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Severance fans, if you've ever wanted to read the wise words of Dr. Ricken Hale (Michael Chernus) for yourself, you're in luck. On Jan. 31, Apple Books released the first eight chapters of The You You Are: A Spiritual Biography of You, Ricken's self-help book that spurred Lumon Industries' Innies to action in Severance Season 1.
These are available in ebook format, or in audiobook format, with Chernus himself narrating.
The You You Are is the second Severance companion book to be released, with the first being 2022's The Lexington Letter. While The Lexington Letter is an epistolary thriller diving deep into Lumon's secrets, The You You Are is a mix of self-improvement advice and cringe comedy. What else would you expect from Ricken, who famously hosted a dinnerless dinner party?
SEE ALSO: 4 fascinating things we learned from the 'Severance' companion bookApple Books' excerpt features several memorable lines from The You You Are that we heard in Season 1, like "they cannot crucify you if your hand is in a fist" and "a society with festering workers cannot flourish, just as a man with rotting toes cannot skip." Even "Destiny, An Acrostic Poem Experience" makes an appearance.
But the first eight chapters of The You You Are also flesh out our understanding of the often-infuriating Ricken, as well as give us more clues about the broader world of Severance. From Ricken's backstory to Lumon's interference in his work, here are four fascinating things we learned from The You You Are.
Lumon doesn't want people reading The You You Are. Zach Cherry, Adam Scott, and John Turturro in "Severance." Credit: AppleTV+In Season 2, episode 3 of Severance, Ricken tells his wife Devon (Jen Tullock) that he is working with Lumon to write a version of The You You Are specifically for Innies. Of course, that version will completely undermine the original book's themes, but for Ricken, this is too big an opportunity to pass up.
Apple's released version of The You You Are goes one step further, implying that Lumon has completely derailed the publication of Ricken's work. In an introductory note, Ricken writes, "As you know, the book was meant to release nationwide this week, and I was deeply eager to share its splendors with you. Unfortunately, events beyond my control have led to a brief delay as I liaise with several corporate parties as to precisely where and in what form the book should be released."
SEE ALSO: I went to the 'Severance' pop-up in Grand Central. It was wild.Sounds like this is Lumon in crisis management mode following the events of the Season 1 finale.
Ricken goes on to say that he negotiated for the release of the first eight chapters. (According to Season 1, there are at least 29 chapters.) That means we miss out on the context for such banger lines from Season 1 like "bullies are just bull and lies" or "it was not me who was wrong, but literature itself." Here's hoping we'll get the last chapters by the end of Season 2 — or perhaps tied to a future season?
Ricken has a truly wild backstory. Patricia Arquette, Michael Chernus, and Jen Tullock in "Severance." Credit: AppleTV+The You You Are is required reading for anyone who has ever wondered, "why is Ricken so insufferable?" (I know I have.)
The answer began at birth, the circumstances of which make for such a bizarre passage I simply have to include it in its entirety:
Readers of my previous books know that both my conception and birth took place in a small theatre behind a defunct perfumery in Western Oregon, as part of a nine-month performance art piece originated by my parents titled "Smells Like Afterbirth, F**ker." It was noteworthy in that I was the first child sired exclusively for theatrical purposes, and critics at the time hailed it as "a baroque deconstruction of the increasingly perverse human urge to procreate."
SEE ALSO: The cast of 'Severance' on getting lost in the ever-expanding hallways of LumonRicken writes that his parents (whose performance group is called HumpDumpster) held a Boston bar hostage at gunpoint as one of their next pieces, resulting in a prison sentence and in Ricken spending much of his youth alone. The information, equal parts tragic and hilarious, proves enlightening. No wonder Ricken seeks connection with others in pretentious artsy circles.
The You You Are is full of other Ricken stories, including way too much information about his sex life, as well as some tidbits about Mark (Adam Scott) and Gemma's (Dichen Lachman) lives before Gemma's death and entrapment in Lumon.
Mark and Gemma show up in The You You Are — kind of. Michael Chernus and Adam Scott in "Severance." Credit: AppleTV+Ricken explores his relationship with Mark and Gemma throughout The You You Are. He refers to them under the pseudonyms of Flip and Nan, because they wanted their real names left out of his book. (Can you blame them?)
In one anecdote, Ricken writes about him, Devon, Mark, and Gemma going on a hike — a story he brings up to Innie Mark in the Season 1 finale, asking him, "you remember the funny bees?"
The "funny bees," we learn in The You You Are, came from a wild beehive that Ricken found both hilarious and a commentary on human society. But perhaps the most intriguing detail from the hiking story is what we hear about Gemma from Ricken. From the sound of it, they had far more of a bond than he currently has with Mark. He says the two of them read Doctor Zhivago during a lunch break on the hike, and that she entertained his bee theory while Devon and Mark mocked it.
These instances could simply be Ricken projecting kindness onto Gemma, something we see in a later story about her texting him that she is enjoying a "self-produced Tuvan throat singing album" he gave her for her birthday. (What a gift!) After Gemma's death, a grieving Mark tells Ricken that he and Gemma laughed at it. But, Ricken ponders, was the laughter playful or cruel? Either way, it colors what he thought of his interactions with Gemma in life, making for a surprisingly sad scene in a book that is otherwise full of Ricken's nonsense.
The fact that Mark plays such a large role in The You You Are adds a new layer to his Innie finding so much meaning in it. There's no way he could have known the "Flip" passages were about his Outie, but it's surreal to think of him learning about memories only one part of him knows. Plus, it adds more weight to Ricken's sadness at Outie Mark not having read the book. The You You Are isn't just an exercise in Ricken's ego — it's also partly an exploration of his grief about Gemma, and perhaps his own strange way of extending an olive branch to Mark.
The You You Are has a Lexington Letter Easter egg. Jen Tullock and Michael Chernus in "Severance." Credit: AppleTV+In a blink-and-you'll-miss-it passage, The You You Are mentions "the Dorner truck explosion" as the reason Devon and Ricken finally moved away from the city. The Dorner truck explosion plays a key role in The Lexington Letter, with Dorner referring to Lumon competitor Dorner Therapeutics.
SEE ALSO: 'Severance' Season 2: What is Cold Harbor?The Lexington Letter follows former severed Lumon employee Peggy Kincaid, who finds a way past to bypass Lumon's code detectors and communicate with her Innie. From their written conversations, Peggy learns that she completed a file just two minutes before a Dorner truck blew up in New York City. Was this just a coincidence, or had the Lumon file triggered the explosion?
The You You Are doesn't offer any further information on the subject, but its brief mention here highlights the impact the Dorner truck explosion had on the wider world of Severance. Perhaps it's only a matter of time before it's announced on the show itself.
The You You Are is free and available for download on Apple Books. Severance Season 2 is now streaming on Apple TV+, with a new episode every Friday.
Elon Musk and his allies in the federal government are at it again — this time, taking aim at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
According to a CNN report, the chaos kicked off late Saturday night when two senior USAID officials refused to let Musk-linked personnel access the agency’s offices, blocking what appeared to be an attempt to grab sensitive and possibly classified information. Their reward: administrative leave. Now, the future of USAID is hanging by a thread.
SEE ALSO: Elon Musk seizes computer system, locks out senior government officialsUSAID oversees billions in global aid, funding NGOs that fight poverty, famine, and disasters. As an agency rooted in distributing resources to the world’s most vulnerable, it has become a natural target for Musk and President Donald Trump. The duo has already attempted to dismantle social safety nets like FAFSA and SNAP, but federal judges have stopped them.
Previous Trump executive orders targeting the agency have already delayed critical relief shipments and frozen funding for NGOs operating in crisis zones. Last week, it was reported that 60 senior staff in USAID were accused of attempting to circumvent the executive order on foreign aid. According to Secretary of State Marco Rubio justifying the freeze, he said "The U.S. government is not a charity."
With its leadership sidelined and systems compromised, the ability to deliver life-saving aid will once again be in serious jeopardy.
Musk, CEO of X (formerly Twitter), has been on a posting spree, using his platform to justify and denigrate his takeover of USAID. He’s called the agency "evil," a "criminal organization," and a "viper’s nest of radical-left Marxists who hate America."
Tweet may have been deletedMusk and his allies in the Office of Personnel Management have already seized control of computer systems within the U.S. Treasury — the agency that processes $6 trillion in payments, essentially the entire federal budget. And to call a spade a spade (or a Nazi a Nazi), what Musk and his team are doing is illegal. Under the guise of budget-cutting, he has effectively taken control of which organizations and programs get funded.
If he or Trump decides that certain groups — or even competitors — don’t deserve money, they can shut them out entirely. It’s a blatant violation of Congress’ power of the purse, and it demands immediate attention.
Right now, USAID is in limbo. A source told CNN that the agency’s entire public affairs office has been placed on leave and locked out of their systems.
A bombshell report from Reuters has revealed that Elon Musk has locked U.S. government officials out of key data systems containing personal information on millions of federal employees.
According to the report, which cites two anonymous federal agents, senior officials at the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) suddenly lost access to crucial department databases. The move reportedly stems from Musk’s leadership at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a role assigned to him by former President Donald Trump to "curb government spending."
