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The Polestar 4 officially launched in the U.S., Europe and Australia last year, going head to head with Tesla's Model Y in the mid-sized electric SUV space. However, an alternate option for the Musk-averse consumer is far from all this EV has to offer. Polestar has also gotten creative, completely forgoing a rear window in favour of a camera feeding live footage to the driver.

It's an unexpected departure from the norm, which serves to distinguish the Polestar 4 from its competitors. However, it will certainly take some getting used to and may not be for everyone.

Why did the Polestar 4 get rid of the rear window? Credit: Amanda Yeo / Mashable

The Polestar 4's rear-view camera is a collaboration with Gentex, who developed the technology. Mounted on the back of the Polestar 4's roof, the 2.5-megapixel camera sits within a small fin-like protrusion alongside the EV's Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS).

Rather than displaying the camera feed on the Polestar 4's large navigation screen, or even the dashboard, the rear-view camera's footage is streamed directly to the rear-view mirror — or rather, rear-view screen. This narrow display is shaped and mounted like a traditional rear-view mirror, completely replacing its lower-tech counterpart.

It does seem like an unnecessary complication to a feature that already exists. However, Polestar's head of program management Henrik Svensson told Mashable that this technology actually adds more functionality and has been "well-tested," noting that Gentex's rear-view camera system has previously been used in racing cars as well.

"There's also a 360 view around the car, which helps it in more cramped situations, parking and stuff like that," said Svensson. "The rear visibility [of SUV coupes] today is quite limited, because it's all only a small screen that you can look through. And here we see that we actually improve the situation with the camera."

Credit: Amanda Yeo / Mashable

Rear windows and rear cameras aren't necessarily mutually exclusive features in a car. Still, Polestar has decided to get rid of the Polestar 4's rear window and rely entirely on the rear-view camera system, prioritising aesthetic design and the passenger experience.

"The reason why we went this track without the rear window was that we would like to, number one, optimize the interior, number two, have a really nice design of the car — design was really important for us — and also, number three, there is also that we see that we can manage to do it with the technical solutions we have out on the market today," Svensson said.

To paraphrase Jeff Goldblum in Jurassic Park, the fact that something can be done isn't necessarily a reason that it should. Even so, Polestar is confident its rear-view camera is reliable enough to render rear windows optional.

The Polestar 4 ditches the rear window for a spacious passenger experience Credit: Amanda Yeo / Mashable

Many drivers' instinctual reaction to the Polestar 4's virtual rear-view camera is likely to be apprehension at minimum. After all, rear-view mirrors and the ol' twist-in-your-seat have served drivers well for decades. Even considering that parking cameras are now commonplace, axing back window visibility renders useless a safety manoeuvre that is instinctual for the vast majority of drivers. 

The Polestar 4 does have a beautiful design, with spacious seats that feel like flying first class. Having spent a couple of hours riding in the EV, I found it an enjoyable, fairly luxurious experience in both the front and back.

Despite this, the minimal enhancements and additional functionality don't necessarily feel worth the loss of the Polestar 4's rear window. While the back seats can be slightly adjusted, the maximum recline is so mild that passengers are unlikely to notice a difference at all. When looking at two seats side by side, you'd be hard pressed to tell which had been tilted back and which was upright. 

Credit: Amanda Yeo / Mashable

Meanwhile, it was disconcerting to keep turning my head to verify what I was seeing in the rear-view screen, only to be met with the dark expanse of the Polestar 4's admittedly comfortable interior. Though not claustrophobic, it did feel unsettling to be forced to rely solely on the small rear-view display, even as a passenger.

The Polestar 4's rear-view screen can be manually switched to function as a traditional mirror, but the lack of a rear window means you can't see both the rear view and the back seat at the same time. For parents, that will mean choosing between keeping an eye on the road or on their kids. Though to be fair, those with young, sticky-fingered children will probably think long and hard about investing in any car that feels as luxurious as the Polestar 4 anyway.

Polestar is aware that its rear-view system is a significant change, and is working hard to reassure drivers of its capability. The company argues that the camera system is worthwhile due to benefits such as the aforementioned 360-degree view and a 121-degree field of view — a wider viewing angle than a traditional rear-view mirror. However, considering the seemingly small benefit of losing the rear window, it raises the question of whether the Polestar 4 could have kept it and simply added the roof-mounted camera as well.

A rear-view mirror vs a rear-view camera Credit: Amanda Yeo / Mashable

In addition to this, the Polestar 4's rear-view camera feels both familiar and uncanny. Though the display looks and in some ways acts like a mirror, the image initially felt strangely flat and lacking the depth that would help drivers more accurately judge their location in relation to other objects. This wasn't helped by the fact that, unlike standard rear-view mirrors, the Polestar 4's digital rear-view camera doesn't allow you to see the back seats' headrests to help you evaluate distance.

A likely contributor to this is the plastic effect, a known phenomenon where images seen in mirrors appear to have greater depth. Considering that drivers have been using mirrors for decades and grown accustomed to the depth they provide, it would be unsurprising if some are initially unsettled by the comparatively flatter image of a screen. It also seems theoretically possible that the screen may impact the drivers' experience of psychological distance, specifically concerning spatial and experiential issues (that is, assessment of physical location and personal proximity to events).

Viewing the Polestar 4's rear-view display, the screen simply didn't register in my brain the same way that a mirror would. While my eyes saw the surface image clearly, it was as though my brain refused to fully ingest what it meant. Drivers I spoke to had similar issues, though they did grow more accustomed to it after spending further time behind the wheel. It's also worth noting that while slightly moving your head can adjust your view in a mirror, such movements do nothing if you're looking at a screen.

These issues aren't necessarily entirely insurmountable, but like any change to a well-established norm, they will take time to adjust to. The question is whether drivers are interested in investing that time. 

Credit: Amanda Yeo / Mashable

Svensson did acknowledge that people will always have varying opinions on new features, but claimed that Polestar hadn't received any major customer complaints about the rear-view camera. In fact, the company intends to continue along this design path in future models, asserting that customers have accepted the Polestar 4's missing rear window.

"In the development phase, we did a lot of testing of this technique, of course, to make sure that we didn't launch anything that we didn't think customers would appreciate," Svensson said.

The average driver may still need more convincing, reluctant to tamper so drastically with standard safety features or invest thousands in an EV that initially feels unsettling. Even so, these concerns may not be deal breakers for others. Early adopters and tech fiends will likely find the Polestar 4's digital rear-view camera fascinating, and it's certainly an intriguing talking point. While there are a few critics on the Polestar subreddit, the general consensus appears to be that it just takes getting used to.

Regardless of your (rear) view, it's at least exciting to know that car manufacturers are continuing to innovate, even if there wasn't necessarily anything that needed fixing here. The Polestar 4's rear-view camera is a large step in the continued march toward increasingly more high-tech solutions, and it seems the automaker has no interest in turning back.

Disclosure: Mashable travelled to Byron Bay as a guest of Polestar.

The best Windows laptops run an impressive gamut, from Qualcomm-powered workhorses that refuse to die to dual-display stunners and subtle gaming stations. (Some of them, dare we say, will tempt even the most devoted Apple MacBook disciples.) Users who need a new laptop for everyday productivity, creativity, or entertainment have no shortage of options. And that's for better or worse.

SEE ALSO: The best laptops for 2025, tested by our experts

To help you pick out your next PC from the crowded Windows market, we've broken out our best laptops rundown into this separate guide to the best Windows machines of 2025. All of these laptops have been thoroughly hands-on tested by members of the Mashable team for performance, build quality, and battery life, and we stand by their value — or at least think they're worth hunting down on sale.

