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PlayStation console owners who wanted to play online games got a rude start to the weekend.
Users started reporting widespread PlayStation Network outages in the early evening on Friday, per Down Detector (a service owned by Ziff Davis, the parent company of Mashable).
These things typically don't last for an especially long time, which made it all the more interesting that the outage, at least for some, persisted into Saturday morning. PlayStation's official server status page says their services are experiencing issues as of Saturday morning, and at the same time, my PS5 won't load my online friends list.
SEE ALSO: Review: Technics AZ100 Earbuds easily beat the likes of Sony and BoseThis can present all sorts of problems. Obviously, if PSN isn't working, you can't play (or can't easily play, anyway) online games, but it can also potentially block users from playing digitally purchased games. I haven't personally had that problem yet, but it can happen.
Hopefully, Sony fixes this so people who don't care about football can enjoy their weekends.
The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.
With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.
So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on MashableHere are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Friday, February 8, 2025:
AcrossBeer foamThe answer is Head.
The answer is Tango.
The answer is Charger.
The answer is Hot pink.
The answer is Intents.
The answer is Moore.
The answer is Pros.
The answer is Harpers.
The answer is Engine.
The answer is Agent.
The answer is Dorks.
The answer is Tattoos.
The answer is Chimp.
The answer is Honor.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of GamesAre you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Mini Crossword.
Astrobiologists in Germany are developing a new testing device that could help tease dormant alien microbes into revealing themselves — and its key ingredient is a common amino acid that’s found in abundance inside human blood.
"L-serine, this particular amino acid that we used, [...] we can build it in our bodies, ourselves," researcher Max Riekeles, who is helping to develop the alien-hunting device, told Mashable.
The compound is also prevalent across Earth’s oceans and even down near the dark and otherworldly ecosystems that surround deep sea hydrothermal vents, where life evolved far away from anywhere it could feed itself via photosynthesis. NASA investigators too have found L-serine and similar “proteinogenic” amino acids — which are vital to many organisms’ ability to synthesize their own proteins — buried within meteorites. These and other discoveries have left scientists wondering if any off-world amino acids might have once helped life evolve elsewhere out in the cosmos.
"It could be a simple way to look for life on future Mars missions," according to Riekeles, who trained as an aerospace engineer at the Technical University of Berlin, where he now works on extraterrestrial biosignature research.
“But, it’s always, of course, the basic question: 'Was there ever life there?'"
SEE ALSO: Aliens haven't contacted us. Scientists found a compelling reason why.Riekeles and his team’s device benefits from a phenomena called "chemotaxis," the mechanism whereby microbes, including many species of bacteria as well as another whole domain of microscopic organisms called archaea, migrate in response to nearby chemicals.
Years of research has shown that many tiny organisms have a strong preference for "moving up the L-serine gradient" towards higher L-serine concentrations. This fact led Riekeles and his colleagues to develop their test kit with two chambers divided by a thin, semi-porous membrane: The first chamber would take in a sample from another world, while the second video-monitored chamber would hold a tantalizing concentration of L-serine in water.
“But, it’s always, of course, the basic question: 'Was there ever life there?'"Granted, the idea of studying single-celled organisms just by watching them move around goes all the way back to the earliest days of microbiology, when Antonie van Leeuwenhoek submitted the first paper on these little beings to London’s Royal Society in 1676.
"Advances in hardware and software the last few years really bring up the really old fashioned way of doing experiments with visual observations," Riekeles said, "especially when you combine it with big data, machine learning and so on."
A graphic of Mars' Valles Marineris, where robotic missions could seek out potential microbes in briny environments. Credit: NASA / JPL / Arizona State UniversityFor their latest experiments, recently published in the journal Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences, Riekeles and his co-researchers focused on three "extremophile" species capable of surviving and thriving in some of Earth’s harshest conditions. Each candidate was selected to approximate the kinds of tiny alien lifeforms that might really live on an inhospitable outer space world — like Mars’ cosmic ray-blasted, desert surface or Jupiter’s icy, watery moons: Europa, Ganymede and Callisto.
"The bacteria Pseudoalteromonas haloplanktis, P. halo, it survives in really cold temperatures, for example," Riekeles told Mashable, "and it’s also tolerant of salty environments."
"And the salty environment, when it comes to Mars, is interesting because there are presumed to be a lot of salts on the Martian surface," he added.
In addition to the microbe P. halo, which was harvested from the oceans off Antarctica and can grow happily at below-freezing temperatures as low as 27.5 degrees Fahrenheit (-2.5 degrees Celsius), the team also tested the bacterial spore Bacillus subtilis and archaeon Haloferax volcanii. A form of gut bacteria found across animal species, B. subtilis develops a protective shell capable of enduring temperatures up to 212 F (100 C). And H. volcanii, found in the Dead Sea and other heavily salted areas, can withstand aggressive radiation exposures, drawing frequent comparisons between it and hypothetical Martian microbes.
"It’s not only salt tolerant," Riekeles noted. "If you don’t put it into an environment where there is salt, it won’t survive."
