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Other streaming services may keep raising their prices, but the ad-supported Tubi remains free — and it still boasts a broad selection of movies and TV shows to rival all those other platforms that make you enter your credit card information and pay money. Tubi doesn't require a subscription or even a login to enjoy its huge library of movies and TV shows; it just asks for the patience to sit through some commercials. 

The movies we've chosen as the best are all good enough that enduring a few ad blocks seems like a fair trade. We've toured Tubi's endless rows of content for the Oscar winners, high-quality blockbusters, and beloved cult favorites that you'll want to add to your watchlist (though that functionality will require you to log in). Whether you like unsettling thrillers, astonishing action, smart comedies, or the best of the bizarre, we've got picks for your taste.

Here are the best movies on Tubi.

1. Coraline

A stop-motion wonder, Coraline is creepy and off-kilter viewing for the whole family — if your family is a little off-kilter themselves. Adapted and directed by The Nightmare Before Christmas and Wendell and Wild filmmaker Henry Selick, this 2009 animated movie has a similarly spooky vibe that will appeal to children who like things a little darker than Disney. Dakota Fanning voices the eponymous Coraline, a little girl who discovers a door in her family's new (old) home, which leads to a strange, seemingly nicer version of her own world. Her parents are there too, but in this universe, they have buttons for eyes…

Coraline lost the Oscar for Best Animated Feature to Up, but it remains one of the strongest animated films of this century. Based on the bestseller by Neil Gaiman, it's full of wonder and weirdness, and it's difficult to watch without feeling awe at both the artistry and imagination behind its creation. Younger viewers might also be a little freaked out by some of its creepier imagery. However, if you and your kids love the look and feel of Coraline, Tubi also has Missing Link, ParaNorman, and The Boxtrolls from stop-motion studio Laika, which are almost as good as this all-timer of a children's movie.

How to watch: Coraline is now streaming on Tubi.

2. Ingrid Goes West Credit: Star Thrower Entertainment / Kobal / Shutterstock

This dark comedy is Single White Female for the Instagram era (aka a movie for people who weren't even born for the release of Single White Female way back in 1992). Ingrid Goes West stars Aubrey Plaza as Ingrid, a young woman who becomes so obsessed with influencer Taylor Sloane (Elizabeth Olsen) that she moves to California to insert herself into her idol's life using clues gleaned from IG. (BRB, setting my profile to "private.") Ingrid's antics begin with dognapping and only escalate, as Ingrid's plot brings her closer to Taylor and closer to exposure. Beyond the perfectly sardonic presence of Plaza and an equally well-cast Olsen, Ingrid Goes West also features Billy Magnussen as Taylor's suspicious dirtbag of a brother and O'Shea Jackson Jr. as Ingrid's love interest and reluctant partner in crime.

Released in 2017, the influencer's aesthetic (and particular use of hashtags) already seems like it was from another age, but the insights and humor remain relevant. Ingrid Goes West raises a lot of questions about social media and how we represent ourselves on it that still work after a million UX changes, but the biggest question it leaves us with is: Why has no one given Jackson the lead in a romantic comedy yet? He is endlessly charming in this movie, and he — and we — deserve better. #manifesting

How to watch: Ingrid Goes West is now streaming on Tubi.

3. Apollo 11

Timed for the 50th anniversary of the moon landing, this 2019 documentary leaves you in awe over what humanity can accomplish with science, technology, and cooperation. What sets Apollo 11 apart from other films and TV shows about the momentous event is the never-before-seen footage included here by director and editor Todd Douglas Miller, who incorporates recently discovered 65mm large-format film of the event. This isn't a documentary that relies on talking-head interviews, narration, or graphics to tell its story after the fact; instead, it is composed of contemporaneous film and audio that gives the film a sense of urgency. Even though we know that the NASA mission succeeded, there's still tension throughout this movie due to the precarious and wildly ambitious nature of the endeavor. 

In addition to footage of astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins, as well as of Mission Control, Apollo 11 includes the crowds gathered to watch history being made. They stare up in wonder at what NASA and the U.S. were attempting, and it's impossible to not feel the weight of the effort decades later from your couch. Apollo 11 is top-tier non-fiction filmmaking, as entertaining as it is inspiring. 

How to watch: Apollo 11 is now streaming on Tubi.

4. I Saw the Devil Credit: Softbank Ventures / Kobal / Shutterstock

If you're looking for a real feel-bad time, I Saw the Devil is the perfect pick to ruin your day (complimentary). Directed by Kim Jee-woon, this 2010 Korean horror movie is a masterful story of violence and vengeance that pits a government agent (Lee Byung-hun) against the serial killer (Choi Min-sik) who brutally murdered his fiancée. They play a cat-and-mouse game over almost two-and-a-half hours that finds the agent capturing and releasing his prey multiple times, torturing the murderer — and the audience. 

Sometimes Tubi's ad blocks can make it difficult to stay engaged throughout a film, but with I Saw the Devil, they offer a welcome respite from all the tension and trauma. Whatever bothers you, this movie has it: dismemberment, cannibalism, sexual assault, and truly extreme violence. I Saw the Devil is bleak as hell in the best of ways, and if you can watch it more than once, you're made of stronger stuff than I am. But even if you can only manage one viewing in your lifetime, its grim story promises to stick with you. 

How to watch: I Saw the Devil is now streaming on Tubi.

5. Short Term 12

This tender and funny indie drama from 2013 features a cast of young stars just before they got big, including future Oscar winners Brie Larson and Rami Malek, as well as Kaitlyn Dever, Stephanie Beatriz, and LaKeith Stanfield. Writer/director Destin Daniel Cretton also went on to bigger (though not necessarily better) things with studio movies like Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, and this early film makes it clear why he caught execs' eyes. Yet even if Short Term 12 didn't boast a cast and filmmaker who went on to fame and acclaim, it would still be a lovely little movie that treats its characters with care and dignity. 

Larson stars alongside John Gallagher Jr. as staff members at a group home for troubled teens, a plot description that makes Short Term 12 sound like a real downer. Though it depicts the struggles of the home's residents — and its staff — Short Term 12 is also sweet, funny, and fast-moving, at a brisk 96 minutes. It's full of affection and empathy for everyone on screen, making them feel like real people who are more than just their problems. This film is a gem; every moment here is honest and authentic and leaves the audience better than when they started watching it.

How to watch: Short Term 12 is now streaming on Tubi.

6. Cemetery Man Credit: Audio Film / Canal+ / Kobal / Shutterstock

Bursting with boobs, blood, and brains, Cemetery Man feels like a movie tailor-made for late-night viewing on Tubi, even though it was released in 1994. Frequent Dario Argento collaborator Michele Soavi directed this zombie comedy, and it features the gorgeous gore you'd expect from a veteran of the giallo scene. However, this is far funnier and far more unhinged than your standard Italian horror movie (and it's in English).