SEE ALSO: Why Elon Musk is part of the controversy involving D.C.'s deadly plane crashDespite DOGE’s limited authority over OPM and other federal agencies, a "team of current and former" Musk employees have embedded themselves deep within the agency since Trump took office on Jan. 20. Since the inauguration DOGE has morphed from a non-governement advisory panel into the rebranded tech unit inside the White House.
According to the report, the team set up sofa beds in the OPM Director’s office to work around the clock, securing access to a massive database known as Enterprise Human Resources Integration. This system holds sensitive information, including birth dates, Social Security numbers, performance appraisals, home addresses, pay grades, and service records of government employees.
As a result, tracking Musk and his allies’ activities within OPM has become significantly more difficult.
This comes as Trump and Musk push for all 2.2 million federal employees to accept deferred resignations, aiming to replace them with MAGA loyalists. Meanwhile, on Friday, David A. Lebryk, the highest-ranking career official at the Treasury Department, reportedly resigned after refusing to grant Musk’s operatives access to the government’s entire payment system — responsible for processing $6 trillion in payments annually.
Musk’s exact motivations for seeking unfettered access to the Treasury Department and government personnel databases remain unclear. However, his actions suggest a push for sweeping control over federal systems, granting him unprecedented influence under the guise of cutting $2 billion from government spending.
With access to these systems, Musk could bypass legal hurdles and potentially shut off funding for social programs opposed by him and Trump, further expanding his grip on federal operations.
The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.
With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.
So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on MashableHere are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Sunday, February 2, 2025:
AcrossPunxsutawney ___, Groundhog Day characterThe answer is Phil.
The answer is Heron.
The answer is Image.
The answer is Latex.
The answer is Nest.
The answer is Phil.
The answer is He man.
The answer is Irate.
The answer is Loges.
The answer is Next.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of GamesAre you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Mini Crossword.
When NASA launched a spacecraft to an asteroid, scientists patiently waited for their chance to look at bits of the space rock in a laboratory, hoping it would answer some of humanity's most enduring questions.
For Danny Glavin, a senior sample scientist, he wanted to solve a relentless mystery in his life's work: Why are all known living things only based on the left-handed forms of amino acids, the molecules that build proteins?
His moment arrived nearly a decade later. Glavin and a team of researchers probed the grit from Bennu, a carbon-rich asteroid made of loosely bound boulders, but what they found threw them a curveball. Rather than supporting one of the leading hypotheses — that the early solar system favored the left-handed variety and brought those ingredients to primitive Earth — it showed no favoritism at all.
"I have to admit, I was a little disillusioned or disappointed," Glavin said. "I felt like this invalidated 20 years of research in our lab and my career."
SEE ALSO: NASA's asteroid sample reveals key chemistry that could lead to life Researcher Jason Dworkin holds up a vial containing a Bennu sample. Credit: NASA / James TralieMany amino acids, whether they're used in biology or not, come in two mirror-image forms. Each molecule has a central carbon atom with other atom groups attached, oriented in one direction or the reverse. This property, called chirality, is like a left and right hand: They're similar, but if you stacked them, the thumbs would be hitchhiking opposite ways.
In Earth life, the amino acids are always "left-handed," and sugars, which partly make up the backbone of DNA, are always right-handed, giving the double helix its signature twist to the right. The homogeneity found among both is especially confounding to scientists because the left and right-handed versions of all these molecules are equally available in nonliving chemical mixes.
Practically speaking, if all biological molecules took the reverse form, that might work just fine. So if life could have taken the other path, why didn't it? Is uniform "handedness" a secret ingredient in the recipe for life, and more specifically, did it have to turn left? Did the bias toward left-handed amino acids begin in the cosmos, or did it happen later on this planet?
"A fundamental question for all of us is whether life had to be the way it is," said Iris Chen, professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering at UCLA, who wasn't involved in the asteroid study. "Is the universe predisposed to our kind of life, or is our biology the result of accidents and chance?"
NASA chose carbon-rich asteroid Bennu to study the chemical origins of life. Credit: NASAScientists knew early on they would use the material collected by NASA's $800 million OSIRIS-Rex mission, short for Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, and Security-Regolith Explorer, to analyze the "handedness" of individual amino acids. Bennu's mineral fragments could be older than the 4.6 billion-year-old solar system. These grains of stardust could have come from dying stars or supernovas that eventually led to the creation of the sun and planets.
To do their study, they brewed a sort of "Bennu tea," boiling a small amount of the rocks and dust in water and acids to extract organic compounds. Then they used mass spectrometry techniques to identify organic molecules, including 14 of the 20 amino acids life uses to build proteins, which carry out genetic instructions. Some of the latest findings were published this week in the journal Nature Astronomy.
"I have to admit, I was a little disillusioned or disappointed. I felt like this invalidated 20 years of research in our lab and my career."Over the past few decades, researchers have found that meteorites — rocks that have traveled space and crash-landed on Earth — have had a higher concentration of left-handed amino acids than right-handed ones, in the neighborhood of 60 percent more. Perhaps space rocks delivered the compounds that then underwent chemical reactions near Earth's deep-sea vents to form the first cells. The rest is evolution, perhaps.
Those results, coupled with the knowledge that space rocks have bombarded the planet for eons, have led scientists to believe ancient asteroids, the solar system's time capsules, would also reveal more left-handed amino acids. If the solar system indeed harbors more lefties, perhaps polarized light in space was the culprit. A slight favoritism in the environment could turn into a larger disparity over time.
Scientists think meteorites and planetary body collisions may have delivered origins of life chemistry to early Earth, including left-handed amino acids. Credit: NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center Conceptual Image Lab illustrationBut the Bennu researchers found lefties and righties comingling equally. Now Glavin wonders if the previous studies on meteorites are invalid, perhaps contaminated with Earth proteins when they fell to the ground. Jason Dworkin, project scientist for the OSIRIS-Rex mission, thinks there may be a different reason for Bennu bucking the trend.
"Bennu is an example of one type of future meteorite which is too fragile to survive landing on Earth, and so it's not really in our collections," Dworkin said.
Maybe the reality is that life's design was determined by a coin flip. Once a successful pattern was established, the template continued through evolution. Proteins and enzymes, tiny drivers inside cells, fit together like a jigsaw puzzle. If life emerged with left-handed amino acids, switching to right-handed amino acids later might have stopped everything from working. There are vast advantages to uniformity: If people were based on right-handed amino acids, they wouldn't be able to eat and digest plants or animal products based on left-handed amino acids.
Researchers have made mirror versions of biological proteins with right-handed amino acids in a lab. They function similarly, but they're much harder to destroy. Enzymes that would typically break them down are rendered useless. Like your hair dryer on an international vacation, the tool won't work if the plug and outlet don't match.
A diagram of a left-handed and right-handed version of an amino acid from a meteorite. Credit: NASA illustrationSome scientists considering the implications of this problem have expressed concerns about the future development of mirror cells in laboratories. If people became infected with harmful mirror bacteria, their immune systems might be defenseless, unable to wage any sort of counterattack. A group of biologists recently wrote an extensive paper on the risks, as reported by The New York Times.
Despite Glavin's disappointment that Bennu didn't present a chirality bias, the research continues. He and his collaborators plan to study more samples of the asteroid to investigate other amino acids' handedness.
And there might be a silver lining: Some astrobiologists have proposed using disproportionate handedness of molecules as a biosignature. An even mix of both types in an extraterrestrial sample might suggest molecules were made chemically without the involvement of living things. But an excess of one type could be a clue for alien life.
"Frankly, it actually might make the search for life easier in some respects because we don't have this risk potentially of a false positive," Glavin said. "We (could) believe that if there's an amplification of one or the other, that there may be biology behind it."
A robotic spacecraft has beamed home crisp videos and snapshots of Earth eclipsing the moon.
Though lunar eclipses generally aren't that unusual — stargazers can watch Earth's shadow obscuring the moon a few times a year — this was different.
Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost lander, a private spacecraft hired by NASA to take experiments to the moon, got a rare front-row seat of the spectacle in space. The phenomenon occurred when the blue marble came between the moon and the spacecraft.
Blue Ghost, named after an exotic species of firefly, captured the below footage while flying laps around Earth as it gears up for its first attempt at a lunar touchdown. Almost two weeks ago, the spacecraft witnessed another majestic moment when Earth eclipsed the sun.
"Right now, we are in a period where we're mostly just coasting for the next week-and-a-half or so, until we do our (Trans Lunar Injection) maneuver," said Will Coogan, Blue Ghost's chief engineer, in a video update, referring to the step that puts the lander on a moonbound trajectory. "During that period, we're going to do a bunch of payload operations, continue with system checkouts, just make sure everything is precisely tuned before we do that."
SEE ALSO: Private moon spacecraft just took a breathtaking snapshot of Earth Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost lunar lander captures Earth on the horizon from its top deck, with the moon in the distant background. Credit: Firefly AerospaceFirefly's lander, originally scheduled to lift off in late 2024, is the first NASA Commercial Lunar Payload Services mission of the year. The program has invested $2.6 billion in contracts with vendors from the private sector to help deliver instruments to the moon and send back crucial data.
The company is carrying 10 experiments for the space agency. NASA wants to see a regular cadence of moon missions to prepare for astronaut-led Artemis expeditions in 2027 or later.