A culture of Haloferax volcanii bacteria. Credit: Granitehead1 / Wikimedia CommonsAll three microbes in the study moved from the sample chamber into the test chamber with the L-serine at a fast clip. Within an hour, each produced a "cell density" of roughly 200 percent more microbes in the test chambers that contained about 1.5 grams of L-sirene per liter of water. What's more, B. subtilis climbed to 400 percent more bacteria during tests that doubled the concentration of L-serine molecules.
"We tried, also, other substances, like glucose and ribose," Riekeles added, "but L-serine was, for these three organisms, the most potent."
However, Dirk Schulze-Makuch — a professor of planetary habitability at the Technical University in Berlin, who worked with Riekeles on this project — cautioned that challenges still remain before a device like this can touch down on the Martian surface.
"One big problem," Schulze-Makuch wrote for the website Big Think, "is finding a spot that’s accessible to a lander but where liquid water might also exist."
"The Southern Highlands of Mars would meet these conditions," he said. Another possibility would be low-altitude spots on Mars like the floor of the expansive canyon Valles Marineris or inside caves, where "atmospheric pressures are sufficient to support liquid (salty) water."
TL;DR: Live stream Utah Jazz vs. LA Clippers in the NBA with FuboTV, Sling TV, or YouTube TV.
The Utah Jazz head to Intuit Dome to face the LA Clippers in a Western Conference matchup. The Jazz are 12-37, which puts the team in 14th place. The Clippers are 28-22, which puts the team in sixth place.
The Jazz have lost three of their last five games, but are coming off a win over the Golden State Warriors. The Clippers have also lost three of their last five games, and are coming off back-to-back losses to the Los Angeles Lakers and Toronto Raptors.
When is Utah Jazz vs. LA Clippers?Utah Jazz vs. LA Clippers in the NBA starts at 10:30 p.m. ET on Feb. 8. This game takes place at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.
How to watch Utah Jazz vs. LA ClippersYou need to choose a streaming service to watch the NBA without cable or satellite TV. We've found some of the best streaming services to consider for the Jazz vs. Clippers basketball game.
Best for single game: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: Fubo TV FuboTV Pro Plan Get DealFuboTV offers you more than 250 channels of live TV and the option to watch on 10 screens at once. You can try FuboTV with a seven-day free trial period.
FuboTV’s sports channel offerings include ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, FOX, FS1, FS2, Golf Network, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.
Most live sports: YouTube TV Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube TV YouTube TV $49.99/month for your first two months (save $46) Get DealYouTube TV's base plan is $49.99 per month for two months for new subscribers ($72.99 per month regularly). The base plan includes over 100 live TV channels, including ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, Fox Sports 1, and NBA TV.
Most affordable: Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling TV Sling Orange Plan Get DealSling TV suggests the streamer's Orange Plan for the game, which costs $20 for the first month and $40 monthly after that.
Sling TV’s sports channels feature ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNews, ESPNU, FOX, FS1, FS2, NBA TV, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.
How to watch Jazz vs. Clippers from anywhere in the worldIf you're traveling outside of the U.S. during this game, you might need to use a VPN to unblock this live stream. VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server, meaning you can unblock live streams of the NBA from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Utah Jazz vs. LA Clippers for free by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in the U.S.
Sign in to your favorite streaming app
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to live streams of the NBA without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream Utah Jazz vs. LA Clippers before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for the NBA?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream Utah Jazz vs. LA Clippers in the NBA with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Live stream Denver Nuggets vs. Phoenix Suns in the NBA with FuboTV, Sling TV, or YouTube TV.
The Denver Nuggets head to Footprint Center to face the Phoenix Suns in a Western Conference matchup. The Nuggets are 32-19, which puts the team in fourth place. The Suns are 25-25, which puts the team in 10th place.
The Nuggets have won four of their last five games, and all of those wins have come consecutively. The Suns have lost four of their last five games, and are coming off three consecutive losses to the Oklahoma City Thunder and back-to-back games to the Portland Trail Blazers.
When is Denver Nuggets vs. Phoenix Suns?Denver Nuggets vs. Phoenix Suns in the NBA starts at 9 p.m. ET on Feb. 8. This game takes place at Footprint Center in Phoenix.
How to watch Denver Nuggets vs. Phoenix SunsYou need to choose a streaming service to watch the NBA without cable or satellite TV. We've found some of the best streaming services to consider for the Nuggets vs. Suns basketball game.
Best for single game: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: Fubo TV FuboTV Pro Plan Get DealFuboTV offers you more than 250 channels of live TV and the option to watch on 10 screens at once. You can try FuboTV with a seven-day free trial period.
FuboTV’s sports channel offerings include ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, FOX, FS1, FS2, Golf Network, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.
Most live sports: YouTube TV Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube TV YouTube TV $49.99/month for your first two months (save $46) Get DealYouTube TV's base plan is $49.99 per month for two months for new subscribers ($72.99 per month regularly). The base plan includes over 100 live TV channels, including ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, Fox Sports 1, and NBA TV.
Most affordable: Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling TV Sling Orange Plan Get DealSling TV suggests the streamer's Orange Plan for the game, which costs $20 for the first month and $40 monthly after that.
Sling TV’s sports channels feature ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNews, ESPNU, FOX, FS1, FS2, NBA TV, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.
