal role in the CIA’s operation to free six American diplomats during the 1979 Iran hostage crisis. Goodman’s accurate portrayal of John Chambers gave a dimension of mystery and humor to the film’s thrilling narrative. Against the backdrop of intense suspense, Goodman skillfully acted as a bridge, blending moments of levity and wit. The film went on to win the Oscar for Best Picture at the 85th Academy Awards ceremony.

1. The Big Lebowski (1998) 5l503s

John Goodman’s performance as Walter Sobchak in The Big Lebowski is often cited as one of his most iconic and memorable roles. The movie distinguishes among Goodman’s extensive works with the Coen Brothers for exhibiting his signature quirkiness. He portrays a Vietnam War veteran with a propensity for exaggerated anger and a rigid commitment to his own code of ethics, frequently resulting in amusing and chaotic circumstances. The film has a cult following and sits high on the list of must-watch Goodman performances.

In 2008, a giant, monstrous creature of an unknown origin, dubbed by authorities as the Large Scale Aggressor (LSA), wreaked havoc upon Manhattan, leaving countless dead. After failed attempts to bring down the aggressor, the military and government resorted to the ‘Hammer Down Protocol,’ which destroyed the island in high-impact and high-intensity bombings. The events were recorded extensively on a camera found at the impact site, later classified as a top-secret piece of evidence and locked in the Cloverfield files. Matt Reeves’ found-footage thriller of the same name unravels that recording.

The found-footage thriller that Reeves, Drew Goddard, J.J. Abrams, and concept designer Neville Page brainstormed found a massive following and significant presence among films with such offbeat conceptualization. Later, the same film kicked things off for two follow-up films, shaping up the Cloverfield film franchise. Though part of the same series, the three movies cater to different stories set in different periods and feature new ensembles each time. That makes it highly unusual for what s as a cinematic universe. Yet, they all have a connection beyond sharing the name ‘Cloverfield’ in the titles.

The Cloverfield series sells well on unpredictability. It took eight years for the 2008 film to spawn a sequel, which was nothing more than a spiritual follow-up or a standalone entry in the franchise. Given the same climactic element as Cloverfield, the sequel, Dan Trachtenberg’s 10 Cloverfield Lane, was put along the same lines as Matt Reeves’ movie. However, after two more years, J.J. Abrams produced Julius Onah’s The Cloverfield Paradox. This straight-to-streaming release unified the previous two films in the most unusual, yet creative manner. The Cloverfield Paradox extended a narrative link that eventually bound the three films together, giving a new value to the Cloverfield franchise.

And that’s how we explain how the three films tactically connect a single event and create an unworldly timeline that bridges the space-time gap between them.

The Cloverfield Paradox: A Theory of Unprecedented Consequences 4294l

In 2028, Earth has potentially lost its energy resources. Struggling with resource crises, a team of scientists is sent on a space mission to ignite a particle accelerator that is thousands of times more potent than any made before. The particle accelerator is proposed to create a flow of free new energy, solving the crises for all humankind.

However, Howard Stambler, a conspiracy theorist, resists the experiment. He claims that Earth’s efforts to repurpose its energy resources may lead to an unwanted phenomenon that will break the barriers of the space-time continuum. Stambler suggests that the power exerted by the ignition will lead to an interaction between several universes, alternate realities, or, as the superhero-genre fans would know it, the multiverse. The Paradox suggests that the energy flux will lead several particles to engage in cross-reality interactions. That may also be inter-dimensional travel. However, on the verge of extinction and confident in the accelerator’s operational outcome, the scientist fires it and suffers an overload shock. What happens next directly cons The Cloverfield Paradox and the other two films.

The Worlds Collide 5y5ov

Initially worried about the overload and the functional meltdown of the accelerator, the team begins to experience unexplainable events on their space station. They are thrown off course and cannot navigate back to their orbit, thus, losing the planet out of sight. Later, they find an unknown, additional person at the station, stuck in a power with wires attached to her body. And then there is unknown and uned data scrambled throughout their files which seems to accuse a German member of the team, Ernst Schmidt, of espionage.

