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Connections: Sports Edition is a new version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.

Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for the latest Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections Sports Edition?

The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

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Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

Here's a hint for today's Connections Sports Edition categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: Plan of action

• Green: Found in the Tar Heel State

• Blue: You'd ride one of these

• Purple: Old school basketball teams

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections Sports Edition categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: Approach to a game

• Green: North Carolina teams

• Blue: Bicycle brands

• Purple: Former NBA team names

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections Sports Edition #221 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

• Approach to a game - PLAN, SCHEME, STRATEGY, TACTIC

• North Carolina teams - HORNETS, HURRICANES, PANTHERS, WOLFPACK

• Bicycle brands - GIANT, HUFFY, MONGOOSE, SCHWINN

• Former NBA team names- BOBCATS, NATIONALS, ROYALS, SUPERSONICS

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to the latest Connections.

The Apple AirPods Max recently got support for lossless audio, which is a big deal if you care about high-fidelity sound. But can you actually hear the difference?

The short answer: Yes, you absolutely can.

Of course, if you're not an audio nerd like me, it may not be worth going through all the trouble required to set up lossless audio on the AirPods Max headphones, which already sound great without it.

That's the short answer. For the long answer, let's go ears-on.

The AirPods Max headphones get an important update

The AirPods Max are a bit of an odd product. They're the most expensive, and by far the best-sounding, headphones that Apple sells, and yet they feel a bit neglected. Apple launched them in 2020, and only updated them in 2024 with just one, fairly minor difference: a USB-C port instead of Apple's proprietary Lightning port.

And despite the fact that Apple has supported lossless and high-resolution lossless audio for years, the AirPods Max did not support this codec in any way, shape, or form.

Even worse, the new USB-C version of the AirPods Max had a key downgrade compared to their predecessor — they were wireless only. You couldn't get sound to them via the USB-C cable, which was solely for charging. Both of these issues are solved with the latest firmware update for the AirPods Max (version: 7E101), in combination with iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, and macOS Sequoia 15.4.

Now, your AirPods Max can receive audio via a USB-C cable, with support for 24-bit, 48 kHz lossless audio. However, there are certain caveats here (more on that later).

Yeah, they look better without the cable. Credit: Stan Schroeder / Mashable

With this firmware update, the AirPods Max also received support for low-latency audio, which is important for gamers and music creators.

How to enable lossless audio on the AirPods Max

If you have the latest firmware installed on the AirPods Max, and if your sound source — an iPhone, iPad, or MacBook — is also up to date, then you can now listen to lossless audio. You can also use third-party software as your music player of choice and still go lossless, but I'll focus on Apple Music here for simplicity's sake.

There are limitations, though. Lossless does not work wirelessly. You must connect the AirPods Max to a sound source via a USB-C cable. On a Mac, if you click on the sound icon in the menu bar, the description will say that your AirPods Max are connected via USB Audio.

If this doesn't say "USB Audio," then you're not listening to lossless sound quality. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

Also, the AirPods Max only support lossless up to 24-bit, 48 kHz quality. Apple Music can go up to 24-bit, 192 kHz quality, but it will be wasted on the AirPods Max. (Unless you're a professional who needs reference-class sound, that's probably not an issue.)

To make sure I'm getting actual lossless audio, I turned off Bluetooth on my MacBook Pro. I enabled "Lossless Audio" in Apple Music settings and set it to "Lossless" for both Streaming and Download. I turned Dolby Atmos off. On the AirPods Max, I didn't use Transparency or Noise Reduction as those can affect sound quality.

Finally, it's worth mentioning that I had some trouble getting the AirPods Max to work via USB-C. After a lot of tinkering with my MacBook Pro, iPad Air, and iPhone 16e, I've realized that all of them ran the latest beta software from Apple, and that that may be the culprit (even though the beta software came out after the required firmware update). When I switched to an older MacBook Pro that had macOS Sequoia 15.4 installed, the AirPods Max finally started receiving audio over the USB-C cable. Most people don't run beta software, so this shouldn't be a big issue.

What is lossless audio anyway?

Mashable already has a comprehensive guide to lossless audio and hi-res audio. Simply put, lossless audio has no data compression, and therefore no data loss, in contrast to lossy audio (including MP3 and AAC formats), which compresses some data to save on bandwidth or file size.

Lossless audio, by definition, sounds truer to the original recording than lossy audio. But whether you'll be able to hear the difference is another matter, and it depends on your ears, the type of music you listen to, the quality of the recording, and the hardware you use (in this case, the AirPods Max).

As for high-res audio, there are differing opinions on this, especially in the hi-fi community. But it's safe to say that it's very hard to hear the benefits unless you're listening on very expensive, high-end audio hardware. The AirPods Max are not that.

Where does LDAC fit into this? LDAC stands for Lossless Digital Audio Codec, and it's a Sony audio codec for high-resolution audio. Despite the name, it's not a true "lossless" codec, and the audio is compressed to some degree. Apple AirPods Max don't support LDAC, and that hasn't changed with the latest update.

Do the AirPods Max sound better with lossless audio?

The AirPods Max already have a very pleasant, balanced sound. They're not overly bassy, which is good, and if I had to find a weakness across the frequency range, I could perhaps use a little more clarity and loudness in the midrange. Audiophiles will call this a "V" shaped sound: bass and treble are slightly pronounced, while midrange tones are slightly recessed, which works for rock and electronic music, but it can leave intimate, acoustic performances a bit lacking.

The AirPods Max are already fairly heavy, and the cable's additional pull doesn't help. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

These headphones are physically big, with lots of space around your ears, which helps create an airiness that closed over-the-ear headphones rarely possess. This airiness helps create a pretty wide sound stage, which is especially important when listening to live performances. In fact, this may be the best feature of Apple's over-the-ear headphones: Yes, they're big on your head, but they truly convey a sense of space. I've compared them directly against B&W's PX (also connected by wire), and after Apple's headphones, the B&Ws sound cramped.

There's also a lot of detail here. During Ryan Adams' live performance at Carnegie Hall, you can hear individual audience members stirring in their seats. You'll hear the chairs creaking in Stan Getz and Astrud Gilberto's excellent 1964 live rendering of the "Girl from Ipanema." To be fair, you'll hear those same details, and perhaps even clearer, on the B&W PX, but Apple's headphones are a close second.

One day, lossless, wireless audio will be a thing. But it hasn't happened yet. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

So the AirPods Max are pretty good. But can you hear the difference between lossless and Apple's lossy, AAC compression? The answer, to me, is yes. Wirelessly, when the signal switches to lossy, everything still sounds crisp, but that sense of openness is gone, especially on live recordings. Snarky Puppy's Lingus just feels a lot less airy, with instruments seemingly being cramped into a narrow, vertical plan right in front of you. Switching back to lossless, and the complex interplay between the instruments is easier to digest as each individual instrument has more space to breathe.

It's not a huge difference, but it is there. And arguably, the airiness that these headphones provide is their best trait, and it's a shame to lose it.

A few things to consider

The AirPods Max are a wireless-first product. Some of their convenience features require Bluetooth, and something is lost when you have to use a cable. For instance, the USB-C cable that Apple supplies with the AirPods Max is barely long enough for comfy listening.

The AirPods Max: Still relevant after 5 years. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

With this recent update, the AirPods Max enter an entirely new category of headphones. Wireless-only headphones that don't support high-resolution, high-fidelity audio are a niche. Wired headphones that support lossless are a far larger niche with a very different set of competitors, with prices ranging from a couple hundred bucks to thousands of dollars (for the ultra high-end models). The AirPods Max can now meaningfully compete with both types of products.

Should you buy the AirPods Max?

The AirPods Max are, essentially, five years old, but we never really knew what they were capable of. The newly-added ability to reproduce lossless audio lets them shine, and yes, these headphones are really good, perhaps surprisingly so.

Whether lossless changes anything for you is another question. I'm pretty sure you won't hear the difference listening with noise cancellation on, in the subway, on a crowded street, or on a plane. The nuanced sound improvements will only shine through when you're focused and listening in a quiet place. If that's something that you do often, the AirPods Max will reward you.

What you probably shouldn't do is buy the AirPods Max purely for wired, lossless listening. There are better-sounding, wired headphones out there for less money (the AirPods Max cost $549). Apple's headphones are a good all-rounder, and the ability to reproduce lossless audio is just the icing on the cake.

Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) $499.99 at Amazon
$549 Save $49.01 Get Deal

What I listened to while testing:

• Jason Isbell: Foxes in the Snow

• Ryan Adams: Live at Carnegie Hall

• Bossa Nova: Verve Jazz Masters 53: Stan Getz

• Sleep Token: This Place Will Become Your Tomb

• Snarky Puppy: We Like it Here

FREE E-BOOK WITH PRIME: As of May 2, Amazon Prime members can score a free e-book with Amazon First Reads.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon First Reads Prime members get one free e-book. Non-Prime members pay $1.99. Get Deal

Prime Members get a lot of benefits with their plan. Great TV shows and films, next day delivery and of course, big sales events like the Big Spring Sale and Prime Day. But did you know about the monthly free book?

At the start of each month, Prime Members can pick one book from the First Reads selection that's added to their Kindle library, at no cost. The options are refreshed every month, so the May selection is now live. There are eight books to choose from, and one children's picture book. Not a Prime member? Don't worry, you don't have to miss out on the fun. While the e-books aren't free for non-members, they are reduced down to the low price of $1.99.

SEE ALSO: The best Kindles in 2025

Books are broken down into various genres, covering everything from historical fiction, psychological thriller, and women's fiction, so there's really something for everyone. May's e-book titles include A Sky Full of Love by Lorna Lewis, Family & Other Calamities by Leslie Gray Streeter, and Homemaker by Ruthie Knox.

Don't miss out on your free e-book this month.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Kindle (16GB) $109.99 at Amazon
Shop Now

At Jupiter's north pole, powerful storms the size of Australia or bigger are wrapped in 100 mph winds. 