Best Windows laptop to buy 2025

As of June 2025, Mashable's favorite Windows laptop is the 13.8-inch Microsoft Surface Laptop 7, an elegant workhorse powered by the impressive Snapdragon X Elite processor. It's got enough power to handle demanding workloads, a premium design, interesting AI features, and the best battery life out of all the laptops we've ever reviewed. Even the latest M4 MacBooks can't keep up.

Read on for Mashable's in-depth guide to the best Windows laptops of 2025. FYI: We've listed the pricing and specs of our testing units, which may not apply to each laptop's base model.

What's on deck

Our team has several Windows laptops in hand for testing, including two AI-ready gaming laptops:

• the latest Intel-powered Framework Laptop 13, an upgradable and repairable PC

• the new Asus ZenBook A14, the "world's lightest Copilot+ PC" (and the winner of Mashable's Best of CES award in the laptop category this year)

• the latest Asus VivoBook S 15, a Copilot+ PC that comes in just under $1,000

• the latest Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x (Gen 9), a mid-range Copilot+ PC with an OLED touchscreen

• the Acer Predator Helios 16, a 16-inch gaming laptop with a 240Hz display and an RTX 4080 GPU

• the MSI Stealth A16 AI+, another 16-inch gaming laptop with a 240Hz display and an RTX 4070 GPU

What we've tested lately (that didn't make the cut)

I recently tested the Dell XPS 13 (9350), a 13-inch Lunar Lake Copilot+ PC with an anti-reflective tandem OLED touchscreen display. Above all, it's a gorgeous laptop: That display is one of the nicest I've ever seen, and its edge-to-edge design gives it a super premium, minimalist look. It also lasted more than 13 hours in our battery life test, which is great when you factor in that power-sucking display. 

However, the XPS 13 favors prettiness over practicality in certain ways that make it a pain to use. Namely, its zero-lattic keyboard felt cramped, its glass touchpad often misbehaved, and its port selection was dire. (There are just two Thunderbolt 4/USB-C ports — that's too much minimalism, IMO.)

Those might've been more forgivable if the XPS 13 didn't cost so much. My testing unit with a firmly mid-range Intel Core Ultra 256V CPU, 16GB of RAM, and only 512GB of storage goes for $1,849.99. You can knock that down to $1,199.99 if you go without the OLED display upgrade, which feels way more reasonable, but at the same time, that was the one thing I liked most about it. I rated it a 3.8/5 overall.

Earlier this year, I tested the HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14, a slick convertible with awesome build quality, an excellent 15-hour battery life, and a beautiful design that includes a 3K OLED touchscreen. It's a knockout, but its weird port placements and middling Geekbench 6 multi-core score kept it from earning a Mashable Choice Award. (I rated it a 4.4/5 overall — so close!)

To give more context to the latter point, my $1,899.99 testing unit had an Intel Core Ultra 258V processor with 32GB of RAM and 2TB of storage. (That's a brand-new upper mid-range CPU.) In our Geekbench 6 benchmark, it scored slightly worse than the 15-inch M2 Apple MacBook Air from 2023 and significantly worse than its predecessor, last year's HP Spectre x360 14, which had a mid-range Intel Core Series 1 CPU as tested. For nearly $2,000, I wanted way more oomph from the OmniBook.

I do think the OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 is a decent splurge for future-proofers, but it's not well-rounded enough to be one of our top picks. Stick with the Yoga 9i 14 if you're looking for the best hybrid laptop out there, or look into the Spectre x360 14 if you want to stay within the HP family — it offers better performance and audio quality for about the same price as the OmniBook model.

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 Mashable

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Tuesday, June 10, 2025:

AcrossDisplays at a trailhead

• The answer is Maps.

Pulitzer-winning 2024 novel that reimagined "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" from the perspective of Jim

• The answer is James.

Invader in a sci-fi movie

• The answer is Alien

Thin strands

• The answer is Wisps.

'Tude

• The answer is Sass.

DownOne of Michelle Obama's daughters

• The answer is Malia.

A little out of whack

• The answer is Amiss.

Marshmallow treats in Easter baskets

• The answer is Peeps.

I.R.S. IDs

• The answer is SSNS.

1975 film with a 25-foot animatronic shark

• The answer is Jaws.

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 Games

Are 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.

Disinformation spreading on social media platforms has stoked an already tense situation.

SAVE $50.95: As of June 10, the Beats Pill speaker is on sale for $99 at Amazon. That's a saving of 34% on list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Pill $99 at Amazon
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The Beats Pill speaker keeps crawling down in price, and for a powerhouse of a speaker, we're impressed. Yes, as of June 10 this portable device just got reduced again, now priced at $99. Not only is this a great deal, but it has never been this cheap at Amazon before. With this deal, you'll be saving $50.95, but be sure to choose either the champagne gold or matte black colors to get this discount.

This price is also excluding a power adapter and AppleCare+. For these add-ons you'll need to pay slightly more.

SEE ALSO: Grab the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 while they're back down at their lowest price ever

It's a small, nifty device, but don't let that fool you. As is the case with all Beats products, this model is robust and packs a serious audio punch. This is thanks to the bigger, bespoke racetrack woofer displacing 90% more air volume, meaning you get a much deeper, fuller bass.

This speaker also has IP67 water resistance, so it's safe from accidental splashes, whether at the beach or the pool, or any water-based accidents. For portable listening, the new 24-hour battery life will keep you going all day long and can even be used to charge your phone or other devices through a USB-C cable.

You can also pair two Beats Pill speakers at once, for twice the sound experience. Just use the Amplify or Stereo mode and enjoy the powerful sound.

This is a limited-time deal at Amazon, so don't miss out.

The best tech deals right now, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts

• Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Gen With MagSafe USB-C Charging Case — $169.00 (List Price $249.00)

• Roku Ultra 4K Ultimate Streaming Player (2024 Release) — $79.99 (List Price $99.99)

• Beats Pill Bluetooth Speaker — $99.00 (List Price $149.95)

• Roborock Qrevo Master Robot Vacuum and Mop — $799.97 (List Price $1599.99)

• Apple AirTag (4-Pack) — $74.99 (List Price $99.00)

TL;DR: Get a fresh perspective with these Mini Digital Night Vision Binoculars with 1080p HD Recording, now for only $89.99 (reg. $159.99).

Whether you’re out camping, exploring after sunset, or just curious about what’s moving in the distance, a solid pair of night vision binoculars really comes in handy. These Mini Digital Night Vision Binoculars allow you to see up to 1,000 feet away in the dark and even capture what you see in 1080p HD.

This handy gadget is on sale and ready to join your adventure tools for just $89.99 (reg. $159.99).

Explore after dark with HD night vision

Don’t let the nocturnal animals have all the fun — see what’s out there in the dark. They’re tiny enough to fit in your pocket and ready to help you see in the dark — whether you’re camping, exploring, hunting, or just on a late-night adventure. A 10x optical magnification lens makes sure you see everything in sharp detail.

These binoculars are equipped with seven adjustable brightness levels and four color effects — color, black and white, luminous green, or infrared. And if you see something you want to capture forever on the 2.4-inch HD screen, there’s a built-in HD camera that takes 1080p Full HD videos and photos.

A built-in lithium battery with a 2,260mAh capacity keeps you powered up on lengthy adventures, and you’ll also receive a 32 GB memory card to store all your footage.

Gear up for your next adventure with these Mini Digital Night Vision Binoculars with 1080p HD Recording, now only $89.99 (reg. $159.99).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: StackSocial Mini Digital Night Vision Binoculars with 1080p HD Recording $89.99
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TL;DR: Enjoy a nice bike ride without any of the workout thanks to this Vanpowers City Vanture 350W Commuter e-Bike, just $949 (reg. $1,749) with code VAN150.

What’s better than a bike ride in the summertime? If you’re craving a hit of childhood nostalgia, there’s now a bike ready to take you places as a big kid. This Vanpowers City Vanture 350W Commuter e-Bike offers a smooth and silent ride complete with a 350W motor, which is great if you don’t have the energy you used to. And it’s on sale for $949 (reg. $1,749) with code VAN150.