However, the team eventually realized that the Paradox was real, and the strange events were occurring because they interacted with particles and elements of other realities. A furthermore blow to their minds arrives when they navigate back to Earth, only to find it’s not the Earth they are from. Instead, they have crashed with another reality, another Earth, and have traveled across space-time into a different universe.

The team’s efforts to reverse the accelerator’s doing and fight off remnants of inter-dimensional interaction make up the rest of the plot; the film’s climax intrigues the audience into the Cloverfield lore. Ultimately, Schmidt reverse-engineers the accelerator and successfully ignites it without causing another overload. That results in them re-establishing with the ground team of ‘their’ Earth, making things right and better (with a flux of new energy in generation). But that’s not all.

Earth is No Longer the Same in 2028 2s2p3p

Though the shuttle makes with the ground and reenters the planet’s atmosphere after the mission’s success, the Paradox has already started making a dangerous impact on Earth in 2028. Throughout the film, while the shuttle focuses on the cautionary task at hand, Earth faces a series of destructive events caused by an unnatural phenomenon. It turns out the Paradox has caused an extraterrestrial species, probably from another dimension, to cross over into the existing reality. They have caused havoc on Earth, and people are taking shelters underground to escape their wrath. The film ends with a giant monster, larger than anything else in this world, rising above the clouds and bursting out a roar.

The film’s open ending suggests that the Paradox has led to a large-scale invasion on Earth from inter-dimensional aliens. Though the accelerator has solved the energy crises, the damage to realities has been done. Now, everyone across several realities must deal with a more severe threat.

The Paradox Extends to Cloverfield n5f1h

Since Paradox breaks space-time barriers, it’s implied that the 2008 LSA event in Manhattan is directly linked to the experiment conducted on Shepard in 2028. The opening of space-time barriers led another such monster to travel in the past and unleash its wrath on Manhattan, the truth of which was recorded on a camera. But both events, though similar in nature, occur in different periods and realities. The 2008 Cloverfield event is just a remnant of The Cloverfield Paradox. It happens on an alternate Earth than the two featured in the latter. However, the fact that the two films exist in different worlds is not directly mentioned but only implied in the threequel.

This way, The Cloverfield Paradox unifies Cloverfield in retrospection and, technically, in introspection. The Cloverfield Paradox becomes both a prequel and a sequel to the original film, narratively binding the two together. The third entry in the trilogy alters history, the present, and probably the future across dimensions and creates a casual loop of sorts. It’s obviously not exact physics, but it cements the franchise in the ideas of pop culture’s versions and variations of cosmic science.

10 Cloverfield Lane: The Essential Middle Link 2i6f4i

Cloverfield and The Cloverfield Paradox bind together with the paradoxical inter-dimensional travel of extraterrestrial beings. 10 Cloverfield Lane maintains a similar ground but with another connection to The Cloverfield Paradox. It’s a story of a woman named Michelle, who finds herself trapped in an underground shelter after being run off the road in an accident. The shelter’s owner, Mark Stambler, claims an ‘attack’ has rendered the air outside unbreathable. How Michelle then struggles to uncover the truth and find out if there really is a threat outside makes up for the film’s central plot.

10 Cloverfield Lane, like The Cloverfield Paradox, navigates on a different spectrum, with the monster-alien creature being just a subplot of it all. However, given that the latter explains the phenomenon throughout the franchise, it finds itself closest to the original than 10 Cloverfield Lane. However, 10 Cloverfield Lane has its own connections to the threequel.

The conspiracy theorist Howard Stambler in The Cloverfield Paradox carries the same surname as Mark Stambler. Moreover, a woman named Leslie (played by Suzanne Cryer), who appears to be a victim of the attack in 10 Cloverfield Lane, appears in a different role in Paradox. And moreover, both films feature similar shelters built to store supplies and keep occupants safe from an existential threat on the surface. Can Suzanne Cryer play two different variants of the same character in both films? Are the two Stamblers related? And why do both films feature similar doomsday shelters? Well, there is an intended connection here, but it isn’t a hundred percent precise.

