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Take $90 off a Samsung soundbar and upgrade your summer sounds

Mashable - Thu, 07/04/2024 - 05:00

TL;DR: Get a new, open-box Samsung soundbar with wireless subwoofer for $109.99 (reg. $199.99). 

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 170W 2.1ch Soundbar with Wireless Subwoofer HW-T415/ZA $109.99 at The Mashable Shop
$199.99 Save $90.00 New, open-box Get Deal

Whether you're planning on hosting outdoor shindigs or mellow movie nights indoors this summer, most get-togethers have one thing in common: good sound. From music to blockbuster flicks, you should set the mood, and to do that you would need a good soundbar

Fortunately, a good soundbar doesn't have to break the bank. Get a new, open-box Samsung soundbar with wireless subwoofer for $109.99 (reg. $199.99). That's $90, or 45%, off the usual price. 

This soundbar could elevate your entertainment system because it's built to offer impressive sound and deep bass that can bring your favorite playlists and films to life. Plus, it pairs wirelessly with Bluetooth-capable TVs and other devices. Need to liven up a party with hip-hop? That thumping bass should help take things to the next level.

This model hails from 2021 and comes brand-new, but in an open box. That means it's likely excess inventory from store shelves, so the packaging will probably show some signs of wear or have extra stickers on it. It has been verified to be in new condition and can be offered at a lower price.

You can upgrade your summer's soundtrack with the new, open-box Samsung 170W 2.1ch soundbar with wireless subwoofer, now $109.99 (reg. $199). 

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Get a hidden camera detector for just $40 and stay safe

Mashable - Thu, 07/04/2024 - 05:00

TL;DR: Double-check your surroundings with this hidden camera, bug, GPS, and RF detector, and it’s only $39.99 (reg. $59) or 33% off.

Opens in a new window Credit: RochasDivineMart Hidden Camera-, Bug-, GPS- & RF-Detector $39.99 at The Mashable Shop
$59.99 Save $20.00 Get Deal

Peace of mind while you're staying in a hotel, rental, or anywhere else is important. A hidden camera-, bug-, GPS-, and RF-detector can help you stay in control of your privacy, and there's one on sale right now for under $40.

Double-check your surroundings with a hidden camera-detector on sale for $39.99 (reg. $59), or 33% off.

This device is trending on TikTok and other social media platforms as personal safety has become more prevalent. It uses advanced technology to sweep for a wide range of hidden threats including wireless cameras, audio bugs, GPS trackers, etc. The accurate detection has a strong anti-interference range, and a built-in camera finder to identify hidden lenses and magnetic fields commonly used by GPS trackers.

When you arrive at your destination, scan the rooms for bugs and cameras. This multi-functional detector has an alarm mode feature and buzzer detection to alert you when it finds a threat. The LED light intensity detector helps spot magnetic fields and signals that aren’t supposed to be there. 

With this simple tool, you can rest easy when staying in an Airbnb, hotel, or anywhere that’s not your home. Weighing only about five ounces, this portable device makes the perfect travel companion anywhere you go. 

Get this hidden camera-, bug-, GPS-, and RF-detector for just $39.99 (reg. $59), or 33% off.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Save $19 on an Apple USB-C power adapter

Mashable - Thu, 07/04/2024 - 05:00

TL;DR: Stay powered up with a new, open-box Apple 67W USB-C power adapter on sale for $39.99 (reg. $59). 

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple 67W USB-C Power Adapter MKU63AM/A $39.99 at The Mashable Shop
$59.00 Save $19.01 New, open-box Get Deal

We all know that sinking feeling when you get a "low battery" alert and you are nowhere near your charger. If you're hoping to avoid that, but don't want to break the bank by purchasing another charging block, an Apple 67W USB-C power adapter is on sale for $19 off right now.

Get a new, open-box Apple 67W USB-C power adapter on sale for $39.99 (reg. $59). 

This power adapter is designed to juice up MacBooks and USB-C devices. The "open box" designation means this item was likely excess inventory from store shelves that has been returned to the warehouse. This power adapter has gone through verification that it is in new condition. While the packaging may show signs of wear from handling or extra stickers, it's as good as new for less. 

This Apple power adapter can help keep you charged up all summer long and beyond. It's compatible with a wide range of MacBooks, including many MacBook Air models ranging from 2018 to 2023, MacBook Pro models ranging from 2016 to 2023, and MacBooks created between 2015 and 2017. (You'll want to check your model before purchasing.) It also works with various USB-C devices and charging cables.

With 67W of power, it's built to offer powerful and fast charging. You can power a MacBook up to a 50% charge in just 30 minutes.

Charge up with this new, open-box Apple 67W USB-C power adapter, on sale for $39.99 (reg. $59).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Feast your eyes on the stunning images spacecraft captured this year

Mashable - Thu, 07/04/2024 - 05:00

NASA's Juno spacecraft zipped just 930 miles (1,500 kilometers) above the volcanic world Io this year. The extraterrestrial vistas, including a view of the most powerful volcano known to humanity, didn't disappoint.

"It's absolutely stunning, stunning imagery," Ashley Davies, a planetary scientist at the space agency's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, told Mashable.

Other space missions have captured intriguing views of Mars, the moon, and beyond. Here are many of the impressive cosmic scenes from 2024, so far.

SEE ALSO: NASA scientist viewed first Voyager images. What he saw gave him chills. NASA craft snaps close images of volcano-covered world NASA's Juno spacecraft captured this detailed view of Io on Feb. 3, 2024. Credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech / SwRI / MSSS / Jason Perry

After swooping by Jupiter's tortured moon on Feb. 3, NASA's Juno spacecraft beamed back some of the closest-ever images of this unique world. The agency's deep space probe came within just 930 miles of Io, following a similar pass in December. Planetary scientists hope these much-anticipated flybys will answer fundamental questions about the mysterious, lava-spewing moon.

"The twin flybys are designed to provide new insight into how Io’s volcanic engine works and whether a global magma ocean exists under Io’s rocky, mountainous surface terrain," mission operators wrote after the first images came back.

Io contains hundreds of volcanoes, many of which are active and hot enough for Juno to detect their heat on the moon's surface.

Two volcanic plumes rising from Io. Credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech / SwRI / MSSS / AndreaLuck / CC BY 3.0 Unported Unprecedented photo of largest volcano in our solar system Olympus Mons captured by NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey orbiter on March 11, 2024. Credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech / ASU

NASA captured an expansive view of the largest volcano known to humanity.

The space agency used its 23-year-old Mars Odyssey orbiter to capture a never-before-seen view of Olympus Mons — a vista similar to how astronauts in a hypothetical orbiting space station might view the behemoth mountain. It's 373 miles (600 kilometers) wide — about the size of Arizona — and 17 miles (27 kilometers) tall. That's over twice as high as commercial airliners fly.

"Normally we see Olympus Mons in narrow strips from above, but by turning the spacecraft toward the horizon we can see in a single image how large it looms over the landscape," NASA's Odyssey project scientist, Jeffrey Plaut, said in a statement. "Not only is the image spectacular, it also provides us with unique science data."

As you can see, it's not a sharply peaked mountain, but a gradually sloping "shield volcano," similar to the Hawaiian volcanoes. It was formed by progressive lava flows, as thick oozing lava layered upon earlier lava flows.

Tweet may have been deleted Spacecraft approaches metal object zooming around Earth, snaps footage

A spacecraft carefully approached and imaged a large hunk of metal orbiting Earth in April — a step in tackling humanity's mounting space junk woes.

The delicate space mission, undertaken by the Japanese satellite technology company Astroscale, used its ADRAS-J satellite to travel within several hundred meters of an abandoned section of a noncommunicative, derelict rocket, proving it could safely observe in such close proximity.

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The mission is part of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's (JAXA, which is Japan's NASA counterpart) "Commercial Removal of Debris Demonstration" project, which seeks a proven way to remove problematic space junk from Earth's orbit. A collision involving a large object can create thousands more pieces of debris, stoking a domino effect of future impacts.

U.S. spacecraft snap views of auroras encircling Earth A view from above Earth showing the vibrant auroras on May 11, 2024. Credit: NOAA

A parade of intense solar storms hit Earth in May 2024 — the strongest since Halloween over 20 years ago.

While these outbursts from the active sun can pose serious threats to our electrical grid and communications systems, they also stoke brilliant events in our polar skies, commonly called auroras, or the northern lights. In particular, our medium-sized star recently emitted a number of coronal mass ejections, or CMEs, which are ejections of super hot gas (plasma). "It's like scooping up a piece of the sun and ejecting it into space," Mark Miesch, a scientist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center, previously told Mashable.

When they collide with Earth, solar particles can become trapped by our planet's magnetic field, traveling to the poles and colliding with the molecules and particles in our atmosphere. Then, these atmospheric particles heat up and glow. Three U.S. weather satellites captured this dramatic event from above the North Pole on May 11, showing a glowing ring around places that don't usually witness the dancing lights.

"Multiple coronal mass ejections from the sun sparked an extreme geomagnetic storm around the Earth last week, creating stunning auroras, even in places where the northern lights are rarely seen," NOAA's National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS) explained when it released the image above. "The Southern Hemisphere also reported remarkable auroras from the storm."

