Lord of the Rings' 10-Year Streak of Terrible Games Might Finally Come to an End
After a decade of underwhelming releases, the Lord of the Rings franchise may finally see a quality revival. The last widely praised entry, *Middle‑earth: Shadow of War* (2017), was marred by grind, microtransactions and controversial monetization, leaving fans skeptical of new titles. Warhorse Studios recently unveiled an open‑world RPG set in Middle‑earth, generating unexpected hype despite limited details. Analysts suggest the studio’s fantasy pedigree and advances in open‑world design could finally capture Tolkien’s epic scale and deliver a game that meets long‑standing fan expectations.
Brandon Sanderson's Skyward Is Getting Adapted Into a TV Series
Brandon Sanderson’s young‑adult sci‑fi series *Skyward* is being turned into a television show by Tomorrow Studios, with the author penning the pilot script. The adaptation follows Sanderson’s earlier Apple TV agreement to bring his Cosmere universe to the screen. *Skyward*...
Fastest Cars in Forza Horizon 6
Forza Horizon 6 ranks its fastest vehicles with a perfect 10‑speed rating, highlighting three stock cars: the 2017 Koenigsegg Agera RS, the 2020 Koenigsegg Jesko, and the 2021 Hennessey Venom F5. These hypercars command in‑game prices of 2.9‑3.5 million CR, roughly $29,000‑$35,000 USD, reflecting...
Markiplier's Iron Lung Finally Has a Streaming Release Date
Markiplier’s horror film *Iron Lung* will debut digitally on YouTube on May 31, 2026, as a paid offering on the platform’s Movies & TV storefront. The price hasn’t been disclosed but is expected to fall between $19.99 and $29.99, mirroring typical new‑release...
Why Is Dropout Changing so Much? CEO Sam Reich Explains
Dropout.tv CEO Sam Reich says the company’s flurry of new projects—Blu‑rays, a 24/7 streaming channel, licensed outside content, a Superfan tier, an animated anthology, and a crowdfunded board game—have been in development for years and coincidentally converged in 2026. Early...
PS5 Game Player Counts Are Finally Coming — but It Won't Help You
PlayStation is beta‑testing a new “Community Activity” widget on the PS5 Welcome Hub that will display weekly player counts for games, offering Top 10 and Trending Now views. The feature mirrors Steam’s player‑count displays and aims to give users a quick popularity...
Is Westworld Coming Back? Fans of the HBO Show Just Got some Terrible News
Warner Bros. announced a cinematic reboot of Michael Crichton’s 1973 Westworld, hiring David Koepp—known for Jurassic Park—to pen the script. The move follows HBO’s 2016 series, created by Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy, being cancelled after a steep 81% viewership drop by season 4 and its...
Season Schedule and How Seasons Work in Forza Horizon 6
Forza Horizon 6 launches its live‑season system on May 21, beginning with Summer and rotating weekly through Autumn, Winter and Spring. Each new season triggers on Thursday at 10:30 a.m. EDT (adjusted for global time zones) and is announced by an on‑screen countdown timer....
Where Is Mt. Haruna in Forza Horizon 6?
Forza Horizon 6 adds the iconic Mt. Haruna touge race, located in the northeast corner of the map east of the Takashiro region. The race begins where the southbound road splits, letting players drift down the mountain in B‑class cars. The...
The Punisher: One Last Kill Exposes a Major Flaw in Marvel's Streaming Strategy
Marvel Studios released the 48‑minute special "Punisher: One Last Kill" ahead of the character’s cameo in the upcoming film Spider‑Man: Brand New Day. The special showcases the Punisher in a high‑octane, violent storyline while serving as a concise introduction for...
Punisher One Last Kill Review: The Perfect Antidote to Marvel's Messy Multiverse
Marvel Studios released the 48‑minute special "The Punisher: One Last Kill" on Disney+, starring Jon Bernthal in what critics call his strongest MCU performance. The action‑heavy presentation unfolds over a 48‑hour window, delivering a relentless 20‑minute kill‑fest that blends Daredevil‑style choreography...
James Cameron’s Avatar: Fire and Ash Is Finally Heading to Disney Plus in June
James Cameron’s third Avatar installment, Fire and Ash, will debut on Disney+ on June 27, 2026, after concluding its theatrical run. The film grossed $1.486 billion worldwide, making it the lowest‑grossing entry in the franchise despite surpassing the billion‑dollar threshold. The release...
