James Cameron is better known as a director than a writer, largely because he usually directs the projects he writes. But one of his most important contributions to the science fiction genre came in the 1990s with the film Strange Days, which was directed by his then-wife, Kathryn Bigelow. This somewhat overlooked film remains a standout example of hard sci-fi and continues to appeal to dedicated fans.
A huge number of creative works are becoming freely available this year, and there are some real gems among them! Classic characters like Betty Boop, Blondie, and Dagwood are now in the public domain. Even the very first version of Pluto (originally known as Rover) is free to use. Several famous detectives also debuted in 1930, including Nancy Drew, Miss Marple, and Sam Spade. As for music, you can now freely use the song from Spongebob – “Livin’ in the Sunlight, Lovin’ in the Moonlight” – though the original recording by Tiny Tim is still copyrighted, as are classics like “Georgia on my Mind” and “Embraceable You.” On the book front, William Faulkner’s As I Lay Dying, The Little Engine That Could, and Sigmund Freud’s Civilization and Its Discontents are all now public domain. Plus, the second Marx Bros. movie, Animal Crackers, is free to show! Head over to the Internet Archive and enjoy!
This new show feels particularly meaningful for Jennifer Lopez, as she previously had a long-term performance residency in Las Vegas starting in 2016, shortly after her divorce from Marc Anthony. Given that her recent split from Ben Affleck was finalized in August 2024, many are noticing the similarities. Here’s what Lopez shared with the Las Vegas audience on New Year’s Eve:
After that, Green Lantern fans grew to appreciate Kyle Rayner, who became the sole Green Lantern protecting Earth and the wider universe for ten years. Though he hasn’t been the primary Green Lantern for nearly two decades – instead working as a hero on different worlds – he’s now poised to return to the role.
Cohen also disapproved of Adams’ focus on nightlife and partying as mayor, jokingly saying, “You spent four years going to clubs, and we always saw you there.” However, Cohen did acknowledge Adams’ success in reducing the city’s rat population. He quipped, “He made a dent in the rat problem, but maybe that’s symbolic—there are fewer rats in 2026.”
Bringing two fandoms together, Tiffani Thiessen posted a video to Instagram showing her, husband Brady Smith and their two children dressed in the signature all-white of the Backstreet Boys, hitting some classic boy band moves to the tune of “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back)”:
Beginning January 1, 2026, the film Angels & Demons will be available. Released in 2009, this mystery thriller is based on Dan Brown’s 2000 novel of the same name. It’s the second movie in Sony’s Robert Langdon series, following The Da Vinci Code by three years. Interestingly, while the book Angels & Demons happens before the story in The Da Vinci Code, the movie adaptation takes place after the 2006 film. Both films were directed by Ron Howard.
Cooper and Cohen’s New Year’s Eve show was delightfully chaotic as always. The broadcast included a dramatic reading of Taylor Swift’s “Wood,” puppets of the hosts themselves, and frequent mentions of their show, Heated Rivalry, which is available to stream on HBO Max.
As a huge fan, I could really feel the end was near while watching Stranger Things Season 5. It rolled out in three parts throughout November and December 2025, and honestly, things had been getting so intense in Hawkins for a while now. You just knew as the final showdown approached that some of our favorite characters weren’t going to survive.
“San Junipero” is a heartwarming and optimistic science fiction love story. “Metalhead” is a dark and intense post-apocalyptic thriller that shows the dangers of artificial intelligence in a very direct and violent way. “Eulogy” is similar to the film Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, but with a Black Mirror twist, exploring how memories and love can be altered and endure.