After analyzing years of data from NASA's Juno mission, scientists have observed the long-term movements of its huge polar cyclone, along with the eight others surrounding it. 

Meanwhile, on Jupiter's moon Io, the most volcanically active world in the solar system, the spacecraft discovered that still-warm lava flows just beneath its crust. 

These are some of the new eye-opening observations Juno has made while orbiting the gas giant planet, some 544 million miles away in space. The findings, presented at the European Geosciences Union General Assembly meeting in Vienna this week, should help scientists better understand how planets and moons cycle heat inside them — something that affects weather, volcanic activity, and even how surfaces change over time.

"As Juno’s orbit takes us to new regions of Jupiter’s complex system, we’re getting a closer look at the immensity of energy this gas giant wields," said Scott Bolton, principal investigator of Juno, in a statement. 

SEE ALSO: NASA spacecraft saw something incredible near Jupiter's Great Red Spot Juno observes volcanic vents erupting on Jupiter's moon, Io. Credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech / SwRI / MSSS / Andrea Luck

The team is also learning about Io's energy. A volcanic eruption discovered during Juno's flyby in late December 2024 — the most energetic in the moon's history — was still spurting lava and ash as of March 2. Scientists think it's likely still going strong today. 

One of the big surprises: Despite the moon's cooled crust, the data shows Io maintains liquid hot lava just below the ground. In fact, about 10 percent of the surface has lava underneath it. That may have something to do with how Io keeps its surface looking so new. 

"Io’s volcanoes, lava fields, and subterranean lava flows act like a car radiator," said Shannon Brown, a Juno scientist, in a statement, "efficiently moving heat from the interior to the surface, cooling itself down in the vacuum of space."

On one of Juno's recent trips around Jupiter, the spacecraft — which has been orbiting the planet since 2016 — used so-called "radio occultation" to send a signal through Jupiter’s thick atmosphere and measure how the waves bent. From this, they learned that the air at the north pole is about 20 degrees Fahrenheit colder than the areas around it. 

Unlike Earth's hurricanes, which usually form near the equator and break up as they migrate closer to the poles, Jupiter’s storms loiter at the poles in what seems to be a grand display of organized chaos: The cyclones ping off each other, stabilizing the entire configuration, and slowly rotate in lockstep around a large central storm.

Jupiter's massive cyclones at the planet's north pole. Credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech / SwRI / ASI / INAF / JIRAM

Jupiter, which has no solid surface, is quite different from our home planet, but researchers say studying its weather, internal activity, and system of moons can actually help scientists better understand Earth. It's an enormous natural laboratory, where researchers can see extreme versions of processes that also happen here.

Scientists have created computer models that simulate weather and climate, based on laws of physics that govern all planets. By watching wind, heat, and pressure at play on Jupiter, scientists can improve their understanding of weather systems generally and ensure the accuracy of those models. 

Juno is expected to swing by Io again on May 6. The spacecraft will pass within 55,000 miles of the moon, allowing scientists to know whether that massive eruption indeed continues. 

"One of the great things about Juno is its orbit is ever-changing, which means we get a new vantage point each time as we perform a science flyby," Bolton said. "We’ve built Juno like a tank and are learning more about this intense environment each time we go through it."

TL;DR: Scan and save old film negatives and slides with Kodak Slide N Scan for $164.97 through May 4 and preserve memories for future generations.

Ever stumble across a box of old slides or negatives and wish you could see what’s on them without having to dig up a decades-old projector? With the Kodak Slide N Scan Film Scanner, you can easily digitize those precious memories and bring them back to life, all from the comfort of your home.

This simple, intuitive device helps you relive the moments you once thought were lost to time. Imagine your parents’ wedding photos, nostalgic childhood snapshots, or long-forgotten vacation memories made digital — the Slide N Scan does just that, making it easy to preserve your family’s history and share it with generations to come. Grab it for $164.97 (reg. $224) through May 4.

Open up that dusty box of film from the attic to get started. This scanner supports 35mm, 126, and 110 film and slides,and includes a 5-inch LCD screen to preview your photos before saving. You’ll also get built-in tools to adjust color, rotate images, and make quick edits. No complicated photo-editing software is needed.

The Kodak Slide N Scan isn't just any gadget — think of it as your time machine. Older family members can reconnect with their past, and younger generations can finally put faces to names in the family tree. It’s a meaningful way to preserve and celebrate your family’s legacy, especially when so many memories are trapped in outdated formats.

Whether you’re an amateur archivist or just want to gift Grandma a trip down memory lane, this scanner merges nostalgia and functionality in one gadget.

Don’t miss your chance to grab the Kodak Slide N Scan for just $164.97. Act before supplies sell out, or before this price drop expires on May 4 at 11:59 p.m. PT. 

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Kodak Kodak Slide N Scan Film & Slide Scanner $164.97
$224.99 Save $60.02 Get Deal

TL;DR: Create AI images without monthly fees when you get an Imagiyo lifetime subscription for $29.

AI image generators started out pretty basic. Remember when Dall-E couldn't even render a face? The technology has improved rapidly, and some of the old staples like Midjourney are already becoming outdated. Imagiyo is a new type of image generator that you can use personally or commercially, and a lifetime subscription just went on sale for $29 (reg. $345). 

A lifetime of art at your fingertips

Whether you’re an artist visualizing different ideas, a marketer creating eye-catching images for ads, or someone who wants stunning artwork for social media, Imagiyo can handle it. Powered by advanced AI algorithms like StableDiffusion, Imagiyo translates text prompts into detailed, vibrant images that suit your needs. Want a fantasy landscape? Just describe it. Need a realistic product mockup or abstract digital art? Imagiyo’s AI can generate it in seconds.

One of the things that makes Imagiyo different from other AI art tools is that it supports multiple image sizes, so whether you’re crafting a desktop wallpaper or a precise social media graphic, Imagiyo has you covered.

You can even generate NSFW content using ModelsLab’s Stable Diffusion AI model, as long as you mark it as “PRIVATE.” Every image you create is saved and available for download, so you can build your collection without worrying about losing your work.

Imagiyo’s user-friendly interface makes the creative process smooth and intuitive, even if you’re not tech-savvy. There are no watermarks to deal with, and the images you create are yours to use however you want. Plus, with 250 images per month, you can experiment and produce content without feeling restricted.

It's only $29 to get an Imagiyo subscription that lasts for life. 

StackSocial prices subject to change. 

Opens in a new window Credit: FileJump Imagiyo AI Image Generator: Lifetime Subscription $29
$345 Save $316 Get Deal

TL;DR: Get lifetime access to 2TB of secure, easy-to-use cloud storage with FileJump for just $69.97 (reg. $467) while supplies last.

Opens in a new window Credit: FileJump FileJump 2TB Cloud Storage: Lifetime Subscription $69.97
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Looking to do some personal spring cleaning and get more organized? Start by tackling your digital clutter with FileJump’s 2TB lifetime cloud storage plan. For just $69.97 (reg. $467), you can back up your files, free up your devices, and ensure your important documents, photos, and videos are always accessible and secure.

FileJump is the ultimate "Goldilocks" of cloud storage, striking the perfect balance between affordability and premium features. Unlike other solutions that lock you into monthly subscriptions, FileJump’s lifetime plan offers peace of mind with a one-time payment. Plus, its intuitive drag-and-drop interface makes organizing files user-friendly.

Need to share large files? FileJump lets you send links or provide access to team members, making collaboration seamless. And with built-in preview support for images, videos, and even Excel spreadsheets, you can quickly view your files without downloading them first.

Anyone worried about keeping their most important files off in a cloud somewhere can rest assured that FileJump takes security seriously. Your files are protected with AES encryption, ensuring sensitive data stays safe.

FileJump’s 2TB of storage gives you plenty of space to back up your life — from work projects to cherished memories — and access them anytime, anywhere. With support for large files up to 15GB, it’s perfect for creative professionals, families, and anyone juggling multiple devices.

This new year, set yourself up for success by getting organized. FileJump’s lifetime plan ensures you’ll never have to worry about running out of space or paying recurring fees. And if you still need a last-minute gift, this digital subscription doesn't require shipping time. 

Get lifetime access to 2TB of secure cloud storage with FileJump for just $69.97 (reg. $467).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Get a refurbished Apple MacBook Pro (i5 2GHz, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) on sale for $449.99 (reg. $1,799). 

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Refurbished Apple MacBook Pro (i5 2GHz, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $449.99
$1,799 Save $1,349.01 Get Deal

MacBooks are reliable, versatile, and just all-around solid computers. The only problem is the price, but you can get around that if you can find a good sale. That's how you can get this refurbished Apple MacBook Pro (i5 2GHz, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) for only $449.99 instead of $1,799. 

A MacBook Pro for a fraction of the price

A 10th Gen Intel Core i5 processor with a 2GHz base speed and a 3.8GHz Turbo Boost makes multitasking seamless whether you're getting work done at the office or powering through your to-do list at home. Pair that with 16GB RAM, and you have a solid all-purpose computer. 

Go ahead and save your important data right on the MacBook Pro, thanks to the 512GB SSD, no clunky external hard drives or expensive cloud storage necessary. 

A 13.3-inch Retina display is armed with Intel Iris Plus Graphics and provides stunning visuals that make everything vibrant, from games to boring work emails. And Apple's signature True Tone Technology adjusts the screen color so you experience reduced eye strain.

This laptop has a Magic Keyboard that truly lives up to its name, offering a comfy experience with responsive typing. It also comes with a Touch Bar for easier access to shortcuts. 

Other cool perks include an impressive 10 hours of battery life on a single charge, four Thunderbolt (USB-C) ports, and Touch ID for easy logging in. 

Wondering how you score the deep discount on this model? This particular MacBook comes with a grade A refurbished rating, which means it shows up at your door in near-mint condition, with virtually no signs of prior use. 