Once Blue Ghost escapes Earth's gravitational pull, it will take four days for it to arrive at the moon. The spacecraft will spend 16 days in lunar orbit before dropping to the surface, planned to happen on March 2. The descent is expected to last about one hour.
Watch this time-lapse video of Firefly's Blue Ghost lander capturing Earth eclipsing the moon.
Last week, after flying some 715,000 miles, the team completed test runs on a NASA experiment dubbed SCALPSS, short for Stereo Cameras for Lunar Plume-Surface Studies. It will observe the effects of engine plumes on lunar soil.
As lunar trips become more frequent, the space agency wants to understand the impact those landings will have on other close vehicles and instruments. Firefly successfully received high-resolution images from all six of the SCALPSS cameras.
Tweet may have been deleted"It's been kind of a perpetual grind. We've been working very hard to try and make this dream a reality," Coogan said. "The first images came down, and it forced everybody to pause and realize this thing we've been trying for, for all these years, is finally actually happening, and it's working."
The mission seems to be going smoothly so far, but the team hasn't encountered the hardest part yet. Landing on the moon is onerous. The moon's exosphere provides virtually no drag to slow a spacecraft down as it approaches the ground. Furthermore, there are no GPS systems on the moon to help guide a craft to its landing spot.
So far just one company, Intuitive Machines, has made the journey all the way through lunar touchdown. Its craft landed sideways near the moon's south pole in February 2024, still managing to operate from its awkward position.
TL;DR: Live stream Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA with FuboTV, Sling TV, or YouTube TV.
The Boston Celtics head to Wells Fargo Center to face the Philadelphia 76ers in an Eastern Conference matchup. The Celtics are 33-15, which puts the team in second place. The Sixers are 19-27, which puts the team in 11th place.
The Celtics have won three of their last five games, and are coming off a win over the Chicago Bulls. The Sixers have won four of their last five games, and all of those wins have come consecutively.
When is Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers?Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA starts at 6 p.m. ET on Feb. 2. This game takes place at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
This game will air on ESPN.
How to watch Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ersYou need to choose a streaming service to watch the NBA without cable or satellite TV. We've found some of the best streaming services to consider for the Celtics vs. Sixers basketball game.
Best for single game: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: Fubo TV FuboTV Pro Plan Get DealFuboTV offers you more than 250 channels of live TV and the option to watch on 10 screens at once. You can try FuboTV with a seven-day free trial period.
FuboTV’s sports channel offerings include ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, FOX, FS1, FS2, Golf Network, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.
Most live sports: YouTube TV Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube TV YouTube TV $49.99/month for your first two months (save $46) Get DealYouTube TV's base plan is $49.99 per month for two months for new subscribers ($72.99 per month regularly). The base plan includes over 100 live TV channels, including ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, Fox Sports 1, and NBA TV.
Most affordable: Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling TV Sling Orange Plan Get DealSling TV suggests the streamer's Orange Plan for the game, which costs $20 for the first month and $40 monthly after that.
Sling TV’s sports channels feature ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNews, ESPNU, FOX, FS1, FS2, NBA TV, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.
How to watch Celtics vs. Sixers from anywhere in the worldIf you're traveling outside of the U.S. during this game, you might need to use a VPN to unblock this live stream. VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server, meaning you can unblock live streams of the NBA from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers for free by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in the U.S.
Sign in to your favorite streaming app
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to live streams of the NBA without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for the NBA?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Live stream LA Clippers vs. Toronto Raptors in the NBA with FuboTV, Sling TV, or YouTube TV.
The LA Clippers head to Scotiabank Arena to face the Toronto Raptors in a non-conference matchup. The Clippers are 27-20, which puts the team in sixth place in the Western Conference. The Raptors are 15-32, which puts the team in 12th place in the Eastern Conference.
The Clippers have won three of their last five games, and are coming off a win over the San Antonio Spurs. The Raptors have won five games in a row.
When is LA Clippers vs. Toronto Raptors?LA Clippers vs. Toronto Raptors in the NBA starts at 3:30 p.m. ET on Feb. 2. This game takes place at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.
How to watch LA Clippers vs. Toronto RaptorsYou need to choose a streaming service to watch the NBA without cable or satellite TV. We've found some of the best streaming services to consider for the Clippers vs. Raptors basketball game.
Best for single game: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: Fubo TV FuboTV Pro Plan Get DealFuboTV offers you more than 250 channels of live TV and the option to watch on 10 screens at once. You can try FuboTV with a seven-day free trial period.
FuboTV’s sports channel offerings include ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, FOX, FS1, FS2, Golf Network, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.
Most live sports: YouTube TV Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube TV YouTube TV $49.99/month for your first two months (save $46) Get DealYouTube TV's base plan is $49.99 per month for two months for new subscribers ($72.99 per month regularly). The base plan includes over 100 live TV channels, including ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, Fox Sports 1, and NBA TV.
Most affordable: Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling TV Sling Orange Plan Get DealSling TV suggests the streamer's Orange Plan for the game, which costs $20 for the first month and $40 monthly after that.
Sling TV’s sports channels feature ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNews, ESPNU, FOX, FS1, FS2, NBA TV, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.
How to watch Clippers vs. Raptors from anywhere in the worldIf you're traveling outside of the U.S. during this game, you might need to use a VPN to unblock this live stream. VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server, meaning you can unblock live streams of the NBA from anywhere in the world.
Live stream LA Clippers vs. Toronto Raptors for free by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in the U.S.
Sign in to your favorite streaming app
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to live streams of the NBA without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream LA Clippers vs. Toronto Raptors before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for the NBA?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream LA Clippers vs. Toronto Raptors in the NBA with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Live stream Dallas Mavericks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA with FuboTV, Sling TV, or YouTube TV.
The Dallas Mavericks head to Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse to face the Cleveland Cavaliers in a non-conference matchup. The Mavs are 26-22, which puts the team in eighth place in the Western Conference. The Cavs are 39-9, which puts the team in first place in the Eastern Conference.
The Mavs have won three of their last five games, and are coming off back-to-back wins over the New Orleans Pelicans and Washington Wizards. The Cavs have also won three of their last five games, all of those wins have come consecutively.
When is Dallas Mavericks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers?Dallas Mavericks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA starts at 3:30 p.m. ET on Feb. 2. This game takes place at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland.
How to watch Dallas Mavericks vs. Cleveland CavaliersYou need to choose a streaming service to watch the NBA without cable or satellite TV. We've found some of the best streaming services to consider for the Mavs vs. Cavs basketball game.
Best for single game: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: Fubo TV FuboTV Pro Plan Get DealFuboTV offers you more than 250 channels of live TV and the option to watch on 10 screens at once. You can try FuboTV with a seven-day free trial period.
FuboTV’s sports channel offerings include ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, FOX, FS1, FS2, Golf Network, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.
Most live sports: YouTube TV Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube TV YouTube TV $49.99/month for your first two months (save $46) Get DealYouTube TV's base plan is $49.99 per month for two months for new subscribers ($72.99 per month regularly). The base plan includes over 100 live TV channels, including ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, Fox Sports 1, and NBA TV.
Most affordable: Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling TV Sling Orange Plan Get DealSling TV suggests the streamer's Orange Plan for the game, which costs $20 for the first month and $40 monthly after that.
Sling TV’s sports channels feature ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNews, ESPNU, FOX, FS1, FS2, NBA TV, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.
How to watch Mavs vs. Cavs from anywhere in the worldIf you're traveling outside of the U.S. during this game, you might need to use a VPN to unblock this live stream. VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server, meaning you can unblock live streams of the NBA from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Dallas Mavericks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers for free by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in the U.S.
Sign in to your favorite streaming app
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to live streams of the NBA without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream Dallas Mavericks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for the NBA?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream Dallas Mavericks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Live stream Chicago Bulls vs. Detroit Pistons in the NBA with FuboTV, Sling TV, or YouTube TV.
The Chicago Bulls head to Little Caesars Arena to face the Detroit Pistons in an Eastern Conference matchup. The Bulls are 20-28, which puts the team in 10th place. The Pistons are 23-24, which puts the team in eighth place.
The Bulls have lost three of their last five games, and are coming off a loss to the Boston Celtics. The Pistons have also lost three of their last five games, all of those losses have come consecutively.
When is Chicago Bulls vs. Detroit Pistons?Chicago Bulls vs. Detroit Pistons in the NBA starts at 3 p.m. ET on Feb. 2. This game takes place at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.
How to watch Chicago Bulls vs. Detroit PistonsYou need to choose a streaming service to watch the NBA without cable or satellite TV. We've found some of the best streaming services to consider for the Bulls vs. Pistons basketball game.
Best for single game: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: Fubo TV FuboTV Pro Plan Get DealFuboTV offers you more than 250 channels of live TV and the option to watch on 10 screens at once. You can try FuboTV with a seven-day free trial period.
FuboTV’s sports channel offerings include ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, FOX, FS1, FS2, Golf Network, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.
Most live sports: YouTube TV Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube TV YouTube TV $49.99/month for your first two months (save $46) Get DealYouTube TV's base plan is $49.99 per month for two months for new subscribers ($72.99 per month regularly). The base plan includes over 100 live TV channels, including ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, Fox Sports 1, and NBA TV.
Most affordable: Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling TV Sling Orange Plan Get DealSling TV suggests the streamer's Orange Plan for the game, which costs $20 for the first month and $40 monthly after that.