Built for smooth, fast rides

Go for a ride with the wind in your hair on the Vanpowers City Vanture. This sleek e-bike is made for city life, letting you cruise with pedal-assist at up to 20 miles per hour thanks to a 350W motor. It’s also lightweight, weighing just 34 pounds, and made from aerospace-grade aluminum, so you can easily lift it when needed.

A full charge takes you up to 20 miles, and an optional range extender (not included) takes that number to 80. You can check battery life on the minimalist LCD display, which also shows your speed and customizable assist level to match your pace, terrain, and ride style. And when you need to power back up, it fully charges in just two to three hours.

This stylish bike also prioritizes safety. Integrated front and rear lighting keeps you visible on day or night rides. The Tektro® hydraulic disc brakes give you a 2.6 m stopping distance from 23 km/h and an impressive 0.6-second response time, and Kenda 700x28C Tires offer dual-layer puncture protection and optimized tread.

Ride in style all summer long and beyond with this Vanpowers City Vanture 350W Commuter e-Bike, now just $949 (reg. $1,749) with code VAN150.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

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We're halfway through 2025, and we've already been blessed with some incredible TV.

Returning shows like Severance and Andor surpassed our highest expectations for them, which more than made up for the disappointing returns of some other high-profile series. (Looking at you, The White Lotus and The Last of Us.) Plus, where old favorites failed to wow us, new favorites rose in their place, like The Pitt and The Studio. But that's just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what 2025 TV has to offer. Luckily for you, we've compiled a list of the very best shows that have come out this year. Some might have taken over your social media feeds for months at a time, while others may be more off the beaten path, but trust us: All are worth watching.

SEE ALSO: Summer TV preview: All the TV shows you need to know, and where to stream them

From devastating crime dramas and sci-fi epics to college comedies and sex quests, here are the 10 best TV shows of 2025 so far, and where to stream them.

10. Game Changer, Season 7

Few shows on TV are as varied or fun as Game Changer, the ever-changing game show from comedy streamer Dropout. Hosted by Dropout CEO Sam Reich, each installment presents its contestants with a new challenge with rules they discover in real time. That built-in versatility means there's truly something for everyone, with previous seasons including lie detector tests, escape rooms, and Survivor parodies.

SEE ALSO: Inside 'Game Changer,' the internet's favorite game show

With Season 7, Game Changer leaps to a whole new level. The season kicks off with a highly ambitious, year-long scavenger hunt involving squids, jet skis, mind control, and so much more. That premiere alone would be enough to earn Game Changer a spot on this list, but the series doesn't let up from there. An episode focused on stand-up comedians' crowd work quickly becomes a showcase of empathy and comedic connection, while a drunken play on The Traitors devolves into glorious chaos and trickery. There's no telling what you'll get when you tune into an episode of Game Changer, but Season 7 proves that you'll always be in for a treat.

Starring: Sam Reich, Brennan Lee Mulligan, Vic Michaelis, Lisa Gilroy, Lou Wilson, Jacob Wysocki, Oscar Montoya, and more

How to watch: Game Changer is now streaming on Dropout, with a new episode every other Monday at 7 p.m. ET.

9. North of North

The small-town comedy genre gets a lovely new entry in Netflix's North of North, which transports viewers to the Arctic town of Ice Cove. There, young Inuk woman Siaja (Anna Lambe) decides to leave her stale marriage to local legend Ting (Kelly William) and start over. That's easier said than done in an isolated town of 2,200 people, but Siaja is determined to succeed — although things get complicated when her estranged father (Jay Ryan) returns to town.

Don't let the frigid setting fool you: North of North is as heartwarming as TV shows come. Siaja's journey to independence is equal parts inspiring and amusing, as it takes several ridiculous mishaps for her to learn what she wants. Also touching is her troubled relationship with her mother Neevee (Maika Harper), whose rocky past has led her to put up a tough exterior. These two flawed, lovable women head up a charming ensemble, with Ice Cove and its townspeople coming to life through detailed character work and specific town traditions like elders' night and walrus dick baseball. You read that right: walrus dick baseball. To watch how that plays out, and to fall in love with Lambe's wonderful turn as Siaja, be sure to journey North of North.

Starring: Anna Lambe, Maika Harper, Braeden Clarke, Jay Ryan, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Zorga Qaunaq, Bailey Poching, and Kelly William

How to watch: North of North is now streaming on Netflix.

8. Dying for Sex

When Molly Kochan (Michelle Williams) is diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer, she embarks on a quest to orgasm with another person for the first time. That means leaving her husband Steve (Jay Duplass), joining hookup apps, experimenting with sex toys, and trying to find what, exactly, gets her off.

SEE ALSO: 'Dying for Sex' review: Michelle Williams' horny miniseries will break your heart

Based on a true story, Dying for Sex takes a frank, judgment-free approach to Molly's sexual encounters, be they awkward, pleasurable, or downright hilarious. (Often, they're all three.) But it also proves to be a tender love story between Molly and her best friend Nikki (Jenny Slate), who becomes Molly's primary caretaker. As the two face down Molly's declining health, Dying for Sex explores the lengths this pair will go to to make each other happy and fulfilled. It's life-affirming and heart-shattering in equal measure, anchored by phenomenal performances from Williams and Slate. As I wrote in my review, "As a duo, they oscillate between gallows humor and genuine heartbreak at a moment's notice, a dichotomy that feels so natural you can't believe you've only been watching their takes on Molly and Nikki for a few episodes. You also can't believe that their friendship will one day come to an end, but Dying for Sex faces that inevitability head on, as honest about death as it is about sex."

Starring: Michelle Williams, Jenny Slate, Rob Delaney, Jay Duplass, Kelvin Yu, Sissy Spacek, David Rasche, and Esco Jouléy

How to watch: Dying for Sex is now streaming on Hulu.

7. Overcompensating

You may know Benito Skinner for his viral, pop culture-savvy sketches, but with Overcompensating, the comedian makes the jump from the internet to TV, delivering one of the best comedies of 2025 in the process. The semi-autobiographical series stars Skinner as Benny, a closeted college freshman who strikes up a fierce friendship with outsider Carmen (Wally Baram). Can the two reinvent themselves in college and discover who they really are? Or will they be pulled back into destructive patterns?

SEE ALSO: 'Overcompensating' review: Benito Skinner's college comedy is a raunchy, thoughtful laugh riot

These core questions make for the poignant heart of Overcompensating, but make no mistake: The show is downright hilarious. From a barrage of pop culture jokes and cameos (Charli XCX among them) to pitch-perfect cringe comedy, Overcompensating is the college comedy of your dreams. As I wrote in my review, "Overcompensating may emphasize its characters' struggles with identity, but that's not a struggle the show itself shares. Raunchy yet thoughtful, this is an immediately assured coming-of-age story bursting with laughs and comedic stars on the rise."

Starring: Benito Skinner, Wally Baram, Mary Beth Barone, Adam DiMarco, and Rish Shah

How to watch: Overcompensating is now streaming on Prime Video.

6. Mo, Season 2

Not only is Mo one of the best TV shows of 2025 — it's also essential viewing. Co-created by Mo Amer and Ramy Youssef, this semi-autobiographical series centers on Palestinian refugee Mo (Amer) and his family's lives in Houston. Season 2 opens with Mo struggling to get back to the U.S. from Mexico. Detention centers and perilous border crossings await, all sobering reflections of the real-life journeys of immigrants trying to make it across the U.S.-Mexico border.

