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It's funny to look back on the MCU and realize these tales of epic heroism began with a spoiled nepo baby taking down his wicked-hearted business partner. But the Marvel Cinematic Universe has come a long, long way from Obadiah Stane and his iron-monging ways. Over 30 movies and counting, the baddies have gotten badder and badder — in great ways.

To toast the unveiling of Captain America: Brave New World, let's look back at all the villains who got us here.

How do Samuel Sterns, Sidewinder, and Thunderbolt Ross stack up to the likes of Loki, Thanos, and Killmonger? Find out with our thorough ranking of MCU villains, beginning with the least gnarly and ending with the biggest of bads.

48. Malekith (Thor: The Dark World) "Accursed" is right. Credit: screenshot / Marvel

Literally, who?* — Angie Han, former Deputy Entertainment Editor

47. Samuel Sterns (Captain America: Brave New World)

Back in The Incredible Hulk, Sterns (Tim Blake Nelson) was an ally to the titular superhero. But in Captain America: Brave New World, it's revealed that a bit of Bruce Banner's gamma-radiated blood transformed this once mild-mannered scientist into a supervillain with a scary, big brain and a face only a mother could love. Sure, his mind control powers and ability to calculate the future are creepy. But with the appearance of a rotten asparagus, Sterns just doesn't have much impact as a cinematic villain. —Kristy Puchko, Entertainment Editor

46. Dormammu (Doctor Strange)

I still don't entirely understand what Dormammu is, and I don't care. And if you're about to launch into an explanation based on the comics, my point is that the movie doesn't do a good job of explaining what he is or why I should care.* — A.H.

45. Ivan Vanko (Iron Man 2)

With his gold teeth, thick Russian accent, and pet cockatoo, Vanko is basically a latter-day Johnny Depp character — and as with most latter-day Johnny Depp characters, there doesn't seem to be anything like an actual person underneath all those tiresome affectations.* — A.H.

44. The Dweller-in-Darkness (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings)

The Dweller-in-Darkness is the CGI manifestation of studio executives flipping through the screenplay of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and realizing that there’s nothing in there that would make a cool Lego set. It’s not on the very bottom of the list because all it wants to do is eat snacks (relatable), and everyone after this entry is in Marvel’s clown car of really bad villain ideas. — Alexis Nedd, Senior Entertainment Reporter

SEE ALSO: All Marvel Cinematic Universe movies ranked worst to best 43. Aldrich Killian (Iron Man 3)

The reveal that the Mandarin was really a role being played by Ben Kingsley's Trevor Slattery was a jaw-dropper, but the truth about who was really pulling the strings was far more disappointing. Not even Killian's embittered-nerd backstory can make him a compelling foil to Tony Stark.* — A.H.

42. Ronan the Accuser (Guardians of the Galaxy) Marvel really wasted Lee Pace. Credit: Marvel Studios / Kobal / Shutterstock

Ronan gets more laughs than most of the other villains on this list, which could push him up a couple slots. But that's mostly because he's just in a funnier movie than most of the other villains on this list, not because he himself is all that funny. So he moves back down toward the bottom.* — A.H.

41. Justin Hammer (Iron Man 2)

Justin Hammer is essentially another Tony Stark, only inferior in every possible way. Which shouldn't be that interesting, except that Sam Rockwell makes him kind of an odious oddball. It's fun to watch him try to take down Stark, and even more satisfying to watch him fail again and again.* — A.H.

40. Abomination (The Incredible Hulk)

There's the germ of something interesting in Emil Blonsky, an aging soldier who agrees to undergo a painful experimental procedure in order to achieve Hulk-like power. Unfortunately, The Incredible Hulk never gets there, and by the end has reduced him to a mindless CGI monster.* — A.H.

39. Ayesha (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2)

Ayesha is essentially just a superiority complex dipped in gold, but so much of the fun of her character comes from seeing her haughty grandeur rub up against the goofy, grimy world of the Guardians. Here's hoping she'll get more to do once Adam emerges.* — A.H.

38. Dar-Benn (The Marvels)  Zawe Ashton is Dar-Benn in "The Marvels." Credit: Marvel Studios

She’s got a cool warhammer (the universal weapon), some powerful jewelry (quantum band), and some tooth bling for extra flair. But this revenge-fueled wannabe savior of the Kree just feels like a retread of lesser cosmic villains who’ve come before, like Malekith and Ronan. Angry, conquering, blah. Uncluttered by egregious prosthetic makeup, Zawe Ashton’s performance isn’t swallowed up like those of her predecessors. Still, there’s not much there there. — K.P.

37. Yon-Rogg (Captain Marvel) Anyone surprised to learn that this dude sucks? Credit: Chuck Zlotnick

Carol Danvers' fragile masculine captor isn't particularly interesting, but not for the first time Marvel gets by on some inspired casting — and in this case, a few well-placed twists. When Carol is about to blast him to Kree-Kingdom-Come during their final showdown, Yon-Rogg encourages her to strike him, to defeat him. It's so hubristic and patronizing (what's the Kree word for "mansplain?") that Carol decides she'd rather just dip. — Proma Khosla, Entertainment Reporter

SEE ALSO: Why I love, love, love 'Captain Marvel' and everything it stands for 36. Obadiah Stane (Iron Man)

Obadiah Stane fits so many of the MCU villain tropes we've become familiar with: He's a greedy businessman and a false father figure, and he's vastly less interesting than the superhero he's out to get. What makes him first among equals is that he was literally the first, setting the mold for years to come.* — A.H.

35. Goliath and Ghost (Ant-Man and the Wasp)

Sharing a spot on the list because they share so many villainous goals, the foes of Ant-Man and the Wasp are pretty textbook. Goliath, aka Bill Foster, has beef with Hank Pym (a man who specializes in beef) and wants revenge, while Ghost, aka Ava, just wants to stop phasing and not die. They team up to harness the energy of the Quantum Realm, which interferes with Hank and Hope's plan to rescue Janet, but by the end of the movie everyone realizes what a viewer probably caught early on: There's a version of this plan where everyone wins. — P.K.

34. Kaecilius (Doctor Strange) The MCU also somehow wastes Mads Mikkelsen! Credit: Film Frame / Marvel

Now we're really getting down to the dregs. Kaecilius is yet another MCU antagonist who lusts after some abstract notion of power. However, he wins a couple points for that flawless eye look and hilarious who's-on-first routine. — A.H.

33. Arishem the Judge (Eternals)

The Eternals' Celestial space-robot daddy is one of the most powerful beings on this list, but fails to make a proportionate impression because he is in fact a CGI space robot with no face. Arishem is the reason the Eternals even exist. He makes villains of them and their Deviant foes by basically using everyone as chess pieces — if a game of chess ended with the Earth being destroyed to create a cosmic superbeing. Arishem isn't evil in the way of someone like Thanos; Celestials operate on ancient universal laws, while Thanos acted out of hubris — but what they all have in common is the view that most mortal life is unremarkable and therefore unessential. Hopefully Sersi, Kingo, and Phastos can convince him otherwise. — P.K.

SEE ALSO: Your 'Eternals' crushes, ranked 32. General Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross (The Incredible Hulk)

General Ross (William Hurt) doesn't get the big showdown with Hulk (that dubious honor goes to Abomination), but for the first two-thirds of the movie, he's a rather chilling portrayal of a man so obsessed with revenge that he's blind to the fact that he's become a monster in his own right. — A.H.

31. President Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross (Captain America: Brave New World) Credit: Marvel Studios

The General blinded by revenge in The Incredible Hulk returns in a kinder, softer incarnation in Captain America: Brave New World. Actually, as President Ross (now played by Harrison Ford), he barely registers as a villain in this one; he's busy trying to make amends for his fiery past both with the Avengers and his daughter Betty (Liv Tyler). But he's making our list because when he goes Red Hulk, the smash spectacle is pretty terrific, even if the climax of this Cap-versus-Hulk showdown is a bore. — K.P.

30. Adam Warlock (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3) Adam is here, but he's not what you'd expect. Credit: Jessica Miglio

Don't get me wrong, Adam Warlock (Will Poulter) is a ton of fun. This golden battle mage swoops into Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 early on and basically pounds them into the dirt. After that, though, we see he's more of a childlike himbo than a supervillain. For the rest of the movie, he mostly screams "Mother!" (which, fair, when you're talking about Elizabeth Debicki as Ayesha) and hangs out with furry cutie Blurp. Good news, though: By the end of the film, he's become a new Guardian of the Galaxy, so we're in for more non-villainous Adam down the line. — Belen Edwards, Entertainment Reporter

29. Dreykov (Black Widow)

While far from the most charismatic or memorable villain on this list, Dreykov is pretty damn sinister when you think about what he's done. He kidnapped orphans to turn them into soldiers, and he made a point to pick children with uteruses so he could forcibly sterilize them. He turned his own daughter into a barely-sentient killing machine and seemed pleased as punch — incidentally, Natasha (and the rest of us) really want to punch him. Eff this guy. — P.K.

28. Yellowjacket (Ant-Man)

He's essentially Obadiah Stane Redux, minus the shock of realizing that, holy shit, it's Jeff Bridges under that chrome dome. Yellowjacket was just one too many wounded male egos plotting against the MCU's heroes, which perhaps mercifully led to the new era that followed. Sorry, Corey Stoll. We love you, just not this role for you.* — A.H.