Sling TV’s sports channels feature ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNews, ESPNU, FOX, FS1, FS2, NBA TV, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.
How to watch Bulls vs. Pistons from anywhere in the worldIf you're traveling outside of the U.S. during this game, you might need to use a VPN to unblock this live stream. VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server, meaning you can unblock live streams of the NBA from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Chicago Bulls vs. Detroit Pistons for free by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in the U.S.
Sign in to your favorite streaming app
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to live streams of the NBA without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream Chicago Bulls vs. Detroit Pistons before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for the NBA?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream Chicago Bulls vs. Detroit Pistons in the NBA with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: For just $95.99 (reg. $159), this 6.8" Foldable Touchscreen Car Display brings Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to your car, offering voice control, app mirroring, and hands-free navigation.
Those of us with slightly older can get a little cranky without the tech conveniences of the newer cars. Fumbling with your phone for directions, skipping through playlists, or answering calls while driving can be as seamless as you'd get with a new car for just $95.99.
Whether commuting to work or hitting the road for a weekend getaway, this 6.8" Foldable Touchscreen Car Display upgrades your car’s dashboard into a smart, connected hub. Compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, this foldable screen wirelessly syncs with your phone to display your favorite apps.
Need directions? Let Siri or Google Assistant guide you. Want to switch playlists? Just use voice commands to keep your hands on the wheel. And with Bluetooth, FM transmission, or an AUX jack for audio, your music and calls will sound crystal clear.
The 1024x600 HD IPS screen ensures sharp visuals whether you’re navigating, watching a quick video during a pit stop, or just enjoying the view. It even supports a rearview camera to make parking less stressful.
Unlike expensive built-in car systems, this display doesn’t require professional installation — or a small fortune. At just $95.99, it’s a budget-friendly, DIY solution to bring smart tech into any vehicle. And with its foldable design, it’s as portable as it is convenient.
Don’t wait too long to upgrade your vehicle and stay connected, all while keeping safety in the driver’s seat.
Get the 6.8" Foldable Touchscreen Car Display while it's just $95.99 (reg. $159) for a little while longer.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Opens in a new window Credit: Mesay 6.8" Foldable Touchscreen Car Display with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto Support $95.99TL;DR: Streamline your creative process with a lifetime of 1min.AI’s Advanced Business Plan for $99.99 (reg. $540) — multiple AI platforms in one for life.
Most of us are stretched pretty thin. One thing we don't want to happen is to have our work suffer because of it. What if there were a tool that could write your articles, design stunning visuals, edit videos, and even help you manage your documents?
The multi-tool of the AI world, 1min.AI is an all-in-one AI platform designed for creators, entrepreneurs, and anyone juggling multiple projects. For just $99.99 (down from $540), this lifetime subscription ensures you’ll never need to piece together productivity tools again.
1min.AI is more like your new creative assistant. Need a blog post in minutes? Done. Want a unique logo or eye-catching image for your next campaign? No problem. Struggling to summarize or translate a dense PDF? It handles that, too.
This platform runs on advanced AI models like GPT-4, Claude 3, and Gemini Pro, meaning every task you throw its way is met with speed and precision. It’s not perfect — no AI tool is — but it’s incredibly efficient, saving you time and effort so you can focus on the big picture.
One of 1min.AI’s standout features is its versatility. With tools for keyword research, article generation, image editing, audio enhancement, and even chatbot creation, it’s perfect for content creators, marketers, and small business owners looking to streamline their workflow.
Instead of juggling multiple apps (and their monthly fees), you’ll have everything in one easy-to-navigate platform. If you’ve ever found yourself overwhelmed by the sheer number of tools needed to stay productive, 1min.AI is the streamlined solution you’ve been waiting for.
And with this lifetime subscription, you’ll pay once and reap the benefits forever — no recurring fees, no hidden costs, just unlimited access to AI magic.
Get a lifetime of 1min.AI's Advances Business Plan for just $99.99 (reg. $540) while it's still on sale.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Opens in a new window Credit: 1min.AI 1min.AI Advanced Business Plan Lifetime Subscription $99.99TL;DR: Get a grade-A refurbished Apple MacBook Pro 13" with Touch Bar, 8GB RAM, and 512GB SSD for $377.97 (reg. $499.99).
Apple’s MacBook Pro 13" is a sleek blend of power and innovation, and if you’ve never experienced the Touch Bar (discontinued in 2023), you’re in for a treat. This grade-A refurbished MacBook Pro doesn’t just look like new — it performs like new, offering the perfect combination of performance, affordability, and functionality.
From its Retina display to its multitasking capabilities, this MacBook will revolutionize how you work and play. And that Touch Bar? It's like having your own personal shortcut hub — one you didn’t know you needed but will never want to live without.
A divisive opinion? The Touch Bar is actually fantastic. Need quick access to your favorite tools or emojis? The Touch Bar has you covered. Editing photos or videos? Customize it for precision controls. It adapts to different apps, so whether you’re binge-watching, working, or designing, everything you need is right at your fingertips.
With a powerful 3.1GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor (Turbo Boost up to 3.5GHz), 8GB of RAM, and a spacious 512GB SSD, this MacBook Pro is more than ready to tackle your daily tasks. Its 13.3" Retina display offers vivid visuals, while the backlit keyboard and Force Touch trackpad make every interaction smooth and intuitive. Plus, with four Thunderbolt 3 ports, you have the ultimate flexibility for connectivity and charging.
This grade-A refurbished MacBook Pro is near-mint, so you’re getting premium Apple quality for a fraction of the price. It’s sustainable, cost-effective, and includes all the power and features of a new MacBook.
Grab this grade-A refurbished Apple MacBook Pro 13" with Touch Bar for $377.97 (reg. $499.99) while stock is still available.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Pro 13" Touchbar (2017) 3.1GHz i5 8GB RAM 512GB SSD Space Gray (Refurbished) $377.97TL;DR: Grab a lifetime license to Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for $59.97 (Reg. $219) — get eight essential apps, no subscriptions, and offline access for uninterrupted productivity.
Tired of juggling subscriptions and battling unreliable internet connections? With Microsoft Office Professional 2021, you can own a lifetime license for only $59.97, a fraction of its $219 value. This limited-time offer gives you many of the tools you need — Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, OneNote, Publisher, and Access — without the hassle of recurring fees.
Office 2021 is a reliable, offline-friendly solution for productivity. While the 2024 version only gives you five apps, this one includes eight. Whether you’re crafting reports, analyzing data, or giving a standout presentation, these familiar apps work seamlessly without requiring an internet connection. You can save, edit, and access files locally, making it a great option for those who travel frequently or work in areas with spotty Wi-Fi.
Unlike the newer MS Office 2024, this version doesn’t overload you with AI integrations or features you may never use. It’s lighter on your system, easier to navigate, and comes with more apps (eight compared to five in Office 2024). Plus, with a lifetime license tied directly to your device, you’ll never worry about subscriptions or unexpected price hikes.
Who could benefit?
Professionals: Simplify workflow and communications with Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
Students: Tackle essays, projects, and presentations with confidence.
Small business owners: Manage finances, communications, and databases efficiently.
Personal users: Manage household budgets, communicate effectively, and stay organized.
Remember, this offer is only valid for a limited time. Upgrade your Windows PC (Windows 10 or 11 required) and unlock tools designed to boost productivity.
Get a lifetime of Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for only $59.97 (regularly $219) while this price is still available.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License $59.97TL;DR: Don't miss this grade-A refurbished MacBook Air for $229.97 and enjoy portable, reliable performance for work and play — on sale through February 23.
Looking for a reliable, everyday laptop without spending a fortune? Stop looking at the big box stores and start perusing the refurbs of the tech world.
This grade-A refurbished Apple MacBook Air from mid-2017 might just be your perfect match. Whether you’re working from home, playing from home, or somewhere in between, this sleek and lightweight MacBook Air can keep up with your day-to-day needs.
With a 1.8GHz Intel Core i5 processor and 8GB of RAM, this MacBook Air offers plenty of power for everything from spreadsheets to Netflix marathons. Its 128GB SSD provides fast storage for your files and projects, and the 12-hour battery life means you won’t be tethered to a charger all day.
It features Intel HD Graphics 6000, giving you high-quality images and the ability to smoothly stream videos. Add Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, and you’ve got yourself a portable, efficient solution to handle life's essential demands.
You’ll get grade-A refurbished quality, meaning this laptop is in near-mint condition and ready to roll. There may or may not be slight cosmetic blemishes like faint scratching.
Whether upgrading your home setup or looking for a secondary device, this MacBook Air delivers premium performance at a fraction of the cost.
This reduced price is only available from February 3 through February 23 at 11:59 p.m. PT, so grab it while you still can.
Get a grade-A refurbished Apple MacBook Air for just $229.97 (reg. $348.99).
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air 13.3" (2017) 1.8GHz i5 8GB RAM 128GB SSD Silver (Refurbished) $229.97TL;DR: Live stream the 2025 Pro Bowl Games on Sling TV or FuboTV.
The Pro Bowl Games, a yearly NFL event that involves a skills competition and flag football game between the league's top football players, takes place in the first week of February. This event will occur over multiple days. Players from the AFC and NFC divisions are selected by coaches, players, and fans.
Wondering how you can watch the 2025 Pro Bowl Games? We have all of the information you need.