Rupert Everett stars as Francesco Dellamorte, whose job is ostensibly to watch over the local cemetery in a small town with the help of his assistant, Gnaghi (François Hadji-Lazaro), but his most important duty is killing the cemetery's residents when they rise from the dead. He falls for the hot young widow (Anna Falchi) of a recent newcomer to the cemetery and carnal delights ensue, but this is not the kind of movie that gives couples happy endings. 

Cemetery Man is strange from its opening moments, but it truly descends into madness in its final act, taking deranged twists and turns as the body count mounts. The journey it takes to its wild final shot is an unexpected one; you will absolutely never guess what this stylish movie is going to do next.

How to watch: Cemetery Man is now streaming on Tubi.

7. Colossal

If a kaiju film and a quirky indie comedy had a big ol' mutant baby, it would be this genre-bending oddball from 2016. At first, Colossal looks like your typical small film where its lead character just cannot get her life together and returns to her hometown where she receives a new perspective. It even stars Anne Hathaway, who had mined seemingly similar territory for her Oscar–nominated role a decade earlier in Rachel Getting Married. Here, she plays Gloria, whose hard-partying ways get her dumped by her boyfriend (Dan Stevens) and out of her New York City apartment. When she returns to small-town New England, she rekindles a friendship with childhood pal — and current bar owner — Oscar (Jason Sudeikis). But then Colossal takes a big turn, introducing a giant monster (who is definitely not Godzilla) that Gloria, Oscar, and the rest of the world watch rampage through Seoul, South Korea. Gloria notices some details about the creature that connect it to herself in mysterious ways, despite the thousands of miles between them.

Even once you think you know what Colossal is doing, it takes yet another turn. Written and directed by Nacho Vigalondo (Timecrimes), this is a smart, subversive film, replete with both laughs and sharp commentary. Hathaway is generally very good, but she's terrific in this role that requires having an edge while earning the audience's empathy. Colossal didn't make waves at the box office, but it at once seems like a movie that should have been much bigger while feeling wonderfully weird enough that it might not appeal to everyone. 

How to watch: Colossal is now streaming on Tubi.

8. Memento Credit: Danny Rothenberg / Summit / Kobal / Shutterstock

This early indie from Christopher Nolan doesn't merely unsettle the audience with the typical feelings of dread associated with the thriller genre. Instead, the writer/director also leaves us unmoored in time, as uncertain of exactly what is going on as his anterograde amnesiac protagonist, Leonard Shelby (Guy Pearce). Leonard's condition makes it difficult for him to retain new memories, so he reminds himself of pertinent facts with notes, photographs, and tattoos. "JOHN G. RAPED AND MURDERED YOUR WIFE" is written across his chest, and Leonard spends his time trying to find John G. and avenge the death of his love. 

From its opening sequence that finds a Polaroid growing more opaque with each shake, Nolan plays with chronology, with two plot tracks: a black-and-white one running forward and the other in color unfolding in reverse. With its elaborate, nonlinear structure, Memento does more than prefigure Nolan's later Oscar–winning work for big studios like Oppenheimer and Dunkirk. It stands on its own as a landmark of both the independent thriller and mindfuck genres. Though Leonard struggles to make new memories, Memento is a movie that lodges in your brain forever, without any need to tattoo its salient points for permanence.  

How to watch: Memento is now streaming on Tubi.

9. Train to Busan

This 2016 South Korean horror movie has a lot of things going for it: good gore, solid scares, and characters who feel like human beings, rather than just fodder for inventive deaths. Train to Busan also boasts a premise that tweaks the traditional zombie story by setting the action largely on a fast-moving train, keeping survivors trapped and focusing the action within close quarters. It's among both the best zombie films of this century, as well as a standout among recent horror movies overall.

SEE ALSO: 13 best monster movies of the decade

But what really sets Train to Busan apart is the presence of Don Lee (aka Ma Dong-seok) in his breakout movie role as a devoted husband desperate to protect his wife. His ham-sized fists and equally large charm propelled him to action stardom in Korean movies, as well as in the MCU's Eternals. If you're a fan of Don Lee (which you definitely will be by the end of Train to Busan), Tubi currently has one of the best streaming selections of movies starring the big-fisted big guy, including the first two movies in the Roundup action franchise — The Outlaws and The Roundup — and the comedy Champion, which fittingly has Lee playing a competitive arm wrestler. 

How to watch: Train to Busan is now streaming on Tubi.

10. Another Round Credit: Courtesy of Samuel Goldwyn Film

At once sobering and exhilarating, this 2020 Danish black comedy explores midlife crises with wry wit. Mads Mikkelsen stars alongside Thomas Bo Larsen, Magnus Millang, and Lars Ranthe as four friends (and high school teachers) who decide to liven up their existences by being just the right amount of drunk all the time, finding lucidity just before the world starts to blur.

With the original title of Druk in Danish (translated as "binge drinking"), Another Round is the type of movie you want to down in gulps. Though it tackles serious themes, it does so with humor and is teeming with life and energy. Another Round won the Oscar for Best International Feature, and it's such a crowd-pleaser. Mikkelsen is charming as ever, and he and the movie go out on a high note. Another Round features one of the best final sequences of this century, thanks to a vivacious turn from Mikkelsen. 

How to watch: Another Round is now streaming on Tubi.

11. I Am Not Your Negro

This powerhouse documentary packs a real gut punch with its insights about race in America. For I Am Not Your Negro, director Raoul Peck turns James Baldwin's notes for an unfinished book into an Oscar–nominated documentary. Baldwin himself appears on screen via vintage TV interviews, and as narrator, Samuel L. Jackson voices Baldwin's words in low, hushed tones. The typically animated actor sounds different as the writer, at once restrained and filled with righteous anger over how Black people are treated. 

Decades after their deaths, Baldwin began writing about the assassinations of three of his friends — Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and Medgar Evers — and what they meant both in the past and in his present for racism in the United States. Meanwhile, Peck brings a contemporary lens, interspersing historical footage with recent videos. He demonstrates that the problems discussed by Baldwin aren't just historical; they're still plaguing America, making I Am Not Your Negro relevant as relevant today as it was when it was first released in 2016. 

How to watch: I Am Not Your Negro is now streaming on Tubi. 

12. The Beach Bum

You can smell the stink of pot smoke and unwashed hair wafting off the psychedelic cover art for this trippy, dippy comedy, so at least you know what you're in for. Matthew McConaughey stars in the role he was always meant to play: not the rom-com heartthrob of How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, the philosophizing cop of True Detective, or even the HIV-positive hero that won him an Oscar in Dallas Buyers Club. Nope, he was born to star as… Moondog, the titular stoner of Harmony Korine's The Beach Bum. 