Bring home a MacBook Pro for just $449.99. You won't find a better price anywhere online. 

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Nicolas Cage wages war on a gang of hostile Australian surfers who stole his surfboard.

That's the elevator pitch for The Surfer, a trippy psychological thriller directed by Lorcan Finnegan (Nocebo, Vivarium) and written by Thomas Martin. But there's more afoot within the riptide of this strangely hypnotic film, which ruminates on toxic masculinity and unprocessed trauma while putting Cage through the absolute ringer.

SEE ALSO: How Nicolas Cage memes shaped 'Dream Scenario'

Taking creative cues from Ozploitation classics of the Australian New Wave like Wake in Fright, Finnegan simultaneously reveres and villainizes the Australian landscape, blurring the line between reality and surrealism while throwing everything he has at the Hollywood star. Cage delivers a characteristically unhinged performance, though he's at the risk of being upstaged by an exceptional Julian McMahon.

What is The Surfer about? Credit: Roadside Attractions

Equal parts tense survival thriller and coastal Western, The Surfer essentially takes place within one location: the confines of a beachside parking lot in the fictional suburb of Luna Bay, Western Australia. (It was filmed in Yallingup, located in Wadandi Country, the traditional land of the Wadandi people.)

Credited just as "The Surfer," Cage's character is a man bursting with nostalgia and idealism. Returning to the Australian town he grew up in after a life in California, he's anxious to finally buy his childhood home and reunite his family. He's a classic divorced dad, waxing lyrical about surfing as a metaphor for life in speeches aimed at his estranged teenage son (Yellowstone's Finn Little). But his lofty quest to close the deal and secure a seaside utopia is disrupted by hostile locals, who won't have a bar of him.

When the Surfer attempts to go surfing with his son, he comes face to face with the Bay Boys, a gang of surfers determined to "keep the riffraff out" of their waves — i.e. non-locals. They're brilliantly described by a carpark-dwelling character crudely credited as "The Bum" (Nicholas Cassim) as a "bunch of fuckin' yuppies cosplaying at being surfers." Dedicated to their mustachioed gang leader Scottie "Scally" Callahan (a brilliant Julian McMahon), this hollering group of violent bleached blondes in tank tops humiliate and harass Cage's protagonist, stealing his surfboard and creating hell for him. As for the local police officer (Justin Rosniak), he's in Scally's pocket too.

As soon as he arrives at the Luna Bay break, the Surfer starts to lose. With dwindling personal effects, increasing dehydration, no allies, and a teetering grip on reality, the Surfer wages an uphill battle against his downhill enemies. Somehow, Finnegan and Martin manage to concoct a never-ending supply of misfortune for their protagonist, all while presenting the locals as deeply corrupt and self-serving. But there's more to this place than it initially appears for the long-suffering Surfer.

The Surfer traps Nicolas Cage in the parking lot from hell. Credit: Roadside Attractions

The entirety of The Surfer is set within an asphalt arena, the beachside carpark overlooking the waves that Cage's character so desperately wants to surf again. That the Surfer himself is contained to this bitumen plain mirrors his denied access to the beach. However, this limitation doesn't mean the film is boring by any means, thanks to Cage's signature slow-burn unraveling.

Cage has been unpredictable in his film choices over the last few years, from his serial killer transformation in Longlegs to playing an amped-up version of himself in The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent. Here, he's tasked with carrying the whole film as a man just trying to get his stolen surfboard back and catch a wave, and Cage truly leans into gaslit delirium.

Featured Video For You 'Longlegs' cast on Nic Cage's total transformation

Cage's character is pushed to the brink in the film, as his characters often are. But here he's drinking beer out of puddles, eating dead rats, and having his bare feet shredded by carpark broken glass, completely at the mercy of what is by no means a remote environment. As Cage's character stumbles through misfortune after misfortune, the film cleverly and organically becomes a kind of survival drama set within a relatively busy beachside suburb. At many points in The Surfer, you're basically yelling at the screen for this man to get a hotel room and call it a day — two things pretty much always available to him during his turmoil. But there's a deeper reason for the Surfer's determination.

What Finnegan's production team manages to create within one seaside battleground is nothing short of impressive. But probably the most stunning achievement of the film is using Australia's idyllic natural beauty and surfing culture to dive into the sinister realities of toxic masculinity.

The Surfer dives into a particularly Australian brand of aggressive male behavior. Julian McMahon and Justin Rosniak in "The Surfer." Credit: Roadside Attractions

The Surfer is, at its core, a rumination on the harmful effects of hypermasculinity. But it's a particularly Australian, and particularly violent form of it, with the country's tendency to dismiss male toxicity and violence as "larrikin" behaviour. "Boys will be boys," a character literally says aloud in this film.

Finnegan and Martin use surfing culture and the terrifying Bay Boys to sharpen their focus on misogyny and superiority complexes, as well as hammering home Australia's skewed sense of local identity. (The film's local surfer gang, the Bay Boys, seems a subtle nod to the real surf gang from Sydney's Maroubra Beach, the Bra Boys.) While the film doesn't address the hypocrisy of such localism in a country with a violent colonial past, it does go hard on the general messaging of keeping outsiders out, locals in. "Don't live here, don't surf here," the Surfer is violently told by the locals. "Locals only" signs adorn the beach. 

SEE ALSO: How to talk to the men in your life about toxic masculinity

It's the head of this predatory pack who threatens to upstage Cage in The Surfer: McMahon as the chilling Scally. Swanning about with a deep tan and a bright-red beach poncho, this character is so blatantly yet amiably menacing that he gets right under your skin (and that of Cage's character) with cold finesse. Running his "Sanctuary" for young surfers and their problematically younger teen girl visitors — no girl surfers here, no way — Scally's whole deal is that modern men have "gone soft" and "haven't had to suffer." He preaches this to his young followers, encouraging them to unleash their inner "animal" within their beach haven. Under Scally's tutelage, the Bay Boys' abrasive, territorial behaviour isn't just allowed by the rest of the community, it's encouraged, with Cage's Surfer encountering the same level of anti-outsider animosity by other non-surfer locals he comes across in the lot.

In fact, there are only two characters in the entire film who aren't total assholes to the Surfer: his son and a confoundingly underused Miranda Tapsell (Top End Wedding) as a friendly photographer who helps him out. It's overwhelming, this unrelenting hostility. And it's been used as a weapon in many an Australian film.

The Surfer stylistically rides the Australian New Wave. Credit: Roadside Attractions

The Surfer is by no means the first to make a nightmare of Australia's natural environment, amping up the heat, sunlight, and mysteries of the bush for psychological thrills. But Finnegan appears to pay tribute to such Australian New Wave thrillers of the '70s and '80s like Ted Kotcheff's Wake in Fright, Everett De Roche's Razorback, and Tony Williams' Next of Kin. Wake in Fright is the most overt reference here, as a film in which an outsider is also driven to madness by the locals — a psychological state only intensified by the harsh heat and dangerous dehydration. 

Director of photography Radek Ladczuk, cinematographer for Jennifer Kent's brutal Tasmanian film The Nightingale as well as The Babadook, makes a Australian New Wave meal of The Surfer. Meticulously slow or audaciously fast zooms feel right out of the '70s, proving to be a hilariously kitsch but strangely authentic way to capture Cage's earnestness over his beloved waves. Lighting furthers The Surfer's slightly surreal feeling; the entire film feels like it's been drenched in a golden sunlight filter, which moves from idyllic to dangerously searing. The carpark itself glows in green-lit darkness at times, while the lot's cursed toilet block glows an ominous orange. Ladczuk takes full advantage of the strange distortions reflected by metal mirrors typically found in Australian public toilet blocks. 

Then there's that score by François Tétaz and sound design by Aza Hand, resulting in a hypnotic, bonkers smorgasbord of operatic singing, chimes and harps, and blissful orchestral overtures uniquely combined with the sounds of Australian wildlife. Cicadas chirp loudly and relentlessly, a kookaburra's famous laugh becomes a cursed rhythm, and buzzing flies rise as the Surfer's hold on reality slips. It's this combination of whimsy, threat, beauty, and overwhelming powerlessness that makes The Surfer deeply effective.  

Everything about The Surfer's one-line pitch sounds ridiculous (Nicolas Cage versus mean Australian surfers), but the film itself is a haunting set piece about localism, repressed memory, and toxic masculinity, boasting the wild ride we've come to associate with Cage. It's as far from a wipeout as you can get.

The Surfer is in theaters now.

UPDATE: Apr. 30, 2025, 4:38 p.m. EDT "The Surfer" was reviewed out of the BFI London Film Festival. This review was first published on Oct. 11, 2024, and has been updated for its theatrical release.

For many a movie lover, the promise of the ever-elegant Cate Blanchett and the ruthlessly debonair Michael Fassbender co-starring as spies should be enough to cough up ticket money. That's a powerful pairing of performers who are very well-suited to the sleek and sexy subgenre of espionage thriller. But props to director Steven Soderbergh and screenwriter David Koepp for subverting expectations with the distinctly exciting Black Bag. 

As they have with the psychological thriller Kimi and the mysterious haunted house movie Presence, this terrific pairing of writer and director has cherry-picked elements of a genre, without submitting to its expectations.

In this case, Black Bag will satisfy spy fans who demand a cast of suave rogues, sexual allure, intense interrogations, exotic globe-trekking, dubious allies, and a powerful MacGuffin that must be kept out of dangerous hands. However, what makes Black Bag a sensational standout is the husband and wife at the heart of it. 

Black Bag is a sexy, smart, and cool movie about marriage. Seriously.  Credit: Claudette Barius / Focus Features

In movies and TV, marriage is often painted as the death of excitement. Romance-centered comedies frequently end in marriage, suggesting the story of the young lovers is essentially over as soon as they settle down. In dramas or thrillers, marriage is usually only of interest if it is under threat by infidelity, divorce, or murder. But Koepp finds a unique way to explore the thrills of marriage through the spy angle. 