How to watch Nuggets vs. Suns from anywhere in the worldIf you're traveling outside of the U.S. during this game, you might need to use a VPN to unblock this live stream. VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server, meaning you can unblock live streams of the NBA from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Denver Nuggets vs. Phoenix Suns for free by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in the U.S.
Sign in to your favorite streaming app
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to live streams of the NBA without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream Denver Nuggets vs. Phoenix Suns before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for the NBA?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream Denver Nuggets vs. Phoenix Suns in the NBA with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Live stream Boston Celtics vs. New York Knicks in the NBA with FuboTV, Sling TV, or YouTube TV.
The Boston Celtics head to Madison Square Garden to face the New York Knicks in an Eastern Conference matchup. The Celtics are 36-15, which puts the team in second place. The Knicks are 34-17, which puts the team in third place.
The Celtics have won four of their last five games, but are coming off a loss to the Dallas Mavericks. The Knicks have also won four of their last five games, and are coming off back-to-back wins over the Toronto Raptors and Houston Rockets.
When is Boston Celtics vs. New York Knicks?Boston Celtics vs. New York Knicks in the NBA starts at 8:30 p.m. ET on Feb. 8. This game takes place at Madison Square Garden in New York.
This game will air on ABC and stream on ESPN+.
How to watch Boston Celtics vs. New York KnicksYou need to choose a streaming service to watch the NBA without cable or satellite TV. We've found some of the best streaming services to consider for the Celtics vs. Knicks basketball game.
Best for single game: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: Fubo TV FuboTV Pro Plan Get DealFuboTV offers you more than 250 channels of live TV and the option to watch on 10 screens at once. You can try FuboTV with a seven-day free trial period.
FuboTV’s sports channel offerings include ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, FOX, FS1, FS2, Golf Network, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.
Most live sports: YouTube TV Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube TV YouTube TV $49.99/month for your first two months (save $46) Get DealYouTube TV's base plan is $49.99 per month for two months for new subscribers ($72.99 per month regularly). The base plan includes over 100 live TV channels, including ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, Fox Sports 1, and NBA TV.
Most affordable: Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling TV Sling Orange Plan Get DealSling TV suggests the streamer's Orange Plan for the game, which costs $20 for the first month and $40 monthly after that.
Sling TV’s sports channels feature ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNews, ESPNU, FOX, FS1, FS2, NBA TV, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.
How to watch Celtics vs. Knicks from anywhere in the worldIf you're traveling outside of the U.S. during this game, you might need to use a VPN to unblock this live stream. VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server, meaning you can unblock live streams of the NBA from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Boston Celtics vs. New York Knicks for free by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in the U.S.
Sign in to your favorite streaming app
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to live streams of the NBA without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream Boston Celtics vs. New York Knicks before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for the NBA?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream Boston Celtics vs. New York Knicks in the NBA with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Live stream Golden State Warriors vs. Chicago Bulls in the NBA with FuboTV, Sling TV, or YouTube TV.
The Golden State Warriors head to United Center to face the Chicago Bulls in a non-conference matchup. The Warriors are 25-25, which puts the team in 11th place in the Western Conference. The Bulls are 22-30, which puts the team in 10th place in the Eastern Conference.
The Warriors have won three of their last five games, but are coming off a loss to the Utah Jazz. The Bulls have lost three of their last five games, and are coming off a loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
When is Golden State Warriors vs. Chicago Bulls?Golden State Warriors vs. Chicago Bulls in the NBA starts at 8 p.m. ET on Feb. 8. This game takes place at United Center in Chicago.
How to watch Golden State Warriors vs. Chicago BullsYou need to choose a streaming service to watch the NBA without cable or satellite TV. We've found some of the best streaming services to consider for the Warriors vs. Bulls basketball game.
Best for single game: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: Fubo TV FuboTV Pro Plan Get DealFuboTV offers you more than 250 channels of live TV and the option to watch on 10 screens at once. You can try FuboTV with a seven-day free trial period.
FuboTV’s sports channel offerings include ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, FOX, FS1, FS2, Golf Network, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.
Most live sports: YouTube TV Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube TV YouTube TV $49.99/month for your first two months (save $46) Get DealYouTube TV's base plan is $49.99 per month for two months for new subscribers ($72.99 per month regularly). The base plan includes over 100 live TV channels, including ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, Fox Sports 1, and NBA TV.
Most affordable: Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling TV Sling Orange Plan Get DealSling TV suggests the streamer's Orange Plan for the game, which costs $20 for the first month and $40 monthly after that.
Sling TV’s sports channels feature ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNews, ESPNU, FOX, FS1, FS2, NBA TV, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.
How to watch Warriors vs. Bulls from anywhere in the worldIf you're traveling outside of the U.S. during this game, you might need to use a VPN to unblock this live stream. VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server, meaning you can unblock live streams of the NBA from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Golden State Warriors vs. Chicago Bulls for free by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in the U.S.
Sign in to your favorite streaming app
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to live streams of the NBA without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream Golden State Warriors vs. Chicago Bulls before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for the NBA?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream Golden State Warriors vs. Chicago Bulls in the NBA with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Live stream Houston Rockets vs. Dallas Mavericks in the NBA with FuboTV, Sling TV, or YouTube TV.