This movie is as directionless as its potheaded, poetry-penning protagonist. Sure, there's a plot in here somewhere (hiding beneath that aforementioned skunky fug), but it's really about the joy of watching McConaughey having so much fun in such a silly, surprisingly sweet film set in the Florida sunshine. Yet it isn't just McConaughey enjoying the ride here. Korine has lassoed in a number of stars, such as Snoop Dogg, Isla Fisher, Zac Efron, Jonah Hill, Jimmy Buffett (naturally), and Martin Lawrence, who plays "Captain Wack." The Beach Bum is somehow both smart and supremely stupid (complimentary), and if that sounds like it's your jam, I couldn't recommend hanging out with Moondog for 95 minutes more highly.

How to watch: The Beach Bum is now streaming on Tubi.

13. Shoplifters Credit: Courtesy of Magnolia Pictures.

Some dramas pummel you with epic emotions and big performances, but this quietly moving gem from Monster director Hirokazu Kore-eda takes a subtler tack — and evokes more feeling for it. Shoplifters mulls the concept of family with its story of a tight-knit group living in poverty in Tokyo who steal to survive. The precarious position of the Shibata family (Lily Franky, Sakura Andô, Kirin Kiki, Mayu Matsuoka, and Jyo Kairi) is put into further danger when they take in a young girl (Miyu Sasaki) who is being searched for by the authorities.

This Oscar nominee for Best Foreign Language Film is gently devastating, but Shoplifters isn't purely sad. Kore-eda's script has plenty of wit and specificities that add levity to offset the heavy subject matter. The details of the family's routines, the pleasures they take in small moments, and above all their connections to each other are touching and tender, without ever descending into schmaltz. 

How to watch: Shoplifters is now streaming on Tubi.

14. The Wages of Fear

This French adventure starts off a little slowly, but trust me — when it gets moving, it cannot be stopped. The Wages of Fear has an impeccable premise: Four men agree to drive two trucks filled with nitroglycerine across hundreds of miles of bumpy, dangerous terrain to put out an oil well fire. I do not know the science behind this insane endeavor, but I do not need to. Sold.

For those who worry that a movie made in 1953 might not be as exciting as its contemporary brethren, The Wages of Fear has plenty of surprises while it pulls no punches. This film does not mess around.  (How hard it goes won't be a shock for those who have seen director Henri-Georges Clouzot's other big movie, Les Diaboliques.) There are long stretches of this black-and-white classic where you hold your breath as peril after peril strikes for these four men, played by Yves Montand, Charles Vanel, Folco Lulli, and Peter van Eyck.

You could watch the critically derided 2024 remake on Netflix if you'd like a journey as arduous as the one embarked upon here, but the original is almost impossible to beat. The Wages of Fear is one of the greatest thrillers of all time. 

How to watch: The Wages of Fear is now streaming on Tubi.

UPDATE: Dec. 20, 2024, 4:41 p.m. EST This was first published on May 30, 2024. It has been updated to reflect the latest streaming options.

Opens in a new window Credit: Tubi Tubi Watch Now

Squid Game Season 2 is finally out on Netflix, kicking off a fresh round of deadly playground games. To mark the release, Google Search has added a new Squid Game Easter egg allowing users to play a mini Red Light, Green Light game in their browser.

SEE ALSO: 'Squid Game' Season 2 finale: Who's that other doll?

To access the Easter egg, simply use Google Search to look up "Squid Game" on either desktop or your phone's web browser. A brown card with a circle, triangle, and square on it will appear at the bottom of your screen. Just click or tap on it to start the game.

Credit: Google

Google's Squid Game Easter egg is rather straightforward, and decidedly less stressful than the series' life-or-death games. An animated version of Young-hee, the giant doll from Squid Game's Red Light, Green Light game will appear at the top of your screen. Flanked by two masked guards, Young-hee will face a row of six people in green tracksuits along the bottom of the screen. These people will move forward when you press the blue "O" button, and stop when you click the red "X" button. 

The goal is to move them toward Yong-hee when her back is turned, and stop when she is looking at them. As in Squid Game, Yong-hee sings the Korean phrase "무궁화꽃이 피었습니다" while facing away from the players, providing an audio cue for when to hit that red button.

Unlike the Netflix series, the hapless participants in Google's Squid Game Easter egg aren't gunned down if Yong-hee catches them out. Instead they turn around and safely leave the arena, keeping Google's game much more family-friendly.

FREE E-BOOKS: The latest Stuff Your Kindle Day takes place on Dec. 27. Pick up hundreds of dark romance, dark fantasy, and horror ebooks for free.

Christmas might be over, but the big day for bookworms is here.

Stuff Your Kindle Day provides an incredible opportunity to stock up on hundreds of books for free. It sounds too good to be true, but this generous giveaway is very much for real. Stuff Your Kindle Day is an author-organized event that drops the price of hundreds of e-books to absolutely nothing. And the books that you choose to download are yours to keep forever.

SEE ALSO: The Kindle Paperwhite made me enjoy reading books again

This latest Stuff Your Kindle Day is focused on dark fiction, with dark romance, dark fantasy, dark sci-fi, and horror ebooks. Hosted by Dark Mode Books, there's a masterlist, top reads list, and influencer suggestions so you can cut to the chase and pick out the best free books for you.

Want to make the most of Stuff Your Kindle Day? We've read ahead and lined up everything you need to know about this latest event.

When is Stuff Your Kindle Day?

Bookworms have been treated to a number of Stuff Your Kindle Days this year. The last event took place on Dec. 6-9, with the Indie Author Winter Wonderland Event offering hundreds of indie books for 99 cents or less. That was great, but now it's time to get dark.

The latest Stuff Your Kindle Day is hosted by Dark Mode Books, and takes place on Dec. 27. The best way to find out about dates hosted by Dark Mode Books is to join the free reader alert email service.

Who can take part in Stuff Your Kindle Day?

The best thing about Stuff Your Kindle Day is that anyone can participate, even you.

You don't need to own a Kindle to get involved. Kindle, Kobo, and Nook readers can download these free e-books. You can even download these books on your preferred app and read them straight from your phone, as you can also find these free titles on the Google Play and Apple Books apps.

Which e-books are free?

Sourcing these free dark e-books is straightforward thanks to Dark Mode Books. The hosts have organized everything into a masterlist, top reads list, and influencer suggestions, so you can find the dark romance, dark fantasy, dark sci-fi, and horror ebooks that you actually want to read. Take a look around and you'll see how easy the page is to navigate.

Is Stuff Your Kindle Day the same as Amazon Kindle Unlimited?

Everything you download on Stuff Your Kindle Day is yours to keep, and there's no limit on the number of books you can download. Stuff Your Kindle Day downloads don't count towards the 20 books per month that Amazon Kindle Unlimited subscribers can borrow, so don't hold back.

Featured Video For You Kindle Paperwhite vs. Kobo Clara Colour: Which one is better?

TL;DR: Live stream Brighton vs. Brentford in the Premier League for free with a 30-day trial of Amazon Prime. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Premier League is available to live stream for free this Christmas, including Brighton vs. Brentford. Both sides are battling for a spot in the top half of the table. We're expecting a close game between two evenly-matched teams.