It’s primarily due to the production process of the two films. 10 Cloverfield Lane was intended to be a spiritual successor of Cloverfield. However, the idea of The Cloverfield Paradox gave the makers a vision to unify the three films narratively. Therefore, the connections are implied to be a part of the ripple effect the Paradox causes throughout the multiverse and have 10 Cloverfield Lane retrospectively connect to the other two films. Hence, it’s derivative that the biomechanical alien beings that threaten the world of 10 Cloverfield Lane have slid into that reality because of the particle accelerator the scientists in The Cloverfield Paradox fired.

It’s All Cosmically Connected 3w733

Cloverfield (2008) was an original conceptualization spun from Godzilla. However, the following two films weren’t intended to be Cloverfield successors. In fact, both were based on spec scripts. 10 Cloverfield Lane was a psychological thriller called The Cellar. The Cloverfield Paradox was a science fiction film called God Particle. However, Abrams saw potential in both scripts to establish a connection to Cloverfield, which he later coned in the third one.

Unlike other cinematic universes, films of the Cloverfield franchise exist both as separate entities and interconnected storylines. All three films form an anthology-like continuity where each entry plays on different, self-contained genres and eventually flips into cross-dimensional tellings. This way, the movies maintain a connection while acting as three standalones. It’s a creative, provocative, and intriguing way to tell stories on par with the same core elements.

But it’s all connected. Breaking barriers of space and time and crossing over to alternate realities, the monsters are keeping the anthology together.

Watch Cloverfield Film Series in Order 225l31

This causes a slight concern about the franchise’s watch order. To casual viewers, the three films have their individuality. But, those invested in Cloverfield from the first film will always find a multiversal connection between the three films, especially if you revisit the first two after watching The Cloverfield Paradox. We have created a watch order of the film series that you can check out and understand how things unravel in the cross-dimensional setting of the Cloverfield film series.

A fourth film is in development and is intended to be a direct sequel to the first film. There is little knowledge of the plot, just like there wasn’t much revealed about the first three films. Cloverfield films have always used unique marketing tactics to keep things a secret until release. A loose thread hangs the Cloverfield continuity with many implied interpretations. Hopefully, the fourth film will offer a more robust backdrop concerning the three films’ cosmic connection.

There’s little that unites Star Wars fans beyond their irrevocable love for the galaxy far, far away, and they’ve proven that yet again by turning a rather simple question into an intricate debate.

Meanwhile, DCU fans realize that The Flash movie is getting at least one thing right, and that’s Ezra Miller’s high-speed run. Check out these beats and more in today’s sci-fi roundup below.

Want to watch an innovative sci-fi flick this weekend? Here’s the perfect franchise to binge through 662s3l

In the age of content, where streaming companies lean on well-established franchises to rope people in and other industry moguls keep rehashing the same ideas over and over again through reboots, remakes, and incessant sequels, it’s difficult to find a humble movie that envisions an innovative plot and sees it through with a sense of enthralled purpose.

We might not be able to single out a movie that does it perfectly, but we might have the next best thing. Cloverfield is a sci-fi franchise thriving at the edge of the public psyche, and if you haven’t been able to give it a watch until now, this might be the perfect opportunity. In this article, we go through the order at which you should binge this peculiar franchise, where every installment has tried to do something unique and mostly succeeded.

Star Wars fans can’t even agree on whether they’d want legacy characters back 4o6k59

Lucasfilm is spending the majority of its creative juices in the New Republic era, which is after the fall of the Empire and before the events of the sequels. That puts them in a very strange position when it comes to legacy characters like Luke Skywalker, and though the studio brought the protagonist back for The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett, this raises a larger issue.