SEE ALSO: 'Mo' Season 2 review: Here's why it's still one of TV's most important shows

As UK Editor Shannon Connellan wrote in her review, "Mo's second season comes at a volatile time for Palestinians and undocumented immigrants alike, with those in power enforcing heartless, brutal decisions from disengaged, lofty offices that impact real people. Somehow, beyond all belief, amid a sense of transience and fear, of stacked odds and starting from scratch, Mo finds levity, surrealism, and personal solidarity in the dark, while being a genuinely funny and moving show." 

Starring: Mo Amer, Farah Bsieso, Teresa Ruiz, Tobe Nwigwe, and Omar Elba

How to watch: Mo Season 2 is now streaming on Netflix.

5. The Pitt

ER's Noah Wyle jumps back into a TV hospital in The Pitt, the real-time medical drama that took the world by storm in early 2025. Wyle plays Dr. Michael "Robby" Robinavitch, the chief attending physician in the Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center's emergency department. He's about to embark on 15-hour shift, where he and his colleagues will train the next generation of doctors, weather personal troubles, and do everything in their power to treat the injuries and illnesses that come through their doors.

SEE ALSO: 'The Pitt' review: Noah Wyle medical drama is part 'ER,' part '24,' and all compelling

The Pitt's real-time structure and grounded cinematography turn the series into a veritable pressure cooker, immersing audiences in a world of exhausting, often overwhelming chaos. The series also thoughtfully tackles pressing medical issues, including understaffed hospitals, racial disparity in care, and hot-button topics like abortion. Leading us through it all is Wyle and The Pitt's exceptional ensemble cast, tasked with performing some of the most graphic, hyper-realistic TV surgeries in recent memory. Clock into The Pitt in order to see for yourself why I called it "TV's next great medical drama."

Starring: Noah Wyle, Tracy Ifeachor, Patrick Ball, Supriya Ganesh, Fiona Dourif, Taylor Dearden, Isa Briones, Gerran Howell, Shabana Azeez, and Katherine LaNasa

How to watch: The Pitt is now streaming on Max.

4. Adolescence

Likely to be the most harrowing viewing experience you'll have this year, Adolescence traps you in a nightmare over the course of its four episodes, each filmed in one take. Co-created by Stephen Graham and Jack Thorne, and directed by Boiling Point's Philip Barantini, Netflix's much buzzed-about miniseries examines the aftermath of a chilling murder committed by 13-year-old Jamie (newcomer Owen Cooper). Each episode focuses on a different perspective around the case, from a detective (Ashley Walters) investigating Jamie's school to Jamie's family reckoning with his actions.

SEE ALSO: Netflix's 'Adolescence' review: One of the best, most devastating shows of 2025

These vignettes, coupled with Barantini's one-take technique, create an unflinching portrait of a crime that feels all too rooted in reality. As UK Deputy Editor Sam Haysom wrote in his review, "Adolescence's story isn't a crime mystery so much as a psychological study — it's an exploration of the manosphere culture that's having a real world affect on teenagers, and the societal and familial triggers that might lead to a seemingly ordinary 13-year-old doing something unthinkable. On this level, and on almost all others, the show is chillingly effective."

Starring: Stephen Graham, Ashley Walters, Erin Doherty, Owen Cooper, Faye Marsay, Christine Tremarco, and Amelie Pease

How to watch: Adolescence is now streaming on Netflix.

3. The Studio

Seth Rogen absolutely torches Hollywood in Apple TV+'s The Studio, where he plays new studio head Matt Remick. A cinephile tasked with creating a movie based on the Kool-Aid brand, Matt finds himself faced with the eternal question of art versus commerce. Can he make high-grossing movies with artistic merit? Or is he — along with the rest of Hollywood — doomed to make slop?

SEE ALSO: 'The Studio' review: Seth Rogen torches Hollywood in must-watch satire

The Studio approaches this question with razor-sharp satire and a healthy dose of cringe comedy, bludgeoning the egos of everyone from actors and directors to publicists and executives. But despite its Hollywood grievances, The Studio also serves as a love letter to film. On top of tributes to genres like film noir and zombie movies, the series often employs long takes in homage to Robert Altman's satire The Player. These create a high-energy wave of cinematic mayhem where everyone from Martin Scorsese to Zoë Kravitz could pop up at any given moment. The result is a show that's current, formally engaging, and, as I wrote in my full review, "full-on comedy gold."

Starring: Seth Rogen, Catherine O’Hara, Kathryn Hahn, Ike Barinholtz, Chase Sui Wonders, and Bryan Cranston

How to watch: The Studio is now streaming on Apple TV+.

2. Andor, Season 2

Star Wars' best TV show goes out with a brilliant bang in its second (and tragically final) season. Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) is now a full-fledged part of the Rebellion, joining Luthen Rael (Stellan Skarsgård) and Mon Mothma (Genevieve O'Reilly) in their fight against the Empire. But the Empire has plans of its own, setting its sights on the planet Ghorman in the lead-up to one of the most devastating plot lines in all of Star Wars.

SEE ALSO: 'Andor' Season 2 review: The best Star Wars show goes out with a brilliant bang

In showrunner Tony Gilroy's hands, Andor remains equal parts nail-biting spy thriller and astonishing rallying cry against fascism, pulling no punches when it comes to topics like Imperial propaganda or genocide. From its portrayal of revolutionary sacrifice to its chilling take on the machine of empire, Andor is so damn good it's a shame it's over. (And that we'll likely never get a Star Wars show this subversive again.) But on the bright side, as I wrote in my review, "Andor goes out on its own terms, leaving a brilliant, blistering look at fascism and those who fight it in its wake."

Starring: Diego Luna, Kyle Soller, Adria Arjona, Stellan Skarsgård, Fiona Shaw, Genevieve O'Reilly, Denise Gough, Faye Marsay, Varada Sethu, and Elizabeth Dulau

How to watch: Andor Season 2 is now streaming on Disney+.

1. Severance, Season 2

My expectations for Severance Season 2 were insurmountably high, especially after a three-year hiatus. But somehow, Dan Erickson's sci-fi workplace drama managed to surpass even my highest hopes, delivering a season that's deeper, stranger, and even more mysterious and important than Season 1.

Severance Season 2 furthers its examination of identity, with almost all of Lumon's Severed employees somehow at war with themselves. It also toys with the implications of what the severance procedure could mean for the rest of the world, resulting in the jaw-dropping reveals of the Gemma (Dichen Lachman)-focused "Chikhai Bardo" episode. That's just one of many standout installments Severance had to offer this season, including the Innies' bizarre odyssey through "Woe's Hollow" and a jaw-dropping finale that solved many questions, but left just enough mysteries for fans to puzzle over before Season 3.

SEE ALSO: I went to the 'Severance' pop-up at Bell Works. It was surreal.

But amid all its sci-fi twists and turns, Severance still manages to stay rooted in its characters' struggles for connection in a cold, corporate world. As I wrote in my review, "The show may throw everything from surreal workplace dance parties to precious baby goats at us, but at the end of the day, we're watching a man trying to reunite with his wife. We're watching Irving pining for Burt, and Dylan seeking crumbs of information about the family he may never know. We're watching workers fight to be recognized as humans instead of free labor. It's personal, it's universal, and it's absolutely astounding."

Starring: Adam Scott, Britt Lower, Tramell Tillman, Zach Cherry, Jen Tullock, Michael Chernus, Dichen Lachman, John Turturro, Christopher Walken, Patricia Arquette, and Sarah Bock

How to watch: Severance Season 2 is now streaming on Apple TV+.

TL;DR: Take the first step into the world of cybersecurity with no prior tech skills required, thanks to The 2025 Ethical Hacking Bundle for Beginners, now just $19.99 (reg. $140) — less than $3 a course.

Opens in a new window Credit: The 2025 Ethical Hacking Bundle for Beginners The 2025 Ethical Hacking Bundle for Beginners $19.99
$140 Save $120.01 Get Deal

You don’t need to be a tech wizard to break into the world of cybersecurity. With the right training, even beginners can learn how to protect networks, outsmart cyber threats, and build real-world hacking skills (the ethical kind, of course).