If you want to watch Brighton vs. Brentford in the Premier League for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Brighton vs. Brentford?

Brighton vs. Brentford in the Premier League starts at 7:30 p.m. GMT on Dec. 27. This fixture takes place at the Falmer Stadium.

How to watch Brighton vs. Brentford for free

Brighton vs. Brentford is available to live stream on Prime Video in the UK, but you don't need to be subscribed to Amazon Prime to watch this fixture. Instead, you can watch Brighton vs. Brentford (plus more Premier League fixtures) for free with a 30-day trial of Amazon Prime.

If you're abroad for this fixture, you might need to use a VPN to watch the Premier League for free on Prime Video. This process is straightforward:

1. Sign up for a 30-day Amazon Prime trial (if you're not already a member)

2. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

3. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

4. Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK

5. Watch Brighton vs. Brentford for free from anywhere in the world on Prime Video

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Brighton vs. Brentford on Prime Video without committing with your cash. This isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream select Premier League fixtures before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for Prime Video?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Prime Video, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

• 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 also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Stream Brighton vs. Brentford in the Premier League for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Arsenal vs. Ipswich Town in the Premier League for free with a 30-day trial of Amazon Prime. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Fans can watch a number of festive Premier League fixtures for free this Christmas, including Arsenal vs. Ipswich Town.

Arsenal are fighting to keep pace with the league leaders, and have strung together some really encouraging results lately. Ipswich Town are battling to survive, but they still stand a chance in this festive encounter. This is the Premier League, after all.

If you want to watch Arsenal vs. Ipswich Town in the Premier League for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Arsenal vs. Ipswich Town?

Arsenal vs. Ipswich Town in the Premier League starts at 8:15 p.m. GMT on Dec. 27. This fixture takes place at the Emirates Stadium.

How to watch Arsenal vs. Ipswich Town for free

Arsenal vs. Ipswich Town is available to live stream on Prime Video in the UK, but you don't need to be subscribed to Amazon Prime to watch this fixture. Instead, you can watch Arsenal vs. Ipswich Town (plus more Premier League fixtures) for free with a 30-day trial of Amazon Prime.

If you're abroad for this fixture, you might need to use a VPN to watch the Premier League for free on Prime Video. This process is straightforward:

1. Sign up for a 30-day Amazon Prime trial (if you're not already a member)

2. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

3. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

4. Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK

5. Watch Arsenal vs. Ipswich Town for free from anywhere in the world on Prime Video

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Arsenal vs. Ipswich Town on Prime Video without committing with your cash. This isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream select Premier League fixtures before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for Prime Video?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Prime Video, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

• 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 also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Stream Arsenal vs. Ipswich Town in the Premier League for free with ExpressVPN.

Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

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

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

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

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

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

Tweet may have been deleted

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

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for December 27 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Morning meals

• Green: A way to active something

• Blue: Known to have pointy outgrowths

• Purple: Surnames of famous actors

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

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

• Yellow: Breakfast Sides

• Green: Pushes, As A Button

• Blue: They Have A Horn

• Purple: Oscar-Winning Actors

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

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

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections #567 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Breakfast Sides: BACON, GRITS, HASH, TOAST

• Pushes, As A Button: CLICKS, HITS, PRESSES, TAPS

• They Have A Horn: AFRICA, BUGLER, CAR, UNICORN

• Oscar-Winning Actors: BRIDGES, IRONS, PHOENIX, WASHINGTON

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for December 27

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for December 27 Where did Wordle come from?

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

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

What's the best Wordle starting word?

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

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

Is Wordle getting harder?

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

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for December 27 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A cultivated cereal crop.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no reoccurring letters

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter G.

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

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

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

GRAIN.

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for December 27

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

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

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

The upcoming FX series Alien: Earth from TV maestro Noah Hawley (Fargo, Legion) remains mostly shrouded in mystery, but an interesting tidbit just came into focus. Rebecca and Kevin Joelson, the producers behind the show's teaser trailer, recently shared images and video of how the clip came together.

The biggest surprise is that the trailer's deadly xenomorph was made via practical effects, not computer-generated images (CGI). In the clip on the Joelsons' website, an actor is festooned with the xeno's headpiece, which features sharp teeth and the alien's iconic inner jaw. The production team's work was seen in the teaser, which highlighted a reflection of Earth in the xeno's shiny dome and the tagline: "In 2120, Mother Earth is expecting."

The show is set two years before the events of Ridley Scott's beloved Alien and begins after a "mysterious space vessel crash-lands on Earth," according to FX. Adhering to the franchise formula of a strong woman who remains cool under pressure, Sydney Chandler plays the show's protagonist and one of the individuals who discovers the ship. Also starring Timothy Olyphant, Alex Lawther, and Essie Davis, Alien: Earth premieres this summer on Hulu.

SEE ALSO: 'Alien: Romulus' review: Full of fan service (to a fault)

Hawley, the creator and writer of Alien: Earth, told the Hollywood Reporter that his show mostly uses practical effects with "some CG." Fede Alvarez's theatrical Alien: Romulus from this year also ditched much of the CGI that was a big part of Ridley Scott's prequel films, especially 2017's Alien: Covenant. Though criticized for its use of a deep fake to recreate a character from the original Alien, Romulus was a critical and commercial hit, grossing more than $350 million at the international box office.

Alien: Earth, behind the scenes of the teaser Credit: Courtesy the Joelsons

No, it wasn't just you. On the day after Christmas, ChatGPT stopped working for many.

OpenAI's flagship chatbot experienced major outages around 2 p.m. ET on Thursday, right as some of its users were theoretically wanting something to do after getting over the Christmas rush. According to Down Detector, tons of users reported that the site wasn't working for them in the early afternoon, though the reports started receding after half an hour or so. That said, at the time of writing, ChatGPT isn't working for me.

SEE ALSO: OpenAI now lets you call ChatGPT on your phone Yeah, it's busted. Credit: Screenshot: OpenAI

The outage manifested in different ways depending on how I tried to use ChatGPT. On mobile, the "send" button next to the text prompt entry field was simply grayed out and didn't do anything. On desktop, I could send prompts, but they would immediately be returned with an error message.

It just goes to show that OpenAI has some kinks to work out before it can attain its grand ambitions.

Apple has no plans whatsoever in making its own version of Google.

It's not clear if anyone even really wanted such a thing, but if they did, they got bad news this week. Reuters spotted a federal court declaration filed by Apple in D.C. on Monday, and MacRumors honed in on some interesting nuggets. In particular, Apple senior VP of services Eddy Cue laid out in clear terms why Apple isn't interested in creating its own search engine:

1. It would be very expensive

2. The recent and growing injection of AI into search has made the business more uncertain than ever

3. Apple doesn't want to sell targeted advertising, as it would conflict with its stated privacy policies

4. Apple simply doesn't have the people or infrastructure to pull it off

SEE ALSO: Apple reportedly working on a smart doorbell with Face ID

There's also another very sensible reason why Apple won't develop its own search engine: Google pays Apple a lot of money to make Google the default search engine on Apple's Safari browser. According to Cue, Google paid Apple roughly $20 billion just in 2022 for this arrangement. This partnership violates U.S. antitrust laws, according to the federal government. Apple filed the court declaration to request permission for Apple representatives to testify when the antitrust case begins in April.