KPop Demon Hunters Is Officially Out of Netflix's Top 10 Chart
After a 46‑week run atop Netflix’s U.S. Top 10 movies, Sony Animation’s *KPop Demon Hunters* fell out of the domestic chart this week. The animated feature still holds a No. 5 spot globally, marking a 47‑week streak among English‑language titles worldwide. Its...
One of the Decade's Scariest Movies Nails an 83-Year-Old Horror Tradition
The 2024 horror film *Oddity* has emerged as a modern benchmark for jump‑scare craftsmanship, echoing the pioneering shock of Jacques Tourneur’s 1942 *Cat People*. The movie weaves a tangled plot of murder, clairvoyance, and a human‑sized golem into a tightly paced...
Marvel Midnight Universe Details Revealed and Include Horror Reimaginings of X-Men, Spider-Man, and the Fantastic Four
Marvel announced the Marvel Midnight Universe, a horror‑focused imprint separate from its main continuity. The line will debut three titles—Midnight X‑Men, Midnight Fantastic Four, and Midnight Spider‑Man—each reimagining classic heroes in dark, supernatural scenarios. Veteran creators Jonathan Hickman, Benjamin Percy,...
What Year Does Mixtape Take Place? A Polygon Investigation
Polygon investigates the ambiguous era of Beethoven & Dinosaur’s indie hit Mixtape. While the soundtrack and a Montell Jordan reference point to 1995, the game mixes ’80s film influences and slang that feels decades early. The article argues the title aims for a...
Vin Diesel Confirms Fast & Furious Is Getting a Yellowstone TV-Verse
Vin Diesel announced that Universal Television is developing four new Fast & Furious TV series, including a live‑action show slated for Peacock. Writers Mike Daniels and Wolfe Coleman are attached to the pilot, with Diesel serving as executive producer. The...
Ghost in the Shell 2026 Release Date Revealed in New Trailer for the Science Saru Anime
Bandai Namco Filmworks announced that the new Ghost in the Shell anime will debut on July 7, 2026. Produced by Science Saru and directed by Touma Kimura (Mokochan), the series offers a full retelling of Masamune Shirow’s cyber‑punk manga. It will stream...
GameStop's $68,000 Charizard Pokémon Card Is Already a Saga
GameStop has introduced $5,000 Pokémon Power Packs that give buyers a 0.4 % chance at ultra‑rare cards, including a first‑edition 1999 Charizard valued at about $68,000. Tracking data shows the Charizard has been pulled three times, with each winner opting to...
Skywind's Latest Update Highlights the Impressive Total Conversion Mod Turning Skyrim Into Morrowind
Skywind, a volunteer‑driven total conversion mod that rebuilds The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind inside Skyrim, released its biggest update in years. The May 8 video shows over 100 contributors have finished most 2D/3D assets, 75% of animation work, and ten of Morrowind’s...
Gundam Hathaway Sequel Review: The Sorcery of Nymph Circe Might Be the Best Gundam Movie in Years
Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway: The Sorcery of Nymph Circe arrives five years after its predecessor, continuing the saga of Hathaway Noa as he fully embraces his Mafty rebel identity. Directed by Shukou Murase and produced by Sunrise, the sequel deepens political...
Make Sure You Get Dishonored 2 Free of Charge This Week
Lenovo’s Legion Gaming Community is handing out free activation keys for Arkane Studios’ stealth hit Dishonored 2, with the giveaway launching at 12 p.m. EST on May 13. The promotion runs continuously until the allocated codes are depleted, and participants must create Legion, Gamesplanet...
Mixtape Is a Wonderful Game, but Fails at Being a Personal One
Mixtape, an indie coming‑of‑age adventure from an Australian studio, launched this week to universal praise. Steam users rate it “overwhelmingly positive” and IGN awarded a perfect 10/10. Critics highlight its nostalgic soundtrack and polished presentation, noting it resonates especially with...
Gamble With Your Friends Is Steam's Latest Friendslop Hit
Steam’s newest “friendslop” title, Gamble With Your Friends, moved 1 million copies in its first week, eclipsing the opening‑week sales of high‑budget releases like Pragmata. Developed by indie studio Tenstack in under nine months, the $8 co‑op game lets up to...