27. M.O.D.O.K. (Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania)

Darren Cross/Yellowjacket gets an upgrade after being banished to the Quantum Realm, where he is remade by Kang the Conqueror (more on him later) to be a Mechanized Organism Designed Only for Killing. M.O.D.O.K. is mostly a gag villain thanks to his teeny little arms and legs and frankly massive head — apologies should be in order for nightmarishly stretching Corey Stoll's face like this. But M.O.D.O.K also has some of the funniest lines in an otherwise meh movie, and Stoll is clearly having a blast. At least he died an Avenger, right? Right? — B.E.

26. Trevor/The Mandarin (Iron Man 3)

To this day, the reveal of the Mandarin's true identity is one of the most shocking twists that the MCU has ever pulled off — and Ben Kingsley plays both sides beautifully. He's chilling as the Mandarin but delightfully daft as Trevor, the party-bro actor who has no idea what's really going on.* — A.H.

25. Seth Voelker / Sidewinder (Captain America: Brave New World)

Props to Giancarlo Esposito, an actor who brings a delicious sense of menace to every role, whether he's playing a mild-mannered kingpin (Breaking Bad), a duplicitous gangster (Abigail), or a MCU mercenary. In Captain America: Brave New World, Sidewinder is a merc who will stop at nothing to make his money, be it taking nuns hostage or ambushing the eponymous superhero with a grenade. While this movie underwhelms, Esposito made sure his small part hit hard, not only playing a convincing badass but also bringing an edge of enjoyment to every gnarly mission. —K.P.

24. Taskmaster (Black Widow)

Taskmaster is Black Widow’s main antagonist for most of the movie, and while they don’t do much beyond showing up and kicking ass, that ass-kicking is some of the best in the MCU. Tasky’s fight scenes are a highlight reel of every Avenger’s coolest moves, and half the fun of watching Black Widow is seeing how Natasha would actually fare if she squared up against Captain America, Bucky (again), Black Panther, and herself. Also, points awarded for having a cool third act reveal. Best wishes to you, Taskmaster. — A.N.

23. Alexander Pierce (Captain America: The Winter Soldier)

Like Vulture and Zemo, Alexander Pierce is a relatively understated villain. But he's got gravitas, because he's played by Robert Freakin' Redford, and he raises some genuinely complicated questions about security versus freedom. Well, at least until it's revealed that he's been a Hydra agent all along, and therefore unambiguously evil. Oh, well.* — A.H.

22. Red Skull (Captain America: The First Avenger)

Red Skull is a really good representation of another annoying MCU villain trend: squandered promise. He's played by Hugo Weaving and based on a popular comic book character, so he seems like he should be amazing. But onscreen, he comes across as just another generic nemesis.* — A.H.

21. Ulysses Klaue (Avengers: Age of Ultron, Black Panther)

Ulysses Klaue is a villain who died before he really got to live. Mostly in the sense that it would've been wild to see Andy Serkis' take on the comics, but Klaue served his purpose in the MCU's ongoing story. It's Klaue who smuggled vibranium out of Wakanda, a singular act that directly leads to Killmonger's plot to establish Wakanda as a fearsome ruling superpower. Without that vibranium, where would Ultron's consciousness end up after he escaped Tony's computer system? It's impossible to know what the MCU would look like without Klaue's impact, and that's what makes him one of the saga's essential villains. — Adam Rosenberg, Senior Entertainment Reporter & Weekend Editor

20. Ego (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2)

Talk about villains grounded in painful reality. Kurt Russell is perfect as Ego, the personification of every dashing deadbeat who's ever refused to let minor details like "a child" stand in the way of his grand ambitions. It's just that his grand ambitions involve remaking the entire galaxy.* — A.H.

19. Kang the Conqueror (Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania) So far, Kang is wasted potential. Credit: Jay Maidment / Marvel

Kang the Conqueror (Jonathan Majors) is one of Marvel Comics' biggest villains, and he's been hyped up as the big bad of Phases 5 and 6 of the MCU. So why was he such a letdown? Maybe it's the fact that his introductory movie simply isn't very good, or maybe it's that his power set isn't defined well beyond "shooting blue beams" and "blathering on and on about how he can see time." Or maybe it's that you need to have watched Loki to have even the slightest understanding of who he is. Whatever the reason, he's just not popping yet — and that's a gargantuan problem. At least Majors seems to be having fun, I guess. — B.E.

18. Winter Soldier (Captain America: The Winter Soldier) Before we saved our poor boy Bucky, he was a hell of a foe for Captain America. Credit: Zade Rosenthal / Marvel Studios

Bucky is only a true villain in Winter Soldier, and then just because he's been brainwashed by Hydra. Maybe that's a shame, because it turns out he's pretty good at being bad. He's all ruthless efficiency and controlled intensity, but his real secret weapon as a supervillain is his tragic backstory.* — A.H.

17. Ultron (Avengers: Age of Ultron)

A sort of sentient robot son to Tony Stark, Ultron sounds cooler in theory than he actually is in execution. But he is voiced by James Spader in mustache-twirling villain mode, and he's the kind of unapologetic drama queen who insists on having his own throne. That's not nothing.* — A.H.

16. Hela (Thor: Ragnarok)

Odin’s firstborn and the goddess of death, Hela is a formidable foe for Thor. She breaks Mjolnir! She kills the Warriors Three with her knife-y powers! She’s played by Cate Blanchett! Even though Hela is sidelined for much of Thor: Ragnarok, Blanchett imbues her with delightfully chilling villainy. Also, her outfit is among the best villain outfits in the MCU — talk about being dressed to kill. — B.E.

15. Gorr the God Butcher (Thor: Love and Thunder)

Say what you will about Thor: Love and Thunder, there's no denying that Christian Bale makes for an amazing villain. Drape that man in a sinister cloak, put the Necrosword in his hand, and give him a tragic backstory, and you're looking at MCU villain gold. Gorr's grief-fueled quest to kill all gods in the universe is Love and Thunder's most compelling storyline. While the film doesn't examine it quite as much as I wish it would, it still gives us Gorr being the world's most terrifying babysitter. Absolutely immaculate villain vibes. — B.E.

14. Mysterio (Spider-Man: Far From Home)

On paper, Mysterio looks like a pedestrian amalgam of Vulture, Justin Hammer, and Aldrich Killian — but the formula doesn't account for Jake Gyllenhaal chewing the absolute heck out of this role. In Mysterio, Gyllenhaal finds layers of sincerity (with Peter), egomania (with his team), and outright unhinged madness that is nothing short of delightful to behold. How did Tony Stark ever overlook this guy? — P.K.

13. The Grandmaster (Thor: Ragnarok) The Grandmaster is charming as hell, but he has SO many slaves. Credit: Marvel Studios

Grandmaster (Jeff Goldblum) may not be Thor: Ragnarok's main villain, but the hedonistic leader of Sakaar more than steals the show. Everything from his sparkly blue makeup to his funky piano jam sessions oozes funky, offbeat charisma — even when he’s forcing unwilling fighters to battle his champion to the death. Arguably the most fun Marvel villain, thanks in no small part to Goldblum doing what he does best, Grandmaster is just a blast to watch. — B.E.

12. Helmut Zemo (Captain America: Civil War)

In contrast to the colorful, power-mad personalities we've come to expect from comic book movies, Zemo is a quiet, unassuming man driven by grief. Best of all, the guy's kind of got a point when he notes that the Avengers are responsible for a lot of collateral damage.* — A.H.

11. The High Evolutionary (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3) More like the High Evil-utionary, am I right? Credit: Courtesy of Marvel Studios

Hoo boy, this guy is evil. In his quest to develop the perfect utopian species — so, space eugenics? — The High Evolutionary (Chukwudi Iwuji) tortures and mutilates sweet, innocent animals like Rocket Raccoon (voiced by Bradley Cooper). Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 does not pull its punches when depicting the horror of The High Evolutionary's experiments, a choice that brings the MCU to its darkest places yet while solidifying just how horrendous its villain is. The High Evolutionary gets bonus points on this villain ranking for his frightening face mask and Iwuji's capital "D" Dramatic performance, which brings high Shakespearean theatrics to The High Evolutionary. Truly an irredeemable monster of a villain. — B.E.

10. Mr. Paradox (Deadpool & Wolverine) Credit: Jay Maidment / 20th Century Studios / MARVEL

Some Marvel villains have been given mystical armies, unnerving prosthetic makeovers, and/or elaborate backstories sparked from petty grievances. Mr. Paradox doesn't need any of that to be a terrific villain. Sure, at first glance, he just seems like a British suit with a smug attitude. But props to Succession's Matthew Macfadyen, who's made being a power-hungry weasel into an art. Paradox's plan is one of timeline annihilation, coldly killing off millions of beings because he thinks the timelines are tidier that way. That's deeply evil and unhinged. But what makes Paradox marvelous is Macfadyen's delivery. Whether he's providing a dense exposition dump, dressing down Deadpool for relying on the "Worst Wolverine," or squawking for help when his master plan goes kabluey, the theatrical energy and snarling self-satisfaction makes for a foe that's an absolute hoot to hate. — K.P.