So, in other words, all of those other reasons for not developing an Apple search engine are probably secondary to the fact that the tech behemoth currently benefits financially from the status quo.

If the thought of receiving radio signals from space conjures an image of Jodie Foster in the movie Contact, hunched over a computer console and listening for spaceship schematics beamed to Earth by intelligent beings from Vega, that’s, um, a decent first step toward understanding what scientists have in mind when they tune in to space’s radio signals. The reality is less cinematic, but that doesn’t make it boring. 

Radio telescopes — most famously the ill-fated Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico, but also peppered across deserts worldwide — are not really for detecting deliberate communications signals from aliens. That would be like saying the eyes on your head are for detecting rabid grizzly bears. That wouldn’t be a misuse, but it’s hardly a description of why they’re there.

SEE ALSO: Radio signals keep coming from deep space. Here's what they really are.

In fact, radio telescopes really are a bit like the eyes on your head, in that they’re less listening, as the term "radio" suggests, and more seeing what’s sometimes called the "radio sky," meaning everything detectable in the broad spectrum of emissions given off by the cosmos itself from Earth’s vantage point — things like pulsar beacons, solar flares and their effects, and the universe's microwave background radiation. But the radio sky also includes signals from closer to home like space probes, and even the satellites orbiting around us. 

In 2024, the radio receivers on and around the human homeworld captured a variety of fascinating emissions, some of which are mysterious, none of which are probably from space invaders, and all of which are more interesting than fiction. Here are five of the most intriguing signals of 2024:

A mysteriously slow pulse

Picked up by the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP) radio telescope, this signal known as ASKAP J193505.1+214841.0 was spotted before this year, but the team that found it published its findings in June 2024. This is a deeply puzzling radio signal in that it repeats almost hourly — every 53.8 minutes to be more precise. That’s way too slow to be anything astronomers currently understand. 

The gap between ASKAP J193505.1+214841.0 emissions is too slow to be a pulsar, since pulsars emanate from neutron stars that are rotating fast — literally achieving drill bit-like RPMs. The length of this newly discovered gap has left scientists baffled so far, but every new discovery about nature starts off as the discovery of something that should be "impossible."

A powerful, faraway burst

Imagine "staring" up at the radio sky (we’re speaking figuratively here). To a radio stargazer, the radio wave bursts known as fast radio bursts (FRBs) might appear like quick blinding flashes that momentarily drown out all other signals before quickly disappearing. FRB 20220610A is one such powerful radio wave burst — one that happens to have traveled through space for 8 billion years before being detected. That’s old; the Big Bang was 13.8 billion years ago.  

Not only is FRB 20220610A — also detected by ASKAP, this time with the help of the Hubble Space Telescope — one of the most distant FRBs ever detected, but it’s also one of the "brightest" (actually most energetic) radio signal bursts ever picked up by humanity’s receivers. The source may have been a place in space with "as many as seven galaxies on a possible path to merging," according to a NASA blog post about the discovery.

Radio pollution from Elon Musk

Researchers in the recent past have already complained about problematic signals given off by the over 6,000 SpaceX-operated Starlink satellites orbiting the Earth, beaming data down to internet users here on Earth’s surface. The signal given off by the satellites represents unwanted noise to certain instruments attempting to observe the radio sky. However, researchers at the Netherlands' LOFAR observatory discovered in 2024 that the brand new V2-mini line of satellites emit up to 32 times more unwanted noise than earlier Starlink models. 

Starlink noise is obscuring astronomers' observations of certain low frequency signals needed for the study of exoplanets, black holes, and ancient cosmic phenomena. It’s not unheard of for the law to step in and protect radio telescopes from such noise. Radio quiet zones exist for their benefit, but these zones are policed for things like interference from nearby mobile phones, and have nothing to say about objects launched into space. Satellite-based radio emissions are an unregulated frontier, and Starlink has tossed about 6,000 satellites into that regulatory void. Thanks as usual, Elon!

Another FRB with important clues for scientists 

Another FRB is shedding light on the mysterious origins of massive radio signal bursts in 2024. This is a fresh finding from the study of phenomena called magnetars — in this case magnetar SGR 1935+2154, which actually shot out its intriguing signal back in 2020. After pinpointing the source of magnetar SGR 1935+2154, the team at Caltech’s Deep Synoptic Array-110 (DSA-110) now says such signals come from neutron stars in massive, star-forming galaxies that are rich in metals. This finding significantly narrows the possibilities for finding neutron stars with FRB-creating attributes, meaning our understanding of where these extreme events occur is becoming more precise. 

In the 1960s and ’70s, he developed the PLATO computer system, which combined instant messaging, email, chat rooms and gaming on flat-screen plasma displays.

As the technology is widely adopted, some once-struggling midsize cities in the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic and South may benefit, new research predicts.

Have you ever caught yourself scrolling aimlessly on a dating app, rejecting profiles for reasons you can’t articulate? Well, maybe it’s a ‘me’ problem, rather than a ‘you’ problem.

I’m someone who has always struggled with emotional intimacy and showing vulnerability. As a guy in my late 30s who’s done OK in my London PR career, I have a strong desire to be independent and protect the life I’ve created for myself, at times fearing being taken advantage of. 

For those of you who have read Attached by Amir Levine, I’m ticking every number on the avoidant attachment style bingo card. Avoiding closeness? Tick. Difficulty trusting others? Tick. Almost too independent? Triple tick. 

I was a cast member on season one of the Netflix show Love is Blind UK, which taught me a lot about how I approach romantic relationships, and I’ve since become an ambassador for Bumble. I speak on panels and podcasts and create content on my Instagram page all about different dating and relationship dynamics. 

While this article isn’t meant to be a self-help guide extolling the benefits of talking therapy, here’s what I’ve learnt: the way you use dating apps can reflect how you approach relationships as a whole.  

How avoidant attachers scroll on dating apps

For the newbies in the room, avoidants often crave connection but find real intimacy challenging. It’s a tug-of-war between wanting love and fearing vulnerability.

Psychotherapist Louise Whitnall, who I worked with after the show was released last summer, says "people with avoidant attachment styles often come from backgrounds where their caregivers were not emotionally attuned to their needs or were emotionally distant for various reasons," which is pretty much bang on when it comes to my childhood. 

She also explains that "when a relationship reaches the point where genuine intimacy is required, avoidantly attached people may abruptly end or leave the relationship" — which also aligns with my past behaviour. 

When it came to dating and using apps, my avoidant tendencies would often lead me to prioritise physical appearance, often spending time endlessly scrolling without really engaging with anyone properly. In some cases I’d hesitate to move the conversation forward, self-sabotaging as a way of protecting myself in case they didn’t like me.  