Should CG de-aging become standard practice amid this surging wave of new AI technologies? And if so, can we expect to see Harrison Ford as Han Solo again, and someone embodying the late Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia? Star Wars fans have recently been found ferociously debating this topic, so make sure to check it out in case you want a refresher on this tired dilemma, which traces back to 2016’s Rogue One.

The Flash is finally fixing Ezra Miller’s awkward gait 1f34a

For reasons that might elude even the most diehard Snyder defenders, his Flash in Justice League ran in a ludicrously awkward way that twisted his body in the throes of Speed Force. Now, fans have realized that the solo outing is finally addressing this issue and giving Barry Allen a much more conventional gait.

The last couple of DCU flicks have brought our standards down to such criminal lows that we’re moved to it, even if this is the only thing The Flash ends up getting right, this venture will have been well worth it.

Matt Reeves may have his face buried in Gotham City these days, having bounced off the success of The Batman with the Penguin HBO Max spinoff, but it’s safe to say that he’ll have his pick of the project as far as whatever new horizons come about down the line.

One such possibility is a return to the Cloverfield universe. Reeves directed 2008’s opening chapter, the found-footage monster movie that kicked off the disted shared universe, and would go on to executive produce the franchise’s other entries in 10 Cloverfield Lane and The Cloverfield Paradox.

As far as the latter two films go, one would mostly only be able to recognize the Cloverfield connections through their titles alone, but with a proper sequel to Reeves’ monster movie having been announced back in 2021, perhaps the franchise will really begin to embrace its status as a shared universe, which the filmmaker just so happens to know a thing or two about.

In an interview with ComicBook, Reeves revealed that while a return to Cloverfield isn’t immediately on the docket, it’s certainly something he would consider if the deck is stacked properly.

“I have no idea. To be honest with you, you never know what you’re going to do. Even though my work is all genre work, I have to feel something personal about it. Cloverfield is very much about my anxieties. I think if another story were to present itself where I was like, ‘Gosh I have to tell that story.’ It’s not impossible. I wouldn’t say that’s a for sure thing, but I would never say never.”

Reeves or no Reeves, the Cloverfield franchise is due for a healthy injection of life sooner rather than later, considering the franchise’s most recent film, The Cloverfield Paradox, left many with a sour taste in their mouths. Here’s hoping the tentatively titled Cloverfield 2 can provide that.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing, one that leads us to the conclusion that Cloverfield might just be one of the most important and influential films of the 21st Century.

The opening installment of what would soon become a surprise franchise marked Matt Reeves’ first feature in a dozen years, Drew Goddard’s first credited screenplay, and Bad Robot’s second-ever feature (and first in almost a decade). That’s an impressive legacy, but it wasn’t long before the wheels came off.

Dan Trachtenberg’s 10 Cloverfield Lane is phenomenal, of that there’s no doubt, and the psychological thriller is so good it would have succeeded regardless of its game-changing ties to the alien invasion universe. Unfortunately, The Cloverfield Paradox was a disaster, and a recent Reddit thread finds everyone in unanimous agreement that it didn’t even need to exist, never mind tether itself to the existing mythology.

Diving headfirst into full-blown science fiction territory, producer J.J. Abrams didn’t even decide to make it a Cloverfield film until production was already underway, and the haphazard plotting makes it patently obvious, too. Originally scheduled for a February 2017 release, Paramount would end up ditching the third chapter altogether and handing it off to Netflix a year later, which turned out to be a shrewd move.

The Cloverfield Paradox was widely panned to the tune of a 21 percent Rotten Tomatoes score, and it barely made a dent on either the public consciousness or the platform’s viewership rankings. Maybe the impending fourth entry will go back to basics to right the ship, but the unnecessary threequel that felt every bit as tacked-on as it proved to be has seriously dampened the enthusiasm for more lo-fi creature features.

Nobody expected J.J. Abrams and Matt Reeves’ smash hit found footage phenomenon Cloverfield to become a franchise, and that even extended to the people starring in the follow-ups. Mary Elizabeth Winstead itted she had no idea 10 Cloverfield Lane was a continuation until after cameras had stopped rolling, which is an impressive level of secrecy to maintain.