9. Vulture (Spider-Man: Homecoming)

Vulture is a basically normal dude grappling with the fact that he lives in a superpowered world — but unlike our heroes, Adrian Toomes isn't inspired by example to become one of the good guys. He channels that rage into a successful black-market enterprise selling alien weaponry, but what's fascinating about Adrian is there's much more to him than supervillainy. He doesn't seem to be playing a role in the way that, say, Obadiah Stane was only pretending to be Tony's friend so he could stab him in the back later. Adrian really is a family man, and he really is an illegal arms dealer. He contains multitudes, and Homecoming doesn't shy away from it.* — A.H.

8. Namor (Black Panther: Wakanda Forever)

With his winged ankles, green hot pants, and strength to rival the Hulk's, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever's Namor (Tenoch Huerta) bursts onto the scene with a tremendous amount of flair. But Namor is so much more than his appearance. A backstory involving his Yucatec-Mayan people fleeing from European colonizers sets the stage for his compelling motivations: wanting to keep his people and their home of Talokan safe. Like Black Panther's Killmonger, his reasoning makes sense and initially positions him more as an antihero. Also like Killmonger, his violent methods quickly plunge him into villainy, making for a layered Marvel antagonist who is also a blast to watch. — B.E.

7. Cassandra Nova (Deadpool & Wolverine) Credit: Jay Maidment / 20th Century Studios / MARVEL.

She's the evil twin of X-Men leader Charles Xavier, which means Cassandra Nova (Emma Corrin) shares his skills for telepathy and telekinesis. But you know, without all those pesky moral codes weighing her down. Content to rule over the temporal wastelands, Cassandra developed a creepy crew of X-men villains while building a fort in the rotted-out suit of a lost Giant Man. But once she meets Deadpool and Logan, her ambition grows from dystopian tyrant to eradicator of all existence. And if that goal alone isn't enough to commend her as a top-tier MCU villain, consider how her superpower involves stretching her fingers deep into her victims' brains. Watching Paradox's eyes wiggle as she treats his skull like a bowling ball is one of the creepiest things the MCU has offered yet. — K.P.

6. Wanda Maximoff (Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness) Wanda certainly went out with a bang. Credit: Jay Maidment

We can discuss at length how Wanda Maximoff deserved better throughout her time in the MCU, but we can also give her major props for being an exceptional villain in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Elizabeth Olsen is clearly having the time of her life as the film's big bad, channeling horror film legends like Samara from The Ring and Carrie White from Carrie. She also annihilates years' worth of fan service in the film's most diabolical sequence. On top of all that, Wanda's villainy comes after several movies and an entire TV show's worth of character development. So, our attachment makes her turn to the dark side both engrossing and painful to watch. Hats off to Olsen for a killer performance, and here's hoping Wanda is having a better time somewhere else in the multiverse. — B.E.

5. Green Goblin (Spider-Man: No Way Home)

No Way Home may have brought back every notable Spider-Man villain since 2002 (sorry, Hobgoblin), but Willem Dafoe’s Green Goblin is a magnificent standout as he urges them all to go rogue. This character once laid the groundwork for the misguided-scientist-who-turns-into-a-bad-experiment that every Spidey villain followed until Vulture, and his performance is as unhinged and spectacular as it was 20 years ago. Sliding back into Goblin’s armor, madness, and signature cackle, Dafoe reminds us that he all but invented the modern comic book movie villain, that everyone else here is in the house that Goblin built. It’s a hell of a legacy to leave behind in the first place, and even mightier to live up to it yourself. — P.K.

4. Loki (Thor, The Avengers)

There's a reason Loki is the rare baddie to stick around for more than one movie (and a whole TV show). He's the only MCU supervillain who's as fully developed as the MCU superheroes — and with his sad tale of familial angst, he's almost as sympathetic. Plus, Tom Hiddleston gives Loki a slippery, smirky charisma that's hard to resist. You listen to one of his faux-Shakespearean monologues and tell me you're not tempted to cross over to the dark side.* — A.H.

3. Wenwu (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings) Over at thousand years of pure swag. Credit: Courtesy of Marvel Studios

Leave it to Hong Kong cinema icon Tony Leung to show up 25 movies into the MCU and proceed to wipe the floor with almost every other villain the franchise has come up with. Wenwu is a fascinating villain because he’s a bad guy who isn’t always a bad person, and the real tragedy of Shang-Chi is knowing Wenwu is mourning more than the loss of his wife — he’s mourning the lost possibility of his own redemption. Also, he’s a Marvel villain who keeps another Marvel villain as a human pet. That’s god-tier villainy right there. — A.N.

2. Eric Killmonger (Black Panther)

Hot off the heels of Vulture revolutionizing MCU villainy came Michael B. Jordan's legendary turn in Black Panther. Eric is everything T'Challa isn't: vengeful, embittered, and deeply isolated. His methods might be villainous, but his message is compelling. Growing up in Oakland, far from the promise of Wakanda, he mourns generations of injustice that Black people have experienced around the world, seething with envy at T'Challa and his supposedly charmed life. Killmonger's pain stays with us long after the credits roll on Black Panther, as does his chilling final line. — P.K.

1. Thanos (Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame) Thinkin' bout what Star Lord said about his chin. Credit: Marvel Studios

Here we go. The big bad. The biggest bad. In one *snap,* Thanos erased half of the known universe from existence — but it's more than that. The build-up to Thanos pretty much defined the entire pace of the MCU's first truly sprawling story arc, from Iron Man to Endgame. Marvel spent 10 entire years teasing and setting up this massive villain before 2018's Avengers: Infinity War gave him an outwardly significant role to play. It was a hell of a trick, and it wouldn't have worked without the decade of buildup making it clear that a larger, more malevolent puppet-master was always pulling the strings just out of view. There are more exciting villains in the MCU, but Thanos is, as ever, inevitable. — A.R.

*This blurb appeared on a previous list.

UPDATE: Feb. 12, 2025, 3:00 p.m. EST Originally published on Sept. 9, 2021, this list has been updated to include the latest MCU releases.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe may have begun in 2008 with Iron Man, a billionaire playboy genius and philanthropist who fights injustice. But over the course of 16 years and 30-plus movies, the MCU has not only brought scads of comic book heroes and villains to theaters, it also changed the landscape of Hollywood releases as we know it.

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

With Captain America: Brave New World hitting theaters, we've updated our ranking of the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe, factoring in epic action, crackling comedy, wowing star power, and harrowing disappointments.

Here are the MCU movies ranked worst to best.

35. Iron Man 2 (2010) Credit: Marvel

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

34. The Incredible Hulk (2008)

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

SEE ALSO: How 'She-Hulk' beat its toxic haters by making them the villains 33. Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)

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

32. Thor: The Dark World (2013)

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

31. Eternals (2021) Credit: Marvel Studios

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

SEE ALSO: Everything you need to know before watching Marvel's 'Eternals' 30. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023) Credit: Marvel Studios

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

29. Captain America: Brave New World (2025) Anthony Mackie stars in "Captain America: Brave New World." Credit: Marvel Studios

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

28. Doctor Strange (2016)

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

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

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

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

26. Thor: Love and Thunder (2022) 

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

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

25. The Marvels (2023)

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

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

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

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

23. Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018) The Wasp (Evangeline Lilly) and Ant-Man (Paul Rudd) are both lovely people. Credit: Ben Rothstein / Marvel Studios

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

22. Iron Man 3 (2013)

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

21. Captain Marvel (2019) Brie Larson stars as Carol Danvers/Captain Marvel, the first female superhero to headline a Marvel movie. Credit: Chuck Zlotnick / Marvel Studios

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: #RecastTChalla campaign is not what you think 19. Black Widow (2021) Natasha's (Scarlett Johansson) fight poses in "Black Widow" are made fun of by Yelena (Florence Pugh). Credit: Jay Maidment / Marvel Studios

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

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

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

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

17. Ant-Man (2015)

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

16. Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019) A trip to Europe changes everything for MJ (Zendaya) and Spider-Man (Tom Holland) in "Spider-Man: Far From Home." Credit: Marvel Studios / Sony

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

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

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

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

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

14. Avengers: Infinity War (2018) It's a teamup of epic proportions for "Avengers: Infinity War." Credit: Chuck Zlotnick / Marvel Studios

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

13. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017) Cheer up, Groot, we've got some good news for you. "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2" is great. Credit: Marvel Studios / Disney

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: The maddest things in 'Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,' ranked 11. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021) Xialing (Meng’er Zhang), Shang-Chi (Simu Liu), and Katy (Awkwafina) battle for the future of humanity in "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings." Credit: Courtesy of Marvel Studios

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

10. Captain America: Civil War (2016) Captain America (Chris Evans) and Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) face irreconcilable differences in "Captain America: Civil War." Credit: Marvel Studios

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

9. Avengers: Endgame (2019)

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

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

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

7. Iron Man (2008)

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

6. Captain America: The First Avenger (2011) "Captain America: The First Avenger" introduces us to a kid from Brooklyn who never backed down from a fight. Credit: Marvel / Paramount / Kobal / Shutterstock

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

5. Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017) Tom Holland's Spider-Man debuted in "Captain America: Civil War," but "Spider-Man: Homecoming" really lets him shine. Credit: Marvel Studios / Sony

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

4. Thor: Ragnarok (2017) Taika Waititi's "Thor: Ragnarok" is a huge tone shift for the character — and it's perfect. Credit: Jasin Boland / Marvel

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

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

3. Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014) "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" works because it's a genre movie at its core. Credit: Zade Rosenthal / Marvel

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

2. The Avengers (2012)

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

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

1. Black Panther (2018) Chadwick Boseman gives an unforgettable performance as T'Challa in "Black Panther." Credit: Film Frame Marvel Studios 2018

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

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

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

UPDATE: Feb. 12, 2025, 4:38 p.m. EST Originally published November 11, 2017, this list has been updated to include the latest MCU releases.