It wasn’t until I started therapy in my early 30s that I began to understand how my avoidant tendencies were sabotaging my dating life and that I needed to make a change in how I was using dating apps.

SEE ALSO: The only dating apps worth downloading in December 2024 The problem with scrolling unintentionally

For years, I swiped with no clear intention. I’d reject people based on minor details like their choice of hobbies, the way they wrote their bio, or even where their pictures were taken. It wasn’t that these profiles were bad, it was that I was avoiding the discomfort of connection.

Because when you scroll without substance, you risk falling into two traps. 

The first is validation seeking. Each match becomes a hit of dopamine, a momentary boost that confirms you’re desirable. But, as with any short-term dopamine hit, it’s fleeting and short-lived. And you keep coming back for more, which isn’t ideal in the dating game. 

The second trap is avoiding vulnerability. It’s easy to keep conversations surface-level, giving you the illusion of connection without requiring you to open up in a meaningful way. 

But what I’ve realised is, the deeper relationships we truly desire require us to take risks and engage meaningfully.

SEE ALSO: What is attachment theory and how does it impact sex and relationships? Recognising your own swiping patterns

One of my biggest lightbulb moments was realising that my behaviour on dating apps wasn’t separate from how I acted in real life, it was a direct extension of it. The judgments I’d make seeing someone’s pictures on a screen would often directly reflect how I could be judgemental in the real world. 

If you think you might be self-sabotaging on dating apps, ask yourself these questions:

• Do you swipe without reading bios or looking at photos for more than a second?

• Do you find reasons to dismiss people quickly (e.g. "They’re not my type," "That hobby is weird.")

• Do you match with people but hesitate to message them or ghost when things start to feel real?

• Do you feel like your matches are more of a ‘score’ and that the more you get the better you feel?

If the answers to these are yes, then it’s likely you’re in the self-sabotaging cycle. These patterns might feel like they’re protecting you, but in reality, they’re keeping you stuck.

The answer isn’t just to "try harder" on the apps, it starts with looking inward. And dare I say it, applying some self-reflection.   How to date with intention

So, how do you move from scrolling without substance to dating intentionally? 

The answer isn’t just to "try harder" on the apps, it starts with looking inward. And dare I say it, applying some self-reflection.  

Here’s my five-step programme to avoid, er, avoidance. 

1. Invest in Yourself First:
   Before you dive into dating, spend time understanding what you want in a partner — and why you might be avoiding connection. This bit is hard and might require some time out of dating. Journaling, therapy, and being more mindful about your behaviour can all help.

2. Set clear intentions:
   What are you looking for in a relationship? Be clear in what you’re after. Bumble’s 2025 dating trends research shows that the majority of women place value on stability, and emotional consistency. There is nothing worse than someone who comes in with all the promises in the world who can’t deliver against them. If you’re just looking for something casual, that’s OK, just say it — dating apps literally give you an option to signpost what your dating intentions are. 

3. Put time into your profile:
   Instead of listing generic interests, use your bio to share what matters most to you. Show your personality. Think about how your best friend would describe you. And invest time into it – this is more important than the swiping bit, and you’ll get better quality, more relevant matches if you commit to this. Finally, show a bit of vulnerability and openness. That’s what makes us human, right?

4. Be open-minded about criteria:
   A big one. Physical attraction is important, but don’t let superficial preferences keep you from meeting someone amazing. Swipe slower, read bios carefully, and give people a chance to surprise you. Separate your negotiables from your non-negotiables – will that inch of height really make the difference when you’re walking down the aisle with your dream partner? Size doesn’t always matter. 

5. Engage meaningfully:
   Once you match, commit to starting real conversations. Focus on a few quality matches and maybe consider pausing the swiping to dedicate time to a handful of people. Ask questions that go beyond small talk and really dive deep into who they are – if that scares them off, they’re probably not right for you anyway. 

How to scroll with substance

Changing how you use dating apps won’t just improve your experience — it can reshape how you approach relationships as a whole.

I’ve tried to be more open minded about my criteria, and I’m in the early stages of a relationship with somebody incredible who has made me completely reframe what I thought I wanted from a partner. 

Speaking from experience, I’ve tried to be more open minded about my criteria, and I’m in the early stages of a relationship with somebody incredible who has made me completely reframe what I thought I wanted from a partner. 

One of the biggest shifts for me was embracing the concept of satisficing — choosing a partner who meets my core needs and committing to them wholeheartedly, rather than endlessly chasing an unattainable ideal of perfection. 

Satisficing is about letting go of the pressure to find "the one" who checks every box and instead focusing on someone who is good enough in the ways that truly matter. 

It’s not about settling, it’s a mindset shift, recognizing that relationships thrive not because someone fits a fantasy, but because both people invest in each other and grow together. 

What I’ve come to realize is that love isn’t about meeting a checklist; it’s about showing up, committing, and nurturing something meaningful.  

Dating apps aren’t the enemy here. In fact, they can be a great tool when used mindfully. Features like Bumble’s profile prompts encourage thoughtful engagement and move you away from more ‘shallow’, validation-chasing criteria. 

The person I’m with now doesn’t check every box I thought I needed, and if I’m being totally honest, the old version of me might’ve written them off. But, by leaning into them and letting go of ‘perfect’, they’ve opened my eyes to a whole number of other qualities I didn’t even know existed. We’ve had some challenging moments where we’ve clashed on different perspectives, but we’ve both tried to listen to each other’s points of view rather than trying to find someone else with the same opinion.

So, next time you catch yourself looking for a match, pause and ask yourself, what am I really looking for? The answer might surprise you.

Squid Game Season 2 may have ended on a brutal cliffhanger, but fret not! The show's third and final season is confirmed for a 2025 release — and the Season 2 finale even includes a post-credits scene to hint at what's coming next.

SEE ALSO: 'Squid Game' Season 2 is ruined by its latest twist: Full season review

After Seong Gi-hun's (Lee Jung-jae, The Acolyte) rebellion against the games fails, Squid Game moves to a mysterious look at Season 3. In the sneak peek, three players — 096, 100, and 353, none of whom are in the core cast of the season — walk into a new game room. There, they come across a familiar face: Young-hee, the giant animatronic doll from the "Red Light, Green Light" game.

But Young-hee is not alone. As if one scary doll wasn't enough, we now have two scary dolls to contend with! Young-hee is facing another massive animatronic doll, this one a little boy in a cap. Who is he, and how does he figure into Season 3? Luckily, Squid Game creator Hwang Dong-hyuk has already given us the answer.

Who is the little boy doll in the Squid Game Season 2 finale? Young-hee the doll in "Squid Game." Credit: Netflix

The answer comes from a letter Hwang wrote to fans all the way back in June 2022, as part of Squid Game's renewal announcement. In it, he teases the return of Gi-hun, the Front Man (Lee Byung-hun), and even the suit-wearing recruiter (Gong Yoo). However, the most interesting tidbit comes at the very end of the letter.