Fassbender and Blanchett star as George and Kathryn Woodhouse, a married couple who are not only spies but also a subject of envy and awe in their circle of colleagues because of their "flagrant monogamy."

From their first shared scene together, Fassbender and Blanchett capture this almost egregiously functional marriage by displaying an easy intimacy — but not a dull one. Their hunger for each other is apparent in the steady but intense way George watches her undress; she smiles at his continued attention as she drops her silky clothing to the floor. Where he is stiff and buttoned-up, she is fluid and unbound. They are an odd couple that really clicks, not by chance but by mutual appreciation for each other's quirks. So when a secret mission threatens to come between them, the tension comes less from the potentially catastrophic loss of life and more from the possible ruination of this successful marriage, riddled with steaminess, shared history, and secrets. 

Black Bag is a spy movie for grown-ups.   Credit: Claudette Barius / Focus Features

Unlike the movie Mr. & Mrs. Smith, this married couple knows each other are spies, and as such, that each carries secrets that must be kept from the other. Their code word for "I can't talk about that" is simply "black bag." But how do you build a romantic relationship of trust when lies are part of your business? 

This is the crux of Black Bag, as George is assigned to investigate Kathryn, and whether or not she has turned traitor by stealing the aforementioned deadly doodad. In an unconventional move that plays perfectly to Koepp and Soderbergh's strengths as storytellers, George's first move in his mission is to invite Kathryn and the other four suspects over for a dinner party. Their guests just happen to be a pair of young, hot-blooded couples who all met at the agency. While the main plot is George tracking down the traitor, the subplot focuses on these three romantic relationships, and how each copes with the pressures of each other's secrets. 

Explosions, chases, and subterfuge will all play a part in Black Bag, satisfying some genre expectations. But the biggest thrills come from George, in his even-handed, almost monotone delivery, slyly pushing his guests' buttons to see who will blow up. This becomes not just one deliciously manipulative dinner scene but a trio of sequences set across tables, each amping up the stakes and suspense as George toys with his prey.

A crackling supporting cast adds to Black Bag's shine. 

As one might expect. Blanchett is a vision as a sophisticated spy who can wear a silk gown with the same grace she can curse out a workplace antagonist. Fassbender is her perfect scene partner, playing a foil to her slinking certainty with a firm but not wooden resolve. Though outwardly austere, he projects an intensity of thought so rigorous, you can practically hear the gears churning in his mind. 

To this dynamic, the supporting ensemble of Marisa Abela, Tom Burke, Naomie Harris, and Regé-Jean Page are sublime additions. Playing peers and rivals, Burke carries a world-weary swagger as an agent battling his demons, while Page has a dashing carriage and a sharp tongue. Harris, who portrays the agency's in-house therapist, oozes with intellect but appears weighed down by the burden of dealing with clients trained to lie expertly. Then there's Abela. 

The youngest and greenest of this spy group, her character is a technician who still finds the spy game a romantic thrill, even when the realities hit her like a knife to the heart. She's the sharpest contrast to the others, as they all have varying degrees of a cool facade. She's a gorgeous nerd who craves a life of excitement and love, and she looks desperately to George for guidance on how to achieve both. But how that plays out is not by the book. 

A terrifically in-tune cast brings together Koepp's rigorous dialogue with a vicious veracity and vulnerability. Soderbergh smartly embraces an almost chilly visual aesthetic, similar to Kimi's, which reflects the atmosphere at an agency where lovers are pitted against each other. The cool color palette and static camera angles make the sizzling performances practically explode off the screen, whether characters are fighting, flirting, or going in for the kill — metaphorical or literal.

In the end, Black Bag comes together cleanly and compellingly, offering an engaging spy thriller that's about much more than global dynamics or stealthy stunt scenes. At its core, it's a story of two people who are still madly in love and fighting for each other. That gives Black Bag an edge. Koepp and Soderbergh have built a rare movie marriage that's exciting because its spouses still excite each other, and yeah, they're also spies.

As soon as Black Bag was over, I felt that dizzying high one gets from a proper spy thriller, the rush of vicarious adrenaline from the case cracked and the day saved. But I also had the deep urge to see this movie again immediately. Because as generous as the filmmaker and stars are with slathering this story in George and Kathryn's mutual attraction, I couldn't get enough. I wanted to go back to feel the thrill of their love for each other all over again. 

Black Bag is now streaming on Peacock.

UPDATE: Apr. 30, 2025, 5:02 p.m. This review was first published on March 6, 2025. It has been updated to reflect its streaming release.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe may have begun in 2008 with Iron Man, a billionaire playboy genius and philanthropist who fights injustice. But over the course of 17 years and 36 movies, the MCU has not only brought scads of comic book heroes and villains to theaters, it also changed the landscape of Hollywood releases as we know it.

Looking back, it's dizzying to recall all the details of the adventures and disasters of Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Black Panther, the Hulk, Doctor Strange, Ant-Man, Spider-Man, the Guardians of the Galaxy, Captain Marvel, Deadpool, and their ever-expanding ensemble. But whenever you want to delve into a rewatch, we've got your back with this guide to the good, great, and the ugly.

With Thunderbolts* hitting theaters, we've updated our ranking of the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe, factoring in epic action, crackling comedy, wowing star power, and harrowing disappointments.

Here are the MCU movies ranked worst to best.

36. Iron Man 2 (2010) Credit: Marvel

A tepid followup to the sleek brilliance of Iron Man, the sequel gives us a sinister yet funny Mickey Rourke but does the franchise no favors with its creative decisions. We meet Black Widow, but not without some classic 2010 misogyny, which is the root problem with Iron Man 2. The first film was all about Tony's growth as a person, and the second doesn't let him mature nearly as much. There's still a long road before this is the Tony we see in Endgame, but it's too slow on that path. — Proma Khosla, Entertainment Reporter

35. The Incredible Hulk (2008)

Sure, it's part of the MCU canon, but The Incredible Hulk was so aggressively meh that its title character got recast and was only made palatable by The Avengers. Since it's not an origin story, we don't get to watch Edward Norton as Bruce Banner becoming the Hulk; he already is. We don't watch him fall in love with Betty (Liv Tyler), because he already is. What we do get is a lot of the big green guy getting angry, which may have been cool in 2008 but pales compared to the visual effects that followed. — P.K.

SEE ALSO: How 'She-Hulk' beat its toxic haters by making them the villains 34. Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)

Ultron has a lot of good moments but is not overall a good movie. It's sloppy and it drags, even with ambitious action sequences in Sokovia, and it struggles to build Ultron's disdain for humanity. The main Avengers have a fun dynamic — look no further than the party scene at Stark Tower — but the new characters don't fit in (especially since X-Men: Days of Future Past basically owns Quicksilver). Black Widow, at the time robbed of a solo movie, gets a disproportionate consolation prize of becoming Hulk's girlfriend and a woman defined by her biology. — P.K.

33. Thor: The Dark World (2013)

The Dark World brings back Natalie Portman as Jane, yet even as the physical host of a literal Infinity Stone, she's somehow underutilized. There's a lot of levity, particularly between Thor and Loki, and a surprising amount of gravity in Loki's "death" — which is once again undone before the movie ends. Oh, and some dude named Malekith is mad... Don't worry about it. — P.K.

32. Eternals (2021) Credit: Marvel Studios

With no familiar faces and little connection to the wider MCU, Eternals had a gargantuan task set forth from the start. Helmed by Oscar–winner Chloé Zhao, the film introduces no less than a dozen new characters, a rushed history of their cosmic presence on Earth, an apocalyptic threat in the form of Earth becoming a Celestial, and an explanation for how the entire Marvel Universe was created. It's sometimes slow, sometimes muddled, and a little too enthralled with its white male antihero — but it's also a visual feast, a huge victory for representation, and a banger of a soundtrack. — P.K.

SEE ALSO: Everything you need to know before watching Marvel's 'Eternals' 31. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023) Credit: Marvel Studios

The third installment of the Ant-Man movies committed the crime of forgetting to be funny. Instead, the wackiest Avenger (Paul Rudd) was wedged into a convoluted plot and pounded with eyesore CGI by Kang the Conqueror (Jonathan Majors), a MCU villain who fell far short of dazzling us with his dastardliness. Not even Michelle Pfeiffer as a badass superheroine could save this stinker. As I wrote in our review, "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania has big stars, quirky cameos, action sequences, world-building, and even — on rare occasions — punchlines. But it's barely a movie, pulling threads together for a grander scheme of merchandizing and cross-promotion over character-based storytelling." — Kristy Puchko, Entertainment Editor

30. Captain America: Brave New World (2025) Credit: Marvel Studios

Following the Disney+ series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) finally shoulders the mantle of Captain America on the big screen. But it was a big miss. Astonishingly, Marvel Studios built this political thriller on a foundation of forgotten characters and plot details from two of their least popular movies: The Incredible Hulk and Eternals. Making matters worse, director Julius Onah seemed to have no idea what to do with screen legend Harrison Ford, even in Hulk mode. Overall, the film felt like a collection of mismatched puzzle pieces with nothing to say. — K.P.

29. Doctor Strange (2016)

Iron Man minus the charisma, it took five years for Marvel to retread this territory and make Strange interesting in time for Phase 4. Benedict Cumberbatch is great, but he's always great, so let's not give out free brownie points. Strange received appropriate flack for whitewashing Asian characters and lore for the story, and tragically sidelines Rachel McAdams in every way. Visuals: Yes. Everything else: Meh. — P.K.

28. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023)  Credit: Marvel Studios

Writer/director James Gunn returns to the helm of the spin-off film series he began with 2014's Guardians of the Galaxy. But post-Snap, these rock-loving rascals who race through the universe on misadventures have become way less fun.