Lunar spacecraft lands on its head Japan's robotic SLIM spacecraft landed upside down on the moon in January 2024. Credit: JAXA

Japan landed its SLIM spacecraft — short for Smart Lander for Investigating the Moon — on Jan. 19. About a week later, Japan's space agency (JAXA) released an image of the robotic lander (taken by a baseball-sized robot released before landing), revealing why its solar panels failed to generate electricity.

It landed upside down.

One of SLIM's thrusters malfunctioned 50 meters (around 50 yards) above the lunar surface, resulting in the mishap. Even so, the craft still demonstrated an unprecedented "pinpoint landing," wherein it touched down under 100 meters (about 110 yards) from its intended target.

"The pinpoint landing performance was evaluated to be at approximately 10m or less, possibly about 3 - 4m," JAXA said in a statement.

NASA rover finds damaged helicopter in middle of Mars desert

After a rough landing this year, the damaged Ingenuity helicopter can't fly again. NASA's nearby Perseverance rover spotted the grounded extraterrestrial chopper sitting alone in a valley on Mars in early February 2024.

The NASA image below, processed and enhanced by the geovisual designer Simeon Schmauß, underscores the desolation of profoundly arid Mars, a desert planet that's largely lost its insulating atmosphere and is 1,000 times drier than the driest desert on Earth.

The Ingenuity helicopter is visible just below the center of this image. Credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech / ASU / Simeon Schmauß

Both the Perseverance rover and its former aerial scout, Ingenuity, had been searching for the best places to look for past evidence of Martian life — should any ever have existed. Now the car-sized rover will hunt alone.

Before its accident, the Ingenuity craft made history. The experimental robot was the first craft to ever make a powered, controlled flight on another planet. And then, it kept flying. Ingenuity flew on Mars a whopping 72 times — engineers initially hoped it might fly five times, if at all. It flew distances as far as 2,315 feet.

And it overcame a daunting flight challenge. The Martian atmosphere is quite thin, with a volume about one percent of Earth's. This makes it difficult to generate the lift needed for flight. To take to the air, Ingenuity spun its four-foot rotor blades at a blazing 2,400 revolutions every minute.

Rough robotic U.S. moon landing The robotic Odysseus spacecraft landing on the moon on Feb. 22, 2024. Credit: Intuitive Machines

Intuitive Machines' Odysseus moon lander snapped a leg while landing on the moon in February 2024. An onboard camera caught the dusty touchdown.

While Odysseus' landing wasn't perfect, NASA, which provided $118 million for the commercial mission, hailed the challenging Feb. 22 touchdown as a success. Even in a compromised state, the lander beamed back scientific data from all of NASA's equipment, which included research into space weather and interactions between the spacecraft's plume and the moon's chalky surface.

The mission is part of the space agency's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program, which picks companies to deliver NASA missions to the moon. This frees the agency, already burdened with an ambitious timeline to return astronauts to the moon under the Artemis program, from having to completely plan and fund missions leading up to human landings. Such a crewed mission won't happen before 2026.

The moon's eclipse shadow crossing over Earth

On April 8, 2024, millions of people in North America witnessed a rare total solar eclipse — when the moon passes in between the sun and Earth, casting a shadow on our planet.

For those in the relatively narrow path of totality, it's an experience that cannot be overhyped. "On a scale of one to 10, a partial eclipse is a seven," Terry Virts, a former NASA astronaut who experienced his first total eclipse (from down on Earth) in 2017, told Mashable. "And a total eclipse is a million." (A partial eclipse is when just a portion of the sun is blocked by the moon — an interesting experience, but nothing like totality.)

Here's how the poignant event looked from space, captured by a U.S. science satellite.

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20 best comedies streaming on Netflix right now

Mashable - Thu, 07/04/2024 - 05:00

Nothing feels as good as a deep, genuine laugh. It's an expression of joy! It's a workout. It's a sign that you're having a good time.

Netflix has a dazzling selection of comedy movies that put that good-time feeling on demand. Whether you're craving action-spiked shenanigans, quirky coming-of-age adventures, awkward humor, stranger-than-fiction silliness, madcap musical numbers, or crime with a spree of laughs, there's a perfect pick for you. And we've made singling it out all the easier by highlighting the most hilarious below.

Here are the 20 funniest movies now streaming on Netflix.

20. Everything Everywhere All at Once Michelle Yeoh kicks butt in "Everything Everywhere All at Once." Credit: A24

Want a movie with a little bit of everything? Then you can't beat the 2023 Oscar winner for Best Picture. Academy Award–winner Michelle Yeoh stars as a disgruntled Laundromat owner who's at her wit's end between her obligations as a boss, wife, mother, and daughter. And just as she's braced to deal with a tax auditor with a surly attitude (Academy Award–winner Jamie Lee Curtis), a dashing version of her husband (Academy Award–winner Ke Huy Quan) bursts onto the scene from a parallel universe to loop her into a quest to save all existence. Packed with absolutely bonkers action, outrageous jokes, dizzying style, and performances as silly as they are deeply poignant, The Daniels' Everything Everywhere All at Once is the kind of movie that'll have you laughing, crying, gasping, and maybe even reconsidering your life up to now. — Kristy Puchko, Entertainment Editor

How to watch: Everything Everywhere All at Once is now streaming on Netflix.

SEE ALSO: How a one-hit wonder became absolutely crucial to 'Everything Everywhere All At Once' 19. The LEGO Batman Movie Batman is on the run. Credit: Warner Bros. / Courtesy Everett Collection / Shutterstock.com

The gravel-voiced scene-stealer of The LEGO Movie got his own spinoff, and it's an action-packed comedy that's fun for all ages.

Voiced by Will Arnett, Bruce Wayne/Batman is dedicated to battling the bad guys of Gotham. But his biggest challenge is opening up his heart to the orphan that he accidentally adopted. However, despite his emotional damage, Batman will team up with his Bat Family to take on the Joker and a barrage of villains from a wide array of movies and TV, including Lord of the Rings' Sauron, King Kong, the Daleks of Doctor Who, and Voldemort from the Harry Potter movies. And if the gonzo action, playful LEGO aesthetic, and barrage of other Batman movie references aren't enough for you, you can easily make a game of calling out the enormous voice cast, which includes such beloved stars as Zach Galifianakis, Eddie Izzard, Jemaine Clement, and many, many more. — K.P.

How to watch: The LEGO Batman Movie is now streaming on Netflix.

18. Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F Eddie Murphy is back as Axel Foley. Credit: Netflix

Eddie Murphy returns as wise-cracking Detroit police officer Axel Foley. 30 years after Beverly Hills Cop III, this sensational sequel sees Foley returning to Los Angeles to fight a new foe, reunite with old friends, and reconnect with his estranged daughter.

SEE ALSO: 'Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F' review: Netflix's sequel shouldn't work and yet...

Reprising their supporting roles are Beverly Hills Cop co-stars John Ashton, Judge Reinhold, Paul Reiser, and Bronson Pinchot. New to the crew is Taylour Paige as Axel's hard-headed daughter, Joseph Gordon-Levitt as a local ally, Nasim Pedrad as a flustered real estate agent, and Kevin Bacon as a smirking antagonist. The sparks will fly. The punchlines hit powerfully. The soundtrack is fire. And just like that, the heat is back on! —K.P.

How to Watch: Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F is now streaming on Netflix.

17. Bodies Bodies Bodies Credit: Erik Chakeen / A24

Like your comedy with a side of murder? Directed by Halina Reijn, this A24 thriller boasts a playful premise and a bevy of hot stars. Amandla Stenberg, Maria Bakalova, Myha'la Herrold, Chase Sui Wonders, Rachel Sennott, Lee Pace, and Pete Davidson play a motley crew of friends who plan for a wild weekend in a remote mansion. But when a childish game of pretend murder leads to real bloodshed, these friends turn suspicious of each other faster than you can say party foul. Cleverly constructed, wickedly funny, and weirdly hot, Bodies Bodies Bodies is a demented delight. — K.P.

How to watch: Bodies Bodies Bodies is now streaming on Netflix.

SEE ALSO: Let's talk about that shocking 'Bodies Bodies Bodies' ending, with director Halina Reijn 16. Marcel the Shell with Shoes On Marcel the Shell perched on a laptop keyboard. Credit: A24

Are you ready for a shell with a googly eye to make you cry? The YouTube sensation Marcel the Shell has his own movie, and while it's filled with goofy visual gags and silly jokes, it's also got a poignant undercurrent about loss.

Jenny Slate and Dean Fleischer-Camp reunite for Marcel the Shell with Shoes On, an A24 outing that has the eponymous hero (voiced by Slate) befriending a human documentarian (Fleischer-Camp). Together, they search for Marcel's long-lost family. As with the YouTube shorts, the feature-length film showcases Marcel's adorable meanderings around household objects that tower over him, like a potted plant, a stand mixer, or a tennis ball, as well as his eccentric musings. But there's a sophisticated meta commentary on the highs and lows of internet fame.

As I wrote in Mashable's review, "Slate and Fleischer-Camp might lure us in with the familiar hook of a cuddly mollusk who muses about lint balls and coos about a 'sad type of idiot.' But beyond that familiarity, they delve into troubling waters of what growing up and growing old brings on. Troubles we can't predict. Losses we can't control. Grief we can't escape, even if you happen to be a plucky shell with shoes on." — K.P.

How to watch: Marcel the Shell with Shoes On is now streaming on Netflix.