Is it worth it to buy exercise equipment for your home?

Understandably, it's not a question that invites a simple yes or no. Sure, the convenience factor is great, but even if you're just buying a $100 set of weights, there's the initial cost, then the space in your home you'll invest, and then the time you'll invest in actually using them to make your purchase worth it.

Now, suppose you're buying a treadmill instead of weights. The prospect of confirming your order and getting a 300-pound package sent to your door (that you hope to but may not consistently use) is likely to be even more daunting.

SEE ALSO: Home gym starter kit: Everything you need to work out from home

It's a feeling I can relate to: I'm someone who's enjoyed the routine of running around my neighborhood, but also gone through phases of feeling burdened by my yoga mat gathering dust in the corner. I also live in an area that gets punishingly hot over the summer, can have its days of less than stellar air quality year-round, and I mask indoors (leaving gyms a less desirable option), so I've been treadmill curious for a while. Rather than take a $1,000-plus gamble, I decided to use my unique position as a shopping reporter to do the research for other folks who may find themselves in my shoes.

The Echelon Stride 6, fresh out of the box. Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable

That's what led me to the Echelon Stride 6: a treadmill more hefty than a walking pad (and therefore allows me to actually run indoors safely), but foldable, giving the promise of some level of storage — and the freedom to keep it from becoming the centerpiece of my living room.

After two weeks of testing it out, I can confidently say that the Stride 6 offers a level of convenience that'd be challenging to find at a better price point, but it's not necessarily a no-brainer purchase for anyone who's been interested in a folding treadmill.

The Echelon Stride 6 size and features

Before we get into my experience, let's go over a quick breakdown of what you'll get with the Echelon Stride 6, which, at full price, goes for $1,699.99. (In the course of my research and testing over the past couple of months, the price has been marked down to at least $1,399.99).

The Stride 6 specs are as follows:

• 4.75 feet tall x 2.7 feet wide x 5.4 feet long

• A running deck that measures 20.5 inches wide x 60 inches long

• 12 incline levels and speed that maxes up to 12.5 miles per hour, with adjustment wheels for each on either side of the handlebars

• A DC brushless motor

• Two heart rate sensors

• A built-in fan

• An auto-fold mechanism

As a comparison, NordicTrack's T Series 10 treadmill runs for $1,499, and though it's not foldable, does come with a 10-inch display and similar fitness features as the Echelon Stride 6. As you might've already noticed, the Stride 6 doesn't come with a built-in display, but if that's a deal breaker for you, the Stride 6S offers the best of both worlds — it'll just cost you $400 more.

Is the Echelon Stride 6 a good foldable treadmill?

The Stride 6 is not necessarily an exceptional running machine (nor does it attempt to be one), with a large part of its appeal resting in how well it functions as a foldable treadmill. As such, I expect a $1,700 price point to mean a) the treadmill is very easy to fold and unfold and b) I can store it without much hassle.

SEE ALSO: The TikTok girlies are right: You need a standing desk and treadmill

Things started off strong — once we got the treadmill indoors (more on that below), setting it up was literally a matter of pushing the upper part of the treadmill into place. At no point did it feel unsteady or too heavy, and everything locked into place with a reassuring click — zero assembly required, check.

Folding it back down wasn't quite as easy. When I saw the advertised "auto-fold" feature, I hoped it might be as simple as pressing a button and standing back, but I first had to fold the display console perpendicular to the bars of the treadmill. Then, I released it using buttons under the handlebars so that the console could fall in line with the rest of the frame. At that point, I could press the pedal on the left side of the treadmill that initiated the "auto-fold," which essentially meant the treadmill collapsed at a controlled rate, with no power necessary for this portion.

The Stride 6 folded flat. Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable

As a pro-tip, you'll want to make sure you have at least a foot of clearance to the left of the treadmill. I initially placed the treadmill just a couple of inches from the wall, and it was basically impossible for me to reach the pedal without being on the running deck, in which case the treadmill wouldn't be able to fold closed.

You'll want some clearance to reach the auto-fold pedal located on the left side of the treadmill. Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable

Once it's folded, you can use the handlebar on the back to push and pull the treadmill to adjust its position, thanks to the wheels on the front of it. (In a pinch, I was also able to move it around unfolded, but safety-wise, folding it feels like the much better option.)

The handlebar on the back of the treadmill allows to you to move it (thanks to the wheels on the front) or pull it upright. Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable

In theory, this handlebar is also what you can grab to push the treadmill upright. Learn from my mistakes: do not attempt to put it upright alone on the first try — I learned about three-quarters of the way to the upright position that I am simply not strong enough to do it solo, and while I was able to lower it back down without injury, I definitely had some luck on my side.

Folding the treadmill up opened up a decent amount of space in our living room. Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable

With my partner, I was able to get it upright no problem, but if you live alone, this would be a pretty annoying obstacle. Once in position, Echelon advertises that while holding on to the handlebar, you should be able to push the treadmill around from side to side, thanks again to the wheels located at the front portion of the treadmill.

The Echelon Stride 6 has wheels on the front of it that allow it to be rolled back and forth and side to side. Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable Photo Composite

Upright, the treadmill is five feet and four inches — I'm five five and a half, but it felt like it was too tall (and too heavy) for me to reasonably feel comfortable pushing it around, especially if I wanted to push it down the hall and into a bedroom to store. If you want to fold it upright, I'd stick to keeping it next to the wall you'll fold it against — and using the included hardware to bolt it into place when not in use.

All of that said, this treadmill looks way more streamlined in its folding position than other folding treadmills on the market. The NordicTrack Commercial 1750, for instance, allows the user to fold it up but uses its own frame to keep itself folded, and offers essentially zero versatility in folding it down or moving it around with ease. The result is a rather clunky V-shaped fold that, sure, might give you a bit more ground space but feels more visually obstructive than just leaving the treadmill as is. It also costs a pretty penny more, at $2,500. The Sole F80 is closer in price to the Stride 6 at $1,899, but follows the same folding mechanism as the NordicTrack treadmill.

The NordicTrack Commercial 1750 treadmill folded up. Credit: NordicTrack Versus the Stride 6. Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable

Ultimately, the Stride 6 is unique in that it offers a slim fold found more often on walking pads, while still offering the functionality of a full-fledged treadmill that's safe to run on, and at a price point cheaper than other folding treadmills.

How it feels to run on the Echelon Stride 6

The Stride 6 did its job reliably and functioned perfectly well as an in-home treadmill. Maybe that's not the most exciting endorsement, but again, the draw of this treadmill isn't necessarily about how unique the running experience is.

Though it didn't have any exceptional features for the actual running experience, here's what the Stride 6 did well:

• The running deck was a nice size and provided a decent amount of cushion

• The motor wasn't silent, but it certainly wasn't the loudest treadmill I've used

• Adjusting speeds with the knob or presets on the console was intuitive and easy to use while running

• The treadmill inclined seamlessly with both the knob and the presets

The knob on the left side of the Stride 6 allows you to incrementally adjust the incline. Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable While the knob on the right side allows you to adjust the speed. Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable

For its downsides, the console shook some when I pushed the speed up, the built-in fan was better at making noise than cooling me off, and the heart rate monitors were touch and go, sometimes telling me my heart rate was the same at the beginning of jogging as when I was running as hard as I could. None of these were particularly egregious cons — maybe the one that stood out the most was that the console isn't super flexible for fitting different size devices if you want to use the top hook to keep it in place (or keep your case on).

This is as far as the upper clip could go. When using the middle device stand, I couldn't fit an 11-inch iPad Pro in its case. Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable

Still, after removing the case on my iPad, I was able to secure it into place (and I could've propped it lower on the console), but if you have a tablet larger than 11 inches and want to use it more at eye level, this is something to be aware of.

Once secured into place, the iPad admittedly looked (and worked) great in this position. Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable

That said, the console had a standard layout with the time elapsed, speed, distance run, calories burned, and heart rate. There are 10 presets along each side for speed and incline. On the lower part of the console, the treadmill has two cup holders (which came in handy for my water bottle and earbuds case) and some extra storage space for smaller items.

The console offered standard features, as well as several places to put a tablet. Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable

This should be a given with any treadmill that's made it to market, but just for the record, the safety key worked flawlessly every time I tested it, both intentionally and unintentionally.

In-home delivery costs extra

Let me start by saying that though in-home delivery costing extra isn't unusual for treadmill delivery, it is not a fun surprise to experience, either at checkout or on delivery day.

As a reporter, I worked with an Echelon representative to coordinate the treadmill delivery, so I didn't see the standard checkout screen, which would've clued me in to some important information.

Echelon shipping costs $299.99 if you want the item to be delivered in your home. Credit: Echelon / Screenshot

Granted, I live on the ground floor, so I didn't anticipate there would be any issues (and assumed that for a 200-plus pound package, in-home delivery would be a given). I scheduled a delivery window with FedEx Freight, and a few days later, a delivery person showed up, and let me know that they wouldn't actually be able to bring the treadmill to my front door due to the three steps that lead up to my porch.