The Houston Rockets head upstate to American Airlines Center to face the Dallas Mavericks in a Western Conference matchup. The Rockets are 32-18, which puts the team in third place. The Mavs are 26-25, which puts the team eighth place.
The Rockets have lost four of their last five games, and all of those losses have come consecutively. The Mavs have lost three of their last five games, and all of those losses have come consecutively. The team is still seeking its first win since the trade of Luka Doncic.
The Rockets and the Mavs have faced off twice this season. The Rockets have come out on top in both of those matchups.
When is Houston Rockets vs. Dallas Mavericks?Houston Rockets vs. Dallas Mavericks in the NBA starts at 3 p.m. ET on Feb. 8. This game takes place at American Airlines Center in Dallas.
How to watch Houston Rockets vs. Dallas MavericksYou need to choose a streaming service to watch the NBA without cable or satellite TV. We've found some of the best streaming services to consider for the Rockets vs. Mavs basketball game.
Best for single game: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: Fubo TV FuboTV Pro Plan Get DealFuboTV offers you more than 250 channels of live TV and the option to watch on 10 screens at once. You can try FuboTV with a seven-day free trial period.
FuboTV’s sports channel offerings include ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, FOX, FS1, FS2, Golf Network, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.
Most live sports: YouTube TV Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube TV YouTube TV $49.99/month for your first two months (save $46) Get DealYouTube TV's base plan is $49.99 per month for two months for new subscribers ($72.99 per month regularly). The base plan includes over 100 live TV channels, including ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, Fox Sports 1, and NBA TV.
Most affordable: Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling TV Sling Orange Plan Get DealSling TV suggests the streamer's Orange Plan for the game, which costs $20 for the first month and $40 monthly after that.
Sling TV’s sports channels feature ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNews, ESPNU, FOX, FS1, FS2, NBA TV, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.
How to watch Rockets vs. Mavs from anywhere in the worldIf you're traveling outside of the U.S. during this game, you might need to use a VPN to unblock this live stream. VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server, meaning you can unblock live streams of the NBA from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Houston Rockets vs. Dallas Mavericks for free by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in the U.S.
Sign in to your favorite streaming app
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to live streams of the NBA without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream Houston Rockets vs. Dallas Mavericks before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for the NBA?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream Houston Rockets vs. Dallas Mavericks in the NBA with ExpressVPN.
It's certain that recently discovered asteroid 2024 YR4 will swing close to Earth in 2032. The chances of an impact remain low — but with relatively limited observations so far, the odds are in flux.
On Jan. 31, the collision impact probability was 1.4 percent. As of Feb. 7, NASA reports it's 2.3 percent, which also means a 97.7 percent chance of missing our humble blue world. But don't be surprised if that number climbs higher: It's normal for the impact odds to increase before falling or disappearing completely.
"It's not surprising the percentage went up," Bruce Betts, an astronomer and the chief scientist at The Planetary Society, an organization promoting space exploration, told Mashable.
"When you see the impact odds go up, it doesn't give you a good feeling," Betts added. "But there's much more likelihood that it's okay."
SEE ALSO: Aliens haven't contacted us. Scientists found a compelling reason why.Asteroid 2024 YR4 — spotted by a telescope from the NASA-funded Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System — has been deemed an object worthy of close monitoring because of its size. " Currently, no other known large asteroids have an impact probability above 1 percent," the space agency explained. It's between 130 to 300 feet wide, enough to be dubbed a "city-killer" asteroid — if it indeed hit a city. (For reference, the asteroid that hit Arizona 50,000 years ago and created the 600-foot-deep "Meteor Crater" was 100 to 170 feet, or 30 to 50 meters, across. "A similar-size impact event today could destroy a city the size of Kansas City," David Kring, an impact cratering expert at the Lunar and Planetary Institute, explained in a NASA blog.)
Telescopes will refine the asteroid's orbit around the solar system over the coming months, until it travels too far away to observe (it will return again in 2028). And this added information may likely, though temporarily, boost its Earth impact odds. That's because the asteroid's risk corridor or area of uncertainty around Earth will shrink as astronomers can better define its orbit. But as long as Earth remains in that estimated hazard area — like a catcher's mitt awaiting a high-speed baseball — its relative odds of getting hit increases as the possible range of uncertainty shrinks.
"Earth is taking up a bigger percentage of that uncertain area," Betts explained. "So the impact percentage goes up."
"This is a real threat. But it's not very common that it happens."Yet space is vast. And at the same time the area of uncertainty is shrinking, more observations reveal and shift where exactly this zone of uncertainty is. The shrinking area typically moves off of Earth, meaning our planet is no longer in that potential impact area. This happened with the asteroid Apophis — a 1,100-foot-wide behemoth that once had a small chance of impacts in both 2029 and 2036. But more precise telescope observations moved Apophis' range of trajectory off of Earth. The impact probability then plummeted.
"It dropped to zero," Betts said.
"It’s a funny thing about homing in on an asteroid and calculating its path, future position, and probability of impacting Earth – it will often appear risky during initial observations, get riskier, and then suddenly become entirely safe," the European Space Agency noted.