15. Between Two Ferns: The Movie Credit: Adam Rose / Netflix

Zach Galifianakis' awkward celebrity interview web series Between Two Ferns might not seem like fodder for a full-length movie, but Between Two Ferns: The Movie goes double meta by presenting his success on Funny or Die as an insult to the actor's intention to host a "serious" interview show. Galifianakis the character sets off to correct the assumption that his original show is a joke by interviewing even more celebrities, like John Cho, Keanu Reeves, Gal Gadot, Tiffany Haddish, and more. — Alexis Nedd, Senior Entertainment Reporter

How to watch: Between Two Ferns: The Movie is now streaming on Netflix.

14. Do Revenge Credit: Netflix

Looking for a revenge flick that pays tribute to teen classics like Mean Girls, Heathers, Cruel Intentions, and more? Then check out Do Revenge, a dark comedy sure to join the canon of iconic high school movies. Students Drea (Camila Mendes) and Eleanor (Maya Hawke) couldn't be more different... apart from the fact that both have major bones to pick with people who ruined their reputations. They decide to team up and execute one another's revenge plans, which leads down a winding road of morally dubious choices, snappy one-liners, and excellent outfits.

Mendes and Hawke have great chemistry, but it's Sophie Turner who damn near steals the show in a bit part that simply must be seen to be believed.*Belen Edwards, Entertainment Reporter

How to watch: Do Revenge is now streaming on Netflix.

SEE ALSO: Sophie Turner steals Netflix's 'Do Revenge' in 5 outrageous minutes 13. Hunt for the Wilderpeople Credit: Piki Films / Kobal / Shutterstock

This 2016 adventure about bad egg Ricky Baker (Julian Dennison) and his curmudgeonly foster father Hec (Sam Neill) is the kind of eccentric delight that writer/director Taika Waititi specializes in (this time co-writing with Barry Crump, who wrote the original book).

After losing his foster mother, Ricky flees into the forests of New Zealand; Hec pursues him, only to realize he doesn't feel the need to return to civilization either. Together, they become the wilderpeople, living off the land and evading capture from authorities, including Thor: Ragnarok's Rachel House. Wilderpeople is equal parts stirring, hilarious, and absurd — a silly yet sentimental story of found family and adventure that can be loved by all. — Proma Khosla, Senior Entertainment Reporter

How to watch: Hunt for the Wilderpeople is now streaming on Netflix.

12. Always Be My Maybe Credit: Netflix

What if the one who got away got a second chance? Back in the day, Sasha and Marcus were tight as a slap bracelet. But one fumbled night in a sweaty backseat seemed to shatter their future together.

Fifteen years later, she's a world-renowned chef and he's — well — he's working for his dad's HVAC business and playing with his band on the side. Still, fate arranges for them to reconnect, which could mean Marcus (Randall Park) has a shot to show Sasha (Ali Wong) how he feels. Comedy ensues as the stakes get high when Keanu Reeves crashes the party, being all weird and hot and having the audacity to be Keanu Reeves! This Nahnatchka Khan–helmed laffer also boasts appearances by James Saito, Charlyne Yi, Karan Soni, Daniel Dae Kim, and Michelle Buteau.*K.P.

How to watch: Always Be My Maybe is now streaming on Netflix.

SEE ALSO: 20 best romantic comedies to fall in love with on Netflix 11. Back to the Future

There's no way you haven't heard of 1985's Back to the Future, the comedy science-fiction romp — and honest-to-god American classic — that made the world fall in love with Michael J. Fox. Fox is Marty McFly, a bored teenager who befriends an eccentric scientist (Christopher Lloyd) and finds himself transported to the 1950s, where his presence threatens to wreak havoc on the future. Marty has to make sure his parents still fall in love, or he'll be wiped from history forever. It's a fantastic premise that somehow never feels absurd thanks to the Fox's aching humanity and Lloyd's charisma. From the very first utterance of "Great Scott!" we're along for the ride on a journey where we won’t need roads.* — Kristina Grosspietsch, Freelance Contributing Writer

How to watch: Back to the Future is now streaming on Netflix.

10. Dolemite Is My Name Credit: François Duhamel / Netflix

Chronicling the true story of late comedian Rudy Ray Moore — also known as Dolemite — this Eddie Murphy vehicle is worth every minute of viewing.

An outrageous showbiz comedy, Dolemite Is My Name is at once a poignant look at the life of an underdog and an unbelievably good time. With supporting performances by Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Wesley Snipes, Craig Robinson, and more, this biopic offers more beat-for-beat joy than many of its fictional counterparts. Sensational, aspirational, and electric: You'll love it. — Alison Foreman, Entertainment Reporter

How to watch: Dolemite Is My Name is now streaming on Netflix.

9. The Polka King Credit: Netflix

Sometimes true crime can lead to some pitch-perfect dark comedy. This is the case for this outrageous offering, which stars Jack Black as infamous scammer/local celebrity Jan Lewan. Black brings all the rock star panache you need to understand how Lewan could be so beguiling to the Pennsylvanian retirees who surrendered their savings to the self-proclaimed Polka King.

Screenwriters Maya Forbes and Wallace Wolodarsky gave this story of fraud and showmanship shape. But they wisely trusted in the local flair of the terrific 2009 documentary The Man Who Would Be Polka King to provide some of the wildest lines of dialogue. Plucking directly from interviews with the friends, family, and victims of Jan Lewan, this comedy feels stranger than fiction but is jaw-droppingly real. Salty supporting turns from Jenny Slate, Jacki Weaver, and Jason Schwartzman bring added fun.* — K.P.

How to watch: The Polka King is now streaming on Netflix.

SEE ALSO: Love me like a Polka King 8. The Mitchells vs. The Machines Credit: Netflix

Sony Pictures Animation has given audiences such daring and dynamic animated movies as Surf's Up, Hotel Transylvania, and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. This zany 2021 release centers on a family who's battling back the robo-apocalypse with togetherness, internet savviness, and a wall-eyed pug named Monchi (voiced by social media icon Doug the Pug).

The Mitchells' adventure into chaos begins when daughter Katie (Abbi Jacobson) is poised to go off to college. Desperate for one last family-unifying road trip, her dad (Danny McBride) piles the whole family into his beater of a vehicle, unknowingly charting a fateful route into heroics. Director Mike Rianda infuses Katie's excitable perspective throughout the film by working in internet memes, social media-style reactions, and blitz of bonkers visuals. It’s a bold move that might alienate some viewers but has largely won the acclaim of critics and kiddos.*K.P.

How to watch: The Mitchells vs. The Machines is now streaming on Netflix.

7. Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery Credit: Netflix

Writer/director Rian Johnson follows up his critically heralded whodunnit with a sequel that's even more explosive than Knives Out. Southern gentleman/detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) is back, drawling deductions and whipping out witticisms, much to the chagrin of a group of wealthy and conniving friends.

It was supposed to be a murder mystery weekend where homicide was just a game. But when tech scion Miles Bron (Edward Norton) brings together his closest friends and worst enemy, real blood will be spilled, and the game is afoot! Joining in on the comically chaotic fun are Kate Hudson, Janelle Monáe, Dave Bautista, Kathryn Hahn, Leslie Odom Jr., and Jessica Henwick. — K.P.

How to watch: Glass Onion is now streaming on Netflix.

SEE ALSO: All those 'Glass Onion' cameos, ranked 6. The Forty-Year-Old Version Credit: Jeong Park / Netflix © 2020

The Forty-Year-Old Version isn’t just any film about a struggling New York artist, but one about a Black female playwright who’s continually held back from creating something authentic to her perspective. Radha Blank’s autobiographical directorial debut, which she also wrote, produced, and stars in, is a searing, funny, and unabashedly honest look at the compromises Black creatives are pushed to make in a world dominated by whiteness.

A teacher approaching her 40th birthday, Radha (Blank) gets the chance to produce one of her plays — only after she refuses to write a slave musical. But forced to change her vision to appease white audiences, Radha considers a totally different medium to express herself: becoming a rapper. The Forty-Year-Old Version may be one of the most slept-on Netflix originals, and it’s a shame we’ve yet to see another film from Blank since, itself an indictment of an industry that fails to continually platform raw and honest Black storytelling.* — Oliver Whitney, Freelance Contributor

How to watch: The Forty-Year-Old Version is now streaming on Netflix.

5. Vampires vs. the Bronx Credit: Netflix

Want a movie that's got excitement, comedy, a scorching message about the evils of gentrification, and is a kid-friendly romp? Then take a bite out of Vampires vs. the Bronx.

Oz Perkins's PG-13 horror-comedy centers on Afro-Latino teens who recognize that a flurry of missing person posters and an influx of rich white folks with tote bags means bad news for the neighborhood. Together, they team up Monster Squad-style to take down the bloodsuckers and save their community. With a sharp wit, a warm heart, a rich sense of atmosphere, and an equal appreciation for the Blade movies and '80s Amblin, Vampires vs. the Bronx is an easy watch full of rewards.*K.P.

How to watch: Vampires vs. the Bronx is now streaming on Netflix.