In Vol. 3, once-plucky Star-Lord (Chris Pratt) is in mopey, drunken mourning. Wise-cracking Rocket (voiced by Bradley Cooper) is out of commission after an assault from newcomer baddie Adam Warlock (Will Poulter). Meanwhile, the rest of the crew must drag their captain around on a series of heists to save their ailing furry friend. Drax (Dave Bautista) and Mantis (Pom Klementieff) offer solid laughs, and big bad The High Evolutionary (Chukwudi Iwuji) brings a vivacious villain into play. However, Gunn has bogged down his plot with bummer elements, including eugenics, genocide, and a shocking amount of animal abuse and gore. If you're seeking humor and rollicking fun, keep looking. As I wrote in our full review of the film, "Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 3 is a major disappointment." — K.P.

27. Thunderbolts* (2025) Credit: Chuck Zlotnick / Marvel 2025

Florence Pugh leads an antihero ensemble in Thunderbolts*, the MCU's answer to Suicide Squad. And the results were woefully underwhelming. Sure, a cast that includes David Harbour as Red Guardian, Sebastian Stan as Bucky "The Winter Soldier" Barnes, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus as the ever-scheming Valentina Allegra de Fontaine has some fun to it. But bizarrely, screenwriters Eric Pearson and Joanna Calo opted to turn Pugh's mischievous mercenary Yelena Belova into a brooding bore. That, plus a plotline that turns depression into a literal supervillain, makes for a grim outing that's never as thrilling as the premise had us anticipating. — K.P.

SEE ALSO: 'Thunderbolts*' review: Florence Pugh can't rescue this flop from MCU's worst impulses 26. Thor: Love and Thunder (2022) 

Writer/director Taika Waititi and leading man Chris Hemsworth made magic with Thor: Ragnarok, leaning into the God of Thunder’s lovable himbo vibe to create a rock 'n' roll romp. But when they reteamed for this fourth installment of the Thor franchise, the fun was sacrificed to a grim plotline of kidnapping, god-killing, and cancer.

On the plus side, Thor: Love and Thunder brought Natalie Portman back to the MCU as a brawny female Thor, cast Christian Bale in a grizzly villain role that he giddily sunk his teeth into, and tossed in a rowdy Russell Crowe for good measure. But amid the screaming goats and rumbling action sequences, Love and Thunder had an overstuffed plot that undercut its emotional moments, some notable wasted opportunities, and a happy ending that was far more forced than feel-good. It’s not Dark World bad, but it sure ain’t good. — K.P.

25. The Marvels (2023)

Directed by Candyman helmer Nia DaCosta, this sequel to Captain Marvel brings together that eponymous heroine (Brie Larson), Ms. Marvel (Iman Vellani), and WandaVision's Captain Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris) for a star-trekking quest to save the universe from yet another rampaging alien conqueror (Zawe Ashton). Worlds and tones collide, making for an uneven romp through action sequences, far-flung planets, and a winsome duet featuring K-drama star Park Seo-joon. Plus, there's a fleet of cuddly, creepy space cats. But for all the fun these treats and rising star Vellani brings, The Marvels feels too rushed, wonky, and fitfully brooding to be truly stellar. — K.P.

SEE ALSO: 'The Marvels' mid-credit scene features two extra special cameos 24. Thor (2011)

Thor isn't a top Marvel movie, but it's a classic fish-out-of-water story that teases how much fun this character will be in time. The film also gives us our first dose of Loki, one of Marvel's best villains to this day. It's easy to forget the magnetism and subtlety of Hiddleston's original performance, and Thor is one of Loki's best arcs: The sensitive sibling growing up in Thor's shadow and coming to terms with the truth about his past.

(Also, Chris Hemsworth's eyebrows are blonde, and it's terrible.) — P.K.

23. Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018) Credit: Ben Rothstein / Marvel Studios

In some ways, Ant-Man and the Wasp is more even-keeled and sure-footed than its predecessor. It delivers zippy action, tons of laughs, and the nicest cast of characters we've ever seen in the MCU. Mostly this movie is just so sweet, whether it's Scott bending over backwards to impress his darling daughter or Hope and Hank going to great lengths in memory of Janet. Oh, and speaking of Hope, she more than holds her own as the MCU movies' first true leading lady. — Angie Han, Deputy Entertainment Editor

22. Iron Man 3 (2013)

Iron Man 3 lets Tony get vulnerable as he faces his post-Avengers PTSD. The film gives ample time to guest stars Rebecca Hall, Guy Pearce, and Ty Simpkins, all the while remaining true to Tony's internal struggle and getting in a few CGI battles. The Mandarin reveal is fun (more fun as of 2021), even if Killian is still a boring baddie. — P.K.

21. Captain Marvel (2019) Credit: Chuck Zlotnick / Marvel Studios

Even with the weight of Avengers: Endgame on its shoulders, Captain Marvel is primarily an origin story, and the MCU does those damn well, even if this isn't the best one. We meet the staggeringly powerful Carol Danvers, a Kree warrior with the ability to save the universe. Brie Larson and a fabulous cast make Marvel’s first solo female superhero outing one for the ages — a film that also doubles as the Nick Fury origin story we didn't know we needed, and a star-making debut for Goose the "cat." — P.K.

SEE ALSO: Why I love, love, love 'Captain Marvel' and everything it stands for 20. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022) 

This sequel to the stupendous 2018 hit Black Panther had a massive challenge in that the untimely death of its would-be leading man, Chadwick Boseman, demanded a script overhaul. Set in a Wakanda still grieving the loss of King T'Challa, Black Panther 2 smartly wove the weight of grief into its story, exploring mourning and legacy while setting up a thrilling new foe and sea-salty adventure. Letitia Wright, Lupita Nyong'o, Angela Bassett, Winston Duke, and Danai Gurira reprise their roles, while Dominique Thorne and Tenoch Huerta join the cast as kid genius Riri Williams and underwater overlord Namor.

By bringing in big emotions alongside big action, co-writer/director Ryan Coogler and company do right by the franchise Boseman once shouldered. So, while this MCU offering satisfies on stunts and spectacle, it'll also leave you teary-eyed. And we're not mad at that. — K.P.

SEE ALSO: #RecastTChalla campaign is not what you think 19. Black Widow (2021) Credit: Jay Maidment / Marvel Studios

Marvel's unexpected two-year movie draught ended with a long-overdue solo outing for Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson) that takes place between Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Infinity War. After years of grand-scale alien battles and CGI battle set pieces, Black Widow was a welcome throwback to human beings just beating the heck out of each other, with nary an alien, wizard, or android in sight. Natasha's surrogate family (Rachel Weisz, David Harbour, and an utterly charming Florence Pugh) leave a lasting impression in a film worthy of the MCU's first heroine. — P.K.

18. Deadpool & Wolverine (2024) Credit: Jay Maidment / 20th Century Studios / MARVEL

The first Deadpool movie since Disney acquired 20th Century Fox — and with it, much more Marvel IP — Deadpool & Wolverine teased a showdown comic book fans have been craving for ages. (Or at least since X-Men: Origins: Wolverine shit the bed in a disastrous fashion.)

Directed by Shawn Levy (Free Guy), this sequel saw the worlds of Deadpool 2 and Logan collide, bringing in familiar faces and new additions, like the vicious Mr. Paradox (Matthew Macfadyen) and the diabolical Cassandra Nova (Emma Corrin). But best of all was the reunion of Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman as the titular twosome. While the movie wasn't as daring as we hoped for a Deadpool movie, this threequel was still undeniably a deranged blast, packed with bonkers action, wild jokes, and jaw-dropping surprises. — K.P.

17. Ant-Man (2015)

Kudos to this film for bringing us Paul Rudd in the MCU, the thing you didn't know you needed. Rudd lends dimension and heart to his performance as Scott Lang, a reformed criminal and father to an adorable little girl. His chemistry with Evangeline Lilly crackles (even if they saved her good stuff for the sequel), and Scott's everyman persona makes him an irresistible addition to the hero roster. Michael Peña shines as Scott's best friend, and Corey Stoll seems born to be a villain, even though it's Michael Douglas as Hank Pym who steals the show with his embittered quest for revenge. — P.K.

16. Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019) Credit: Marvel Studios / Sony

Far From Home officially ends the Infinity Saga with a smaller-scale story about Peter Parker finding his place in a post-Tony Stark world. Highlights include Tom Holland hitting yet another Spidey performance out of the park, Jake Gyllenhaal as a pitch-perfect Mysterio, and the best trippy CGI battle yet seen in the MCU (sorry, Doctor Strange). It’s not the best solo Marvel movie ever, but Far From Home does a lot of good work by closing one door and opening a new universe of possibilities. — P.K.

15. Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)

The most ambitious team-up since Avengers: Endgame sees Peter Parker tangling with space and time, only to have Doctor Strange unleash a spell that accidentally rips open the multiverse. Spider-Man fans received an unimaginable treat, with resurgent villains from Sam Raimi's early 2000s trilogy and Marc Webb's The Amazing Spider-Man movies — as well as previous incarnations of the heroes themselves reprising their web-slinging roles. It's not higher on this list because of some glaring plot holes, but it's where it is because everything else sticks the landing.

SEE ALSO: The best 'No Way Home' surprise had nothing to do with Spider-Man

Despite the spectacle of returns and reunions, No Way Home is an emotional powerhouse, its great responsibility resting on the shoulders of Tom Holland but shared with Zendaya’s MJ, Marisa Tomei's May, and both Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield as older, wiser Peters. Willem Dafoe's Green Goblin is a standout, and while the movie's stakes are a little questionable, the ending undoubtedly raises them for Peter Parker’s MCU future. — P.K.

14. Avengers: Infinity War (2018) Credit: Chuck Zlotnick / Marvel Studios

For years, it all led up to this: Almost every Marvel hero you can think of joining forces against the biggest threat this universe has ever faced. Infinity War is enormous in scope and spirit, with the budget to match its astronomical ambitions. And in its final moments, it packs a punch worthy of Thanos' golden-gloved fist. If we have one complaint, it's that this feels like half a movie — and many of us had to wait a year until Endgame. — A.H.

13. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017) Credit: Marvel Studios / Disney

Fans didn't have any exorbitant expectations of GotG Vol. 2, especially when low expectations yielded such joy for the first film. Here we get Peter meeting his biological father Ego, fighting with his friends over said father's intentions, and mocked by those same friends for his crush on Gamora, as exposed by Mantis. We also get loads of Baby Groot, who thawed many a stone-cold heart, and the surprise emotional gut-punch of Yondu at the end. — P.K.

12. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)  Credit: Marvel Studios

Long before Iron Man hit, Sam Raimi was shaping the superhero genre with his wacky and wild Spider-Man trilogy. So, it was frightfully fitting that this pioneering helmer returned to take Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) to bizarre new universes. Embracing the strange, this outrageous sequel offered goopy monsters, a bonkers buddy-cop vibe, kooky cameos, a fun eff-you to fan service, a vicious villain turn, and a magical cloak made of damned spirits, worn by an undead Doctor. This one polarized critics, with some celebrating Raimi bringing his weirdness to the MCU machine, while others fretted this massive franchise tamed the Evil Dead director’s aesthetic. But fans were freaking out over the devious delights of Raimi's brand of horror and havoc, like ripping a beloved character to ribbons and finally bestowing on Elizabeth Olsen the meaty Scarlet Witch twist she'd been begging for. The result may be chaotic, but amid all the mayhem, there's plenty of madcap fun. — K.P.

SEE ALSO: The maddest things in 'Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,' ranked 11. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021) Credit: Courtesy of Marvel Studios

Cynics expected Marvel’s first theater-exclusive film in over two years to fail. It introduced brand-new characters as well as a dense mythology and an unknown lead. Not to mention, a good chunk of it is in Mandarin. The movie ended up shattering box office records and being one of the best MCU stand-alones in a long time, with huge stakes, rich characters, and transfixing family drama. Its jaw-dropping action sequences flex some of the best fight choreography in the MCU and Hollywood at large (bus battle, anyone??). Simu Liu belongs in the MCU, and we can't wait to see more of him in future phases. Can we find a way to get more Tony Leung too? — P.K.

10. Captain America: Civil War (2016) Credit: Marvel Studios

Civil War could be a tighter movie, but it's doing a hell of a lot. Picking up with the fallout of Avengers: Age of Ultron and Captain America: The Winter Soldier, this movie thoroughly interrogates the toll of our heroes' adventures and divides them harshly on how to move forward. Black Panther and Spider-Man make epic MCU debuts, while secondary Avengers like Vision, Scarlet Witch, and Ant-Man still get their moments. The final fight is brutal as Cap and Tony come close to actually killing each other, and don't even reconcile before the credits roll. — P.K.

9. Avengers: Endgame (2019)

The final chapter of the Infinity Saga and of three phases, 22 movies, and 11 years of the MCU stuck the landing and made it look easy. We might spend years griping about time travel or lamenting the last moments between Steve and Bucky, but the simple facts are that Endgame hit an impressive number of emotional beats, including near-perfect conclusions for multiple O.G. Avengers. It's a heist, a love story, and everything magnificent about the MCU, and we love it 3000. — P.K.

SEE ALSO: A cheat sheet for Marvel newbies about to see 'Avengers: Endgame' 8. Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)

It's crazy to think that early trailers of Guardians looked silly when its rock 'n' roll comedy thrill ride model is now the template for action movie promos. We didn't expect much from Guardians in any capacity; we had our avengers, our non-MCU Spider-Man reboot, yet here was this group of ragtag space trash in a movie that was so much better than it had any right to be. Chris Pratt may have debuted his six-pack, but more importantly, he and the cast set a new standard for comedy and chemistry in the MCU and all superhero movies. — P.K.

7. Iron Man (2008)

As both the dawn of the MCU and the second coming of Robert Downey Jr., Iron Man shocked audiences who forgot superhero movies could be good (this was a year after Spider-Man 3). Downey is the perfect hubristic Tony Stark, an arrogant billionaire sobered by becoming a prisoner of war. It was a fun version of 2005's Batman Begins, with sex and expensive gadgetry to supplant the mask and the brooding, and it holds up. — P.K.

6. Captain America: The First Avenger (2011) Credit: Marvel / Paramount / Kobal / Shutterstock

The Star-Spangled man with a plan was once a scrappy kid from Brooklyn, until a biological experiment made him swole extremely strong. With the help of Peggy Carter, Abraham Erskine, Howard Stark, and his day-one pal Bucky Barnes, Steve becomes the kind of hero people remember for decades, even while he's off literally cooling his heels in the Arctic. From Red Skull to the Howling Commandos to Bucky's heartbreaking fall and that adrenaline-fueled first kiss, The First Avenger hits all the right marks. — P.K.

5. Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017) Credit: Marvel Studios / Sony

After introducing Tom Holland as the MCU's Spider-Man in Captain America: Civil War, this Peter Parker got to standout in his first solo movie, and it was an absolute delight. Co-writer/director Jon Watts combined the low-stakes high school drama of crushes and crushing embarrassment with a high-stakes battle against Michael Keaton's blue-collared supervillain, the Vulture. Add in Marisa Tomei, Jacob Batalon, Donald Glover, and Zendaya in charismatic supporting turns, and you've got a coming-of-age movie that is as charming as it is pulse-pounding. — K.P.

4. Thor: Ragnarok (2017) Credit: Jasin Boland / Marvel

It took the better part of a decade (and the disaster that was Thor 2), but Marvel finally figured out who Thor was with Thor: Ragnarok. Director Taika Waititi puts Chris Hemsworth's considerable comedy chops to good use, resulting in a version of the character that feels fresher and looser than anything we've seen before.

Toss in some stellar work by Jeff Goldblum, Cate Blanchett, and Tessa Thompson, plus the return of Tom Hiddleston as Loki and Mark Ruffalo as the Hulk, and you've got the most entertaining Thor movie yet. — P.K.

3. Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014) Credit: Zade Rosenthal / Marvel

The MCU had S.H.I.E.L.D. infiltrated by Hydra and completely changed the game for the Avengers' alliance. Winter Soldier sets the stage for Cap and Iron Man's feud in Civil War, and for Steve and Bucky's love affair renewed friendship. It charmingly and skillfully introduces Falcon and has no less than four fighting female characters, none of whom functions as a love interest. Winter Soldier isn't trapped in one genre; it's a spy thriller disguised as a superhero movie and all the better for it. — P.K.

2. The Avengers (2012)

With this team-up, the MCU cemented itself as a force to be reckoned with.

The combined star power of Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, and Tom Hiddleston was dazzling. But this rousing narrative also showcased the complicated dynamics of the Avengers, their distinctive strengths and weaknesses, as well as the glory of Loki. The Marvel movies would go on to struggle to create a villain whose charms stood up to their dashing heroes, and the fan fervor for Hiddleston's spin on the god of mischief was so intense he'd not only be resurrected (repeatedly) but also would get his own spin-off series. From heroes to foes, The Avengers has been epic entertainment for over a decade and counting. — K.P.

1. Black Panther (2018) Credit: Film Frame Marvel Studios 2018

Even the worst MCU movies are kind of good, which means that the best ones are truly exceptional — none more than Black Panther.

Ryan Coogler, along with his talented cast and crew, crafted a film that has something to say, that feels distinctive in its style and point of view – while also delivering on the usual superhero movie goods, like lovable heroes, exciting action, and a compelling villain. Chadwick Boseman's T'Challa feels fittingly regal, surrounded by admirable supporting players like Michael B. Jordan, Letitia Wright, Angela Bassett, and Danai Gurira. Though it took far too long for Marvel to bet on a Black superhero at the box office, it paved the way for the kind of representation we want and need in future phases.

Angie Han, Alison Foreman, and Proma Khosla contributed to this article.

UPDATE: May. 1, 2025, 4:38 p.m. EDT Originally published Nov. 11, 2017, this list has been updated to include the latest MCU releases.

Tribit isn’t a household name like Beats, JBL or Sony. However, the bargain audio brand has grown in popularity in the past two years with its collection of inexpensive portable speakers and true wireless earbuds. Reception has ranged from acceptable to surprisingly great, and the accolades continue to grow with every new release. 

Case in point: the all-new StormBox Lava. While the latest entry in Tribit’s speaker lineup is geared toward outdoor enthusiasts (e.g., backyard owners, campers, poolgoers) with an affinity for bass, it has the sonic prowess to satisfy big indoor crowds as well. It’s a mid-range option that serves up strong audio output and serviceable features in a robust, waterproof package. Battery life is also up there with some of the category’s top entries. 

Not everything runs smoothly, but for the price, the StormBox Lava offers enough performance to warrant the purchase, depending on your lifestyle.  

SEE ALSO: Sony ULT Field 3 hands-on review: Testing the new addition to Sony's bass line Tribit StormBox Lava portable speaker setup and specs

Setting up the StormBox Lava is very simple. Press the power button, then the Bluetooth button, and select the speaker from the Available Devices list in the Bluetooth settings on your media device. That’s it. This speaker does support multipoint technology (more on that later).

This mid-range speaker houses some impressive features. Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable

All controls are placed on the top and produce solid tactile feedback when pressed. The rear houses three inputs: AUX, USB-A, and USB-C. Only the latter works to recharge the speaker.

Noteworthy specs include:

• Woofer Unit: 30 watts

• Tweeter Units: 10 watts

• Frequency Response: 43Hz to 20KHz

• Output power: 80 watts

• Customizable EQ with 10 frequency bands

• Party Mode pairing (up to 160 speakers)

• IP67 dustproof and waterproof

• Up to 24 hours

• Speaker dimensions: 12.2 x 5.78 x 5.98 inches

• Speaker weight: 6.13 pounds

• Detachable strap

• Color: Black

The Tribit app is available for download in the Apple App Store or Google Play for free. It’s basic in both look and functionality. You gain access to some features, which I’ll break down further in the review. 