When is the Pro Bowl?The AFC-NFC Pro Bowl takes place at 3 p.m. ET on Sunday, Feb. 2 at the Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida.
Scott Van Pelt is expected to do the play-by-play, Dan Orlovsky will be the color commentator, and Ryan Clark, Marcus Spears, and Michelle Beisner-Buck are sideline reporters for the game.
Best streaming services for the Pro BowlThe Pro Bowl will be aired locally in Florida on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, ABC, Disney XD, ESPN+, and NFL+. It may be available in some other markets, but NFL games are subject to local blackouts.
If you do not have a cable package in those markets, you have options. We've found some of the best streaming services to consider for the 2025 Pro Bowl Games on local networks.
Most affordable: Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling Sling TV Sports Plan Get DealSling TV offers its Orange & Blue package of 48 channels at $55 per month that would serve your needs for locally available NFL games. Sign up to enjoy a first-month discounted rate of $27.50.
Sling TV’s sports channels feature ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNews, ESPNU, FOX, FS1, FS2, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.
FuboTV offers you more than 250 channels of live TV and the option to watch on 10 screens at once. You can try FuboTV with a seven-day free trial period.
FuboTV’s sports channel offerings include ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, FOX, FS1, FS2, Golf Network, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.
Again, the Pro Bowl is subject to local blackouts. It is available nationally on Prime Video.
How to watch the 2025 Pro Bowl from anywhere in the worldIf you're abroad for this fixture, you might need to use a VPN to unblock your favorite streaming service. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the U.S., meaning you can unblock live streams of the NFL from anywhere in the world.
Live stream the Pro Bowl from anywhere in the world by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in the U.S.
Sign in to your favorite streaming service
Watch the 2025 Pro Bowl from anywhere in the world
ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including the U.S.
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get DealListen, I, too, tried to be loyal to physical books. While you can't replace the feel of paper, the beauty of bound hardcovers, and the ritual of turning the page, an e-reader brings convenience and portability that, yes, a book can't beat. Sure, you can throw a book in your tote bag, but what about an entire library?
SEE ALSO: We tried every Amazon Kindle to find the best for every bibliophileWhen you think of e-readers, your first thought is likely an Amazon Kindle, and while it wasn't the first e-reader to hit the market, it is indeed the one that dominated it. While Kindles are great — there's certainly no denying that — you can find a couple of equally wonderful alternatives.
If you're gearing up to read more books in 2025, an e-reader will help you get there, and these are the best ones you can buy.
Which e-reader is the best? From left to right: Kindle Paperwhite, Nook GlowLight 4 Plus, Kindle Scribe Credit: Samantha Mangino / MashableUnless you're trying to avoid the Amazon ecosystem at all costs, the Kindle Paperwhite is the best e-reader for most people. (And if you want to de-Amazon your life, opt for the Kobo Libra Colour). However, that doesn't necessarily mean it's the best e-reader for you.
Choose an e-reader based on price, special features, and where you get your books. For instance, most e-readers and tablets are easily compatible with Libby, but Kindles and iPads work best with the popular library app. And if you use Kindle Unlimited, your choice is even easier.
Consider the overall design that best suits you as well. Is a touchscreen okay, or do you need buttons? If you want to take your e-reader near water, whether it be a bathtub or a pool, you'll also need to make sure you have a waterproof device.
Plus, it's worth considering special features. Are you an annotator who wants to scribble, doodle, and write in the margins of your e-book? Or would you prefer a tablet that you can read and stream on? All of these questions help you determine which e-reader or tablet will blend into your habits.
However, I can definitively tell you what is not the best e-reader. Among all the e-readers I've tested, the only device I can't recommend is Barnes & Noble's Nook. Compared to the other e-readers here, it has slow and glitchy performance, no Libby integration, and short battery life.
Can you read on an iPad? The iPad Mini is just the right size for reading compared to a larger model like the iPad 9th generation. Credit: Samantha Mangino / MashableYes, you can read on an iPad, and as an iPad reader, I highly recommend it. iPads come with the Apple Books app. However, other reading apps, including Libby and the Kindle app, give access to the world of books.
For this reason, I included an iPad in my testing. The iPad Mini made my list because it is the perfect size to feel like you're reading a paperback novel versus larger iPad models like the 9th generation (pictured above), which feel like reading a clunky magazine.
Featured Video For You Kindle Paperwhite vs. Kobo Clara Colour: Which one is better?Roses are red. Violets are blue. Here are some rom-coms, picked just for you.
Are you in the mood for a one-night stand? A workplace fling? A full-blown commitment stretched over 30 episodes? More importantly, are you looking to laugh the whole time you're watching whichever sort of relationship you choose? We've got you covered with a selection of the best romantic comedies now streaming on Netflix. (If you're just looking for romance and not so much comedy, we've got you there, too, with a guide to the best romantic movies on the streaming service.)
We combed through Netflix's extensive catalog of will-they-won't-theys and could-they-should-theys, movies and TV shows included, to find the titles sure to give you that perfect balance of giggles and butterflies. Settle in with your chocolates, wine, and a cuddly blanket. Here are the best romantic comedies now streaming on Netflix.
25. A Perfect StoryMargot is an engaged hotel heiress crumbling under the weight of her family's expectations. David is a struggling bartender who sleeps on his friends' couches and can't get over a recent breakup. The unlikely pair meet at the exact moment when they each need someone in their lives to lean on. A Perfect Story is an incredibly watchable and breezy romantic comedy series from Spain that will leave you smiling. The two leads, Anna Castillo and Álvaro Mel, are bursting with charisma. Sure, Margo and David have got some shit to sort out before a romance can bloom, but boy, are we here for the journey! — Kristina Grosspietsch, Freelance Contributing Writer
How to watch: A Perfect Story is now streaming on Netflix.
24. Love at First Sight Credit: Rob Baker Ashton / Netflix © 2023Based on a hit novel by Jennifer E. Smith, Love at First Sight is a delightful romance with an airport at the center of its meet-cute. Haley Lu Richardson is a perpetually late, underprepared American student heading to London for her dad’s wedding, and Ben Hardy is a charismatic Brit who offers to lend her his phone charger at a crucial moment. They fall in love during the flight, but a mix-up at baggage claim prevents the star-crossed pair from sharing their contact information. Will they ever see each other again? Love at First Sight is a champion charmer, but it also packs a more weighty emotional punch than your standard rom-com. Gut-wrenching moments from a particularly unique costume party will stay with you for days.* — K.G.
How to watch: Love at First Sight is now streaming on Netflix.
23. Nobody Wants This, Season 1Joanne (Kristen Bell) and Noah (Adam Brody) are not an obvious pair. She's a sex and dating podcaster who often pushes people away, and he's a rabbi coming out of a long-term relationship his entire community supported. But when the two meet at a dinner party, they can't seem to stop thinking about each other… And a delightful romance begins.
The best part about Nobody Wants This is that the characters are adults. They're in their late thirties, and the problems they face aren't the result of immature games but real issues that arise when two very different people try to build something together. At one point, Noah tells a panicking Joanne: "I'm on your side. I can handle you." Created by Erin Foster, Nobody Wants This is a truly sublime, relatable, and refreshing rom-com series that boasts laugh-out-loud punchlines and steamy kisses in equal measure. — K.G.
How to watch: Nobody Wants This Season 1 is now streaming on Netflix.
22. Falling Inn Love Credit: Nicola DoveImagine a home improvement show. Take that home improvement show and make it a scripted Bachelor spin-off. Now, take that home improvement show-turned-scripted Bachelor spin-off and set it in New Zealand. Finally, sprinkle in some puns and you've got Falling Inn Love.
Starring Christina Milian and Adam Demos, this delightfully delirious romp into renovation romance is the perfect comfort movie for a cozy afternoon on the couch. Marvel at the pretty settings, lust after the linen shirts, stare at the goat named Gilbert. — Alison Foreman, Entertainment Reporter
How to watch: Falling Inn Love is now streaming on Netflix.
21. Holidate Credit: NetflixDirected by John Whitesell (Deck the Halls), Netflix's Holidate takes the "fake relationship" trope to new, seasonally decorated heights. Emma Roberts and Luke Bracey star in this will-they-won't-they about two friends who agree to be each other's "holidates" — specially dedicated plus ones for occasions where the pressure of an actual romantic partner is the last thing anyone needs. Of course, with all the flirty fun of events like Christmas, Valentine's Day, and [checks notes] St. Patrick's Day, it's not long before these not-lovers start making eyes over the dinner table. — A.F.
How to watch: Holidate is now streaming on Netflix.
20. Notting HillThe movie that cemented Hugh Grant's place in cinema history as one of the most lovable bumbling Brits of all time, Notting Hill is a rom-com hall-of-famer. This dreamy and captivating love story, bursting with heart, is just as poignant now as it was in 1999. If you aren't moved by the final scene, then we're sorry, your heart is simply made of stone, and there's not much we can do about that.
Julia Roberts absolutely glows as international movie star Anna Scott, who tries to hide from the paparazzi by wandering into an adorable bookstore owned by an equally adorable dude named William Thacker (Grant). Because, as previously mentioned, Grant is at his most criminally charming here, an unlikely romance blooms between the pair from completely different worlds. A superb supporting cast and an airtight script from rom-com veteran Richard Curtis (Bridget Jones's Diary, Four Weddings and a Funeral, About Time) makes Notting Hill the definitive take on the "celebrity falls for regular person" genre — the standard to which all subsequent romances have been held. — K.G.