4. Paddington Paddington Bear holds a small white dog. Credit: Moviestore / Shutterstock.com

Inspired by Michael Bond's beloved children's books, Paddington is a critically heralded romp that blends a crackerjack live-action cast (Hugh Bonneville! Sally Hawkins! Julie Walters! Peter Capaldi!) with an adorable CGI bear (voiced by Ben Whishaw) who wears a blue coat and cherishes marmalade. Traveling from the jungles of Peru to London, the titular bear is reluctantly taken in by the Brown family. But as cultures collide, Paddington's freedom —indeed, his very life! — are threatened by an overzealous taxidermist (a gamely over-the-top Nicole Kidman), who is ruthlessly determined to make him her next specimen! Full of whimsy, wit, and warmth, Paddington is a jolly delight that demands rewatching.*K.P.

How to watch: Paddington is streaming on Netflix.

3. The Breaker Upperers

This hidden gem comes from New Zealand, the fertile comedy ground that gave us Taika Waititi, Flight of the Conchords, and What We Do in the ShadowsWaititi collaborators Jackie van Beek, James Rolleston, and Jemaine Clement team up for a deeply quirky buddy comedy about two long-time besties with a bonkers — but brilliant — business model.

Need someone to dump your partner so you can avoid a messy confrontation? Call on Jen and Mel (co-writers/co-directors/co-leads van Beek and Madeleine Sami). For a reasonable fee, these fearless Breaker Upperers will impersonate police officers, play pregnant, or even fake your death to help you ghost an ex. Whatever the shenanigans, van Beek and Sami sparkle. Booming with wild humor and big heart, this comedy is guaranteed to leave you cackling.* — K.P.

Where to watch: The Breaker Upperers is now streaming on Netflix.

2. Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga Credit: John Wilson / Netflix

With its reputation for wacky musical numbers, the Eurovision Song Contest is ripe for parody. Luckily for Eurovision lovers, the contest gets the send-up it deserves in this gloriously goofy flick starring Will Ferrell and Rachel McAdams. They play the Icelandic musical duo Fire Saga, who find themselves in the Eurovision spotlight. There, they discover that the famed competition is a world of cutthroat competitors, glitzy costumes, and many, many bops.

Eurovision Song Contest is full of larger-than-life characters and ridiculous humor, but it's also teeming with Eurovision references that will have fans laughing and cheering. For every "Jaja Ding Dong," there's a joyful Song-A-Long — and both are great! Pair all that with pitch-perfect comedic performances from Ferrell and McAdams, and you have a comedy that will both have you in stitches and win your heart. (Best of all, if you weren't a Eurovision fanatic before seeing this movie, you'll definitely be one by the time it ends.)*B.E.

How to watch: Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga is now streaming on Netflix.

1. Monty Python and the Holy Grail Credit: FilmPublicityArchive / United Arch

Made up of Graham Chapman, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, John Cleese, Michael Palin, and Terry Gilliam, the comedy troupe Monty Python are the uncontested kings of comedy. So it's only fitting that we raise a glass to their most popular film, Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Sure, Life of Brian has iconoclastic fun with Bible stories — and a toe-tapping sound number to boot! But many of the crew's most memorable characters tumble forth in this parody of Arthurian lore.

From the knights Who Say "Ni!" to the dreaded Rabbit of Caerbannog to a taunting Frenchman to the Black Knight who'll never say die, Holy Grail is overflowing with madcap comedy. It's endlessly quotable, stupidly funny, and captures everything that made this comedy team spectacular. Not to mention, it forever changed how we see coconuts, swallows, hamsters, and elderberries. — K.P. & A.F.

How to watch: Monty Python and the Holy Grail is now streaming on Netflix.

Opens in a new window Credit: Netflix Netflix Get Deal

* denotes that this blurb appeared in a previous Mashable list. 

UPDATE: Jul. 3, 2024, 2:21 p.m. EDT This story has been updated to reflect the current selection on Netflix.

The 20 best action movies on Netflix right now

Mashable - Thu, 07/04/2024 - 05:00

Looking to fuel up your Netflix queue with some high-octane action?

Whether you're a fan of wild Westerns, cunning detectives, high-swinging superheroes, ravenous zombies, charming assassins, or hard-hitting heroines, Netflix has a movie pitch-perfect for every kind of adrenaline seeker. But scrolling through the app can be a chore when all you want to do is Netflix and chill. We've taken out the hard step, highlighting the most stunt-stuffed, battle-powered, high-speed films the streamer has to offer.

Here are the 20 best action movies on Netflix, streaming right now.

20. Everything Everywhere All at Once Michelle Yeoh kicks butt in "Everything Everywhere All at Once." Credit: A24

Want a movie with a little bit of everything? Then you can't beat the 2023 Oscar winner for Best Picture. Academy Award-winner Michelle Yeoh stars as a disgruntled Laundromat owner who's at her wit's end between her obligations as a boss, wife, mother, and daughter. And just as she's braced to deal with a tax auditor with a surly attitude (Academy Award–winner Jamie Lee Curtis), a dashing version of her husband (Academy Award–winner Ke Huy Quan) bursts onto the scene from a parallel universe to loop her into a quest to save all existence. Packed with absolutely bonkers action, outrageous jokes, dizzying style, and performances as silly as they are deeply poignant, The Daniels' Everything Everywhere All at Once is the kind of movie that'll have you laughing, crying, gasping, and maybe even reconsidering your life up to now. — Kristy Puchko, Entertainment Editor

How to watch: Everything Everywhere All at Once is now streaming on Netflix.

SEE ALSO: How a one-hit wonder became absolutely crucial to 'Everything Everywhere All At Once' 19. Damsel Credit: John Wilson / Netflix

Netflix has invested big in Millie Bobby Brown. Not only has the English ingenue been leading Stranger Things for years, but also she's becoming an outright action star through movies she has headlined and produced for the streamer, including a pair of Enola Holmes adventures and this fearsome fairy tale: Damsel. Here, Brown stars as Elodie, a dutiful damsel destined to wed a handsome prince (Nick Robinson)! But rather than happily ever after, her deceitful groom pitches her into a dragon's pit. However, that's far from the end of her story. She'll fight her way to salvation and vengeance, one fiery sequence at a time.

In her review, Mashable's Belen Edwards wrote, "Boasting some inventive twists and a heartfelt lead performance from Brown, Damsel may not be groundbreaking fantasy, but it is a thrilling ride." — K.P.

How to watch: Damsel is now streaming on Netflix.

SEE ALSO: Netflix's 'Damsel' trailer will put you in distress 18. The Woman King Credit: Sony

It might be a cliche to say "This is the role they were born to play!" But when you witness the storming glory of Viola Davis as a hard-fighting general in The Woman King, that thought hits hard, fast, and repeatedly, like one's heartbeat as this historical epic kicks into action mode.

In promoting the film, Davis has spoken openly about all the ways it's the kind of movie that Hollywood's supposed conventional wisdom — which caters predominantly to white and male audiences — said could never be made. Davis is a 57-year-old, dark-skinned Black woman, and she's headlining a war movie in which she gets to be the titular protagonist and kicks slavers' ass. As she expressed before the film's World Premiere at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival, she's living her dream in this film. And for us, it was exhilarating to live vicariously through her. 

SEE ALSO: The 15 best movies of 2022, and where to watch them

Inspired by the Agojie of West Africa, The Woman King explores the passions, problems, and camaraderie of this all-female band of warriors. While Davis dazzles at its center, co-stars Thuso Mbedu, Sheila Atim, and Lashana Lynch shine alongside her. Each brings powerful charisma to a full-throated performance that keeps audiences equally riveted through scenes of battle or blossoming romance, gut-punching grief or pugnacious celebration. As she did with The Old Guard, Gina Prince-Bythewood marries action with emotion, creating sequences that make our pulses race and our hearts shudder.* — K.P.

How to watch: The Woman King is now streaming on Netflix.

17. Cold Pursuit

Patron saint of action Liam Neeson headlines this icy thriller that's an English-language remake of 2014 Norwegian film In Order of Disappearance (Kraftidioten). Here, Neeson plays Nels Coxman, a snowplow driver whose job in his Colorado community is so key that he's been awarded Citizen of the Year. But when his beloved son dies of a drug overdose, Nels readies to clear away more than snow. With a thirst for vengeance and a sawed off shotgun, he hunts down the cartel that's corrupted his community — and its bloody thrilling to witness. Edged with a dark sense of humor, Cold Pursuit is wicked fun. — K.P.

How to watch: Cold Pursuit is now streaming on Netflix.

16. RRR

You've never seen an action movie quite as bombastic or as bromantic as RRR. Director S.S. Rajamouli draws loosely from history to tell the story of Indian freedom fighters Alluri Sitarama Raju (Ram Charan) and Komaram Bheem (N.T. Rama Rao Jr.). Over the film's three-hour runtime, the two unwittingly face off in the search for a kidnapped girl, become the best of friends, and square off against villainous English colonizers.

SEE ALSO: Was 'RRR' snubbed at the Oscars?

Any of RRR's action sequences would be the pinnacle of a lesser action movie, but the film seems determined to outdo itself with showstopper after showstopper. Take when Raju faces down hundreds of protesters and wins, or when Bheem fights a tiger bare-handed. Would you believe me if I told you those happen within the first 20 minutes? The action — and the movie — only get more awesome from there. — Belen Edwards, Entertainment Reporter

How to watch: RRR is now streaming on Netflix.

15. The Harder They Fall Credit: David Lee / Netflix

Put 'em up, as this is hands-down one of the best action movies in the Wild West.