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StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Stay cool on hot summer nights with this 4-Piece Bamboo Blend Waffle Hem Sheet Set, now only $28.99 (reg. $99).

Opens in a new window Credit: Bibb Home 4-Piece Bamboo Blend Waffle Hem Sheet Set (Hunter Green/Queen) $28.99
$99 Save $70.01 Get Deal

There are a lot of great things about summer, but sweaty nights aren’t one of them. If you want to elevate your sleep experience this season, the 4-Piece Bamboo Blend Waffle Hem Sheet Set can help. This gorgeous hunter green queen-sized set helps keep you cool. Right now, it’s 70% off — get it for just $28.99 (reg. $99).

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We're halfway through 2025, and the cinema has been outrageous!

If you love action, this year's delivered plenty already. Tom Cruise dazzled in Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning. Anthony Mackie and Florence Pugh returned to the MCU with Captain America: Brave New World and Thunderbolts*, respectively. Martial arts movie legends Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio joined forces with Ben Wang in the rousing Karate Kid: Legends. Then of course, Jack Black's A Minecraft Movie has action scenes so bonkers it drove audiences absolutely wild.

SEE ALSO: Teens are causing chaos in 'Minecraft' movie screenings

Other movies offered action with high doses of side-splitting buddy-comedy, like One of Them Days, starring Keke Palmer and SZA, and The Accountant 2, which reunited Ben Affleck and Jon Bernthal. Meanwhile, horror offered plenty of new reasons to scream with Final Destination: Bloodlines, Heart Eyes, The Ugly Stepsister, and Ryan Coogler's epic vampire movie, Sinners. But of course, that's a movie that's more genre-fluid than just horror.

In fact, as Mashable's entertainment team looked over the movies hitting so far this year, we found a lot of our favorites didn't snugly fit into one genre. They could best be described as post-apocalyptic rom-com, espionage family-comedy, body horror fairy tale, sci-fi screwball comedy, and vampire historical drama/musical? But no matter how you categorize them, these films are absolutely awesome.

So with no further ado, here are the 10 best movies of the year so far, and where you can watch them.

10. The Phoenician Scheme

Wes Anderson reunites with The French Dispatch's Benicio del Toro for a father-daughter story unlike any you've seen before. Tapping into some elements of espionage thriller — spies! explosions! international intrigue! poisonous gas! — Anderson and company unfurl the story of manipulative and massively wealthy businessman Zsa-zsa Korda (del Toro) and his daughter Liesl (Mia Threapleton).

The subject of a U.S. government investigation and a flurry of assassination attempts, Korda decides to reach out to his estranged daughter, who is training to become a nun. He wants her to be his heir and aid in his "Phoenician Scheme." But her faith and his dastardly dealings quickly lead to conflict. Along their journey, they'll meet an array of colorful characters, allowing Anderson to fold in familiar faces from his recurring collaborators, as well as Michael Cera, who — as I wrote in my review — was born to be in a Wes Anderson movie.

While critics have been divided on this Anderson offering, I cheered the filmmaker's genre approach and wrote, "The Phoenician Scheme becomes a charmingly hopeful tale about how even with our flaws we might find love, family, and salvation."

Starring: Benicio del Toro, Mia Threapleton, Michael Cera, Riz Ahmed, Tom Hanks, Bryan Cranston, Mathieu Amalric, Richard Ayoade, Jeffrey Wright, Scarlett Johansson, Benedict Cumberbatch, Rupert Friend, and Hope Davis

How to watch: The Phoenician Scheme is now in theaters.

9. The Ugly Stepsister

2025 is proving a great year for great horror movies, and it kicked off with The Ugly Stepsister out of the Sundance Film Festival. This twisted fairytale plays like the grubby baby of Wicked and The Substance. Hear me out.

This gnarly body-horror movie reimagines Cinderella by focusing on the heroine's much-maligned stepsister Elvira (Lea Myren). Writer/director Emilie Blichfeldt delivers not only a deeply empathetic tale of a young girl grappling with a princely crush, sibling rivalry, and crippling societal pressures to conform to cruel beauty standards, but also the grisly scenes to back up its social critique. This one isn't for the faint of stomach.

SEE ALSO: 'Sinners,' 'Black Mirror,' and 'The Ugly Stepsister': Film critics weigh in on what's worth watching and what's skippable

In my review for Mashable out of Sundance, I cheered, "The Ugly Stepsister is a deranged and dizzying achievement, folding in a classic story with a bitingly modern satire and bold body horror. Blichfeldt weaves these elements together to make a film that feels both of this moment but aesthetically nostalgic... And yet, her journey, as gross and grim as it is, is threaded with a ribbon of exhilaration, rebellion, and even defiant joy. Simply put, The Ugly Stepsister is savagely brutal and yet strangely beautiful."* — K.P.

Starring: Lea Myren, Thea Sofie Loch Næss, Ane Dahl Torp, Flo Fagerli, Isac Calmroth, and Malte Gårdinger

How to watch: The Ugly Stepsister is now streaming on Shudder.

8. Love Me

While the debate of AI in work, education, and even our sex lives rages on, Love Me imagines a post-apocalyptic Earth in which AI is all that remains of humanity. And despite that very bleak setup, it's deeply sweet.

Kristen Stewart and Steven Yeun star as will-they-won't-they lovers in this tale of buoy meets... satellite. She is a buoy, frozen in the ocean of a dead earth, programmed to learn from her surroundings. He is an orbiting satellite, left behind as a sort of time capsule of humanity's long-ago reign on the planet. She is entranced by him, but when looking to understand love finds cached videos of a pair of influencers, who who relish silly onesies, date night, Friends, and Blue Apron. So, these machines begin to mimic mankind. But can they find a love of their own?

Written and directed by Sam Zuchero and Andy Zuchero, Love Me is a strange sci-fi treasure. In my review, I praised Stewart and Yeun's performances, which begin as roboty voiceover and evolve into flesh and blood portrayals of identity crises and romance in peril. "As their characters shift from jaunty animated avatars to carefully crafted human forms — complete with flaws — the performances carry a new emotional weight, as both feel out the shift in tone," I wrote, adding, "Props to the Zucheros; however, who refuse to abandon the weirdness of their premise or online courtship. A satisfying steamy yet surreal sex scene creates a unique space for their self-actualizing characters to explore their desires and bodies. Moments like this, where their heroes' self-expression is a messy bramble of ideas, colliding imitation with their own impulses, sets Love Me apart from a sea of sweet but superficial rom-coms."

Starring: Kristen Stewart and Steven Yeun

How to watch: Love Me is available for rental or purchase on Prime Video.

7. Mickey 17

As follow-up to his Best Picture-winning Parasite, Bong Joon Ho delivered a scathing and silly political satire with Mickey 17.

Robert Pattinson stars as the eponymous protagonist, a low-level criminal who flees earth by taking a pretty brutal gig on a colonizing spaceship. He's an expendable, meaning a human test dummy who dies over and over only to be human printed again to, well, die again. Despite all these deaths, Mickey makes a cozy life for himself on the ship, falling for the tough-as-nails Nasha (Naomi Ackie). But their love life is thrown into spin when human error leads to two Mickeys — 17 and 18 — existing at once. That's a threat to the snarling rich folk (Mark Ruffalo and Toni Collette) who rule the ship. And, man, we haven't even gotten to the "creeper" aliens who live on the surface of the humans new home world!