These three steps meant the Stride 6 couldn't be delivered to my front door. Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable

My partner and I tried to work together to bring it in, but at the end of the day, we didn't have the muscle power, so we ended up hiring a couple of local movers who were kind enough to forgo their three-hour minimum and charged us $150 when it was all said and done.

The lesson to be learned, of course, is to opt for in-home delivery or, because the assembly process is basically nonexistent, try to find some cheaper help locally if you don't want to add $300 to your grand total. With a quick search, I saw a local fitness store offers in-home delivery and assembly for $200, so you can always check that option as well.

For what it's worth, this in-home fee is relatively on par with other brands I researched, like Horizon and Sole, which offered in-home delivery prices of $219.99 and $200, respectively.

Shipping costs from Horizon. Credit: Horizon / Screenshot And Sole. Credit: Sole

While this is more a knock against treadmill delivery in general than Echelon, it does feel like something priced at $1,700 should include in-home delivery.

Is the Echelon Stride 6 worth it?

Honestly, making a fully functional treadmill that also doesn't impose too much on space doesn't seem like an easy task. It's not surprising that they're aren't a ton of truly compact options out there, let alone ones that are reasonably priced. That said, Echelon seems to have hit as close to the mark as it could've with the Stride 6, offering a machine that doesn't feel half as space-eating as other treadmills I've seen, without sacrificing basic functionality.

Is it worth it, though? Maybe if it's on sale for $1,000 as it was on Black Friday, or at least for that $1,399.99 sale price that's been lingering around (if you're especially keen on getting one ASAP). Otherwise, if you can, I'd say to wait to see where foldable treadmills go. It feels like the Stride 6 provides a solid foundation for what they could be, but it doesn't quite hit the mark in terms of portability and easy storage.

With the right space, it could be the perfect treadmill for someone to use and easily store under their bed or against their wall. But if you can't keep the treadmill close to where you would store it or don't have another person to help you lift it upright, it's likely more trouble than it's worth for the time being, especially at its price point.

Echelon Stride 6 $1,399.99 at Echelon Fitness
$1,699.99 Save $300.00 Shop Now

Apple's iPhone 17 Pro has long been rumored to have a completely redesigned camera array on the back. Now, however, a new report tells us all those designs we've seen so far were dead wrong.

On Friday, Apple leaker and Front Page Tech host Jon Prosser unveiled the "actual" design of the new iPhone 17 Pro in a YouTube video. According to Prosser, Apple's new flagship will have a redesigned back (the front of the phone is largely staying the same), but the cameras will not be laid out horizontally.

Instead, the iPhone 17 Pro will reportedly have the same, triangular layout of the rear cameras, but they will now be located in a large camera bump, which basically extends across the width of the phone, and has a darker color than the rest of the phone.

SEE ALSO: Apple iPhone 16 and 16 Plus review: So sweet, you'll go 'cheap'

It makes sense. There are technical reasons why Apple would want to keep the current camera layout; one of them, as Prosser suggests in the video, is the fact that there's just no room on top of the phone for a fully horizontal camera layout.

The images that Prosser shared in the video (below) are renders, but Prosser claims he has both seen the device himself, and got the design confirmed from multiple sources. While this is hard to believe — it's very, very rare that someone gets a glimpse of an actual new iPhone this far ahead of launch — it is certainly possible.

As far as other changes go, Prosser also debunked the reports that the Dynamic Island on the phone's face is getting smaller. He said he doesn't know much about the materials Apple will use for the iPhone, nor its internals, but he quotes sources who claim the phone feels lighter in their hand.

None of this is official, and we won't know if it's really true until Apple launches the new iPhone, which will likely happen in September.

TikTok is now available for download in the U.S. once more. Bloomberg reports that Apple and Google have restored the popular video-sharing app to the Apple App and Google Play stores as of Thursday evening, after it was initially removed in January. 

SEE ALSO: The new TikTok ban deadline looms: When it hits and what has to happen

While TikTok itself initially blocked U.S. users hours prior to the ban officially coming to effect on Jan. 19, the app quickly came back online after President-elect Donald Trump indicated he would not enforce the ban. The Biden administration had also stated they would not be enforcing it, "given the timing of when it goes into effect over a holiday weekend a day before inauguration."

Trump subsequently signed an executive order temporarily delaying enforcement of the ban as one of his first acts as President. In it, he stated his intent to negotiate a solution which would keep TikTok in the U.S. while addressing the national security concerns which prompted the ban.

Even so, TikTok was reportedly still unavailable in the iOS and Android app stores. Under the Protecting Americans From Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act banning TikTok, Apple and Google could have been penalised for continuing to enable the distribution and updating of the app.

Trump's Jan. 20 executive order delaying the TikTok ban's enforcement did technically offer Apple and Android immunity as well, with the president ordering that no action be taken to enforce the Act for 75 days. However, the tech giants reportedly held off on allowing TikTok to return to their app stores until they received a Trump-ordered letter from U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi pledging that the ban would not be enforced.

Mashable has reached out to Google and Apple for comment.

While companies no longer fear legal consequences for allowing people in the U.S. to download TikTok for now, it's still unclear exactly how Trump plans to resolve the issue. Recently, the president floated the idea of the U.S. government itself purchasing TikTok with the sovereign wealth fund he recently ordered be established. 

However, TikTok's parent company ByteDance has consistently maintained that no sale will go ahead, and that the divestment the U.S. government is demanding is "technologically, commercially, and legally infeasible."

The pit! The pit! It always comes back to the pit in Yellowjackets.

We're officially back in the wilderness with the arrival of Season 3 of Showtime's teen cannibalism drama, and in episode 1, there's a throwback to the very first episode of Season 1. Yep, we've finally found the all-important pit, the site of the mystery Pit Girl's grisly demise.

Wait, what's the pit in Yellowjackets again? Always with the pit. Credit: Paul Sarkis / Showtime

In the opening scene of Yellowjackets Season 1, we see a girl running for her life through the snow as a wild rumpus echoes through the trees. She falls into a deep, stake-lined pit and is impaled. Importantly, she's wearing a heart-shaped necklace we learn originally belonged to Jackie (Ella Purnell). Jackie had given the necklace to Shauna (Sophie Nélisse), who then makes it a ritual item in Season 2, to be worn by whoever draws the Queen of Hearts card to be sacrificed and eaten. The identity of the necklace-wearing Pit Girl has yet to be revealed, but it's now clear that she drew the damned card.

SEE ALSO: In Memoriam: Who is dead on 'Yellowjackets'? Where do we find the pit in Season 3?  Though this moment was brutal, it was just a game. But the FORESHADOWING. Credit: Kailey Schwerman / Paramount+ with Showtime

Now, in the opening scene of Yellowjackets Season 3, we see a terrified Mari (Alexa Barajas) chased through the woods, a ruse revealed to be a mere game of "Capture the Flag." It’s both a clever throwback to Season 1's opening scene and a foreshadowing of what's ahead in this episode — and it's especially interesting as a lot of online theories point to Mari possibly being the Pit Girl, as it's still unclear whether she made it out of the wilderness.

About 25 minutes into the episode, we reunite with Coach Ben (Steven Krueger), who's been surviving solo in the wilderness after ditching the team last season, horrified by their pivot to cannibalism. He stumbles across a pit covered by wooden planks, and within it finds a cargo container under a tarp that's full of survival supplies. Best guess? It was probably dug by the hunter who owned the cabin the Yellowjackets took shelter in until it was burned down (more on that below). 

After pulling everything out of it, Ben re-covers the pit with the tarp, dirt, and leaves, then leaves bait on top of it, hoping for a deer to fall in. Later in the episode, having stormed off from camp after her fight with Shauna, Mari falls into the disguised pit and breaks her leg.

Featured Video For You The 'Yellowjackets' cast tries to define the show's "Wilderness" What's Coach Ben's plan?

Ben has had quite a time of it, what with having his leg amputated by a teen, experiencing emotionally draining hallucinations from starvation, and almost taking his own life. Ben finally fled the cabin in Season 2, horrified by the team's human feasts. He's been surviving by himself for months, through winter, spring, and now summer. But with his absence and open disdain for the team's eating of one another, he's also a prime suspect for the big event of the Season 2 finale.

As we see in a scene between Natalie (Sophie Thatcher), Taissa (Jasmin Savoy Brown), Gen (Vanessa Prasad), and Van (Liv Hewson), the team suspect Ben of being the one who burned down the cabin last season in retaliation for their cannibalism. They're still looking for him, but he's pretty much presumed dead by the Yellowjackets. But then we see the coach very much alive, setting small animal traps in the woods — clearly how he's been surviving this long.

When he sees it's Mari caught in the pit, not a deer, it's hard to judge Ben's reaction beyond pure shock. What's Ben's plan now? Will he succumb to the Yellowjackets' penchant for human haute cuisine? Will he capture or release Mari, and why? At this point, anything could happen.

But what we do know from Season 1? The Yellowjackets will eventually find the pit and line it with stakes.

Yellowjackets Season 3 is streaming on Paramount+ with Showtime from Feb. 14, with new episodes weekly.

In the first post-credits scene of the season, Yellowjackets Season 3 takes us into the brand new wilderness base of our missing football team. And just look at those huts!