Directed by Jeymes Samuel, The Harder They Fall defiantly redefines the predominantly white Western, boasting an incredible cast of Black stars: Jonathan Majors, Idris Elba, Regina King, Zazie Beetz, LaKeith Stanfield, and Delroy Lindo. A tale of heroes and villains, the film follows Nat Love (Majors) on his quest for revenge against the formidable Rufus Buck (Elba). But he'll have to make his gunslinging way through "Treacherous" Trudy Smith (Regina King) and Cherokee Bill (Stanfield) first. Even before the opening credits roll, you'll fall hard for this one. — Shannon Connellan, UK Editor

How to watch: The Harder They Fall is now streaming on Netflix.

14. Enola Holmes Credit: Netflix

Sherlock Holmes's much cooler little sister is an overlooked young action hero in Enola Holmes. Based on author Nancy Springer's popular book series The Enola Holmes Mysteries, the film puts the great detective's savvy 16-year-old sibling on the case, played with energetic spoonfuls of gumption by Stranger Things star Millie Bobby Brown. She's set to solve the greatest mystery of her young life: to find her missing mother (Helena Bonham Carter) through a series of deliberately cryptic clues — all while breaking the fourth wall and confiding in the audience, thanks to Fleabag director Harry Bradbeer and His Dark Materials' Jack Thorne's sharp screenplay.

Stepping into the footsteps of her famous brother Sherlock (Henry Cavill) and avoiding those of her stuffier misogynist brother Mycroft (Sam Claflin), Enola's case leads her on a wild ride through Victorian-era England, with more than a few fistfights and butts to kick along the way. And lucky for you, the sequel is even better. — S.C.

How to watch: Enola Holmes is now streaming on Netflix.

13. 65 Credit: Patti Perret / Sony Pictures Entertainment

Sometimes, you get the urge to watch an Oscar-nominated actor blast a bunch of dinosaurs with a laser gun. And when that urge sneaks up on you, the only cure is 65.

65 is built around the genius premise that is "Adam Driver fights dinosaurs," and boy, does it deliver. As Mills, a pilot from a super advanced civilization from 65 million years ago, Driver crash-lands on prehistoric Earth, where he headshots a T. Rex, bludgeons a raptor, and much, much more. He also takes the time to bond with his one fellow survivor, a young girl named Koa (Barbie's Ariana Greenblatt). The result is a sweet "lone wolf and cub" movie full of dino-sized thrills, kills, and a very threatening asteroid. — B.E.

How to watch: 65 is now streaming on Netflix.

12. They Cloned Tyrone Credit: Netflix

With this 2023 release, co-writer/director Juel Taylor pulls plenty of inspiration from Blaxploitation. John Boyega, Jamie Foxx, and Teyonah Parris star as a drug dealer, a pimp, and a sex worker who undercover a nefarious conspiracy that's happening underneath their neighborhood. Taylor and fellow screenwriter Tony Rettenmaier weave in wild twists, fly fight scenes, irreverent humor, and swaggering style for what our critic called "a propulsive comedy-thriller with weight." As bold as it is star-studded, you won't want to miss They Cloned Tyrone. And stay for the credits, trust us. — K.P.

How to watch: They Cloned Tyrone is now streaming on Netflix.

SEE ALSO: We need to talk about 'They Cloned Tyrone's ending 11. Kill Boksoon Credit: No Ju-han / Netflix

Gil Bok-Soon (Jeon Do-yeon) is a single mother who often finds herself at odds with her teenage daughter. She's also a highly skilled and successful assassin. Kill Boksoon is a fantastic action film that sees its main character head straight from a brutal killing to the grocery store so she can get dinner on the table. It's one hell of a hook that sucks you in immediately. The fight scenes are hypnotic and the cinematography ambitious and exciting. It's a gripping thriller that makes plenty of space for the complex emotional reality of its characters.*Kristina Grosspietsch, Freelance Contributor

How to watch: Kill Boksoon is now streaming on Netflix.

10. Triple Frontier Credit: Netflix

This Netflix adventure has Ben Affleck, Oscar Isaac, Charlie Hunnam, Garrett Hedlund, and Pedro Pascal coming together as a group of former Special Forces who plan an elaborate heist in South America. But after things get out of hand, their survival skills are put to the ultimate test.

Putting a talented cast in a tension-filled scenario, Triple Frontier is the type of gritty thriller that's hard to turn away from. — Brooke Bajgrowicz, Entertainment Fellow

How to watch: Triple Frontier is now streaming on Netflix.

9. Okja Credit: Netflix

Blending drama with fantasy/adventure and weaving in a very real message about the horrors of the meat industry, Bong Joon-ho's Okja is a beautifully unique creature feature, striped with action.

The film follows Mina (Ahn Seo-hyun), the granddaughter of a farmer in South Korea who has spent the last 10 years rearing a genetically modified super-pig called Okja as part of a breeding project spearheaded by a grim U.S. corporation. This movie is dark in places, magical in others, and poignant overall, asking us to stop and reflect on the dark side of an industry the majority of us are complicit in. Tilda Swinton and Jake Gyllenhaal make for an entertaining pair of villains, too.*Sam Haysom, Deputy UK Editor

How to watch: Okja is now streaming on Netflix.

8. Looper Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Bruce Willis play different versions of the same hitman in "Looper." Credit: Tristar/Everett/Shutterstock.com

Like your action with a heady mix of sci-fi and Western? Then you'll love Rian Johnson's time-travel thriller Looper. Joseph Gordon-Levitt stars as Joe, a specialized brand of hitman, who only kills people sent back from the future by a tyrannical kingpin. But when Joe's future self (played by Bruce Willis) turns up and makes a swift escape, it's a battle against himself that's fated to get intense. Between its Kansas City setting, unique time travel rules, and a crackling cast that includes Emily Blunt, Paul Dano, and Jeff Daniels, Looper is a unique spin on a hired gun tale with a finale that is jaw-droppingly awesome. — K.P.

How to watch: Looper is now streaming on Netflix.

SEE ALSO: Wait. Is Joseph Gordon-Levitt in 'Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery'? 7. Da 5 Bloods Credit: Netflix

Spike Lee copters audiences back to the Vietnam War with Da 5 Bloods, a daring film that's part drama, part war movie, and part heist flick. Named for a squad of Black U.S. Army soldiers of the 1st Infantry Division, Lee's critically heralded 2020 joint follows this band of brothers through a treacherous war zone, then rediscovers them in a present where they're seeking to uncover the past — and a big payday.

Sequences of brutal battles, narrow escapes, and high-tension hijinks make Da 5 Bloods an enthralling watch. Though inspired by history, it's impossible to predict where Lee's story will lead. Our guides on this intense journey through time, loss, war, and brotherhood are Delroy Lindo, Jonathan Majors, Clarke Peters, Norm Lewis, Isiah Whitlock Jr., and the late Chadwick Boseman. Together, they and Lee create an American war film that can't be missed. — K.P.

How to watch: Da 5 Bloods is now streaming on Netflix.

6. The Quick and the Dead Sharon Stone raises her gun in "The Quick and the Dead." Credit: Murray Close / Tri Star / Kobal / Shutterstock.com

Sam Raimi is best known for stomach-churning horror (Evil Dead, Drag Me to Hell) or larger-than-life superhero adventures (The OG Spider-Man trilogy, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness). But between these phases of a funky filmography, the cult-adored director tried his hand at a Western with The Quick and the Dead. And it's a weird but wonderful watch.

Sharon Stone stars as a hardened wanderer known as "The Lady" who blows into the Old West town of Redemption with a dark secret and a snarl for fools. There, a fast-draw tournament spills blood and drama in the main thoroughfare, all under the piercing stare of tyrant John Herod (Gene Hackman). Rolling through like furious tumbleweeds are a cast of colorful characters, from young guns to battered pacifists to surly straight shooters, played by the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio, Russell Crowe, Keith David, Lance Henriksen, Tobin Bell, and Gary Sinise. If that cast list alone doesn't have you adding this one to your queue, then we're very different people, pardner. But maybe the promise of a string of suspenseful shoot-outs will win you over? — K.P.

How to watch: The Quick and the Dead is now streaming on Netflix.

5. Army of the Dead Credit: Netflix

Sometimes all you want is to grab hold of that action-o-meter and crank the dial, hard, to a solid 11. Army of the Dead more than delivers on that front, opening with a musical montage of guns and exploding body parts — and it only gets gorier from there. Zack Snyder's story follows a band of mercenaries hired to steal $200 million from a casino in Las Vegas. The problem? Vegas has been invaded by zombies, the city is quarantined, and the military is planning to blow the entire thing up with a tactical nuclear strike. The sprawling cast includes Dave Bautista, Omari Hardwick, Hiroyuki Sanada, Garret Dillahunt, and Ana de la Reguera, as well as a digitally added Tig Notaro.

What follows is a gloriously silly romp that refuses to take itself too seriously, propelling us through a series of explosions and bullets while the story twists and turns through a 148-minute runtime that feels oh, so much shorter. — S.H.

How to watch: Army of the Dead is now streaming on Netflix.

4. The Old Guard Credit: Netflix

Folks looking for that summer blockbuster thrill, search no further than The Old Guard. Based on the superhero comic books of the same name, director Gina Prince-Bythewood's movie sucks viewers into a slick, well-crafted world of action and narrative that isn't particularly unique but delivers its formulaic pieces with enough precision to keep you invested.