"You’ll also be introduced to Young-hee’s boyfriend, Cheol-su," Hwang wrote.

Since there are no other animatronic dolls on the scene for Young-hee to hang out with, it's pretty clear that the doll we meet in Season 2's post-credits scene is Cheol-su.

(If you think it's confusing that Hwang would tease Cheol-su in a Season 2 announcement, only for him to barely appear in the season, you'd be right! According to Entertainment Weekly, Hwang originally envisioned Seasons 2 and 3 of Squid Game as one long season. The split must have come after the writing of the letter, which is why Cheol-su hasn't gotten his moment in the spotlight... yet.)

So now that we know what the deal with Cheol-su is, the real question becomes: What twisted game are he and Young-hee going to force our players into?

The post-credits scene shows a train signal flashing from red to green, which could imply that this game will be another version of "Red Light, Green Light." The train angle suggests a twist, though. Maybe the surviving players will have to play out some real-life trolley problems. The horror!

Squid Game Season 2 is now streaming on Netflix.

A little over an hour into Babygirl, something magical happens.

SEE ALSO: 'Babygirl' review: Nicole Kidman to 'Challengers': Hold my beer

CEO Romy (Nicole Kidman) and intern Samuel (Harris Dickinson) meet in an opulent hotel room to rekindle their BDSM-tinged affair. Right as they reconnect — with Samuel finally calling Romy his "babygirl," no less — you hear them. The telltale snare drums and synths of George Michael's "Father Figure," ushering us into a montage where Romy and Samuel explore their sexual boundaries, complete with a shirtless dance scene from Samuel.

It's a needle drop that is at once sensual and playful, as Romy and Samuel search for the "something special, something sacred" Michael sings about wanting in the song. It's also just one of many reasons Babygirl is a feast for the ears. Immaculate needle drops and the growling wolves and operatic vocals of Cristobal Tapia de Veer's (The White Lotus) score prove to be the perfect accompaniment to Romy and Samuel's exploration. However, Babygirl's soundscape also charts Romy's own journey of self-discovery, following her from her initial repression and shame about her desires to being unafraid to share what she wants.

To learn more, Mashable spoke with music supervisor Meghan Currier (Past Lives) and de Veer about their work on the film, including why "Father Figure" is Babygirl's anthem, and how Nicole Kidman's voice ended up on the soundtrack in an unexpected way.

"Father Figure" by George Michael is Babygirl's musical centerpiece. Nicole Kidman and Harris Dickinson in "Babygirl." Credit: A24

"Father Figure" was written into the first draft of Babygirl's script that Currier received from writer/director Halina Reijn. "It was always in her mind," Currier told Mashable over Zoom. "She was like, 'As I was writing this script, I played this constantly.'"

(Outside of the song, the word "fatherly" does pop up a few times in the Babygirl screenplay, twice being used to describe Samuel's tone with Romy.)

Because of Reijn's connection to "Father Figure," Currier knew there was no alternative song for the scene and made it a priority to secure it. She also used it to build a musical mood board for Babygirl, which included gabber dance music for the film's rave scene and Christmas songs to match the film's time period as well. While these help flesh out the music of Babygirl's wider world, "Father Figure" remained the guiding sound for Romy and Samuel's relationship. It led Currier to use INXS's "Never Tear Us Apart" in the film as well.

SEE ALSO: The 25 best movies of 2024, and where to watch them

"Almost in a generational context between Romy's character and Samuel's character, [Reijn and I] felt that leaning into some of these timeless songs that were created in the '80s felt really right," Currier said. "INXS also emerged from that same root."

"Never Tear Us Apart" plays during the first montage of Romy and Samuel's affair, speaking to the early days of their relationship. "Even though it's a beautiful love song, there's a darkness that cuts through it as well, and I think that really underscores the naughtiness of what they're engaging in," Currier explained. "At the same time, we see them figuring out the roles of the game, so to speak, so there is this push-and-pull quality sonically that beautifully takes us through that montage of them figuring out their roles."

By the time we get to the "Father Figure" montage, Samuel and Romy's relationship has shifted. Now they have a better sense of their roles in their sexual escapades. But there's also more of a willingness to be vulnerable with one another, highlighted in George Michael's lyrics about wanting to understand and be there for his lover. To paraphrase "Father Figure," Romy and Samuel can finally "be bold and naked" at each other's sides.

"The song has a much more grounded, soft quality to it that really supports what we're seeing in the dynamics of the two in this beautiful hotel room," Currier said. "It feels more cocooned and safe."

Babygirl's score tells a "werewolf" story. Harris Dickinson and Nicole Kidman in "Babygirl." Credit: A24

In the time between the "Never Tear Us Apart" montage and the "Father Figure" montage, Romy has grown to further embrace and understand her own desires, yet she still finds it difficult to verbalize what she wants, something Babygirl mirrors in de Veer's score.

De Veer plays with two main themes throughout. The first, titled "Mommy's Dollhouse," is our gateway into Romy's manicured, polished world. Strings, operatic vocals, and a lilting piano guide us through Romy's seemingly picture-perfect life – yet thumping drums hint at an underlying darkness and stress within. That inner conflict also comes through in the theme's piano line.

"I wrote this with my partner, Kim [Neundorf]. She was playing the right hand, which is this waltz-y melody, and I was playing the left hand. In my head, I was playing a military march," de Veer explained to Mashable over Zoom. "A waltz would be in three time, while what I'm playing is in four time. So there's kind of a fight going on. There's two things going on, which is unusual for a waltz, and I like the fact that there is something militaristic about her professional life."

The "militaristic" nature of "Mommy's Dollhouse" couldn't be farther from de Veer's second theme, "Wolves." Here, distorted vocals, animalistic breathing, and growling wolves blur together. It's part survival instinct, part distilled desire. For de Veer, the emphasis on the wolf sounds is also representative of Romy's personal transformation.

"There's almost a werewolf situation going on in this movie," de Veer said. "The theme transforms throughout until it becomes this kind of atonal music. It's rhythm, it's pulse — that's pretty much it."

Somewhere among the layers of rhythm and pulse that represent Romy's desire lies some of Kidman's own voice. In one iteration of "Wolves," de Veer samples a surprised noise Kidman made when she almost tripped on set during one of the dailies de Veer saw. (This isn't the first time de Veer has sampled Kidman's voice in his work. During his time in Canadian band One Ton, he sampled part of Kidman's argument with Tom Cruise in Eyes Wide Shut.)

"This 'woo' sound [from Kidman] was spontaneous, so I took that," de Veer said. "I pretty much used anything I had."

While "Wolves" and "Mommy's Dollhouse" represent the two very different sides of Romy — her hidden desires and her outward perfectionism — de Veer manages to meld them together in the film's final scene, when Romy's husband, Jacob (Antonio Banderas), helps bring her fantasies to life. The organization and harmony of "Mommy's Dollhouse" mix with the primal, animalistic sounds of "Wolves," until Romy gets exactly what she wants.