The last time we saw the Yellowjackets in the past they were huddled together in the snow watching their dark, spider-webbed cabin home of Seasons 1 and 2 burn. As Cat Steven's "Morning Has Broken" plays over this Eden-like alternative in Season 3, we see the team has been busy building their new spring home. Superbly constructed dwellings, woven from twigs, fibers, and other materials, encircle a campfire, the site dotted with chairs the team have hauled from the plane wreckage. There are some A-frame huts, some flat-roofed built with larger branches, and one exquisite pear-shaped hut with a circular opening. 

I'm sorry, who in this team is an actual architect, design expert, or studied survival training? These are exceptional!

SEE ALSO: In Memoriam: Who is dead on 'Yellowjackets'?

Having survived this long in the wilderness, it's not a surprise this team is able to construct sturdy dwellings — they've made their own clothes, period products, culty headresses, and makeshift altars, and served each other up for dinner. Misty has proven skills in first aid and DIY amputation, but she's never indicated any interest in nomadic shelter design.

The show answers this question for us, with the next shot a close-up of several tattered books, including a title called Art and Architecture of the Ancient World by G. Smyth, M. Garcia, and W. Parker, a book created for the show. The cover shows two images of huts, both similar to the Yellowjackets' structures. It looks like an old textbook, definitely a few decades old.

My question, however, is whose book is this? I reached out to the Yellowjackets production team for answers, but in the meantime there are really only two possibilities I can see.

Featured Video For You The 'Yellowjackets' cast tries to define the show's "Wilderness"

The first, one of the Yellowjackets found it in the cabin and valued it enough to rescue it from the flames when the team's temporary home was burned down in the Season 2 finale. The five books, though they look very battered, don't look burned, so if they were in the cabin, someone thought to grab them at the first sign of danger. But remember, Laura Lee taught herself how to fly a plane from the cabin's cursed library and look how that ended.

The second possibility is that someone brought the book with them on the plane, and either had it with them the whole time (and saved it from the fire) or retrieved it from the wreckage after the fire. Maybe the pilots (RIP) or Coach Bill (RIP) were really into art and architecture history? Was it a textbook of one of the students (though it seems a very old one)?

It's such a specific, useful book for the Yellowjackets to have in this moment of need, basically an instruction manual on sophisticated architectural techniques and climate-appropriate ventilation, right here in the wilderness — and we're shown it in close-up. Such a tome feels so convenient. But who does it belong to? WHO?

In its first season, Yellowjackets' blend of survival thriller tropes, tantalizing mysteries, and the savagery of high school girls made it must-see TV. In its second outing, the show delivered some much-anticipated cannibalism and further explored the adult Yellowjackets' trauma. But wonky pacing and an unfulfilling 21st-century storyline meant that Season 2 couldn't reach the exquisite highs of Season 1. Was the show in decline, or was Season 2 just a misstep?

After watching the first four episodes of Season 3, the answer is unfortunately the former.

SEE ALSO: In Memoriam: Who is dead on 'Yellowjackets'?

Despite the occasional jaw-dropping moment, Yellowjackets continues to feel unmoored this season, especially when it comes to its adult timeline. Not only does the series have no clue what to do with several members of its ensemble — it also seems like it's just treading water until it can get to its terrifying Season 1 cold open.

What's Yellowjackets Season 3 about? Christina Ricci in "Yellowjackets." Credit: Colin Bentley / Paramount+ with SHOWTIME

Yellowjackets Season 2 ended with the teen Yellowjackets' cabin burning down — presumably at the hands of Coach Ben (Steven Krueger) — and the promise of a tough winter without shelter. Season 3 skips ahead to the summer, when the team has built a thriving commune complete with animal pens and exquisitely build shelters. In a speech celebrating the summer solstice, Van (Liv Hewson) catches us up to speed on what we missed in the time jump as well as the events of Season 2, a moment of self-mythologizing that also doubles as an eyeroll-worthy recap. ("Previously, on the Yellowjackets," Van says, in a meta nod that falls flat.)

Shauna (Sophie Nélisse), on the other hand, wants no part in Van's sanitizing of the horrors the team has endured (and committed) — understandably so, given the still-fresh loss of her baby. Her anger, which mostly manifests in fights with the ever-annoying Mari (Alexa Barajas, taking on a bigger role this season), will drive a wedge between team members and challenge current leader Natalie's (Sophie Thatcher, Companion) hold on power. Natalie, for her part, is in a precarious position: How can she protect Coach Ben while her teammates beg for his blood?

SEE ALSO: 'Yellowjackets': 10 burning questions we have for Season 3

In the present, the adult Yellowjackets grieve the loss of Natalie (Juliette Lewis). Well, Misty (Christina Ricci) does, at any rate. Aside from one scene of post-funeral commiseration, it seems like Shauna (Melanie Lynskey), Taissa (Tawny Cypress), and Van (Lauren Ambrose) have moved on fairly quickly. That most of the grief falls on Misty makes sense given her role in Nat's death, but the other Yellowjackets' quick moving on cheapens Season 2's biggest loss.

It's not like they even move on to more exciting things! Shauna has to deal with her daughter Callie (Sarah Desjardins) prying further into what happened in the wilderness, as well as a mysterious new person trying to reach out to her. (Yes, the latter reads as an uninspired rehash of Season 1's blackmailing plot.) Meanwhile, Tai and Van rekindle their teen romance, but despite Cypress and Ambrose's solid chemistry, their arc feels like a boring, slow-moving side quest in an already unfocused present-day storyline. Take me back to when the adults were working together, instead of scattered.

Yellowjackets Season 3 doesn't know what to do with many of its characters. Tawny Cypress, Lauren Ambrose, Warren Kole, and Melanie Lynskey in "Yellowjackets." Credit: Kailey Schwerman / Paramount+ with SHOWTIME

The unfortunate adult Tai and Van storyline is just one symptom of Yellowjackets' biggest problem: a lack of understanding of how to use its ensemble cast. (A similar problem has befallen The White Lotus, another show with an underwhelming third season.)

In any ensemble show, there are bound to be characters who fall to the wayside. But in Yellowjackets Season 3, these characters are among those who were set up to play a huge role. Teen Tai and Van are often sidelined as much as their adult counterparts, making story elements like Shauna and Tai's Season 1 bond a distant (and much-missed) memory. Lottie (played by Courtney Eaton and Simone Kessell) also gets short shrift this time around. Without a cruel winter pushing the team to put their faith in the wilderness, teen Lottie has been pushed to the sidelines, where she attempts more vague, spiritual practices that, despite some ominous visions, seem more like filler than anything meaningful. And remember how adult Lottie was set up as a major new arrival in Season 2? You'd be hard-pressed to find anything remotely close to that impact in Season 3.

SEE ALSO: The 'Yellowjackets' cast tries to define the show's wilderness

Elsewhere, characters who get more airtime, like Melissa (Jenna Burgess) or Mari, struggle to stand out against the far more developed leads. One single joke about Melissa suddenly having a personality does not, in fact, a personality make! That disparity is even more clear when the two interact with Shauna, who remains the show's most fully-formed lead in both timelines. In the present, Yellowjackets dives deeper into her relationship with Misty, which results in scenes that, while fun, also remind us of all the rich interpersonal dynamics we could be having across the season if Yellowjackets knew how best to showcase its incredible cast.

Did Yellowjackets set itself up for failure? Sophie Thatcher in "Yellowjackets." Credit: Kailey Schwerman / Paramount+ with SHOWTIME

Aside from its shoddy character work, Season 3 of Yellowjackets meanders even more than Season 2. Yes, there are a collection of episode-ending cliffhangers that will shock viewers, but don't expect Yellowjackets to do much with them — certainly not an intriguing kiss that feels more and more like wasted potential the further we get from it. Meanwhile, Hilary Swank, whose mystery role has been teased in Yellowjackets' trailers, doesn't even show up in the first four episodes.

The lack of propulsion feels extra egregious considering Yellowjackets' first-ever scene: the team hunting an unknown victim through the snowy woods as part of their ritualistic cannibalism. Said scene gives us a definitive ending point for the teen Yellowjackets' journey (aside from their rescue), but the show risks dragging its feet too long to get there. The Season 3 premiere even opens with a fake-out echoing that first hunt, so the show is aware how much we're craving that payoff. But three and a half years and two seasons have passed since that premiere, and as Yellowjackets continues to spin its wheels about what really happened in the wilderness, its momentum suffers.

Its present-day timeline suffers too, as the survivors are reduced to cryptic vagaries about "what we did out there" in order to surprise the audience about what other atrocities they committed as teenagers. There's only so much pussyfooting I can take, though, especially when Yellowjackets set itself such a high bar in Season 1.

In setting that bar — and specifically singling out that scene — Yellowjackets may have set itself an impossible task. Can it truly keep audiences invested in the show's many mysteries, several of which have remained mysteries since Season 1, over the course of its planned five-season arc? Based on the start of Season 3, with its unsatisfying character development and continued foot-dragging, it seems unlikely. Yellowjackets may already be running out of steam.

The first two episodes ofYellowjackets Season 3 are now streaming on Paramount+ with Showtime, with new episodes weekly.

Yellowjackets not only has one of the greatest opening credits sequences in TV, but it's also one you have to pay attention to. Because even though it's mostly the same each season, with Craig Wedren and Anna Waronker's "No Return" blaring, there are subtle differences — and some of those differences may contain clues for what's to come.