A film rich in plot and twists, Mickey 17 is a rollicking ride, mainly because its celebrated writer/director refuses to be predictable. The movie shifts tones and genres freely, reflecting the tumultuous life (or lives) of Mickey. And it's an absolutely mind-blowing blast. As I wrote in my review for Mashable, "The journey Mickey goes on is winding and wild, bucking the conventional flow of a sci-fi action movie, by being only gently sci-fi and barely action. Instead, Mickey 17 plays as a political comedy with cross-genre flare, ultimately urging the audience to see the similarities, and perhaps find our own inner Mickey 17."

Starring: Robert Pattinson, Naomi Ackie, Steven Yeun, Toni Collette, and Mark Ruffalo

How to watch: Mickey 17 is now streaming on HBO Max.

6. The Life of Chuck

When people think of the works of Mike Flanagan (The Fall of the House of Usher, Midnight Mass) or Stephen King, they don't usually think life-affirming stories. But The Life of Chuck will change that.

Based on a King novella, this genre-bending wonder is post-apocalyptic thriller meets feel-good coming-of-age drama meets ghost story. And yet, it's more! Tom Hiddleston stars as Chuck Krantz, whose life, at a glance, might be considered average. But in this rapturous movie, filled with a wonderful ensemble cast, King and Flanagan weave a tale of love, loss, and dance that's sure to enthrall audiences.

SEE ALSO: Every single Stephen King movie adaptation, ranked

In Mashable's review out of the film's Toronto International Film Festival premiere, I cheered, "The Life of Chuck is masterfully told. Like King's most moving adaptations, it doesn't play by standard rules of structure or audience expectations. It demands we follow the winding road through playful dialogue, painful lows, and rollicking highs to an unknown beyond. It's surprising and upsetting, funny and profound. I laughed hard, cried 'til my eyes ached, and once gasped so loud that I heard it echo across a theater struck silent by a moment both shocking and tender." Simply put, see it theaters, or you'll be missing out.*

Starring: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Tom Hiddleston, Annalise Basso, Benjamin Pajak, Karen Gillan, Mia Sara, Matthew Lillard, Carl Lumbly, Samantha Sloyan, Harvey Guillén, Jacob Tremblay, Kate Siegel, and Mark Hamill

How to watch: The Life of Chuck is now playing in theaters.

5. Black Bag

Black Bag marks the third collaboration between director Steven Soderbergh and screenwriter David Koepp, the first being the riveting techno-thriller Kimi, and the second being the superbly unique haunted house movie Presence. Both creators relish the opportunity to shake up a genre. With this movie they do that to the espionage thriller, with Cate Blanchett and Michael Fassbender.

SEE ALSO: 'Presence's Steven Soderbergh and David Koepp on ghosts, horror, and hating winks

When UK intelligence tells agent George Woodhouse (Fassbender) that his wife Kathryn (Blanchett) might be a turncoat, he does what any master spy might: He throws a dinner party, inviting all the suspected double agents. While Black Bag offers espionage standards like globe-trekking, covert surveillance, and lie detector tests, it's Koepp's dialogue over dinner that makes this movie absolutely electrifying. Soderberg's direction of a crackling cast makes the most of every cutting line.

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

Starring: Cate Blanchett, Michael Fassbender, Marisa Abela, Tom Burke, Naomie Harris, Regé-Jean Page, and Pierce Brosnan

How to watch: Black Bag is now streaming on Peacock.

4. Bring Her Back

In 2023, filmmaking duo Danny Philippou and Michael Philippou awed critics and horror fans with their haunted hand hit Talk to Me. Now, they return with a gnarly psycho-biddy horror offering starring two-time Academy Award–nominee Sally Hawkins. The result is a nail-biting film that might have you gagging, covering your eyes, or experiencing some hard-won catharsis.

SEE ALSO: Say More: Danny and Michael Philippou on 'Bring Her Back'

The Philippou brothers probe into grief once again, exploring how this unmooring feeling can make the world around us feel unreal, hostile, and strange. In Bring Her Back, Hawkins stars as a foster mom named Laura, who takes in young orphans like Oliver (Jonah Wren Phillips), and siblings Piper (Sora Wong) and Andy (Billy Barratt). But despite Laura's chipper demeanor, 17-year-old Andy realizes something is off in her remote forest home. But can he stop the hell that's coming?

In my review for Mashable, I wrote, "Bring Her Back is extraordinary. For those who found Talk to Me sensationally scary, this follow-up will thrill with its deeply deranged tale of heartache and body horror. But the Philippous went deeper, presenting a character-driven drama with flares of psycho-biddy and religious horror. That heady combination not only makes for a satisfyingly scary as hell movie, but also a profound one."

Starring: Sally Hawkins, Billy Barratt, Sora Wong, Jonah Wren Phillips, and Sally-Anne Upton

How to watch: Bring Her Back is now in theaters.

3. The Ballad of Wallis Island

You might have missed this feel-good movie when it hit theaters, but don't sleep on the chance to enjoy it at home. Perhaps while wearing a cozy sweater to be lavish in comfort.

Written and starring Tom Basden and Tim Key, this Focus Features gem imagines what would happen if a lonely but lovely folk-rock fan won the lottery. In The Ballad of Wallis Island, Charles (Key), who lives on the remote island, uses heaps of cash to reunite his favorite band, McGwyer Mortimer. There's just one problem. This folk duo — made up of Herb McGwyer (Basden) and Nell Mortimer (Carey Mulligan) — weren't just a band, but also a couple, who broke up hard. So, this reunion concert is socially awkward, to say the least.

Adapted from an award-winning short film Basden and Key made with director James Griffiths, The Ballad of Wallis Island creates an enveloping village atmosphere. Then it plops down a flailing rock star and his chipper ex to create some sparks and lots of laughs. In my review out of SXSW 2025, I cheered, "The Ballad of Wallis Island is not only deeply charming and laugh-out-loud funny for all its social foibles and comedy duo banter, but it's also cathartic....as Basden and Key strike their final chord of this masterfully charted comedy, you feel it reverberate warmly in your heart, carrying you out of the theater with a song still playing there."  

Starring: Tim Key, Tom Basden, Sian Clifford, Akemnji Ndifornyen, and Carey Mulligan

How to watch: The Ballad of Wallis Island is available for rental or purchase on Prime Video.

2. Pee-wee as Himself

Between Pee-wee's Playhouse and Pee-wee's Big Adventure, Pee-wee Herman was an '80s icon adored by kids and grown-ups alike. But a scandal in 1991 brought Paul Reubens, the man behind the children's show, into a cruel tabloid spotlight. Since then, Reubens rebuilt his reputation and broadened his career, appearing in movies like Mystery Men, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Matilda. But the scorch of scandal kept Reubens reluctant to be open with the public about his life and loves — that is, until documentarian Matt Wolf began collaborating with the comedian for Pee-wee as Himself.

SEE ALSO: Say More: R.L. Stine on 'Fear Street: Prom Queen' and Matt Wolf on 'Pee-wee as Himself'

Though Reubens died of cancer before the film was wrapped, Wolf has built an empathetic and comprehensive portrait of the man, the artist, and the enigma. Told in two parts, this HBO documentary explores not only Reuben's inspirations for his most popular character, but also his queerness, and why he chose to go back into the closet to pursue a career in Hollywood.

In my review out of Sundance, I wrote, "Pee-wee as Himself is not a simple love letter to the iconic character or Reubens. That would suggest Wolf goes easy on either, fawning over them without reservation. This is something greater...Thought-provoking, boldly funny, and emotionally riveting, Pee-wee as Himself is [Reuben's] gift to us as grown-ups, as it reveals how hard that lesson can be, and how we must keep pushing ourselves to learn it."

Starring: Paul Reubens, Lynne Marie Stewart, Laurence Fishburne, Natasha Lyonne, Cassandra Peterson (aka Elvira: Mistress of the Dark), Debi Mazar, and David Arquette

How to watch: Pee-wee as Himself is now streaming on HBO Max.