As de Veer put it, "It feels like an explosion."

Babygirl is now in theaters.

An age of discovery is upon us.

Earth is an ocean planet, with over 70 percent of its surface covered in seas. With deep-sea robots, scientists regularly reveal new insights into the most mysterious realms of these expansive waters. Many alien ecosystems dwell in previously unknown canyons or cling to submerged mountains.

In 2024, the Schmidt Ocean Institute, an ocean exploration group that uses a robot capable of probing depths down to 14,760 feet (4,500 meters), embarked on a 55-day expedition that exemplifies the wild sightings found at these depths. Their remotely operated vehicle (ROV), SuBastian, spotted a colossal meeting or migration of crabs, a shimmering, psychedelic marine worm, life flourishing around deep methane seeps, and possibly 60 new species.

"Every time we put the ROV down with its 4K cameras onboard, we see some amazing biodiversity," Jyotika Virmani, an oceanographer and executive director of the Schmidt Ocean Institute, told Mashable.

"It was just one thing after another," she added.

SEE ALSO: Scientists witness stunning, unprecedented carnage in the ocean

The view below shows the impressive, uncountable amassing of crabs during Schmidt's recent Chile Margin expedition. "Yesterday, we came across a crazy conflagration of crabs 400 meters down. Migration route? Mating season?" Jeffrey Marlow, a biologist from Boston University and chief scientist of the trip, posted online.

Submersibles crewed by biologists can certainly perform unique science, but ROVs have exploration benefits. Unlike people, they don't need oxygen, and can stay down for a long time. "We can operate it for two days if we need to," Virmani said. It's relatively easy to try out new technologies aboard these robots, and the ROV can also collect and bring samples back to the surface.

Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted

Below, you'll find the otherworldly scenes captured by the Schmidt Ocean Institute and other deep sea explorers in 2024.

Footage of extremely ancient deep sea creatures

A deep sea mission, undertaken by the Ocean Exploration Trust aboard their 223-foot vessel (E/V) Nautilus, spotted four nautilus individuals. Creatures similar to these modern-day nautiloids — swimming mollusks residing in large shells — have been on Earth for some 500 million years, evolving much earlier than the dinosaurs.

But the creatures aren't easy to find. The Ocean Trust explorers have endeavored into the deep sea for 15 years and taken over 1,000 dives with their remotely operated vehicle. But these are the first nautiloids they've spotted.

"It's finally happened," a member of the exploration team said at the beginning of the footage, shown in the video below. The nautiloids were swimming in a south Pacific Ocean channel off Palau.

Squid with a huge brood of eggs

During their 55-day voyage through the Chile Margin, the Schmidt Ocean Institute serendipitously spotted a mother black-eyed squid clutching a large brood of eggs. Gonatus squids can brood up to 3,000 eggs at a time.

"It's not often you get to see that," Virmani said.

Tweet may have been deleted Octopuses punching fish

The ocean exploration group OceanX captured footage of octopuses punching fish in the Red Sea. OceanX often explores the deep ocean, but this scene is from shallower depths.

"The octopuses appeared to punch the fish to enforce social order and keep the hunting group moving along," OceanX explained in their video, below. "Researchers theorize that the octopuses hunt with the fish to find prey more easily, and the fish hunt with the octopuses to root out prey hiding in crevices."

Tweet may have been deleted Discovery of the "mystery mollusc"

Scientists at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute identified an intriguing new deep sea species off California. It's see-through, can glow, and nabs prey with a large hood. At one point while filming, researchers watched it detach one of its finger-like appendages, likely as a decoy for a predator. The glowing appendage then floated away.

"When we first filmed it glowing with the ROV, everyone in the control room let out a loud 'Oooooh!' at the same time. We were all enchanted by the sight," Steven Haddock, a senior scientist at the institute, said in a statement.

Below, you can view brilliant footage of the animal, which biologists have dubbed the "mystery mollusc." It now also has a scientific name, Bathydevius caudactylus, and after years of observation and genetic testing, scientists have concluded it's a species of nudibranch, more popularly known as sea slugs.

Wild deep sea squid sighting

A baited robotic lander lured a magnapinna — a rarely seen bigfin squid — and allowed researchers from Minderoo-UWA Deep-Sea Research Centre and Inkfish to film this cryptic footage. The squid was observed in the Tonga Trench, located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean.

"Exceptional" footage of two deep sea critters

"While diving on an unnamed seamount west of Babeldaob near the Palau National Marine Sanctuary, ROV Hercules happened upon two gorgeous deep sea creatures," writes the Ocean Exploration Trust.

Seen first is a Chaunacops, an anglerfish with a large lure. Next is a clear view of a dumbo octopus, named for its ear-like fins.

Shimmering creature in the remote ocean

While investigating the little-explored Chilean coast — with seeps and vents emitting nutrients into the water — the Schmidt Ocean Institute spotted a curious, almost alien-looking species: a shimmering species of polychaete crawling on the seafloor. It's a psychedelic marine worm.

You can see this slow-moving creature's sparkling bristles, or chaetae, in the video below.

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Polychaetes are extremely diverse organisms.

"The visual variety among the more than 10,000 described species means a polychaete enthusiast is never bored," Karen Osborn, the curator of Marine Invertebrates at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History, explains. "They come in every imaginable color and pattern, from completely transparent to iridescent to candy-striped."

Predator discovery at 26,000 feet down The newly discovered deep sea predator, Dulcibella camanchaca. Credit: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

Deep Sea biologists found a new animal some 26,000 feet (7,902 meters) underwater in the ocean's "hadal zone," named for the Greek god of the underworld, Hades. These researchers lowered baited traps into the Atacama Trench off of Chile, and brought up four individuals of a species now called Dulcibella camanchaca.

"Dulcibella camanchaca is a fast-swimming predator that we named after 'darkness' in the languages of the peoples from the Andes region to signify the deep, dark ocean from where it predates," Johanna Weston, a hadal ecologist at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution who coauthored the discovery, said in a statement.

In the hadal zone, the deepest ocean realm, many critters depend on food sinking down from the more productive waters above. But Dulcibella camanchaca isn't a scavenger. The four-centimeter (1.5-inch) crustacean (an arthropod with a hard shell like a crab) captures smaller hadal crustaceans.

Deep sea exploration does much more than illuminate wonder.

Scientists want to shine a light — literally and figuratively — on what's down there. The implications of knowing are incalculable, particularly as deep sea mineral prospectors prepare to run tank-like industrial equipment across parts of the seafloor. For example, research expeditions have found that ocean life carries great potential for novel medicines. "Systematic searches for new drugs have shown that marine invertebrates produce more antibiotic, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory substances than any group of terrestrial organisms," notes the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

"There's life down there that has the potential to provide and has provided us with medicines," Virmani said.

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