Tweet may have been deletedIn the unlikely scenario that the large asteroid does hit Earth, such an event won't necessarily spell doom. Over 70 percent of the planet is covered in ocean, meaning there's a good chance of a relatively remote impact. And if it were headed to a populated region, you'd have plenty of notice. Space agencies like NASA and the European Space Agency, along with organizations like the International Asteroid Warning Network (IAWN), would vigilantly monitor the menacing object. If necessary, NASA would issue its first-ever asteroid warning. People could be evacuated from vulnerable regions.
In the future, with enough foresight, humanity could choose to launch a spacecraft that could impact such an asteroid, and nudge it off its Earth-bound course. NASA has already successfully achieved such an intentional impact during its unprecedented DART mission in 2022. But this was only a test on the non-threatening asteroid Dimorphos; it's not a ready-to-launch technology.
It remains unlikely that Earth and asteroid 2024 YR4 will be at the same place, at the same time, on December 22, 2032. But don't be alarmed if the impact odds go up.
"This is a real threat," said Betts. "But it's not very common that it happens."
The position and predicted orbit of asteroid 2024 YR4 (white dot and oval) as of Jan. 31, 2025. Credit: NASA The risks of an asteroid impactHere are today's general risks from asteroids or comets both tiny and very large. Importantly, even relatively small rocks can still be threatening, as the surprise 56-foot (17-meter) rock that exploded over Russia and blew out people's windows in 2013 proved.
Every single day about 100 tons of dust and sand-sized particles fall through Earth's atmosphere and promptly burn up.
Every year, on average, an "automobile-sized asteroid" plummets through our sky and explodes, according to NASA.
Impacts by objects around 460 feet (140 meters wide) in diameter occur every 10,000 to 20,000 years.
A "dinosaur-killing" impact from a rock perhaps a half-mile across or larger happens on 100-million-year timescales.
On June 24, 2022 , the U.S. Supreme Court — led by a conservative majority — chose to repeal the privacy rights afforded to all Americans by overturning the landmark precedent enshrined in Roe v. Wade. Its immediate effect relegated the right of abortion access to the states, effectively threatening reproductive health services for millions of people.
In the years since, and with the nation now led by a presidential administration seeking to wage war on "elective" abortion, reproductive health care has transformed from an enshrined right to a political bargaining chip. Between 2020 and March 2024, 42 abortions clinics and reproductive health centers shut down. National abortion funds have endured, continuing to provide financial and logistic services to populations who now have to travel beyond state lines for abortion care, as well as to those for whom the services are much more difficult to access within their own communities. Sales of emergency contraception have skyrocketed, too, ballooning once more in the wake of the 2024 election results and on inauguration day.
President Trump has invoked the Hyde Amendment to justify the loss of reproductive health funding nationwide and pledged to return the "issue of life," or what his recent executive order refers to as "violations of faith and conscience," to the states. Just mere days after he was sworn into office, Trump pardoned 23 people who had been convicted of violating the 1994 Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act. The bill protects reproductive health services from threats of force, obstruction, and property damage, including blocking physical access to abortion clinics, breaking into facilities, stealing fetal tissue, and accosting pregnant patients.
Violence against abortion providers has been on the rise, as well. "Since 1977, there have been 11 murders, 42 bombings, 200 arsons, 531 assaults, 492 clinic invasions, 375 burglaries, and thousands of other incidents of criminal activities directed at patients, providers, and volunteers," reports the National Abortion Federation.
SEE ALSO: I'm quitting Instagram. You should too.And now, with Big Tech's leaders cozying up with the new administration and instituting regressive, conservative policies across their platforms, abortion providers and reproductive justice advocates are facing an increasingly hostile online environment, as well. Aid Access, one of the country's largest providers of emergency contraception, accused Meta of obscuring search results and censoring posts containing images and information on medication-based abortion. Other abortion and reproductive justice pages have been removed from search results for various periods of time, and Meta has confirmed it suspended accounts and removed related content.
Federally, the Trump administration has moved to erase resources on reproductive health and other inclusive medical care provided on government sites, including modifying obstetric guides to contraceptive options. With fears of misinformation and censorship on social media growing, and support for reproductive health care at risk, the fight for abortion access may have to move offline — or, at least, off the For You Page.
Mapping the state of abortion access in the U.S.Center for Reproductive Rights Abortion Laws MapThe Center for Reproductive Rights is a global, human-rights based coalition of attorneys and reproductive health advocates. Their U.S. Abortion Laws Map provides an overview of the legal landscape for abortion seekers in each state, and can be filtered by specific laws or regulations.
Credit: Center for Reproductive Rights Guttmacher Institute's Interactive Law MapThe Guttmacher Institute is a research and policy organization focused on sexual and reproductive health and rights around the world. The institute's Interactive Law Map is a consistently updated overview of the most protective and most hostile state abortion laws — individuals can search the institute's database by specific state or policy, such as total abortion bans, constitutional protections, state abortion care funds, or shield laws for providers.
Credit: Guttmacher Institute Noise for Now Clinic MapNoise for Now is a non-profit organization that organizes benefit concerts and artist collaborations that raise funds for reproductive justice. The organization's interactive map locates Planned Parenthood Health Centers, independent abortion clinics (vetted as part of the Abortion Care Network, National Abortion Federation), and abortion funds for reproductive health seekers across the country.