1. Sinners

Ryan Coogler reunited with Michael B. Jordan, star of his critically heralded films, Black Panther, Fruitvale Station, and Creed. With Sinners, the two set the bar against which every other 2025 movie would be compared — not to mention every vampire movie from here to eternity.

Jordan stars as the Smokestack Twins, gangsters turned juke joint-proprietors whose opening night is crashed by a vicious vampire (Jack O'Connell), who craves the blood of their magical bluesman (Miles Caton in a jaw-dropping debut). Weaving folk lore, hoodoo practices, and history into the vampire subgenre, Coogler, who wrote and directed, built a world so rich that it could only be properly appreciated in 70mm IMAX. And in a time where naysayers are ringing the bell for the death of movie theaters, audiences came in such numbers that Sinners got a 70mm IMAX re-release to meet demand.

TikTok has been exploding with fans digging into every detail of the film, and we got in on the fun too! Critics praised the epic scope Coogler applied to his genre-fluid drama — which might be a horror musical. And audiences swooned over the ensemble, who were radiant as they created characters complex and compelling.

In my review of the film, I cheered, "Sinners is more than a hell of a thrilling vampire movie. Like Black Panther, it expands beyond the expectations of its genre to become a magnificent film, emanating with spirit, power, and purpose. Smoothly blending vampire horror into a unique tale of regret, resilience, and redemption, Coogler and Jordan have made a cinematic marvel that is terrifying, satisfying, and unforgettable."

Starring: Michael B. Jordan, Hailee Steinfeld, Miles Caton, Jack O'Connell, Wunmi Mosaku, Jayme Lawson, Omar Miller, Li Jun Li, Yao, Lola Kirke, and Delroy Lindo

How to watch: Sinners is now in theaters and is available for rent or purchase on Prime Video.

SAVE $55: As of June 10, the Amazon Fire Max 11 is on sale for $174.99 at Amazon. That's a 24% saving on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire Max 11 $174.99 at Amazon
$229.99 Save $55 Get Deal

The Amazon Fire Max 11 tablet is back on sale at Amazon, and this time it's at its lowest price in six months.

This impressive tablet is currently reduced to its lowest price this year, now just $174.99. This deal is for the 64GB option without lockscreen ads.

SEE ALSO: Save 41% on the kids-proof Fire 7 Kids tablet from Amazon

This tablet is one of the most advanced in the range, and is perfect for both work and play. The screen boasts an impressive 2000x1200 resolution and a bright display with over 2.4 million pixels. It's also certified for low blue light, so it's easy on the eyes, especially if you're looking at the screen for long periods of time.

You can add optional accessories to this tablet so you can adapt it to what you need. Accessories like a keyboard case and stylus pen can be purchased separately. It's even compatible with Microsoft 365, so you can download it onto the tablet for all your work or study needs.

For on-the-go use, the impressive battery life promises to last up to 14 hours. And with storage expandable to 1TB, it’s got plenty of room for all your favorite apps, movies, and documents.

This deal is stamped as "limited-time" only, so don't miss out.

The best tech deals right now, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts

• Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Gen With MagSafe USB-C Charging Case — $169.00 (List Price $249.00)

• Roku Ultra 4K Ultimate Streaming Player (2024 Release) — $79.99 (List Price $99.99)

• Beats Pill Bluetooth Speaker — $99.00 (List Price $149.95)

• Roborock Qrevo Master Robot Vacuum and Mop — $799.97 (List Price $1599.99)

• Apple AirTag (4-Pack) — $74.99 (List Price $99.00)

SAVE $120: As of June 10, the Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones are on sale for $228 at Amazon. That's a 34% saving on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony WH-1000XM4 $228 at Amazon
$348 Save $120 Get Deal

Amazon's Daily Deals is the place to go for great discounts on tech, and if a new set of headphones is high on your wishlist, you'll love this latest deal on the Sony XM4, currently at their cheapest price this year.

As of June 10, you can find Sony XM4 headphones for $228 at Amazon, saving you $120 on list price. They are available in three colors, black, blue, and silver, all at the same reduced price.

SEE ALSO: The Dyson OnTrac headphones received a rare $100 discount

These headphones are packed with features that make them worth every cent. Noise canceling is handled by dual sensors, so they’re great for cutting out all kinds of background noise. Battery life is also solid and promises to give you up to 30 hours of juice. And when this runs out, simply charge for 10 minutes and get an extra five hours of listening.

These headphones also have touch controls for playback, volume, calls, and your voice assistant, plus a speak-to-chat feature that lowers the volume automatically when you start talking. There are also five built-in mics and smart voice pickup tech to make sure your calls and voicenotes are nice and clear.

Grab this deal from Amazon.

The best tech deals right now, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts

• Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Gen With MagSafe USB-C Charging Case — $169.00 (List Price $249.00)

• Roku Ultra 4K Ultimate Streaming Player (2024 Release) — $79.99 (List Price $99.99)

• Beats Pill Bluetooth Speaker — $99.00 (List Price $149.95)

• Roborock Qrevo Master Robot Vacuum and Mop — $799.97 (List Price $1599.99)

• Apple AirTag (4-Pack) — $74.99 (List Price $99.00)

During its opening WWDC keynote on Monday, Apple's presenters highlighted a striking new look for the iPhone's home screen: A clear look for all the icons, folders, and widgets on your screen, making it seem that everything is made of slightly curvy glass.

This is not, however, the default look on the iPhone in the new iOS 26, which is now available as a developer beta.

First, a quick name check-up: Apple calls its new design, which extends throughout all of its software, including iOS 26, iPadOS 26, watchOS 26, and macOS Tahoe, Liquid Glass. In this new design language, some of the elements, including some menus and notifications, are see-through, with an effect that slightly blurs the background design. It looks really cool, and has a visual effect of somehow freeing up space on your iPhone or iPad display.

But on the iPhone (and the iPad), the default look after you've installed iOS 26 isn't as striking, with most icons looking similar to how they did before.

The Liquid Glass elements show up everywhere, but if you want your phone to be fully glassified, read on. Credit: Apple

Fortunately, there are many ways to "glassify" your icons and widgets, some more obvious than others.

How to achieve the full Liquid Glass look in iOS 26: Total Time

• 5 min

What You Need

• iPhone
• iOS 26 Developer Beta

Step 1: Long press your home screen to get the Edit button in the top left corner.

Step 2: Tap Customise and choose a "Clear" look.

Step 3: Choose between Clear Dark and Clear Light look

From here, there are two options; the Clear Dark look will glassify your interface to a certain extent, but the icons will retain some of their original color. The Clear Light look turns everything into glass. Additionally, you can choose Auto, which means the look will switch from Light to Dark and vice versa depending on time of day.

Step 4: Glassify your widgets

Additionally, you can glassify or un-glassify (we're just making these words up as we go along) the elements on your lock screen. Go to Settings - Wallpaper - Customise. From there, tap on the big clock widget, and you'll get Font & Color options; in the bottom of the display, you'll see an option to make the look Glass or Solid. And if you want to make the look even glassier, slide the slider at the bottom all the way to the left, which will make the font more transparent.

Step 5: Tune-up your wallpaper

Finally, your choice of wallpaper can additionally enhance the clear look of your icons and widgets. I've found that nature panoramas and cityscapes work best for the home screen. Make sure to turn off the blur effect (click on Settings - Wallpaper - Customise and tap on "Blur" in the lower right corner) if you want the glassy icons and folders to slightly alter the details of your wallpaper in the background; the effect is really cool.

Apple's iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 are currently in the developer beta stage, with a public beta coming in about a month.

More glass! Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

Most users should not attempt to install these new versions, as they will inevitably be buggy; they're primarily aimed for developers who need them for testing. If you do choose to sign up as a developer, you can do so here, after which you'll be able to download and install the developer betas. The developer program is not free, however; there's a $99 annual membership fee.