We've combed through the Season 3 opening credits to see what new shots have been added, and what that might mean.

SEE ALSO: In Memoriam: Who is dead on 'Yellowjackets'? A sketch of a body lying horizontally

It's brief, but there's a shot of what appears to be a sketch on a piece of paper. The image drawn looks like a body lying horizontally. What's this all about, then? To be honest, it's a pretty tricky one to decipher because it's so fleeting. Aside from the body, the only other things on the piece of paper are what look like three large spikes at the bottom of the page.

Could this be some kind of diagram? Maybe a plan for a trap? It's worth noting the design heavily resembles the pit seen in the opening of Season 1 – remember the mystery Pit Girl that gets impaled? – so maybe the sketch is the origin of that.

A playing card being drawn

We already know what this means, and it's nothing good. Back in Season 2, the Yellowjackets in the wilderness resorted to drawing cards in order to pick who'd be hunted and eaten next (a ritual they later repeat as adults at Lottie's wellness centre in the Season 2 finale). The shot of a playing card, the damning Queen of Hearts, being drawn suggests that we may see even more of this in Season 3.

Tai and Van about to kiss

Neither Tai (Tawny Cypress) nor Van (Lauren Ambrose) are in a great place in present day Yellowjackets, but in Season 2 they find some solace in each other. Judging by a brief shot of them leaning in to kiss each other in the opening credits, it seems likely their romance storyline will continue in Season 3.

Credit: Kailey Schwerman / Paramount+ A shot of the girls moving some wooden planks

Back in the woods in the past timeline, we see a glimpse of some of the girls — it's hard to make out who because it's an overhead shot — moving some wooden planks across the forest floor. It's possible they're building another pyre of some kind, but the flatness of the wood makes us think they're more likely covering something up. Maybe setting some kind of trap? Or even burying a body?

A shot of a girl floating in the water

OK, now this one is really hard to make out — but towards the end of the opening credits, there's another oh-so-brief overhead shot of what looks like a girl in a white dress against a dark background. Someone floating on a body of water? Maybe someone at risk of drowning? Too early to say, but maybe a clue for a scene to come.

Yellowjackets Season 3 is streaming on Paramount+ with Showtime from Feb. 14, with new episodes weekly.

The memorial held for Irving (John Turturro) in Severance Season 2, episode 5, was memorable for a couple of reasons: 1) the deeply disturbing fruit head, and 2) the discovery made by Dylan (Zach Cherry) behind that poster.

But what exactly did the note he found say, and what does it mean?

We've dug into it all below...

SEE ALSO: You've got to hear Zach Cherry's 'Severance' Season 2 fan theory What's written on the note?

After Mark (Adam Scott) and Helly (Britt Lower) leave Dylan alone at the memorial, he finds a note behind the "Hang in There" poster on the wall — an image which resembles Dylan holding the switches in Season 1's finale, and words that echo the final words Irving says to him in Woe's Hollow at the end of episode 4. On one side of the note is a drawing of the long, dark corridor that outie Irving obsessively recreates in artworks. On the other side is a written message.

Credit: Apple TV+

Here's the full transcription, which basically amounts to a series of directions:

"From O&D, first turn right, all the way down the hall and turn right, turn right, turn left, down a long hall and turn left, turn left, turn right, right, left, left, right, right, left, right, left, left, right, right, left, left down long hall and turn right, then left, right, turn right one more time and all the way down a long hallway..."

So where do those directions lead, and why did Irving leave them behind in a note?

What does the note mean?

To understand the meaning behind the note, we need to revisit two earlier scenes in Severance Season 2: one from episode 3, and one from the start of episode 5.

In the first one, Irving revisits the department where Burt (Christopher Walken) used to work — the O&D (Optics & Design) referred to in the note. There he meets one of Burt's colleagues, Felicia (Claudia Robinson), who accidentally sees a drawing of the dark corridor that he's sketched in the back of his notebook.

"Who do you know about the Exports Hall?" she asks him. "We send a lot of shipments there. Used to go ourselves, but now they send a guy."

Irving's response, before the scene ends, is to ask Felicia where it is.

At the start of episode 5, meanwhile, we see a man pushing a trolley. He meets Felicia and another woman, presumably at O&D, where they hand him a tray of what looks like surgical or dental tools. The man is then seen swiping a card in a door that opens on a long black corridor — the same corridor from Irving's drawing — that ends in an elevator with a red down arrow. The man steps inside and the door shuts.

When we put all these moments together, it seems pretty clear that the note Irving has left for Dylan is a set of directions to this "Exports Hall". His outie was obsessed with it and his innie became obsessed with it, too.

Ms Casey walked down the "exports hall" in Season 1. Credit: Apple TV+ Where does the exports hall lead?

This isn't the first time we've seen that long, dark corridor. In Season 1, this is the corridor that Mark's wife, Ms Casey (Dichen Lachman) is sent to after she loses her job — a place then-boss Harmony Cobel (Patricia Arquette) refers to as "the Testing Floor".

In a nutshell, Irving has unknowingly just given Dylan the key to solving the puzzle that Mark and Helly are trying to get to the bottom of: Where is Ms Casey?

Severance Season 2 is now streaming on Apple TV+, with a new episode every week.

TL;DR: Mashable readers can learn ethical hacking, penetration testing, and cybersecurity with lifetime access to 18 online courses, on sale for £27.85 (reg. £874.33) through 23 February.

Opens in a new window Credit: StackCommerce The All-in-One Super-Sized Ethical Hacking Bundle £27.85 at the Mashable Shop
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Dive into practical lessons that teach real-world techniques, like exploiting vulnerabilities, safeguarding networks, and building custom tools using Python. Courses such as "Complete Python 3 Ethical Hacking" walk you through coding your own backdoor tools and automating repetitive security tasks, while "Hacking Wireless Networks" teaches you to identify and protect against vulnerabilities in WiFi environments. These are hands-on experiences tailored for those who want to go beyond theory and practice in safe environments.

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TL;DR: A large selection of online courses from Stanford University are available to take for free on edX.

Ever heard of edX? This popular online learning platform offers up a wide range of online courses covering useful topics like Python, AI, communication, and much more. And some of these online courses are delivered by famous schools like Stanford University.

We have checked out everything on offer and got you started with a standout selection of online courses from Stanford University. And the best thing is that all of these online courses are available to take for free. The only catch is that these free courses do not include certificates of completion or graded assignments/exams.

These are the best Stanford University courses you can take for free this month.

• Algorithms: Design and Analysis

• Algorithms: Design and Analysis Part 2

• America's Poverty and Inequality Course

• Communicating with Presence

• Comparative Democratic Development Part I: Conditions of Democracy

• Comparative Democratic Development Part II: Structuring Democracy

• Compilers

• Computer Science 101

• Databases: Advanced Topics in SQL

• Databases: Modeling and Theory

• Databases: OLAP and Recursion

• Databases: Relational Databases and SQL

• Designing Your Career

• Introduction to the Natural Capital Project Approach

• Language, Proof, and Logic

• Mining Massive Datasets

• Nano at Stanford

• Quantum Mechanics for Scientists and Engineers 1

• Quantum Mechanics for Scientists and Engineers 2

• R Programming Fundamentals

• Semantics of First-Order Logic

• Statistical Learning with Python

• Statistical Learning with R

• The Threat of Nuclear Terrorism

• Thermodynamics and Phase Equilibria

• Your Body Inside and Out: Using Exercise Physiology to Slow Aging

For unlimited access to all course material, you'll need to upgrade for a small fee. But you can still learn at your own pace without paying anything, so there's nothing stopping you from enrolling.

Find the best free online courses from Stanford University at edX.

Opens in a new window Credit: Stanford University Stanford University Courses Free at edX Learn More

FREE BOOKS: The latest Stuff Your Kindle Day takes place on Feb. 14. Monster Stuff Your Kindle Day offers monster romances featuring vampires, aliens, demons, and much more.

There were a number of Stuff Your Kindle Day events last year, but things are getting out of hand in 2025. Seriously, we're struggling to keep up with the frequency of Stuff Your Kindle Days right now. It seems like a new event drops every week.

We shouldn't complain, because this is great news for bookworms everywhere. Stuff Your Kindle Day provides an awesome opportunity to stock up on hundreds of books without spending anything. And the books that you download are yours to keep.

SEE ALSO: The best Kindles in 2025

The latest Stuff Your Kindle Day is focused on monster romance books. Yep, you read that right. Monster Stuff Your Kindle Day offers romances that feature vampires, aliens, demons, trolls, orcs, and so much more. If that sounds like your thing (no judgement here), this is your chance to stock up.

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

When is Stuff Your Kindle Day?

The Stuff Your Kindle Day schedule is incredibly busy in 2025. We had a couple of events in January, but February is on another level. The most recent event started on Feb. 10, with the Indie Only Book Club offering indie romance books for $0.99 or free until Feb. 14.

And now on Feb. 14, Monster Stuff Your Kindle Day is showcasing free romances that feature everything from aliens to cryptids

Who can take part in Stuff Your Kindle Day?

The beautiful thing about Stuff Your Kindle Day is that anyone can participate. You don't even need to own a Kindle to get involved.