Rocking sound that you can tweak on the fly

Tribit equipped the StormBox Lava with two 30-watt woofers and two 10-watt tweeters. These components create loud, emphatic sound with booming bass that will satisfy the most hardcore headbanger.

The adrenaline-inducing bass levels on Kaytranada’s “Drip Sweat” were sonorous and didn’t veil production elements like the jingling tambourines and muttered vocals. It was a well-balanced mix of lows, mids, and highs. James Brown’s “The Boss” delivered the thump I desired from the funky mellow classic. The thick double-bass guitar was accentuated and demonstrated superb reverberation that merged and decayed smoothly with every strum. 

Layered synth basslines like the one on Snow Wife’s “Wet Dream” sounded decent and had a nice bop to it. Playing the track at high volume created some distortion, but it wasn’t a bloated mess that ruined the soundstage. 

The 1975’s “This Must Be My Dream” performed similarly, which made me question the speaker’s ability to handle bottom-heavy lows. Then I turned on the XBass feature and noticed a huge change. Tribit’s proprietary EQ eliminated the unwanted bloat and refined the midrange. 

The XBass feature makes bass-heavy tracks sounds better. Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable

Four other EQs are available in the Tribit app: Audiobook, Classical, Rock, and Jazz. Rock is the only one worth checking out. It gives alternative rock and EDM tracks a little more oomph. The app comes with a customizable 10-band EQ to personalize sound, though the learning curve can be difficult for those unfamiliar with frequencies and unit measurements. Save yourself the headache and stick with either the standard or XBass EQ.

Other media formats sounded pleasant. Movies and sports clips on YouTube were engaging. I was also taken aback by the vocal clarity on podcasts. Spoiler alert: It was on point.   

When compared to other in-class rivals like the Beats Pill (2024) and JBL Charge 5, this speaker doesn’t match their dynamic frequency range or streaming quality. Those models offer lossless audio.

In addition, the StormBox Lava fails as a professional speakerphone. Feedback from callers was disappointing due to the microphone’s weak vocal capture. My wife noticed an echo effect on my end as well. 

Keeps your music and media devices going and going and going…

Tribit rates battery life at 24 hours. Take features and high volume into account, and playtimes fall between 18 to 20 hours, which is still more than sufficient for a weekend of entertainment. You can even play music when the speaker is recharging. I was left with 20 percent battery after using the speaker three hours daily for an entire week. 

Feel free to leave your Anker power bank at home because the StormBox Lava also doubles as a portable charger. Oddly, only the USB-C port works for recharging the speaker, but the USB-A port can be used to fully charge other portable devices. 

Portable and party-ready

The StormBox Lava is nowhere near as attractive as the Beats Pill, but it makes up for the lack of style with a practical design that blends size, weight, and protection very well. It is lighter and smaller than other mid-range cylindrical-shaped speakers. You won’t strain a muscle lugging it to the pool area. The bundled detachable handle is reliable for carrying in-hand, though the shoulder strap is stronger and keeps your mind at ease over accidental drops. 

The Tribit StormBox Lava has two carrying options: a handle or a shoulder strap. Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable

Tribit used sturdy plastic and a thick woven material to build the speaker. The rear has a rubberized cover that hides and protects all three inputs. And IP67 certification means the StormBox Lava can stave off dust and survive one-meter submersion for up to 30 minutes. 

Seamless wireless performance is to be expected. Bluetooth 5.4 remains stable within a 40-foot range of your connected device. Tribit threw in multipoint technology for good measure, letting you pair the speaker to two media devices simultaneously. I would play Spotify on my iPhone and switch to YouTube on my MacBook Pro with ease. No lag or stutter. 

Then we have the speaker’s flagship feature: Party Mode. Enabling it allows you to pair the unit with up to 160 speakers at the same time. This is perfect for brand loyalists who want to adorn each room in their home with a StormBox Lava for immersive stereo sound. I can’t speak on its performance since I was only sent one speaker, though the reviews from other audio critics have been positive. 

Is the Tribit StormBox Lava portable speaker worth it?

For $129 (and often on sale for $109 on Amazon), the Tribit StormBox Lava is worth the consideration if you value aesthetics, bass performance, and playtimes. The near-impenetrable exterior will survive extreme conditions. Music is given a vibrant boost that’s enjoyable in all settings, living room or mountain top. And you won’t have to worry about the speaker dying because there’s enough power to last a full day.

If none of this entices you, seek out other mid-range competitors with more features and refined sound. Take a look at our rankings of the best Bluetooth speakers for suggestions.

Tribit StormBox Lava $129.99 at Amazon
Shop Now

SAVE UP TO $20: As of May 2, you can find great discounts on Redragon gaming keyboards at Amazon.

The best deals on Redragon gaming keyboards Best For Noise Redragon K673 PRO 75% $55.24 (save $21.75) Get Deal Best for customisation Redragon K668 RGB $39.99 (save $10) Get Deal Best for connectivity Redragon K580 PRO $63.99 (save $16) Get Deal Best for lighting Redragon K556 PRO $79.99 (save $20) Get Deal

Gaming accessories don't have to break the bank. With so many products costing hundreds (or even thousands) of dollars, it's easy to forget that you can do it cheaply. And as of May 2, Amazon has a whole host of great Redragon gaming keyboard deals, all for under $80.

Upgrade your gaming setup for less with Redragon, with something for everyone:

Opens in a new window Credit: Redragon Redragon K673 PRO 75% Get Deal Why we like it

Compact and quiet, the Redragon Gasket Out keyboard boasts a tri-mode connection, smooth gasket-mounted typing, and dual-layer noise dampening. It has 81 keys and a handy control knob, so it’s made for clean sound and a crisp feel. It's flexible for your setup too, and can be used wired or wireless.

Opens in a new window Credit: Redragon Redragon K668 RGB Get Deal Why we like it

This Redragon 108-key keyboard features hot-swappable quiet red switches, compatible with three-pin and five-pin setups. You can enjoy smooth, linear keystrokes with built-in sound-dampening foam. There are 19 custom RGB lighting modes, and the ability to sync it with music.

Opens in a new window Credit: Redragon Redgragon K580 PRO Get Deal Why we like it

The Redgragon K580 PRO keyboard has tri-mode connectivity (USB-C, Bluetooth, 2.4GHz), upgraded hot-swappable sockets for nearly all switches, and five on-the-fly macro keys. It also has dedicated media controls, a volume/backlight wheel, and full software support.

Opens in a new window Credit: Redragon Redragon K556 PRO Get Deal Why we like it

This gaming keyboard is USB-C wired, Bluetooth 3.0/5.0, and 2.4GHz wireless, so you can switch easily between devices. It’s hot-swappable with 99.8%+ of switches, and the custom socket design makes swaps easier and more stable. It also has quiet red linear switches and 3.5mm sound-absorbing foam. The solid aluminum board keeps it steady on your desk, and up to 20 RGB lighting modes let you pick the mood you want.

These deals are all available at Amazon for a limited time, so what exactly are you waiting for?

Pinterest users have been complaining about mass bans for days, many claiming that they've been locked out of their accounts without clear justification. The social media platform finally addressed the furore on Thursday after Mashable reached out, however the response is unlikely to appease many users.

SEE ALSO: Pinterest wants teens to log off during school hours

Reports of Pinterest's inexplicable mass bans began circulating recently, with users flocking to other platforms such as X to complain about suddenly losing their accounts. The r/Pinterest subreddit has been overtaken by posts about the issue, while the comment sections on Pinterest's official Instagram and TikTok accounts have been flooded with by irate users asking the company to fix it.

Users have accused Pinterest of issuing sweeping bans for no discernable reason, in circumstances where there is allegedly no clear violation of its Community Guidelines. Some state that they've had completely new and unused accounts banned, while others claim they've lost accounts that are over a decade old.

Pinterest enables users to save images in virtual pinboards, making it particularly popular with people gathering inspiration for creative projects or event planning, as well as collating fashion or home decoration ideas. As such, an unexpected ban can mean the loss of years of careful work and curation.

Yet despite the widespread outrage amongst users, Pinterest maintained silence on the matter for days. This has left users to speculate, with some theorising that AI moderation may be the culprit. Pinterest's Help Centre states that it uses AI in "improving content moderation."

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On Monday, moderators for the r/Pinterest subreddit pinned a thread about the mass bans, noting that "there isn't anything we can do here other than talk about it." The thread has gathered over 200 comments in the days since, with people expressing anger and frustration at the situation. Many have accused Pinterest of a lack of transparency regarding the bans, claiming that they have no idea what they could have done that warranted losing their accounts. 

"I want my Pinterest account back I find it heavily unfair it was banned and no matter how many times I appeal they don’t do anything about it," wrote Reddit user cruicifix.

"I got no response on what exactly broke the guidelines, It just stated that I should 'read the guidelines to understand their decission', super vauge and im sure there was nothing that could have gotten me banned," wrote Reddit user Admirable-Birthday-9, who stated that they used Pinterest for innocuous content such as fashion, beauty, and recipes.

Though at least two people reported that they successfully regained access to their Pinterest accounts on appeal, the majority appear to have had little success with the appeals process. Further, one of the individuals who recovered their account claimed that not all their content was still there.

In light of the issue, some users have been warning others to stop using Pinterest and search for alternatives, as they no longer trust that people are reliably able to access their saved content.

"Pins of classical paintings, life drawing poses, fashion photos, and even museum art have triggered bans under vague and inconsistently enforced content policies," claimed HH-5 on Reddit (emphasis original). "Nothing explicit — just standard references that artists have used for generations."

Pinterest finally responds to mass bans, users consider class action lawsuit

Pinterest finally broke its silence after Mashable reached out for comment on Thursday morning, addressing the situation publicly on X. Unfortunately, there's little in Pinterest's statement to appease upset users.