The new lab, set to include Scale AI founder Alexandr Wang, is part of a reorganization of Meta’s artificial intelligence efforts under chief executive Mark Zuckerberg.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Yellow: Ways to throw a baseball

• Green: How to watch

• Blue: California QBs

• Purple: Objects that involve sweeping motion

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

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

• Yellow: Baseball Pitches That End in "Ball"

• Green: Ways to Take In A Sporting Event

• Blue: Chargers QBs, Past and Present

• Purple: Things One Can Swing

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

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

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections Sports Edition #260 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

• Baseball Pitches That End in "Ball" - CURVE, FAST, KNUCKLE, SCREW

• Ways to Take In A Sporting Event - IN PERSON, RADIO, STREAMING, TELEVISION

• Chargers QBs, Past and Present- BREES, FOUTS, HERBERT, RIVERS

• CThings One Can Swing - BASEBALL BAT, FIST, GOLF CLUB, MOMENTUM

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

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

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

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

TL;DR: Upgrade your PC with Windows 11 Pro for only $14.97 (reg. $199) before codes sell out. Fewer than 50 are left in stock, and there's only one more day for this all-time low price.

If you haven't heard already, Microsoft has officially announced the countdown clock on Windows 10. Are you still running your PC on this dated operating system? Now might be the perfect time to finally upgrade your device's performance, because the latest operating system, Windows 11 Pro, is now less than $15. However, codes are limited.

With these Windows 11 Pro keys, you can completely revamp two compatible PCs, whether they're your personal or work computers. For starters, you'll enjoy a refreshed user interface that's been designed to be intuitive and aesthetically pleasing with rounded corners.

This updated operating system provides more than just an improved navigation experience. New productivity tools like snap layouts, easy redocking, and improved voice typing can help you complete personal and professional tasks, and you'll even have a more powerful search experience to get you further.

Digital safety is paramount for anyone online, which is why Windows 11 Pro is outfitted with enhanced security measures like Smart App Control, TPM 2.0, BitLocker device encryption, and more for greater peace of mind as you browse, stream, or game. And speaking of gaming, this operating system is designed to improve PC gaming graphics with DirectX12 Ultimate.

Since this is the Pro version of Windows 11, you'll additionally get remote work-friendly features, such as remote desktop access for viewing files and running programs from your mobile device. There's also Azure AD, Hyper-V, and Windows Sandbox for extra professional usage.

Act while the price is still at an all-time low, or before codes sell out for good.

StackSocial prices subject to change

Opens in a new window Credit: InterPlein Microsoft Windows 11 Pro $14.97
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TL;DR: Live stream the 2025 24 Hours of Le Mans for free on YouTube. Access these free live streams from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

There aren't many events that capture the attention of the world like 24 Hours of Le Mans. This unique spectacle takes place once a year, and has motorsport fans from all over the world canceling their weekend plans to follow the action. And the great news for this dedicated bunch is that you can watch every minute of 24 Hours of Le Mans without spending anything.

If you're interested in watching the 2025 24 Hours of Le Mans for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

What is 24 Hours of Le Mans?

Le Mans is a famous endurance race held annually near the town of Le Mans, France. It's the world's oldest active endurance racing event, and is won by the car that covers the greatest distance in 24 hours.

When is 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2025?

The 2025 24 Hours of Le Mans is the 93rd edition of the race. This year's event takes place on June 14-15 at the Circuit de la Sarthe.

How to watch the 2025 24 Hours of Le Mans for free

The 2025 24 Hours of Le Mans is available to live stream for free on YouTube (Grande Prêmio).

Grande Prêmio is geo-restricted to Brazil, but anyone can access this free live stream on YouTube with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Brazil. This simple process makes it look like you're connecting from Brazil, so you can access free live streams on Grande Prêmio's YouTube channel from anywhere in the world.

Live stream the 2025 24 Hours of Le Mans by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly service (like ExpressVPN)

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

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Brazil

4. Visit Grande Prêmio

5. Watch 24 Hours of Le Mans for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading services do tend to offer pretty generous money-back guarantees. By using these offers, you can unblock Grande Prêmio without fully committing with your cash. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you the opportunity to live stream 24 Hours of Le Mans before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for YouTube?

ExpressVPN is the best service for unblocking free live streams on YouTube (including Grande Prêmio), for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Brazil

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy

• Fast streaming 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 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month subscription for just $12.95 (including money-back guarantee).

Watch the 2025 24 Hours of Le Mans for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Wimbledon 2025 for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

What's the biggest Grand Slam on the calendar? The Australian Open, French Open, and US Open can all make legitimate claims to be the biggest tennis tournament of the year, but Wimbledon has that special something. We're not exactly sure what that is, but the fast-paced tennis, crisp white outfits, and copious amounts of champagne all contribute to the tournament's mystique.

Wimbledon is hard to beat, but easy to watch. If you're interested in watching Wimbledon 2025 for free from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

What is Wimbledon?

Wimbledon is the oldest tennis tournament in the world. It is chronologically the third of the four Grand Slam tennis events each year.

The defending singles champions are Carlos Alcaraz and Barbora Krejčíková.

When is Wimbledon in 2025?

The 2025 Wimbledon Championships is the 138th edition of the tournament. This year's event takes place from June 30 to July 13.

How to watch Wimbledon 2025 for free

Wimbledon 2025 is available to live stream for free on BBC iPlayer.

BBC iPlayer is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in another country, meaning you can unblock free live streams on sites like BBC iPlayer from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Wimbledon 2025 for free by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

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

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

4. Visit BBC iPlayer

5. Live stream Wimbledon 2025 for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer money-back guarantees and free trials. By leveraging these offers, you can unblock BBC iPlayer without committing with your cash. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it gives you plenty of time to stream Wimbledon 2025 before recovering your investment. This is a sneaky trick, but it works.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming platforms from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for BBC iPlayer?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for streaming live sport on free platforms like BBC iPlayer, 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 always secure

• Fast streaming speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $139 and includes an extra four months for free — 61% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month subscription for just $12.95 (including money-back guarantee).

Live stream Wimbledon 2025 for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Watch the 2025 Queen's Club Championships for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The 2025 French Open was everything we wanted it to be, but now we want more. Wimbledon is fast approaching, but we're not quite there yet. Instead, the best players in the world are preparing for the grass season at the historic Queen’s Club.

The likes of Carlos Alcaraz, Barbora Krejcikova, Jack Draper, and Taylor Fritz are all set to compete in the 2025 Queen's Club Championships, looking to build some momentum before the third Grand Slam of the season. And the good news is you can follow all the action without spending anything.

If you want to watch the 2025 Queen's Club Championships for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

What is the Queen's Club Championships?

The Queen's Club Championships is an annual tennis tournament played on outdoor grass courts at the Queen's Club in London.

When is the 2025 Queen's Club Championships?

The 2025 Queen's Club Championships is the 122nd edition of the event for the men and the 82nd edition for the women (after a 52-year wait). The women's event takes place from June 9-15. The men's event takes place from June 16-22.

How to watch the 2025 Queen's Club Championships for free

The 2025 Queen's Club Championships is available to live stream for free on BBC iPlayer.

BBC iPlayer is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can unblock BBC iPlayer from anywhere in the world.

Live stream the 2025 Queen's Club Championships by following these simple steps:

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

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

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

4. Visit BBC iPlayer

5. Watch the 2025 Queen's Club Championships for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (including money-back guarantee) Get Deal

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 free live streams without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch the 2025 Queen's Club Championships before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to the best free streaming sites from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for BBC iPlayer?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on BBC iPlayer, 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 always secure

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $139 and includes an extra four months for free — 61% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for only $12.95 (including money-back guarantee).

Live stream the 2025 Queen's Club Championships for free with ExpressVPN.