Fake Clinic (AKA "Crisis Pregnancy Centers") MapsCrisis Pregnancy Center Map monitors and documents organizations created by anti-abortion groups that purport to offer reproductive health care centers, also known as "crisis pregnancy centers," "anti-abortion centers," "fake clinics," or "pregnancy resource centers." The group's interactive online map allows abortion seekers to find and avoid locations that may divert them from having abortions.
Expose Fake Clinics, with support from groups like NARAL Pro-Choice America and Abortion Access Front, maintains a database of "crisis pregnancy centers" organized by state. Abortion and reproductive justice organization Reproaction also monitors and documents anti-abortion pregnancy centers.
Credit: Crisis Pregnancy Center Map Abortion travel times by congressional districtNonpartisan policy institute the Center for American Progress has turned national data on reproductive health access into an interactive map displaying the average travel times for individuals seeking abortions in each state. It is organized based on congressional district and was last updated in January 2025.
Credit: Center for American Progress Abortion and emergency contraception accessI Need An ALaunched in 2016, I Need an A is "the first comprehensive, regularly updated, and personalized resource for abortion seekers in the U.S.," the site explains. Partnered with organizations like Abortion Care Network, Apiary for Practical Support, and National Network of Abortion Funds, the platform connects abortion seekers with local (or the nearest) clinics — prioritizing user data privacy.
National Network of Abortion FundsThe National Network of Abortion Funds is a network of more than 100 abortion funds that provide financial support for abortion seekers around the country. The coalition offers grants, leadership, and technical assistance to local funds. Abortion seekers can use the site to answer questions like insurance coverage and connect with local financial assistance.
Abortion FinderAbortion Finder is a comprehensive abortion information and resource platform that is operated by the nonprofit Power to Decide and its digital reproductive health platform Bedsider. Abortion Finder offers clinic maps, provider databases, funding and emotional support resources, as well as general information on abortion. Individuals can also find state by state guides to abortion access.
Abortion On Our Own TermsPart of a national campaign to change the way self-managed abortion is discusses and regulated, Abortion On Our Own Terms connects individuals to secure (and culturally-sensitive) information on at-home abortion options, such as medical abortion, and menstruation tracking. Self-managed abortion with pills remains one of the most common forms of abortion.
Plan CPlan C, started as a public health campaign, provides up-to-date information on how to access at-home abortion pill options online and by mail. Collating legal information, telehealth services, and online vendors, Plan C lays out the current state of medical abortion access.
You Always Have OptionsA central resource hub created by I Need an A, Shout Your Abortion, Plan C, and abortion chatbot Charley for individuals who live in states where abortion is restricted. You Always Have Options collates links for finding providers, emergency contraception options, and resources for securing your digital privacy, acting as a one-stop shop for essential answers to reproductive justice questions.
Identity-based and regional resources Asking for a FriendA California-based, youth-focused platform that offers a variety of mental and reproductive health resources, Asking for a Friend provides practical and decision-making support to abortion seekers, including in-person and at-home options.
"The health services that we direct people to are compiled resources that we have found ourselves, that have been recommended by young people, Power to Decide (which also powers Abortionfinder.org & Bedsider), LGBTQ+ centers, as well as publicly available state data sets about providers who participate in safety net programs," the platform explained to Mashable.
Reproductive Agency Honoring Impacted Muslims (RAHIM)An ongoing initiative from HEART — a Muslim-led national reproductive justice organization tackling gender-based violence, sexual health, and reproductive health — RAHIM seeks to provide culturally relevant resources and support to Muslim abortion seekers.
Right to an abortion for immigrantsThe National Immigration Law Center offers guidance and a Know-Your-Rights guide for immigrant populations seeking abortion and reproductive health care. According to the center, undocumented people are not disqualified from seeking and obtaining an abortion based on their immigration status, although many providers may require photo ID.
Indigenous Women Rising (Rain Fund)Indigenous Women Rising fights for equitable and culturally safe health options for indigenous communities, including abortion, midwifery, and doula care. The organization's abortion fund (Rain Fund) is available to all Native and Indigenous people in the U.S. and Canada.
Medical and legal supportNational Abortion HotlineHow to get in contact:
Call 1-800-772-9100
Monday through Friday, 8 A.M. to 7 P.M. ET
Weekends, 8 A.M. to 4 P.M. ET
How to get in contact:
Call or text 1-833-246-2632
Everyday, 8 A.M. ET to 1 A.M. ET
All Options TalklineHow to get in contact:
Call 1-888-493-0092
Monday to Friday, 10 A.M. to 1 A.M ET
Saturday to Sunday, 10 A.M to 6 A.M. ET
Repro Legal HelplineHow to get in contact:
Call 1-844-868-2812 for general legal advice.
Call 1-866-463-7533 for financial assistance via their legal defense fund.
Fill out a contact form online to be connected with a lawyer.
Submit an online application for funding.
Abortion Defense NetworkHow to get in contact:
Fill out an assistance form online.
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After seven years, I was done with dating apps.