Charlize Theron crushes as the ass-kicking leader of an immortal warrior fight crew, with performances by Harry Melling, Marwan Kenzari, KiKi Layne, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Veronica Ngo, Matthias Schoenaerts, and more.* — Alison Foreman, Entertainment Reporter 

How to watch: The Old Guard is now streaming on Netflix.

3. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Gwen Stacy and Peter B. Parker in "'Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse." Credit: Sony Pictures

The Spider-Verse movies continue to raise the bar for superhero movies, and it’s hard to imagine one better than the latest installment, Across the Spider-Verse. The sequel to 2018’s Into the Spider-Verse manages to have even more dazzling animation, more jaw-dropping action sequences, and even bigger doses of clever humor.

Miles Morales is a little bit older (and taller) than when we last saw him, but he’s having a rough time now that he’s hardly seen Gwen Stacy and the rest of his Spider-People crew. A new villain enters the picture, majorly upping the stakes for Miles and the fate of the whole Spider-Verse. We also meet a handful of new characters voiced by some truly delightful actors, like Issa Rae’s badass pregnant Spider-Woman, Oscar Issac as Spider-Man 2099, Daniel Kaluuya’s rocker Spider-Punk, and Karan Soni as Spider-Man India. While the sequel clocks in at two hours, every minute is bursting with entertainment. — Oliver Whitney, Contributing Writer

How to watch: Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is now streaming on Netflix.

2. Leon: The Professional Jean Reno loads a gun in front of Natalie Portman in a scene from the film "Leon: The Professional." Credit: Columbia Pictures / Moviepix via Getty Image

Long before she was kicking butt in the Star Wars prequels or the MCU, Natalie Portman played Mathilda, a precocious young girl who befriends a hitman in Leon: The Professional. Directed by Luc Besson, what might have been another '90s action flick splashed with blood and a preposterous plotline has an unexpected sweetness. This was thanks in no small part to French actor Jean Reno, who plays the titular assassin with an enchanting gentleness.

When a corrupt DEA agent (Gary Oldman, in feral mode) kills Mathilda's entire family, it's up to Leon to use both his soft side and his killer instinct to shield her and take down her enemies. This seminal thriller explodes with tension, action, character, and Oldman's unforgettable delivery of "EV-REE-ONE!"K.P.

How to watch: Leon: The Professional is now streaming on Netflix.

1. Godzilla Minus One Godzilla chases a boat. Credit: Toho Company Ltd / Everett / Shutterstock.com

You don't know Godzilla until you see Godzilla Minus One. The American movies featuring the classic kaiju go for huge monster-versus-monster face-offs, bogged down by tedious human characters. But writer/director Takashi Yamazaki reclaims the Japanese icon with a movie that gets the balance between rampaging monster action and human drama just right.

Set near the close of World War II, Godzilla Minus One proves a fascinating tale of atomic age terror. Ryunosuke Kamiki stars as a kamikaze pilot who first flubs his mission, then crosses paths with the giant lizard with atomic breath. Survivor's guilt torments him, even as he cobbles together a found family of fellow survivors. This cast of characters is dynamic, making the scenes of simple home-cooked meals just as satisfying as sequences of town-trampling destruction. Actually, one deeply informs the other. Because while the movie's jaw-dropping special effects rightfully won the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects, it's the emotional impact of them that makes this Godzilla hit harder than any contemporary. Even on the small screen, you'll be in awe.*K.P.

How to watch: Godzilla Minus One is streaming on Netflix.

Opens in a new window Credit: Netflix Netflix Get Deal

* denotes the entry comes from a previous Mashable list.

UPDATE: Jul. 3, 2024, 4:00 p.m. EDT This post has been updated to reflect the current selection on Netflix.

Get MS Office on your PC for life for under £20

Mashable - Thu, 07/04/2024 - 00:00

TL;DR: The 2019 version of Microsoft Office Professional Plus for Windows is on sale for just £19.60 (reg. £179.74).

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 for Windows £19.60 at the Mashable Shop
£179.74 Save £160.14 Get Deal

If you could use some productivity support, a tried-and-true suite of apps from a big name in software could help.

Create, organise, and more with the assistance of Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 for Windows, on sale for just £19.60 (reg. £179.74).

Get access to tools to help you perform your best, whether professionally or personally. This 2019 version of Office might be slightly older than the most current version on the market, but it still features most of what many expect from Office. You'll get the 2019 version of Word for document creation, Excel to access spreadsheets, PowerPoint to make killer slides, Outlook for email and calendar management, Access to build databases, OneNote to take digital notes, and Publisher for personal publications.

All of these apps combine to help keep you moving more efficiently. However, it should be noted that it does not include Teams. You will need to be running Windows 10 or 11 to use this software.

Because you only pay a one-time price for this licence, you won't need to worry about any recurring fees like you would with Microsoft 365. This licence is good on one PC for life. 

Office Professional Plus 2019 is tailored to enhance productivity with rich features that provide business users, professionals, and home users alike with most of the functions they need to work at their best.

Don’t miss this opportunity to own Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 at this reduced price.

Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 for Windows is on sale for just £19.60 (reg. £179.74).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for July 4

Mashable - Wed, 07/03/2024 - 23:00

Connections is the latest New York Times word game that's captured the public's attention. 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 July 1's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

What is Connections?

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

Tweet may have been deleted

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.

Tweet may have been deleted

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 categories

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

  • Yellow: Love in the air

  • Green: Digital footprints

  • Blue: Once around

  • Purple: Words before a certain thing that rings

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

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

  • Yellow: ROMANTIC RAPPORT

  • Green: THINGS STORED BY A WEB BROWSER

  • Blue: SINGLE ROTATION

  • Purple: WORDS BEFORE "BELL"

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 Connections #388 is...

What is the answer to Connections today
  • ROMANTIC RAPPORT - ATTRACTION, CHEMISTRY, FIREWORKS, SPARKS

  • THINGS STORED BY A WEB BROWSER - CACHE, COOKIE, DATA, HISTORY

  • SINGLE ROTATION - CYCLE, LAP, REVOLUTION, TURN

  • WORDS BEFORE "BELL" - BAR, DINNER, LIBERTY, TINKER

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.

Is this not the Connections game you were looking for? Here are the hints and answers to yesterday's Connections.

'Wordle' today: Here's the answer hints for July 4

Mashable - Wed, 07/03/2024 - 23:00

Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for June 29's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Wordle.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles used to be available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it. Unfortunately, it has since been taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

First time.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no double letters in today's Wordle answer.

Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...

Today's Wordle starts with the letter D.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to Wordle #1111 is...

DEBUT.

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

Reporting by Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

Coming redesign of Elon Musk's X will get rid of... a lot

Mashable - Wed, 07/03/2024 - 18:32

Another big change that no one asked for is coming to X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

X is planning to redesign how content shows up in users' feeds by removing interaction and engagement buttons from posts. This means that the repost (aka retweet), like, and reply buttons would no longer appear on each individual post on a users' X timeline. 

Tweet may have been deleted

Along with the removal of the buttons, repost, like, and reply counts will also be removed from each individual post.

Instead of tapping on a button, X wants users to swipe left or right on a post in order to like or reply. X for iOS users can also force touch a post in order to open a menu with more options.

The only viewable metric on the post in the timeline will be view count, which has been moved to the upper right hand corner of the post.

Tweet may have been deleted

The upcoming X post design change was first discovered by researcher Aaron Perris of MacRumors. X owner Elon Musk has since confirmed it's coming.

The reaction from most users so far has been negative.

"It’s awesome," Musk said in a reply to a user who criticized the change in the reply to a video showcasing the redesign. "Just swipe left to like and right to reply."

Tweet may have been deleted Musk has long wanted to remove repost, like buttons

Since acquiring the company in October 2022, Musk has made quite a few sweeping changes to the platform then-known as Twitter. The most obvious change being the name of the service. Musk dropped "Twitter" for "X" last summer.

SEE ALSO: Fake Elon Musk livestreams promoting crypto scams keep popping up on YouTube

The most recent big change to the platform occurred just last month when Musk made most "likes" on the platform private. Previously, users could click the "like count" and see a list of users who liked a post. Now, only the user who published the post could see which users liked it. Third-parties can no longer see who liked what.

Now, with Musk confirming the removal of repost and like buttons from posts, he will institute another change he's long wanted to make.

"Next, we'll remove all the action buttons with their superfluous interaction counts from the main timeline," Musk posted in a subscriber-only post on X in October of last year. "Just view count will show, unless you tap into a post."

It's worth noting that during that same month, Musk also had X developers remove headlines from article links shared within posts because he didn't like how it looked aesthetically. That change was also roundly critiqued by X users.

Less than two months later, X ended up bringing headlines back to posts which included links to articles, albeit with a slightly different design.

Could we see the same thing happen with repost and like buttons if removing them turns out to be disastrous? Seems like it.

In the replies to one of his biggest supporters on X who argued for giving the change a chance, Musk affirmed that they'd change it back if it didn't work out.

Tweet may have been deleted

"If it sucks that bad, they will change it back," the X user said.

"Yeah," replied Musk.

Judge Backs Challenge to F.T.C.’s Noncompete Ban, at Least for Now

NYT Technology - Wed, 07/03/2024 - 18:22
Granting an injunction to several plaintiffs, a judge said the Federal Trade Commission’s pending ban on noncompete agreements was unlikely to prevail.

Proton Drive: It's like Google Docs, but with end-to-end encryption

Mashable - Wed, 07/03/2024 - 16:06

Those who might want to get out from under Google's ecosystem got some good news from Proton on Wednesday.