Kindle, Kobo, and Nook readers can download these books for free. 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 all of these free monster romance books is straightforward. There's a helpful hub page with everything on offer listed out by category:

• Alien

• Aquatic

• All the other monsters

• Cryptids

• Demons and aliens

• Sentient object

• Shapeshifters

• Trolls and orcs

• Vampires

Take your pick and stock up. All of the listed titles could be yours for absolutely nothing.

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.

Shop Stuff Your Kindle Day deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle (16GB) + 3 Months of Kindle Unlimited $109.99 at Amazon
$145.96 Save $35.97 Get Deal Why we like it

These super popular e-readers help you take your entire library on the go. With weeks of battery life and an anti-glare display, you can read anywhere and anytime with the Kindle. They start at $109.99, a great price for those on a budget, but if you want to save even more, you can get three months of Kindle Unlimited absolutely free during Stuff Your Kindle Day.

Kindle Unlimited costs $11.99 per month and allows you to borrow up to 20 months per month. For a limited time, you can get three months of Kindle Unlimited for free, saving you $35.97.

FREE SLURPEE: On Feb. 14, get a free small Slurpee at participating 7-Eleven, Speedway, and Stripes stores. Check participating locations here.

Opens in a new window Credit: 7-Eleven 7-Eleven: Free Slurpee on Valentine's Day Learn More

Forget the flowers. Cancel your dinner plans. Postpone the engagement. There is only one way you should be celebrating Valentine's Day this year, and it won't cost you anything at all.

Every Friday in February, customers can pop in to participating 7-Eleven, Speedway, and Stripes stores to get their hands on a small Slurpee for free. Just make sure you check participating locations before you cancel all your romantic plans and set off in search of this beloved beverage.

SEE ALSO: Domino’s is releasing a pepperoni perfume for Valentine’s Day. Here's how to get yours for free.

The catch is that each customer can get only one free small Slurpee, and only while supplies last. But it's Valentine's Day, so maybe bring a friend and share the love. You can both sip on your free Slurpee whilst gazing into each other's eyes. What a love story!

Feeling a weird mixture of thirsty and romantic this year? Grab your free Slurpee on Valentine's Day.

MAX BUNDLES: Max is offering a few different bundle deals so you can stream from its massive library without making a massive dent in your wallet.

The best Max deals and bundles in February 2025: Best Bundle Deal Disney+, Hulu, Max Bundle $16.99/month with ads, $29.99/month ad-free Get Deal Best Student Discount Max Student Discount Students save 50% on Max Basic With Ads plan Get Deal Best Bundle with Hulu Hulu with Max Add Max to your Hulu base plan from $9.99 per month Get Deal

Some of the most prestigious TV shows and films live on Max's streaming service. From Game of Thrones to Dune: Part Two and so much more, Max is worth the investment for those looking to dive into the most talked about pieces of entertainment. And with highly-anticipated upcoming shows like the second season of The Last of Us on the horizon, there's no better time than now to start looking at plans and bundles.

SEE ALSO: The best Hulu deals and bundles in February 2025

The good news is that Max has a few different bundles available at the moment that are worth checking out, including the big bundle with Disney+ and Hulu. With streaming prices on the rise, a bundle like this can be a great way to save some cash while getting access to your favorite services.

Alongside that deal and a couple more, we've also broken down Max's standard plans in case you're just interested in its service on its own.

Best Bundle Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Max Disney+, Hulu, Max Bundle $16.99/month with ads, $29.99/month ad-free Get Deal Why we like it

The Max, Disney+, and Hulu bundle is a top-tier choice for those looking to have access to some of the biggest streaming services around. Starting at $16.99 per month, this bundle grants you access to Hulu, Disney+, and Max's streaming services for a much lower price than what you'd pay for them on their own. If you've already got Disney+ and Hulu subscriptions, this bundle is worth every cent. If you're interested, there are two plan options to choose from:

• Disney+, Hulu, Max Bundle (with ads) — $16.99 per month (save 43%)

• Disney+, Hulu, Max Bundle (no ads) — $29.99 per month (save 42%)

Max Student Discount Opens in a new window Credit: Max Max Student Discount Students save 50% on Max Basic With Ads plan Get Deal Why we like it

It's always nice when streaming services have a deal for students, and Max's offer is definitely worth taking advantage of. Students who can verify their status with UNiDAYS are eligible to get the Max Basic With Ads plan for just $4.99 per month. That's a 50% discount off its usual price of $9.99 per month. After verifying your status, you'll receive a unique code that can be used to redeem the discounted plan on Max.

• Max Student Discount — $4.99 per month (save 50%)

Best Bundle with Hulu Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu Hulu with Max Add Max to your Hulu base plan from $9.99 per month Get Deal Why we like it

If you're not interested in the Disney+, Hulu, and Max mega bundle, you can just get Hulu and Max together if you already have a Hulu base plan, which starts at $9.99 per month. Max (With Ads) can be added onto your plan for $9.99 per month, or you can splash out on the Max (No Ads) plan for $16.99 per month.

• Hulu with Max add-on — from $9.99 per month

Max's monthly plans

Maxoffers a few different subscription plans. If you don't mind having to sit through ads, Max's Basic With Ads plan starts at $9.99 per month or you can get the annual plan for $99.99 per year, which ultimately saves you $19. If you can't stand ads and don't mind throwing down a bit more cash, the Standard plan will cost you $16.99 per month or $169.99 per year, which saves you $33. If you really want to go big on a Max plan, you can spring for the fancy Premium plan, which costs $20.99 per month or $209.99 per year.

Below we've broken down what comes with each of these plans, per Max's website, so you can know a bit more before you buy.

Basic With Ads — $9.99 per month, $99.99 per year (save $19)

• Stream on two devices at once

• Full HD 1080p resolution

Standard (Ad-free) — $16.99 per month, $169.99 per year (save $33)

• Stream on two devices at once

• Full HD 1080p resolution

• 30 downloads to watch on the go

Premium (Ad-free) — $20.99 per month, $209.99 per year (save $41)

• Stream on four devices at once

• 4K Ultra HD video quality (as available)

• Dolby Atmos immersive audio (as available)

• 100 downloads to watch on the go

If you're wondering where to start once you've set yourself up with a Max subscription, we've got an excellent selection of recommendations to point you in the right direction. Looking for a great TV show to kickstart your next binge-watching session? Have a look through our roundup of the 20 best TV shows streaming on Max. Or if you prefer movies, we narrowed down the 25 best movies on Max to make your next movie night a spectacular one.

FREE LEGO MAGAZINE: Sign up now to recieve four free issues of the Lego Magazine per year. The next issue will arrive in July 2025.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego: Free Magazine for Kids Learn More

We love a good deal, but do you know what we love even more than that? Something for nothing.

There's obviously a lot of satisfaction that comes with securing a big discount on a popular item, but you're still parting with some cash in this situation. Getting something for free is on another level of satisfaction, especially when that something is the Lego Magazine for Kids.

SEE ALSO: 'Piece By Piece' review: Pharrell Williams finds his happy place in Legoland biopic

This popular magazine is great for kids aged 5 to 9. The printed copy is sent to your home four times a year, completely free of charge. Sign up now to receive the next issue in July 2025. Each issue is stuffed with cool activities, fun comics, creative builds, posters, and so much more.

Follow these simple steps to get your hands on the next copy:

1. Log in to your Lego account​ (or create one by clicking 'sign up now')

2. Enter your details

3. Check the confirmation email to see when their first issue arrives

Sign up and your child will receive their own magazine four times a year. There's no catch, so what's stopping you?

The social media company is attracting investor interest because of Elon Musk’s close ties to President Trump and a recent jump in revenue.

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.

Tweet may have been deleted

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

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

Tweet may have been deleted

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

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

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

• Yellow: 0

• Green: To be really good at a particular thing

• Blue: Team leaders in the same NFL conference

• Purple: Share the same position in a top soccer league

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: None

• Green: Special ability

• Blue: NFC quarterbacks

• Purple: Premier League forwards

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 #144 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

• None - LOVE, NIL, ZERO, ZIP

• Special ability - FLAIR, GIFT, SKILL, TALENT

• NFC quarterbacks - DANIELS, GOFF, MAYFIELD, STAFFORD

• Premier League forwards - HAALAND, SALAH, SON, VARDY

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.

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for February 14 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for February 14 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Will you be my Valentine?

These words are cute pet names.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

Words are terms you might refer to your Valentine by.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Endearment.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for February 14

• Lovebug

• Angel

• Honey

• Darling

• Pookie

• Snookums

• Endearment

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

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

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

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.

Tweet may have been deleted

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

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

Tweet may have been deleted

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

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for February 14 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: Overly caring or spoiling

• Green: Actions of a certain reptile

• Blue: Surprise exclamations

• Purple: Sound-alike words for water features

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: Mollycoddle

• Green: Things a Rattlesnake Does

• Blue: Words Said to an Unsuspecting Person

• Purple: Homophones of Bodies of Water

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 #612 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Mollycoddle: BABY, HUMOR, INDULGE, PAMPER

• Things a Rattlesnake Does: HISS, RATTLE, SHED, SLITHER

• Words Said to an Unsuspecting Person: BOO, GOTCHA, GUESS WHO, SURPRISE

• Homophones of Bodies of Water: BAE, CREAK, SEE, STRAIGHT

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 February 14

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.