OK, I wasn't. Who was I kidding? I'm not an extrovert, and I write about sex and dating for a living. My "done" with dating apps didn't look like deleting my accounts or chucking the apps in a figurative trash can. But I was done relying on dating apps alone.
I didn't know at the time how true this would end up being, or that another social media platform would be the catalyst.
Online dating sans dating appsIt was 2021, COVID restrictions had begun to lift, and I was ready to meet a steady partner. I was 27 years old and had been on dating apps since my study abroad semester in London in 2014, when I only knew a handful of people in my program. Years later, living in New York City with a support system around me, I had no excuse. It was time to get creative and try something new.
SEE ALSO: Tinder's top dating trends and predictions for 2025At the beginning of the pandemic, I watched a lot of YouTube and discovered Kurtis Conner, a comedian who was going on tour in October. Knowing Conner's style of online engagement, this was a chance to get a date somewhere other than "the big three": Tinder, Hinge, and Bumble. Instead, I scooped two tickets to one of his Manhattan shows.
At the time, Conner frequently replied to and retweeted his fans on Twitter (it was still Twitter back then!). If I didn't find someone to ask out IRL, I'd tweet at the social media-savvy comedian to help me find a date to his sold-out show.
As the introvert I am, I didn't find a date IRL. It was time for the next stage of the plan: tweeting.
"Is this even a good idea?" I asked my friends. I felt vulnerable tweeting that I was looking for a date, let alone having my plea retweeted by someone with millions of followers. But my friends assured me the plan was solid. With risk comes reward.
A week before Conner's show, I tweeted:
Tweet may have been deletedA few minutes later, a message popped up in my inbox: "Omg I'm so invested in this now (also I am free but I assume u have 7,000 applicants at this point)."
The message was from Kat Tenbarge, a fellow journalist and Twitter mutual. I didn't know Kat personally but I was impressed by her work. Between that and the fact that she's cute, I was floored that she DMed me.
"Haha well you are the first person to DM and I'd love to go with you!" I replied, two minutes later, according to screenshots. It was true. Other people did DM me later, but Kat was the first.
Tweet may have been deletedWe exchanged numbers and agreed to meet at City Winery, the show venue and a restaurant that specializes in wine and cheese.
My first date from TwitterI, chronically early, arrived first to line up in front of the venue. I had never met Kat before, and I had the same first date jitters I always did. That was on top of the classic sapphic quandary before a first date: Is this even a date?
Kat had shared photos for Lesbian Visibility Day earlier that year, so I knew she liked women, and I was pretty vocal about my bisexuality (including writing about it for Mashable), but still. We didn't explicitly say it was a date, and while I hoped it was, I also left room for the possibility that she just wanted a new friend.
Kat, chronically late as I would later learn, arrived after me. I had noticed the line's demographic and texted her how many femmes were ahead of me before I scoped out seats by the stage for us. I ordered a cocktail to ease my nerves and a charcuterie board for us.
Once Kat arrived, we chatted for a few minutes before the show started. Our conversation flowed easily before it was cut off by Conner starting his set. Afterward, we headed to a different bar near our neighborhood in Brooklyn, finding out we lived only four subway stops away from each other.
Before the end of the night, I was emboldened by the alcohol and asked if this was indeed a date. With a bright smile I've seen many times since, Kat confirmed that yes, it was a date. Emboldened even more, I asked if I could kiss her. Again, she said yes(!).
I left tipsy from cocktails and giddiness. Not only was it a great date, but I landed it through my creativity (and, fine, a little help from Twitter).
A few months after that, I asked Kat to be my girlfriend and was finally, actually done with dating apps. I deleted my accounts and the apps off my phone and never looked back.
Nothing hits the spot quite like the perfect romantic comedy.
Whether you're single or happily cuffed for the season, these movies have a knack for making everything feel sweet and simple. Every problem has a solution, and the most pressing matter for everyone involved is that two likable and attractive people get together in 100 minutes or less. We can’t always explore nuances and gray areas. We’re busy!
So, in honor of those evenings when you’re hoping to turn your brain completely off, here are the best romantic comedies streaming for free on Prime Video, in no particular order. They’re simple, they’re soothing, and they go great with a glass of wine.
1. Red, White & Royal Blue Credit: Amazon Prime VideoAlex Claremont-Diaz is the United States President's handsome son. Prince Henry is the Duke of Cambridge, second in line to the British throne, and completely misunderstood. The U.S. and the UK are allies — will these two high-profile men form their own "special relationship"? Yes, please!
SEE ALSO: 'Red, White & Royal Blue' review: A sexy gay romance that will make you swoonRed, White & Royal Blue was adapted by director Matthew Lopez and screenwriter Ted Malawer from Casey McQuiston's best-selling novel of the same name — and it keeps all of the charm and gleeful will-they-won't-they from the source material. Taylor Zakhar Perez is confident as the smiley, self-assured Alex, and Nicholas Galitzine is simply perfect as the tortured prince, dreaming of a better life. — Kristina Grosspietsch, Freelance Contributor
How to watch: Red, White & Royal Blue is now streaming on Prime Video.