How to watch: Notting Hill is now streaming on Netflix.
19. When We First Met Credit: Jami SaundersSomewhere between Hot Tub Time Machine and Some Kind of Wonderful, When We First Met imagines the perfect first date over and over and over again.
Adam DeVine and Alexandra Daddario star as one couple that just couldn't get the timing right, with supporting performances from Robbie Amell and Shelley Hennig. This movie's saccharine tone and overdone premise shouldn't work, and yet they do. It's...fate? — A.F.
How to watch: When We First Met is now streaming on Netflix.
18. Love, Seasons 1-3 Credit: Suzanne Hanover / NetflixAs series go, Love is a bit all over the place — but, so is its namesake.
Gillian Jacobs and Paul Rust star as Mickey Dobbs and Gus Cruikshank, two Angelenos who serendipitously meet at a gas station and fall hopelessly, madly in...something. Over the show's all-too-brief three seasons, viewers are treated to the ups, downs, and sideways of finding the one. Come for the promise of happily ever after, stay for everything that really isn't that. — A.F.
How to watch: Love Seasons 1-3 are now streaming on Netflix.
17. Love, GuaranteedIncredibly silly and deeply improbable, Love, Guaranteed is a sweet little ditty about a perpetually single man, Nick (Damon Wayans Jr.), and a lawyer, Susan (Rachael Leigh Cook), who team up for a predatory lawsuit against a dating company that “guarantees love.” But uh oh, this hopeless, lonely pair might find something more than they bargained for when they decided to sue the fictional version of Match.com together.
I mean, look. The premise is ridiculous — but it’s unique! No fake-dating tropes here, folks! And luckily, the cast is deeply likable, making Love, Guaranteed a perfectly pleasant way to spend an hour and a half! — K.G.
How to watch: Love, Guaranteed is now streaming on Netflix.
16. Been So Long Credit: NetflixAdapted from the musical of the same name, Been So Long offers a dreamy look at a chance encounter between two people in desperate need of a break from reality. With electric interactions between stars Michaela Coel and Arinzé Kene, this poppy romance will have you from the moment the first words are sung — and won't let go until the very last verse. — A.F.
How to watch: Been So Long is now streaming on Netflix.
15. The Lovebirds Credit: Skip Bolen / NetflixIssa Rae and Kumail Nanjiani play a charming couple stuck in a seriously screwed-up situation in the spectacularly funny The Lovebirds. When our titular lovebirds are blamed for a vehicular homicide, date night becomes a race against the clock to solve the crime they didn't commit. It's the perfect popcorn flick with enough heart to get you invested in its leads. — A.F.
How to watch: The Lovebirds is now streaming on Netflix.
14. Wedding SeasonFluffy, energetic, and fun, Wedding Season is a cheerful, low-stakes rom-com. Pallavi Sharda and Suraj Sharma (Life of Pi, How I Met Your Father) are Asha and Ravi, two thirty-somethings tired of being set up on Indian dating websites by their parents. So what do they do when faced with a long season of weddings where they’ll face endless questions about their dating lives? You guessed it! They fake-date! It’s the only reasonable course of action!!!
The best romantic comedy trope gets new life in Wedding Season, with its super-charismatic cast and delightful wedding montages. If you like bright and shiny rom-coms and romantic leads with great chemistry, then RSVP "yes!" to Wedding Season.* — K.G.
How to watch: Wedding Season is streaming on Netflix.
13. The Half of It Credit: NetflixDirector Alice Wu's The Half of It hinges on straight-A student Ellie Chu (Leah Lewis) and her journey toward self-acceptance. It does wonders for the streaming service's rom-com catalog, not because it's especially new in its ideas, but because Wu executes them with a flair all her own.
A charming combination of unique subject matter and clichéd storytelling, The Half of It explores the perspectives of characters rare to the genre — namely, Ellie who is a queer Chinese-American teenager — with some pretty predictable narrative turns. You haven't seen this story done with these characters anywhere else before, but you'll feel like you have. That's a victory for the genre in its own right.* — A.F.
How to watch: The Half of It is now streaming on Netflix.
12. Easy, Seasons 1-3 Credit: NetflixJoe Swanberg's Easy covers a lot of emotional ground, but the more romantic episodes definitely stand out.
An intimate anthology examining relationships in Chicago, this series weaves together so many genuine displays of feeling that it can be hard to keep your heart in check. Not all the characters fall in love, but you'll absolutely fall in love with all the characters. Start anywhere during any of the three seasons, and see where it gets you. (Tears. Tears is where it gets you.) — A.F.
How to watch: Easy Seasons 1-3 are now streaming on Netflix.
11. The Incredible Jessica James Credit: NetflixGet a masterclass in self-confidence and healthy communication from The Incredible Jessica James. Jessica Williams stars opposite Chris O'Dowd, with a supporting performance from LaKeith Stanfield. This charming tale of a woman who will stop at nothing to be loved the way she deserves explores so much of what makes romance the sticky business that it is. But this rom-com boasts just the right amount of optimism to keep you invested until its stunningly grounded happily ever after. — A.F.
How to watch: The Incredible Jessica James is now streaming on Netflix.
10. XO, Kitty, Seasons 1-2Sometimes you just want to watch teens fall in love, and XO, Kitty — a spinoff of To All The Boys I've Loved Before — delivers in spades. Lana already has her match; now it's her younger sister Kitty's turn.
Tired of the inconvenience of a long-distance relationship with her boyfriend Dae (Choi Min-young), Kitty (an exuberant Anna Cathcart) gets herself a year's scholarship to his boarding school in Korea. Here's hoping her perfectly planned romantic surprise goes exactly how she dreams it will, without any external complications whatsoever!!! With a boppy K-pop soundtrack, an endless series of juicy, if somewhat convoluted, plot twists, and a bright, cheerful vibe, XO, Kitty is the perfect kind of fun summer fluff.* — K.G.
How to watch: XO, Kitty Seasons 1-2 are now streaming on Netflix.
9. Alex Strangelove Credit: Walter Thomson / NetflixTo find true love, you've first got to find yourself.
Featuring heartbreaking performances from Daniel Doheny, Antonio Marziale, and Madeline Weinstein, Alex Strangelove is a coming-of-age story designed to make your palms sweat. A poignant and touching look at coming out, this world is filled with good people doing good things that will make any viewer need a handhold. — A.F.
How to watch: Alex Strangelove is now streaming on Netflix.
8. Always Be My Maybe Credit: NetflixFans of Netflix comedy special Baby Cobra were long overdue for a fictional Ali Wong fantasy, and Always Be My Maybe really, really delivers. Wong and Randall Park make for a delightful will-they-won't-they, complete with love triangles, awkward childhood flashbacks, Keanu Reeves in the role he was born to play, and authentic representations of the Asian-American experience. — A.F.
How to watch: Always Be My Maybe is now streaming on Netflix.
7. Emily in Paris, Seasons 1-4 Credit: NetflixCreated by Darren Starr (Sex and the City, Younger), Emily in Paris is the poppy Parisian fantasy you'll lap up like a "chatte" drinking "lait." Lily Collins stars as the titular expat, a young marketing professional from Chicago who gets an unexpected promotion that takes her to France. There she sells perfume, eats fine cheese, and, of course, falls for a hunky chef, played by Lucas Bravo. This show isn't 100% rom-com, but it's at least 75% rom-com. — A.F.
How to watch: Emily in Paris Seasons 1-4 are now streaming on Netflix.
6. Sex Education, Seasons 1-4 Credit: Sam Taylor / NetflixSex Education had us from the moment its lead pretended to pretend to masturbate.
There's plenty to love about this perfectly cast teenage dramedy. But in light of the events of Seasons 2 and 3, nothing feels more pressing than the relationship between Otis (Asa Butterfield) and Maeve (Emma Mackey) — except maybe Eric's (Ncuti Gatwa) ongoing love antics. At the heart of every great story is a great romance, and Sex Education has more than its fair share. — A.F.
How to watch: Sex Education Seasons 1-4 are now streaming on Netflix.
5. Never Have I Ever, Seasons 1-4 Credit: NetflixCreated by Mindy Kaling and Lang Fisher, this smart, sweet coming-of-age story was among the most fulfilling new Netflix binges of 2020. And it just keeps wowing us.
Lead Maitreyi Ramakrishnan will steal your heart as Devi, a high school sophomore reeling from the loss of her father the year before — but with big plans for a future as vibrant and fearless as she is. As culturally important as it is authentic, Never Have I Ever serves not only as a critical step for representation, but also as a dreamy teen rom-com you'll adore.* — A.F.
How to watch: Never Have I Ever Seasons 1-4 are now streaming on Netflix.
4. Bridgerton, Seasons 1-3, plus Queen Charlotte, A Bridgerton Story Credit: Liam Daniel / NetflixWhere to begin with the scandalous, sexy, and silly sensation that is Bridgerton? In this period dramedy, Regency-era Londoners look for love under the critical eye of the Queen and a host of courtiers while dodging scandal at every turn. It's Gossip Girl meets Downton Abbey with a How to Get Away with Murder-type twist that's undeniably Shonda Rhimes. You're going to love it, so much so that you should plan on bingeing both seasons straight through. — A.F.
Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, is a lavish, ebullient triumph, and further evidence that Shonda Rhimes just doesn't miss. Delving into the personal history of the tragic, impulsive, and steely queen we know and love from Bridgerton Seasons 1 and 2, we watch a young girl transform into a formidable monarch — and fall in love along the way. The costumes are sumptuous, the drama juicy, and the romance slow-burning. It checks all the boxes while still making space for a thread of sadness that lends gravitas and complexity to the entire Bridgerton world. An ambitious and beautiful show that fully earns its shining crown as Netflix's newest darling.* — K.G.
How to watch: Bridgerton Seasons 1-3 are now streaming on Netflix, as is Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story.
3.Younger, Seasons 1-7Bright, bubbly, and addictive, Younger is primed and ready to be your next rom-com binge. The plot is ridiculous, the outfits are loud, and the cast is beautiful — is this heaven? Sutton Foster is Liza Miller, a 40-year-old mom attempting to reenter the workforce after a messy divorce. But when no one will hire her because of the gaps in her resume, she gets hair extensions and pretends to be 26. And everyone believes her! Without Botox!!! With a new assistant job, a new young boyfriend, and a new twentysomething life, Liza is finally feeling like herself again… But how long can she go before the lies catch up with her?
Younger was a 2015 hit for creator Darren Star (Sex and the City, Emily in Paris) and it's still as juicy and fun as ever — as well as a nice nostalgic trip to a time when millennials were the young ones! — K.G.
How to watch: Younger Seasons 1-7 are now streaming on Netflix.
2. Set It Up Credit: NetflixAn enticing combination of The Devil Wears Prada and Jim and Pam's The Office romance, Set It Up makes workplace love almost seem like a good idea. Almost.
Starring Zoey Deutch and Glen Powell as two overworked assistants intent on making their bosses fall for one another, this breezy comedy delivers on laughs and butterflies in equal measures. Plus, Taye Diggs and Lucy Liu hook up and it is very, very appealing. You're welcome. — A.F.
How to watch: Set It Up is now streaming on Netflix.
1. To All the Boys I've Loved Before Credit: NetflixIf you're reading this list, there's just no way you haven't seen To All the Boys I've Loved Before and its two sequels, To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You and To All the Boys: Always and Forever. Then there's XO, Kitty, the spinoff series about the fan-favorite little sister played by Anna Cathcart, which has a season two on the way. As you wait for it, go ahead: Bask in the chemistry of Lana Condor and Noah Centineo. Delight in the drinkable yogurt representation. Consider why you never dressed this well in school. Then, send out your letters. — A.F.
How to watch: To All the Boys I've Loved Before is now streaming on Netflix.
Asterisks (*) indicate the entry comes from a previous Mashable list.
UPDATE: Jan. 31, 2025, 2:50 p.m. EST This story was originally published in February 2020 and has been updated since to reflect Netflix's catalogue.
Opens in a new window Credit: Courtesy of Netflix Netflix Get DealPicking a movie for the entire family to enjoy can be tricky. There’s never a lack of kids' movies to choose from, but most of the time those tend to only cater to the young ones, leaving little to entertain adults. And then there’s the risk of a PG-13 movie being a little too much for the little kids to handle. Thankfully, Netflix offers an especially wide selection of movies for any age to enjoy, both animated and live-action.
We’ve scrubbed through the streaming service to find 13 of the very best family-friendly movies, including everything from action-packed adventures to catchy musicals and uplifting emotional dramas to animated wonders. Now no one has to compromise.
1. The Half of It (2020) Credit: KC Bailey / NetflixRated: PG-13
At a high school in the small Washington town of Squahamish, Ellie Chu is the go-to kid for any student trying to get out of writing an essay. A shy Chinese-American teen, Ellie ghostwrites her classmates’ homework to make some extra cash and help her widowed father pay the bills. That makes her the perfect person for what Paul, the sweet football jock who lives next door, needs: Ellie to write a love letter to his crush. The only problem is, Ellie also secretly has a crush on the same girl.
Alice Wu’s sweet coming-of-age film The Half of It is a modern teen take on the classic play “Cyrano de Bergerac,” but with a queer YA twist. As Ellie pens love letters from Paul to beautiful cool-girl Aster, she also grows closer to Aster in real life. The love triangle turns messy as lies, heightened teen emotions, and miscommunication pile up. The Half of It is a heartwarming and charming teen movie that tenderly explores topics of queer identity, religion, and friendship, and would be a great watch for both teens and queer adults who never got a queer high school romance movie in their youth.
How to watch: The Half of It is now streaming on Netflix.
2. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023)Rated: PG
In the sequel to Into the Spider-Verse, a year has passed since Miles Morales and his Spidey friends saved New York City from Kingpin. Now Miles is older, acting much more like a moody teenager, and struggling to get along with his parents. The fate of the multiverse soon becomes Miles’ top priority when he meets a new, even worse supervillain named The Spot (Jason Schwartzman). Miles and Gwen Stacy reunite and meet a handful of new Spider-People to try and stop The Spot from destroying the entire multiverse. Our latest team of web-slingers includes Issa Rae’s pregnant Spider-Woman, Daniel Kaluuya as the spikey-haired Brit Spider-Punk, Karan Soni as Spider-Man India, and Oscar Issac as Spider-Man 2099. Somehow the sequel is bursting with even more stunning visuals, humor, and high-stakes action — including one the coolest and most suspenseful chase scenes yet with more Spider-People than you can count.
How to watch: Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is now streaming on Netflix.
3. Enola Holmes (2020) Credit: Legendary © 2020Rated: PG-13
Millie Bobby Brown swaps superpowers for sleuthing in Enola Holmes, Harry Bradbeer’s movie about the 16-year-old sister of the famed Sherlock Holmes. In this detective tale, it’s Enola who gets the spotlight and the chance to solve a mystery. When her mother Eudoria (Helena Bonham Carter) goes missing, Enola sets out to find her but soon discovers a series of hidden clues her mother’s left behind that reveal a much bigger story at play.
SEE ALSO: 'Enola Holmes' is a sweet beginner mystery for Netflix's newest detectiveEnola Holmes has the classic intrigue of a Holmes tale, full of clever clues and quizzical riddles — and yes, Sherlock himself does appear, played by Henry Cavill — but brings a youthful and feminist spin to the old detective genre. Parents who’ve watched Amazon’s Fleabag will also find something unique to enjoy here as well — Bradbeer, who directed the Phoebe Waller-Bridge comedy series, brings that same cheeky, breaking-the-fourth-wall character commentary to Enola Holmes. It adds a fresh, winking sense of humor to what’s already a fun family adventure full of mystery and romance.
How to watch: Enola Holmes is now streaming on Netflix.
4. Kubo and the Two Strings (2016)Rated: PG
Easily one of the most gorgeous and imaginative stop-motion films of the past decade, Kubo and the Two Strings tells the story of a young Japanese boy who sets out on a mythical quest. While caring for his ill mother, Kubo is suddenly attacked by the vengeful spirits of his mother’s sisters (both voiced by Rooney Mara). He now must find his father’s magical suit of armor and outrun his evil ancestors with the help of a magical shamisen instrument, a talking snow monkey (voiced by Charlize Theron), and a cursed samurai trapped in a beetle’s body (Matthew McConaughey). Not only is Kubo a feast to look at — made by the same studio behind Coraline and ParaNorman — but also, it tells a touching emotional story.
How to watch: Kubo and the Two Strings is now streaming on Netflix.
5. Nimona (2023) Credit: NetflixRated: PG
Set in a medieval futuristic world, Nimona blends high-tech sci-fi (think Fifth Element with flying cars and skyscrapers) and high-stakes action in a classic hero’s journey. In this story though, our heroes and villains aren't exactly who they appear to be at first. Based on the graphic novel by nonbinary, transmasculine cartoonist ND Stevenson, Nimona also tells a powerful and unabashedly queer story about discrimination and acceptance.
The story follows the titular Nimona (voiced by Chloë Grace Moretz) as a mysterious shapeshifting teen who recruits an outlaw knight named Ballister (Riz Ahmed) as her sidekick. Nimona, who can transform from a punk teenage girl into creatures like a rhinoceros, a mouse, or a gorilla, tag teams with Ballister to help clear his name after a shocking incident derails his life and future. Not only is Nimona full of emotional depth and some surprising plot twists, but its imaginative animation and visual world make it a rare treat of a family movie that’s bursting with originality.
How to watch: Nimona is now streaming on Netflix.
6. Spider-Man (2002)Rated: PG-13
Before the world-ending stakes of today’s Marvel movies and the brooding darkness of DC heroes, there was 2002’s Spider-Man, a superhero movie that’s bursting with goofiness and kid-like spirit. It may not be the best Spider-Man movie, but the first Sam Raimi Spidey film is a must-see for any kid who loves the web slinger, and anyone who enjoys the silliness of comic book heroes.