Specifically, the privacy-focused software company's Proton Drive suite of products got a new one in the form of a shared text editor called Proton Docs. Proton Drive's text editor looks very similar to Google Docs, in that multiple people can edit a document together in real-time with robust editing tools. But, per Proton, this editor has end-to-end encryption on everything, including cursor movements.

SEE ALSO: Apple will reportedly announce a partnership with Google at iPhone 16 event

Proton claims this is the first "major document editor" with E2E encryption turned on by default. The announcement blog post also has bolded text to warn that data you store in something like Google Drive "may even be used to train AI in the future." While Google doesn't currently use your Docs to train its AI models (per The Verge), Proton seems to be positioning itself as a company that will never do that, as opposed to one that might someday.

Regardless, Proton Docs is free as long as you make a Proton Drive account.

Early Kindle deals you can get ahead of Prime Day 2024

Mashable - Wed, 07/03/2024 - 15:50
Best Prime Day Kindle deals Best overall deal Kindle Scribe Essentials Bundle $329.00 (Save $201) Get Deal Best Kindle deal with bundled charger Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition Essentials Bundle $237.97 (Save $20.00) Get Deal Best Kindle deal for kids Kindle Paperwhite Kids $319.98 (Save $20 when you purchase two) Get Deal

Amazon Prime Day is over a week away, but the deals have already started rolling in. If you're a reader looking to finally make the jump to e-readers, or you already have a Kindle in need of an upgrade, we've got good news for you: Some Prime Day Kindle deals are already live ahead of the official day. A lot of deals are yet to come as we inch closer to Prime Day, but if you're in a hurry to get a Kindle right away, you can still save some cash with the active deals right now. Apple's iPads are also discounted right now, and so are some other tablets if you want a device for more than reading.

SEE ALSO: Everything you need to know about Prime Day 2024

As much as we love the feel of physical books, a Kindle just makes more sense nowadays, especially if you like to read on the go, read between books before you finish them, or have a back-up book on deck. If you're going through books too quickly, an e-reader that can store hundreds of books, while being easy on your eyes and not needing to be plugged in all the time might be the ideal option for you.

There hasn't been a new Kindle model since the 2022 entry-level Amazon Kindle refresh, so we'd love to expect greater discounts than ever before. However, we saw the lowest price ever on the Kindle Paperwhite last Prime Day, and then smaller discounts for Amazon's October Prime Day and Black Friday. So, we're not expecting record-low prices this summer — at least not on the Kindle Paperwhite. While the discounts on all of the Kindle models haven't been unveiled just yet, here are the best Prime Day Kindle deals you can get right this moment.

Best overall Kindle deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle Scribe Essentials Bundle $329.00
$529.97 Save $200.97 Get Deal Why we like it

Prime Day will bring more Kindle deals, but this Kindle Scribe Essentials Bundle is the biggest discount you can get on a Kindle right now. The bundle includes the Kindle Scribe (2022 release), which otherwise starts at $339.99, for the 16GB configuration with a Basic Pen. This deal, instead, has the 64GB model with a Premium Pen, the Brush Print Leather Folio Cover with Magnetic Attach, and a power adapter bundled together for $329. It's a no-brainer if you've been considering the Scribe, but note that the expected shipping timelines says two to four months, so this may take some time to arrive, unlike this Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition Essentials Bundle.

Best Kindle deal with bundled charger Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition Essentials Bundle $237.97
$257.97 Save $20.00 Get Deal Why we like it

This Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition bundle comes with the Kindle device, a fabric cover, and a wireless charging dock. Usually a $258 value, this bundle is currently $20 off. It's not the biggest discount, but the wireless dock will add a layer of conveniece to your Kindle experience, which means you're better off spending some cash to get this bundle instead of the standalone device. If you're looking for a Kindle for your kids, however, you can get $20 off on the Kindle Paperwhite Kids when you buy two.

Best Kindle deal for kids Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Kids $319.98 at Amazon
$339.98 Save $20.00 Save $20 when you purchase two Get Deal Why we like it

This Kindle Paperwhite Kids is an excellent Kindle for kids, but if you've got two kids you want to gift a Kindle to, you can save $20 with this deal right now. The best part is that this Kindle doesn't get access to apps, videos, or games, making for a distraction-free reading device for your kids. You also get a cover.

Apple will reportedly announce a partnership with Google at iPhone 16 event

Mashable - Wed, 07/03/2024 - 15:16

As Apple prepares to launch its suite of AI features (i.e., Apple Intelligence), the iPhone maker has been meeting with a number of companies in the AI space.

One company Apple might ink a deal with is Google, one of its biggest competitors in the mobile space.

According to a new report from Bloomberg's Apple insider Mark Gurman, Apple will announce the addition of Google Gemini on iPhones at its annual event in September. 

SEE ALSO: Apple reportedly paid OpenAI zero dollars for its ChatGPT partnership Apple chooses Google over Meta for AI?

This year's fall Apple event will see not only the introduction of the new iPhone 16, but also the launch of Apple Intelligence built into the new iOS 18. Apple already announced a partnership with OpenAI at its annual WWDC event in June.

Genmoji, one of the Apple Intelligence features, was announced at WWDC 2024. Credit: Apple

However, Apple is reportedly looking to provide users with a choice of multiple AI models in addition to Apple Intelligence. (Alternative models will be used if Apple Intelligence isn't the right fit for a particular AI task.)

Along with OpenAI, Apple has reportedly held talks with other leaders in the AI space such as Google, Anthropic, and Meta. Gurman reported back in March that Apple and Google had met to discuss integrating Google's Gemini AI model into Apple's upcoming AI features. It seems those talks went well as Gurman expects Apple to announce the Gemini integration in September.

However, according to Gurman, the dialogue between Apple and Meta regarding its Llama AI model didn't go as swimmingly. Apple reportedly has reservations about partnering with Facebook and Instagram's parent company. Gurman says that Meta reached out to Apple in order to spur conversation about Llama integrations in iOS, but Apple wasn't interested in a formal meeting with the company to discuss any further.

Apple has long criticized Meta's privacy practices and those concerns seem to have played a role in Apple passing on Meta's AI offerings. In addition, Gurman says Apple just doesn't view Meta's AI models as being as good as what OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic has to offer.

Apple's entrance into the AI space has been quite late compared to its competitors. However, Apple's dominance in the mobile space has worked in its favor. Gurman reported last month that Apple and OpenAI did not exchange any money as part of its AI partnership. Instead OpenAI will service Apple customers in exchange for mass distribution on Apple's devices. In addition, Apple Fellow Phil Schiller was given an observer spot on OpenAI's board.

It remains to be seen what Apple and Google's AI partnership will look like, but we won't have to wait too long to find out. Apple's traditional September event for iPhone is just a few months away.

Vernestra has to be Qimir's old Jedi Master in 'The Acolyte,' right?

Mashable - Wed, 07/03/2024 - 14:18

The mysteries keep piling up on The Acolyte.

Between twin shenanigans, secret Sith Lords, and what really happened on Brendok, we've already got a lot on our plates. But as of episode 6, "Teach/Corrupt," a new question enters the fray: Who was Qimir/the Stranger's (Manny Jacinto) Jedi Master?

SEE ALSO: 'The Acolyte' review: Just what Star Wars needs

As the Stranger tells Osha (Amandla Stenberg) in their first (and frankly, very sexy) confrontation following the bloodbath on Khofar, he used to be a Jedi. But according to him, the Order threw him away — just like they did with Osha. Among those who tossed him aside was his old Jedi Master, who left some nasty scars on his back.

And just who could that Master be? There's only one answer: Vernestra Rwoh (Rebecca Henderson).

When discussing the Stranger's scars, Osha says they look like the Stranger was stabbed in the back. But really, they look more like he was whipped. Guess who we see wielding a lightsaber whip in the very next scene? None other than Vernestra.

Tweet may have been deleted

It's only for a split second, when she dispatches an umbramoth on Khofar. Yet it's enough to draw a connection between Vernestra's weapon and the Stranger's scars. Both story elements being introduced in the same episode simply can't be a coincidence.

The Acolyte has been fairly obvious in all its big reveals up until this point, and that's by design. As creator Leslye Headland told Entertainment Weekly about the Stranger reveal: "I think a good twist is not about hiding everything from the audience and then throwing it on them like, 'Hey, this is what you didn't see! We hid it so well that you didn't see this!' I think a good twist is telegraphing what's going to happen, and then once it does, executing it without an ounce of pity or sentimentality."

In the case of Vernestra being the Stranger's old Master, the lightsaber whip and unique scars are solid cases of telegraphing. However, they're far from the only ones. She's been highly secretive about how she and Sol (Lee Jung-jae) are handling the new Sith threat. Not only is she overseeing the operation herself, she's also seemingly not told anyone else about sending Sol to Khofar, let alone why she did it. Plus, Henderson is playing Vernestra's worry as if she already knows more about the situation than she's letting on.

Like the emotional baggage Sol is still carrying about Brendok, Vernestra is carrying something of her own. And you can bet that when we learn more about their pasts, we'll see the true limits of the Jedi Order.

The Acolyte is now streaming on Disney+, with a new episode every Tuesday at 9 p.m. ET.