It also helps that the claustrophobic thriller wasn’t initially designed to take place in the same universe as Bad Robot’s previous monster mash, but after picking up on several thematic similarities, the decision was made to just roll with it. Thanks to the new branding, Paramount were able to market the film as a direct successor, which in turn helped drive up box office takings.

That’s not to say 10 Cloverfield Lane would have failed without its connections to a recognizable and popular IP, when a 90 percent Rotten Tomatoes score underlined just how fantastic a job director Dan Trachtenberg had done with his feature-length directorial debut. It also helped that Winstead and John Goodman were incredible in the two lead roles, leading audiences down a mysterious rabbit hole that remained increasingly unpredictable from scene to scene.

Six years later, and Netflix subscribers are either discovering or revisiting 10 Cloverfield Lane in their numbers per FlixPatrol, after the chilling psychological thriller having ascended to the Top 10 in eight different countries, with the overall Top 20 now well within its sights. Everyone loves an intense thriller when the mood calls for it, so don’t be surprised if the second chapter in the CloverVerse sticks around the charts for a while.

Prey, the prequel to the long-running Predator franchise, has finally received a release date. According to Hulu’s official Twitter , the much-anticipated movie, which features the trophy-seeking alien race facing off against a Comanche warrior, will air in August of this year.

The series will show the hostile species’ first encounter with Earthlings, and will be set in the Comanche nation in North America during the early 18th century. The story’s protagonist and titular “prey” of the title is Naru, played by Legion‘s Amber Midthunder, a young Comanche woman “who goes against gender norms and traditions to become a warrior,” according to Discussing Film. Midthunder is a member of the Fort Peck Sioux tribe.

The film, previously entitled Skulls, is directed by 10 Cloverfield Lane director Dan Trachtenberg and feature a script by Patrick Aison. In addition to Midthunder, the movie will star Dane DiLiegro and Dakota Beavers. Producer John Davis and Trachtenberg began conceptualizing the film during the production of the franchise’s earlier installment, 2018’s The Predator.

According to Davis, the film will use a back-to-basics approach, incorporating elements of the franchise’s original movie, Predator. “It goes back to what made the original Predator movie work. It’s the ingenuity of a human being who won’t give up, who’s able to observe and interpret, basically being able to beat a stronger, more powerful, well-armed force,” he explained to Collider.

But the story will also take inspiration from other sources, as well as from being set in a pre-industrialized Native American nation. “It actually has more akin to The Revenant than it does any film in the Predator canon. You’ll know what I mean once you see it,” Davis’ fellow producer John Fox told Collider.

Prey will begin streaming on Hulu on August 5.

10 Cloverfield Lane was one of the biggest surprise hits of 2016. A big reason people went to see it was because it was a surprise sequel to 2008’s Cloverfield. However, that wasn’t always the case. In fact, the film’s star, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, had no clue that the film was in the Cloverfield universe until after she was done filming it.

“It was all definitely after the fact because I didn’t know it was a Cloverfield movie until just before it came out,” Winstead told Collider. “I had no idea it was a Cloverfield movie! [Laughs] It was an idea that was floated around but wasn’t something that was really, officially like, ‘This is part of that universe.’ It was its own standalone film and then, just before the movie came out, spoke with JJ and it was like, ‘Oh no, this is gonna be part of the Cloverfield franchise.’ And I really didn’t know what to think of it at first because I hadn’t really wrapped my brain around it and then, once everything got laid out and it made sense and the marketing for it came out, I was like, ‘Oh, I see how this fits together, this kind of puzzle,’ and it’s actually really smart.”

The reason Winstead didn’t know was because 10 Cloverfield Lane wasn’t always supposed to be a Cloverfield movie. The original script for the film was titled The Cellar before it was changed to Valencia once production started up.

J.J. Abrams noticed some connective tissue to the 2008 film and decided to connect the two. The decision ended up being a smart one, as 10 Cloverfield Lane ended up making $110.2 million against a $13-$15 million budget. Had it not been for the title change, the film may not have been nearly as big of a hit.