You Can Get the First Mortal Kombat Movie for Free, but You'll Have to Use Bing
Warner Bros. and Microsoft have teamed up to give away the 2021 Mortal Kombat film for free as part of a Microsoft Rewards promotion tied to the upcoming Mortal Kombat 2 theatrical release. Participants must complete a five‑step punch‑card—including watching the new trailer,...
Reggie Fils-Aimé's Amazon Story Says a Lot About Nintendo
Former Nintendo of America boss Reggie Fils‑Aimé recounted a 2010s incident where Amazon asked Nintendo for deep discounts on Wii and DS consoles. Nintendo refused, citing legality and principle, and stopped selling to Amazon altogether. The anecdote underscores Nintendo’s historic...
Before Alien: Isolation 2, the Underrated Aliens: Fireteam Elite Is Getting a Sequel
Polygon reports that Cold Iron Studios and Daybreak Game Company have unveiled *Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2*, a sequel to the 2021 co‑op shooter. The trailer, released May 7, shows a four‑marine squad battling Xenomorph hordes on a space station, confirming a new...
Scavengers Reign Is Leaving Netflix at the End of May 2026
Scavengers Reign, the 12‑episode animated sci‑fi series from creators Joe Bennett and Charles Huettner, will leave Netflix at the end of May 2026. The show, lauded for its Moebius‑inspired visual design and immersive alien ecosystem on the planet Vesta, has...
The Most Underrated Version of The Addams Family Deserves Another Shot
The 2019 and 2021 animated Addams Family movies, directed by Conrad Vernon and Greg Tiernan, proved financially strong despite mixed reviews. They stand out for faithfully translating Charles Addams’s stark black‑and‑white comic style to modern animation. Oscar Isaac’s portrayal of Gomez blends...
Mixtape Isn't 2026's only Great Music Game
2026 has become a breakout year for video games that explore music culture beyond traditional rhythm mechanics. Three indie releases—Mixtape, Wax Heads, and Dead as Disco—illustrate the trend, each offering a distinct take on how music shapes narrative, community, and...
When Will Mortal Kombat 2 Come to Streaming, HBO Max, Blu-Ray, and DVD?
Warner Bros. is expected to roll out the sequel Mortal Kombat II on digital platforms in early June 2026, followed by a Blu‑ray/DVD launch in July. The film will likely debut on HBO Max in late July, mirroring the studio’s recent 30‑day...
Path of Exile 2 Release Date Coming Soon as Early Access Gets Final Patch
Grinding Gear Games announced that Path of Exile 2 is nearing the end of its early‑access phase, with the final major patch 0.5 “Return of the Ancients” now live. The studio indicated the full 1.0 launch will arrive between November and...
Amazon Prime's Free Games for May 2026 Include Mafia 2 and More
Amazon Prime is giving members access to 11 free PC games throughout May 2026, delivered as redeemable codes from platforms such as GOG, Epic Games Store, and Amazon Games. The headline title is Mafia 2: Definitive Edition, a 2020 remaster that...
Star Fox's Controversial Redesign Already Has Fans Divided
Nintendo unveiled a full remake of Star Fox 64 for the upcoming Switch 2, branding it simply as Star Fox and adding new story missions and multiplayer. The reveal sparked an immediate meme war as the game’s hyper‑realistic CG redesign of Fox McCloud and...
He Traded His $130,000 Car for Pokémon Cards, and He Doesn't Regret It
Tech executive Geoff Pritchett exchanged his $130,000 Audi R8 for a 437‑card Pokémon collection, including rare miscut Umbreon VMAX cards and a 1999 Charizard holo that can fetch up to $149,000. The deal, finalized after five months of searching, values...
Nintendo's Star Fox Reveal Backs up Zelda Ocarina of Time Remake Rumors
Nintendo announced a direct remake of Star Fox 64 for the Switch 2, slated for a June 25, 2026 launch. The reveal also reignited speculation that a Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake could arrive later in 2026, echoing the dual‑remake push that refreshed...
Sega’s Stranger Than Heaven Cast Includes a Yakuza Icon Who Died 12 Years Ago
Sega’s RGG Studio revealed that its upcoming Yakuza prequel *Stranger Than Heaven* will feature a computer‑generated version of late Japanese yakuza film legend Bunta Sugawara. The studio secured consent from Sugawara’s family and Toei Company, using archival footage to model...