The pink Google Pixel 9 resurfaces in another video leak — but the screen is turned on this time

Mashable - Wed, 07/03/2024 - 13:26

Google hasn't officially shown anyone the Pixel 9 yet, but two leaks in one week have given us the most exciting news we could possibly get about it: that it will be available in pink.

Per Neowin, a Reel video uploaded to Facebook by a channel called "Reparation mobile 23" appears to show a pink Google Pixel 9 model with the screen turned on.

Pink Google Pixel 9: Everything we know so far

The video gives us a glimpse of the Home Settings menu and the opening animation for the Gmail app.

But combined with a previous video from this week showcasing the pink Pixel 9 without a screen turned on, it sure feels like the pink model is going to be a real thing.

SEE ALSO: Google's greenhouse gas emissions have jumped, and AI is a big cause

Another factor pointing to authenticity is that these two videos are from entirely different sources, but show the same device. In both videos, the pink Pixel 9 has rounded edges, a glossy back, and the same horizontal camera bar that looks distinct from previous Pixel phones.

Google will presumably show off the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro at a "Made By Google" event on Aug. 13.

How "The Imaginary" writer Yoshiaki Nishimura made an English and a Japanese version of the film

Mashable - Wed, 07/03/2024 - 12:55
"The Imaginary" writer Yoshiaki Nishimura discusses his process for creating the film's imagery and how he created both and English version and a Japanese version.

Save up to $250 on an M1 iPad Air with this 4th of July deal at Best Buy

Mashable - Wed, 07/03/2024 - 12:54

UP TO $250 OFF: As of July 3, you can get a 10.9-inch M1 Apple iPad Air (256GB, WiFi) for $499.99 at Best Buy, which is $250 off its normal price of $749.99. The 64GB model is on sale for $200 off as well.

Opens in a new window Credit: Best Buy 10.9-inch M1 Apple iPad Air (256GB, WiFi) $499.99 at Best Buy
$749.99 Save $250.00 Get Deal

Amazon's Prime Day sale is coming up fast, but you don't have to wait until it's live to scoop up savings on the big-ticket items you've been waiting to buy. Plenty of retailers are holding their own sales right now to celebrate the 4th of July, with everything on sale from outdoor gear to laptops to mattresses. Case in point: Best Buy's 4th of July sale is offering significant price cuts on iPads that you won't want to miss out on.

As of July 3, you can get the 10.9-inch M1 Apple iPad Air (256GB, WiFi) for $499.99. That's $250 off its regular price of $749.99. You could also opt for the 64GB version, which is $200 off, making it $399.99. It normally sells for $599.99.

SEE ALSO: Prime members can grab the Amazon Fire HD 8 tablet for under $55

This iPad is the lightest of them all, with a 10.9-inch liquid retina display, an M1 chip, and 256GB of storage. It comes equipped with a 12MP wide angle camera, a 12MP ultra-wide front camera, and support for the Apple Pencil, in case you're itching to jot down some notes or doodle on the go. Its battery lasts all day even with heavy use, and it also supports the Magic Keyboard in case you need to transform your iPad into a mobile workstation to get some stuff done on the go.

If you're in the market for a new tablet, an iPad is always a good choice – especially when you can save some significant cash on it. Don't skip out on this sale while it's still live.

Prime members can grab the Amazon Fire HD 8 tablet for under $55

Mashable - Wed, 07/03/2024 - 12:24

SAVE 58%: Amazon Prime members can get the Amazon Fire HD 8 tablet (64GB) for just $54.99, marked down from the normal price of $129.99. That's a savings of $75 and the lowest price we've ever seen.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire HD 8 tablet (64GB) $54.99 at Amazon
$129.99 Save $75.00 Prime-member exclusive deal Get Deal

Prime Day is still a couple of weeks away, but Amazon is already aiming to impress — and we're not complaining. If you've been trudging along with a tired tablet, it's likely time for an upgrade. And thanks to Amazon's early Prime Day offerings, a new tablet can arrive at your doorstep for a whole lot less.

As of July 3, the Amazon Fire HD 8 tablet (64GB) is on sale for Prime members for just $54.99, on sale from the normal price of $129.99. That's a savings of $75 or a 58% discount. The Prime-exclusive sale price is the lowest we've ever seen offered on the Fire HD 8 tablet.

SEE ALSO: Save up to 50% on camping gear, Kindles, robot vacuums, and more during the Amazon 4th of July sale

We're already seeing some great tablet deals ahead of Prime Day 2024, and if you're in the market for a budget-friendly option, the Amazon Fire HD 8 is a great bet. Sure, it's not the best tablet on the market, but at a sale price of under $55, it's a solid device at a rock-bottom price. The sale price makes this a great tablet for a recent high-school grad or as a learning device for kids on summer break.

The tablet has an 8-inch screen, which means it'll be a serious upgrade from watching shows on your phone, but it'll remain travel-friendly and easily slip into your backpack or tote bag. Amazon mentions the tablet can get up to 13 hours of battery life, so you should be good to go for the day or stay powered for that international flight.

With 64GB of storage space, you'll be able to download plenty of your favorite Netflix or Hulu shows. If that's not quite enough space to accommodate your favorite apps, podcasts, and audiobooks, the tablet can accept a 1TB expansion via the microSD slot.

When it comes to multitasking on the Amazon Fire HD 8, the split-screen is up for the task, so you can continue watching a show while browsing the web.

Keep in mind this deal is exclusive for Amazon Prime members. Membership costs $14.99 per month or $139 annually, so you'll want to be signed up and logged in to snag the sale price. Prime members will also have access to sweet invite-only deals for big-ticket items on Prime Day.

Score the Amazon Fire HD 8 for the incredibly low sale price of $54.99 as an early Prime Day treat. Or grab a few and surprise your family members who have been complaining of a slow tablet. At the lowest price we've ever seen, it might even be wise to snag a couple to stash away as holiday gifts come December.

Best Buy's 4th of July sale: Save big on iPads, laptops, and more

Mashable - Wed, 07/03/2024 - 12:16

SAVE UP TO $300: Score discounts on iPads, laptops, TVs, and other must-have tech during Best Buy's 4th of July sale.

Our top picks: Best iPad deal 10.9-inch M1 Apple iPad Air (64GB, WiFi) $399.99 at Best Buy (save $200) Get Deal Best laptop deal 14-inch Apple MacBook Pro (M3 Pro, 18GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $1,699 at Best Buy (save $300) Get Deal Best TV deal Insignia 50-inch Class F30 Series 4K UHD Smart Fire TV $189.99 at Best Buy (save $110) Get Deal

Best Buy is a top destination for all things tech. It’s one of the best places to get gaming consoles, laptops, iPads, and so much more (including the fancy coffee pot I bought my mom this past Christmas).

While Best Buy does a pretty good job of keeping its prices semi-affordable throughout the year, the retailer pulls out all the stops for its major holiday sales, including the 4th of July.

SEE ALSO: The best 4th of July deals are already happening — here's what you need to know

This year, Best Buy’s 4th of July sale features deals on everything from major appliances (up to $960 off select refrigerators) to small kitchen gadgets to high-end electronics. And, if you’re a My Best Buy member, you’ll save even more. But you’d better hurry: This sale ends Sunday (which means you still have time to hit the beach or have a backyard BBQ and shop in between).

Here are some of the best deals you can find during Best Buy’s 4th of July sale:

Best iPad deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Our pick: 10.9-inch M1 Apple iPad Air (64GB, WiFi) $399.99 at Best Buy
$599.99 Save $200.00 Get Deal Why we like it

If you’ve had your eye on an iPad but couldn’t justify the cost, now’s the time to pull out your wallet. As of July 3, you can get a 64GB iPad Air (5th gen) for just $399.99 — that’s $200 off the listing price, and the best deal we’ve seen on this model since May 14. If you need more storage space, the 256GB model is on sale for $499.99 ($250 off the listing price).

This iPad features a 10.9-inch liquid retina display, an M1 chip, and an all-day battery life. It’s ideal for browsing the web during your pre-bedtime routine, catching up on the latest shows, or even getting some work done on the go.

More tablet deals: Best laptop deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Our pick: 14-inch Apple MacBook Pro (M3 Pro, 18GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $1,699.00 at Best Buy
$1,999.00 Save $300.00 Get Deal Why we like it

iPads are great for browsing the web, playing mindless games like Candy Crush, and watching Netflix. But if you need to get some real work done, you'll want a laptop — and during Best Buy's 4th of July sale, you can snag a 14-inch Apple MacBook Pro (M3 Pro, 18GB RAM, 512GB SSD) for $1,699, down from $1,999. So, $300 off the original price.

This MacBook Pro is a powerhouse with an M3 Pro chip, up to 18 hours of battery life, and up to 36GB of unified memory. It has a 14.2-inch liquid retina XDR display and a Magic Keyboard with Touch ID, and it can sync with your other Apple devices.

More laptop deals: Best TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: Insignia Our pick: Insignia 50-inch Class F30 Series 4K UHD Smart Fire TV $189.99 at Best Buy
$299.99 Save $110.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Right now, you can get the Insignia 50-inch Class F30 Series 4K UHD Smart Fire TV for just $189.99, down from $299.99. That’s $110 off the listing price and a damn good deal if you ask us.

This TV has a 2160p resolution, Alexa voice control, and thousands of movies and episodes available through Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and Netflix. It also supports Apple AirPlay, so you can mirror content from your iPhone or iPad.

More TV deals:

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