"We hear your concerns about recent account deactivations on Pinterest," the company posted to X on Thursday afternoon. "To ensure Pinterest remains a safe and positive platform, we continuously monitor for content that violates our Community Guidelines and accounts with violative content may be deactivated as a result. If you think your account was deactivated by mistake, please send us a DM @askpinterest."

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Pinterest also issued a similar statement directly to Mashable, though it didn't specifically address the mass bans.

"Pinterest has long-established, public Community Guidelines that clearly outline what is and isn’t allowed on the platform," said a Pinterest spokesperson. "We’re committed to building a safer and more positive platform, and enforce these policies rigorously and continuously. Users who believe their account may have been deactivated mistakenly may submit an appeal."

Unsurprisingly, Pinterest's statement on X hasn't satisfied its disgruntled users, particularly considering the lack of success many have had with their appeals. Users are lambasting the response in replies to the post, calling for Pinterest to scrap or at least overhaul its AI moderation.

Others are looking to take it even further. After Pinterest posted its statement, Reddit user wighthamster began gauging interest in a potential class action lawsuit, noting that people may have not only lost income from Pinterest ad campaigns or traffic, but also personal archives containing irreplaceable content such as personal projects or family photos. 

"Pinterest promotes itself as a platform for saving ideas, preserving memories, and conducting business… things many users invest significant time and trust in," wrote wighthamster. "Yet, recent actions suggest a pattern of arbitrary mass account suspensions, often with no functional recourse, directly contradicting its own marketed image and the reasonable expectations of its users."

Mashable has reached out to wighthamster for comment. However, multiple users have already expressed interest in being involved in the proposed legal action, some claiming that Pinterest's bans have had repercussions beyond merely losing a few saved pictures.

"For a lot of photographers artists and stylists, it’s the industry standard to present a moodboard before any project goes into action and the sheer amount of valuable references I’ve lost out on since being banned is hard to describe," wrote Affectionate-Pie-706. "I’ve had to postpone shoots and scramble to reassemble projects. Years and years of curating down the drain and multiple projects stuck in limbo."

Regardless of whether a lawsuit is filed or not, it's clear that Pinterest has a lot of work to do to win back users' trust and goodwill.

TL;DR: Put all your AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini Pro, and Leonardo.AI in one place with a lifetime subscription to 1minAI, an all-in-one AI app, on sale for just £30.14 (reg. £407.03). 

Opens in a new window Credit: 1minAI 1minAI: Lifetime Subscription £30.14 at The Mashable Shop
£407.03 Save £376.89 Get Deal

The free version of some AI models like ChatGPT can get the job done, but if you want the good stuff, you should consider opting for a paid subscription.  

1minAI consolidates many of the most popular AI models — like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Meta AI — into one platform where you can use them all seamlessly, whether you need to generate text, images, or even full videos. A lifetime subscription to 1minAI usually costs £407.03, but you can get one on sale now for £30.14. 

What can you do with 1minAI

1minAI gives you one platform where you can access AI models like ChatGPT, Gemini, Meta AI, Mistral AI, and more. You don't just get the baseline version, either — 1minAI users can chat with GPT-4, GPT-4 Turbo, Gemini Pro 1.5, and Llama 2 or Llama 3. 

Like a ton of other AI platforms, 1minAI has a limit to how much you can generate every month. Unlike other platforms, the limit is incredibly high. Here's what your lifetime subscription gets you every month. 

First, you get a baseline of 1,000,000 credits per month. Then, every day you log in, you get an additional 15,000 free credits. These will roll over if you don't use them all, too. 

In practice, those huge numbers mean you could generate up to 362,500 words, research nearly 2,000 SEO keywords, generate 386 images, upscale 241 images, remove 24 backgrounds, convert text to speech for over 120,000 characters, and generate up to 12 videos. 

Your AI Swiss Army Knife

Put all your go-to AI tools in one place. Get a lifetime subscription to 1minAI for £30.14. 

StackSocial prices subject to change. 

If you’re feeling exhausted every Monday morning, the problem might not be how much free time you have on the weekend, but how you use it. Instead of defaulting to passive activities, try “leisure crafting”: a more intentional approach to your free time that improves your well-being—and even boosts your work performance. Identify activities that […]

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If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hint

A black and white bear.

SEE ALSO: Apple’s new M3 MacBook Air is $300 off at Amazon. And yes, I’m tempted. Hurdle Word 1 answer

PANDA

Hurdle Word 2 hint

A lavish dinner.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for May 2, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

FEAST

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Seen in a church.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for May 2 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for May 2, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answer

ALTAR

Hurdle Word 4 hint

A popular photo filter.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for April 29 Hurdle Word 4 answer

SEPIA

Final Hurdle hint

Split.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answer

CLEFT

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

When it comes to home cinema and TV technology, the future is now. We're blessed with 8K TVs that have incredible sound systems, stylish designs, and more smart features than you can shake a voice assistant at. But not everyone needs — or can afford — that level of tech.

There’s nothing wrong with a TV that deals with the basics — a decent picture quality, crisp sound, and some useful smart functions. There are plenty of TVs that tick all of these boxes, and many are available at surprisingly low prices.

The trouble with finding cheap TVs is that there is so much on offer, making it difficult to pick a favourite. We know the struggle, so we've tried to help you out. Here’s some useful information to get you started and a selection of reliable models.

What is a smart TV?

It’s rare to find a TV these days that doesn’t boast some kind of smart features. In the simplest terms, it’s a TV that connects to the internet and supports a variety of entertainment apps. That means you’ll be able to watch streaming platforms such as Netflix or YouTube as well as regular digital channels.

Some smart TVs support other features, such as voice assistant — look out for TVs with Alexa or Google Assistant, which eliminate the need for a remote control — or connectivity to other devices and smart home systems.

What is 4K?

4K is shorthand for ultra-high definition (UHD) resolution. At 3840 x 2160 pixels (sometimes just labelled as 2160p), it has around four times the pixels of regular high definition, which is 1080p. It’s named 4K because the pixels width is almost 4,000.

Can you find cheap 4K TVs?

Many TVs these days have 4K. It’s very nearly the standard above a certain price point. However, not all the TVs in this roundup have 4K resolution, because we’re talking real budget options for the most part. You can get cheap 4K TVs but may need to spend a few hundred more for the pleasure.

What is HDR?

This is a term you’ll see a lot when shopping for TVs. It means High Dynamic Range. It essentially refers to the contrast levels between the brightest whites and the darkest blacks. The better the dynamic range, the more lifelike and vivid the colours will be. There are here various types of HDR, including HDR10, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision.

What TV features are the most important for gamers?

Look out for TVs that have specific gaming modes, which usually have a low input lag (reducing the time between you press a button on the controller and the action paying out on the screen) or TVs with a HDMI 2.1 port. This is the fastest type of HDMI connection and is used to connect next-gen gaming consoles.

What is the best cheap TV?

We have lined up a selection of the best cheap TVs from top brands like Toshiba, Philips, and Hisense. These models are not going to top the charts when it comes to specifications or features, but they might surprise you with what they can do.

These are the best cheap TVs in 2025.

This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.

If you like porn but want to make things a bit more interactive, these are some popular dating sites that will help you achieve that. There’s a little something for everyone, whether you’re looking to explore your kinky fantasies, make a lasting romantic connection, search for senior love, hook up, or want to keep things safely socially distanced and just chat.

And if free videos with easy-to-search categories like Pornhub offers are what do it for you, there’s options out there for you. While these sites are by no means perfect and some of them are pretty raunchy, here's the scoop on what you're getting yourself into.

What do you need to know about dating on NSFW sites?

Keep in mind that “dating” on NSFW sites like Grindr and GetItOn is about as subtle as the names of the platforms: Users are there to find a connection for a night, a threesome, or an ongoing sex buddy situation — not a long-term partner.

Also, sites like this don’t operate without mutual consent and boundary-setting (and respecting). When you’re building out your profile, be specific and honest about what you’re looking for and wanting so you can find people who genuinely match up with you and your interests or fetishes.

Should you use a NSFW site for dating?

If you’re looking for no-strings-attached sex, or just a sexting or Skype-sexing buddy for the evening, NSFW sites can be ideal for getting your needs met and getting straight to the point. “Dating” here is a very loose term — think of these as sites and apps for hooking up.

SEE ALSO: The best dating sites and apps for women

Users on these apps tend to be fairly direct — don’t expect a dinner invitation before you get asked over to their flat. If that’s not your cup of tea and you need a little more of the getting-to-know-someone before jumping into bed with them, these might not be the right sites for you.

What precautions should you take when using a NSFW dating site?

If you’re on a site where you need to share personal information or choose a username, be careful about the information you’re giving out — and about what kind of information it is. Things like credit card numbers are vulnerable to hackers, and using your real name on platforms like these can compromise your safety if you happen to stumble upon the wrong sort of people on the sites.

Always choose a username that doesn’t have a relationship to your first name, and be careful about the personal information you share (like where you live, etc.).

What else is important to know when using a NSFW dating site?

Besides not giving away any personal information, especially for things like anonymous encounters on cam or sexting sites, know the risks when it comes to sending nude or partially nude photos containing identifying details like your face or tattoos. While it’s against the law in many places to circulate private sexual images, that doesn’t stop people from doing it.

What is the best NSFW dating site?

There are plenty of raunchy dating sites out there that should suit just about everyone, but we get that you probably don't want to spend all day perusing the options (or maybe you do). To help you find the best NSFW dating site for you, we have lined up a standout selection.

We've tried to find something for every type of dater, with popular sites like AdultFriendFinder and GetItOn making the cut. You just need to pick a favourite.

These are the best dating site alternatives to Pornhub in 2025.

If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.

Strands requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferrined pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for May 2 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for May 2 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: What a trill!

The words are animals that make appealing sounds.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words are winged animals that sing.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Songbirds.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for May 2

• Chickadee

• Sparrow

• Lark

• Warbler

• Cardinal

• Wren

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!

Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to the latest Strands.