SEE ALSO: Which Spider-Man is the best Spider-Man? We fought it out.This Peter Parker origin story, the first of many on the big screen, is downright silly in the best way. There’s a campy villain (Willem Dafoe’s Green Goblin, who looks like he’s jumped right off the comic page with his Power Rangers-like suit), a gloriously sappy romance — with, mind you, one of the most iconic movie kisses of all time — and a very dopey sense of humor. I mean, Spider-Man fights in a wrestling cage match! What more do you want, Peter testing out his powers by shouting “Up, up, and away web!”? You got it.
How to watch: Spider-Man is now streaming on Netflix.
7. The Mitchells vs. The Machines (2021) Credit: ©2021 SPAI. All Rights Reserved.Rated: PG
In the world of The Mitchells vs. The Machines, everyone is addicted to their phones, a mega tech corporation launches a fancy new software, and kids are endlessly annoyed by their parents. Sounds familiar, huh? The animated Sony/Netflix movie is pretty obviously a reflection of our current moment with technology and how it can disrupt our daily lives, making it perfectly relatable across many ages. It’s also super hilarious and wickedly entertaining. That’s far from surprising given that it’s produced by Phil Lord and Chris Miller, the filmmakers behind the beloved LEGO Movie.
In The Mitchells vs. The Machines, an AI voice software (think Siri or Alexa) decides to take over humanity, and it’s up to the titular Mitchell family to save the planet from the robot apocalypse. There’s Katie, a queer teen and aspiring filmmaker (Abbi Jacobson), her dinosaur-obsessed little brother Aaron, their parents Rick (Danny McBride) and Linda (Maya Rudolph), and their dog Monchi (noises voiced by none other than Doug the Pug). What follows is a series of big and dazzling action sequences reminiscent of The Incredibles — while there’s no super powers here, there is an incredible fight scene against giant Furbys.
How to watch: The Mitchells vs. The Machines is now streaming on Netflix.
8. The Secret Life of Pets (2016)Rated: PG
There are dozens of kids' movies about talking cats and dogs, but The Secret Life of Pets is one of the most charming and adorable. It follows a giddy terrier named Max (Louis C.K.) who loves his life with his sweet owner Katie (Ellie Kemper) — that is, until she brings home a shaggy dog named Duke (Eric Stonestreet). But the two pups must find a way to get along when they accidentally get captured by Animal Control. A whole cast of animals help rescue the two dogs, including a Pomeranian (Jenny Slate) who has a crush on Max, a rabbit named Snowball (Kevin Hart) who leads a crew of animals who’ve been abandoned by their owners, a grumpy red-tailed hawk (Albert Brooks), an old Basset Hound (Dana Carvey), and a mini dachshund named Buddy (Hannibal Buress). If you’re looking for cute animals, a familiar and fun voice cast, and a plot full of silly shenanigans, you can’t go wrong with The Secret Life of Pets.
How to watch: The Secret Life of Pets is now streaming on Netflix.
9. All the Bright Places (2020) Credit: Michele K. ShortRated: TV-MA
All the Bright Places is an emotional teen drama that doesn’t shy away from addressing the very heavy topics of death, suicide, abuse, and self-harm, and just how unbearably immense those can be for young folks to navigate. Elle Fanning plays Violet, a lonely teen who can’t escape the guilt she feels after surviving the car crash that killed her sister nine months ago. She meets Finch (Justice Smith) while standing atop the bridge where her sister died. After he talks her down, the two quickly become close, taking fun day trips around their small town together and slowly opening up about the pain they’re both suffering from.
The romance drama, based on the book by Jennifer Niven, might be a heavy watch, but it’s admirable for the way it takes teens’ emotional worlds so seriously. Worry not, there are still moments of lightness, humor, and yes, love throughout the film as Violet and Finch begin to heal through their connection to one another.
How to watch: All the Bright Places is now streaming on Netflix.
10. Pee-wee’s Big Holiday (2016)Rated: PG
While nothing can come close to the zany, classic Pee-wee movies, the most recent sequel is still a joyful ride. Paul Reubens returned to his iconic character for the first time in decades in the 2015 movie, which follows Pee-wee on an adventure across the country.
One day, Pee-wee meets a traveling stranger in the form of Joe Manganiello, literally playing himself. The hulking Magic Mike star encourages Pee-wee to leave his small town for the first time to take a vacation and visit Joe in New York City. Pee-wee soon sets out on a road trip that takes him on a series of wacky misadventures. He finds himself crossing paths with a trio of bank robbers, a farmer who tries to get Pee-wee to marry one of his daughters, a creepy salesman, and so much more. But the real heart of Big Holiday is the bond between Pee-wee and his new friend Joe, two guys who very obviously share more than a platonic connection. With the recent news of Reubens coming out as gay in a new posthumous documentary, it seems that Big Holiday may have been the actor's way of winking at his sexuality all along.
How to watch: Pee-wee’s Big Holiday is now streaming on Netflix.
11. Vivo (2021) Credit: © 2021 SPAI. All Rights Reserved.Rated: PG
Vivo has all the makings of a beloved animated musical you and your kids can’t help but fall in love with. There’s a singing kinkajou who wears a tiny fedora, infectiously catchy musical numbers composed by Lin-Manuel Miranda and his Hamilton and In the Heights collaborator Alex Lacamoire, bright animation popping with radiant color, and an emotional love story at the center. (Oscar-winner Roger Deakins served as a visual consultant, and it shows.)
SEE ALSO: Lin-Manuel Miranda's music and artistry propel Netflix's 'Vivo' to soaring heightsSet in Havana, Cuba, the movie follows the titular kinkajou (voiced by Miranda) who spends his days playing music with Andrés (Juan de Marcos González) in a local city square. When Andrés gets a letter from his long-lost love, famous musician Marta (Gloria Estefan), inviting him to her final show, Vivo sets out to meet her and deliver a song Andrés wrote for her. Plenty of hijinks follow, along with an assortment of songs any Hamilton fan will be singing along to for days.
How to watch: Vivo is now streaming on Netflix.
12. The Willoughbys (2020)Rated: PG
Lois Lowry’s novel The Willoughbys comes to life in this playful animated film with a stacked voice cast and a silly sense of humor. The Willoughby children were unfortunately cursed with a pair of terrible, neglectful parents (voiced by Martin Short and Jane Krakowski). One day Tim (Will Forte), the eldest; Jane (Alessia Cara), the middle child; and their twin brothers (Seán Cullen) come up with a plan to send their evil parents away on a trip in hopes of finding a new mom and dad. While that may sound bleak, The Willoughbys is actually a lighthearted adventure thanks to its goofy humor and giddy energy. After all, the story is narrated by a talking cat (Ricky Gervais) and involves a gravity-defying baby and a kooky candymaker voiced by Terry Crews.
How to watch: The Willoughbys is now streaming on Netflix.
13. Over the Moon (2020) Credit: NetflixRated: PG
It’s been four years since Fei Fei’s mother died, and now her dad (voiced by John Cho) is bringing a new girlfriend home. The 13-year-old girl isn’t happy with the idea of potentially getting a new mom (even if she’s voiced by Sandra Oh) and stepbrother. Upset and missing her mother, Fei Fei pours her attention into a mythical legend her mom used to tell her about — the story of Chang’e (Phillipa Soo), a moon goddess waiting for her lost love to return. Fei Fei is convinced that if she can prove Chang’e is real, maybe her father will also focus on his lost love instead of getting remarried.
In the imaginative film directed by Disney animation legend Glen Keane (known for everything from The Little Mermaid to Aladdin to Beauty and the Beast), Fei Fei builds herself a rocket ship to fly to the moon. With its colorful animation and bubbly characters inspired by the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival, Over the Moon is a visual delight with catchy musical numbers and a tender story about dealing with grief as a young kid.
How to watch: Over the Moon is now streaming on Netflix.
UPDATE: Jan. 31, 2025, 5:27 p.m. EST This article has been updated to reflect the latest streaming options.
TL;DR: Replace your Microsoft 365 subscription with a Microsoft Office 2019 lifetime license for Mac for just £32.25 (reg. £184.66).
Opens in a new window Credit: Retail King Microsoft Office Home & Business 2019 for Mac £32.25 at the Mashable ShopThe cost of a Microsoft 365 subscription may seem small, but it gets a whole lot bigger when you realize you're never actually done paying for it. Monthly or yearly renewals add up, and it can feel like you’re paying more for convenience than necessity.
If you want an alternative that lasts as long as your device does, then check out this lifetime device license for Microsoft Office for Macs. Instead of paying monthly, you can pay £32.25 just once to get MS Office apps like Word set up on your MacBook or iPad.
What's included?This version of Microsoft Office includes essential apps like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, redesigned to take advantage of Mac's Retina display and full-screen view support. Whether drafting a document, analysing data, or managing emails, the suite is ready to keep work moving.
Need to use Teams at work? This version has Teams Classic, and now you don't have to pay every month to check your professional group chat.
So why is it so cheap? This is a license for Microsoft Office 2019. It's not as flashy as the recent versions, but these apps still work great for work or school. There are actually a few benefits to getting an older license. Older machines don't have to struggle with software that needs modern hardware, and you don't have to deal with all the unnecessary integrations and distractions of more recent software.
Really important detail: once you download, make sure to turn off the auto-update. If you don't, Microsoft will try to update you to Office 2021, which will invalidate your license.
Head to the Mashable Shop to get a Microsoft Office Home and Business 2019 lifetime license for Macs for £32.25 (reg. £184.66).
StackSocial prices subject to change.
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