What a year it’s been for writer-director Denis Villeneuve. Following the one-two punch of Prisoners and Sicario, in 2016 the filmmaker crafted a stunning, cerebral sci-fi in the form of Arrival, and will remain in the genre for not only Blade Runner 2049, but also Legendary’s embryonic Dune reboot. For Villeneuve, it’s Arrival that has fired his name directly into the Oscar race, and while we wait patiently for The Academy to select its nominees (keep your peepers peeled on January 24), the latest round of nominations are in. This time, it’s the Directors Guild of America’s turn to announce their candidates for this year’s ceremony and sure enough, Denis Villeneuve is among the nominees. He’s in the running for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in a Feature Film, a title Damien Chazelle (La La Land), Barry Jenkins (Moonlight), Garth Davis (Lion) and Kenneth Lonergan (Manchester by the Sea) will also be lobbying for in a few weeks’ time. Meanwhile, Kelly Fremon Craig (The Edge of Seventeen) and Dan Trachtenberg (10 Cloverfield Lane) are just some of the names competing in the First-Time Feature Film bracket. The full list of nominees can be found below, with the winners expected to be announced at the 69th Annual DGA Awards on February 4, 2017.

Outstanding Directorial Achievement in a Feature Film: Damien Chazelle – La La Land Garth Davis – Lion Barry Jenkins – Moonlight Kenneth Lonergan – Manchester by the Sea Denis Villeneuve – Arrival First-Time Feature Film: Garth Davis – Lion Kelly Fremon Craig – The Edge of Seventeen Tim Miller – Deadpool Nate Parker – The Birth of a Nation Dan Trachtenberg – 10 Cloverfield Lane

As we head into the final days of 2016, it’s time to look back on the past 12 months in film and reflect on the hits and the misses, the surprises and the disappointments. While this year hasn’t been particularly strong, at least in our opinion, there were still a handful of notable efforts that moved us, brought us to tears, had us rolling in our seats laughing or standing on our chairs pumping our fists in the air. From stunning animated efforts that had no business being as good as they were, to intense, nail-biting affairs that had us on the edge of our seats, these 10 films left We Got This Covered critics feeling very impressed. We did have to leave a few fantastic titles off the list, as there was only room for 10 (honorable mentions go out to Moonlight, The Jungle Book and Moana, among others), but we feel that this selection of movies represents the very best of what the past 12 months had to offer. And so, without further ado, we present to you We Got This Covered’s Top 10 Movies of 2016. Enjoy, and be sure to leave a comment down below letting us know what your favorite films were this year.

You’ve seen our exhaustive movie rewind for 2016 but now, it’s time to zero in on those feature films that landed Top Honors – or just below – on We Got This Covered’s official review scale. That’s right, up above we present to you a video compilation of our top reviewed movies from the past 12 months, reminding us all once again that 2016 has been a truly memorable year for the industry. And we do mean the entire industry. From intense, nail-biting thrillers that snuck up on just about everyone (10 Cloverfield Lane) to those blockbusters that enraptured audiences from start-to-finish despite their massive scope and scale (Captain America: Civil War), the level of diversity on display is nothing short of wonderful – and long may that continue into 2017 and beyond. What’s more, we’ve seen B-list superheroes be promoted to household names (Deadpool) and other success stories such as Andrea Arnold’s American Honey which, while divisive, still muscled its way onto our official round-up. So pop the kettle on, draw up a chair: We Got This Covered presents to you the crème de la crème of 2016, just don’t expect to see Assassin’s Creed or the hyped-up engers anywhere in the video. And , We Got This Covered’s YouTube page is teeming with the latest trailers, exclusive interviews and original content for you to peruse anytime, anywhere. The sizzle reel below is undoubtedly a neat way to cap off 2016 – a year in review, if you will – and it’s arrived just in time for the festive season. From all of us here at We Got This Covered, we wish you a happy and safe holidays!