The Witcher 3 Console Commands List
Polygon details how PC players can unlock The Witcher 3’s hidden console and use cheat commands to alter gameplay. The guide walks users through editing the config file to add DBGConsoleOn=true, then explains the ~30 most useful commands, from god mode and...
New Minecraft Documentary Gets First Teaser Trailer
Polygon’s new 40‑minute documentary, "Battle of the Boroughs: The Kids Who Build New York City in Minecraft," premieres on May 7. Directed by Simone de Rochefort, it follows the 2025 NYC public‑school competition where students use Minecraft Education to redesign a more...
A Valve Glitch Made Steam Controllers Cheaper for Early Adopters
Valve discovered a billing glitch that omitted sales tax for some early purchasers of its Steam Controller, effectively lowering the $99.99 price by roughly $7 in high‑tax states. The issue was flagged on the Steam subreddit, prompting Valve to confirm...
Angel Down's Pulitzer Win Confirms Something Horror Fans Already Knew
Angel Down became the first horror novel to win the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction since Cormac McCarthy’s The Road in 2007. Set in World I, the book follows con‑man Private Cyril Bagger as he discovers a fallen angel amid trench warfare....
The Paranormasight Games Exist Thanks to High-Profile Indies, Square Enix Says
Square Enix has green‑lit *The Mermaid’s Curse*, the sequel to the indie‑styled *The Seven Mysteries of Honjo*, confirming the Paranormasight series’ commercial viability despite the publisher’s 2024 pledge to prioritize quality over quantity. The games rely on traditional, narrative‑driven mechanics rather...
Attack on Titan's Finale Gets New 4K Theatrical Release in North America
Crunchyroll’s Anime Nights will bring Attack on Titan: The Last Attack to North American theaters on May 18 in 4K. The film compiles the final episodes of the series’ fourth season, adding a new epilogue scene where the main characters...
30 Years Later, The Craft Is Still the Best Witch Movie of All Time
The Craft celebrated its 30th anniversary, reaffirming its position as the premier witch‑movie in a crowded horror subgenre. The 1996 teen thriller blends supernatural intrigue with raw adolescent struggles, earning lasting acclaim for its authentic dialogue and low‑budget aesthetic. Its...
The Devil Wears Prada 2 Follows up The Super Mario Galaxy Movie's Sequel Success
The Devil Wears Prada 2 opened to $77 million domestically and $233.6 million worldwide, ranking as the second‑biggest opening of 2026 behind The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. The strong debut underscores the power of sequels to draw audiences, matching other surprise hits like...
A Hundred Scenes of Awajima Is the Most Beautiful Anime You’re Not Watching
Anime "A Hundred Scenes of Awajima" premiered on Crunchyroll this spring, adapting Takako Shimura’s watercolor manga. Produced by Madhouse and directed by Morio Asaka, the three‑episode series uses a pair‑centric narrative and watercolor‑style animation to explore the fleeting emotions of...
Graduation Day Is a Strange 80s Slasher Worth Watching on Tubi
Graduation Day, a 1981 low‑budget slasher directed by Herb Freed, has resurfaced as a cult oddity thanks to a new 4K restoration of its original 35 mm print. The film’s bizarre plot—featuring a stopwatch‑wielding killer and a Navy‑officer heroine—sets it apart...
Cozilla? The Weirdest Godzilla Movie Ever Made Is Finally Getting a Blu-Ray Release
The 1977 Italian re‑edit Cozzilla finally receives a Blu‑ray debut as part of an eight‑disc Godzilla Showa Collection exclusive to Italy, priced around €299 (approximately $324). The cult film reimagines the 1954 original with wartime footage, aggressive synth‑driven score, and...
Pamela Anderson's Comic-Book Movie Barb Wire Ages Terribly in Every Way, Except One
Barb Wire, a 1996 comic‑book adaptation starring Pamela Anderson, was widely panned for its thin plot, over‑the‑top action, and low‑budget production, earning modest box‑office returns. The film’s dystopian premise—an America torn by a second civil war and alien‑derived technology—has aged...
VR Gaming's Spring Hot Streak Is Good News for the Steam Deck.
After a year of studio closures and layoffs that painted a bleak picture for virtual reality, the platform is seeing a surprising revival. In May 2026 three major IP‑driven titles—Little Nightmares VR Altered Echoes, The Boys: Trigger Warning, and Teenage...