2. CharadeThis 1963 classic brings together two of the biggest stars of the era. Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant mix it up in a rom-com rife with intrigue! She's a recently widowed glamour girl being chased by a menacing and mysterious band of thieves. He's a dashing stranger who insists on being of assistance…but why?! Directed by Singin' in the Rain helmer Stanley Donen, Charade is full of twists and turns, both suspenseful and comical. Its charismatic leads handle both tones with aplomb, but are at their absolute best when it comes to flirty banter. Walter Matthau and James Coburn co-star. — Kristy Puchko, Deputy Entertainment Editor
Where to watch: Charade is now streaming on Prime Video.
3. Priceless "You can resist beauty, but you can't resist charm." Credit: TFM DistributionAttention anti-capitalists — this movie is not for you! Priceless is a French rom-com-slash-sex-farce about an honest, hardworking gold digger just trying to scrape together an opulent lifestyle in exchange for her companionship. Jet-setting through Europe with her wealthy lovers, Audrey Tautou (in an impossibly chic wardrobe) seems to have it all figured out — until she mistakenly spends the night with a luxury hotel waiter (Gad Elmaleh) she mistakes for another rich mark. In a different film, this story could be harsh or its characters unforgivable, but Priceless remains light and jubilant by keeping us laughing at the unchecked vanity and excess before us. So, then, maybe this is a movie for anti-capitalists. — K.G.
How to watch: Priceless is now streaming on Prime Video.
4. Fever PitchThis British rom-com has a disappointingly low American profile, likely because we went and remade it with Jimmy Fallon and Drew Barrymore as Red Sox fans. The original Fever Pitch, itself based on a Nick Hornby book, stars Colin Firth (!!!) as a schoolteacher whose love for his soccer team, Arsenal, gets in the way of his budding romance with Ruth Gemmell. Guys and their sports, huh? If the tagline doesn’t thrill you (“Life gets complicated when you love one woman and 11 men”), then the kick of watching Mr. Darcy as a likable slob definitely will! — K.G.
How to watch: Fever Pitch is now streaming on Prime Video.
5. Runaway Bride Credit: Ron Batzdorff/Paramount/Kobal/ShutterstockJulia Roberts and Richard Gere are a '90s rom-com dyad for a reason. Nine years after they paired up for Garry Marshall’s instant classic Pretty Woman, they returned as the central couple in the comedy helmer's Runaway Bride. Roberts is off-the-charts charming as Maggie, a woman known in tabloids for leaving three different men at the altar. Gere is swoon-worthy as Ike, a reporter assigned to cover the story of Maggie’s fourth and hopefully final wedding. Their attraction and mutual understanding are romance movie gold. Yet you can’t help but feel bad for poor Bob (Christopher Meloni), Maggie’s fourth fiancé, whose sports metaphors don’t stand a chance against that magical Gere/Roberts chemistry. — Alexis Nedd, Senior Entertainment Reporter
Where to watch: Runaway Bride is now streaming on Prime Video with the MGM+ add-on.
6. What If "In fairy tales, love inspires you to be noble and courageous, but in real life, love is just an all-purpose excuse for selfish behavior." Credit: entertainment oneDaniel Radcliffe forms an instant connection with a woman at a party, only to find out she’s happily in a long-term relationship. The pair decide to just be friends, despite the doubtful scoffing of everyone around them. Though the premise sounds PTSD-inducing to those of us who wasted years pining over unavailable crushes, What If (or The F Word, if you live outside the states) is a deeply comforting watch. Playful and grounded, the film soars thanks to its cast, featuring a magnetic Zoe Kazan, Radcliffe oozing relatability, and an unexpected (and chaotic) Adam Driver predictably stealing his scenes. Because, duh. — K.G.
How to watch: What If is available for rent or purchase on Prime Video.
7. OverboardA little zany, a little underrated, and very '80s, this Goldie Hawn/Kurt Russell movie gained popularity over the years and deserves a spot on your binge list. Hawn plays the heiress Joanna Stayton, who ends up getting amnesia after falling off her yacht. Her husband uses this to abandon her, while local carpenter Dean (Russell) pretends Joanna is his wife and uses her for unpaid labor. The two fall in love in the way that only rom-com amnesia can bring people together, but Dean lives in fear that she might recall her own life and leave, hating him forever. — Proma Khosla, Senior Entertainment Reporter
Where to watch: Overboard is available for rent or purchase on Prime Video.
8. Tortilla Soup "Tortilla Soup" is a family drama as much as a romantic comedy. Credit: Samuel Goldwyn / Starz! Encore Ent / Kobal / ShutterstockTortilla Soup is a cozy and heartwarming watch that remains pleasant from start to finish. The American remake of Ang Lee’s Taiwanese hit Eat Drink Man Woman, this romantic-comedy-drama features Héctor Elizondo as a retired chef worried about his three adult daughters still living in his suburban LA home. While the plot focuses heavily on the four main characters' romantic trials and errors, it also gives time and space to exploring their evolving familial relationships as well. This makes Tortilla Soup a broader entry than many others on this list, and a perfect pick for when you’re in the mood for something comforting — much like the many mouthwatering Mexican dishes this film serves up. — K.G.
How to watch: Tortilla Soup is now streaming on Prime Video.
9. Sleepless in Seattle Credit: Bruce Mcbroom/Tri-Star/Kobal/ShutterstockIt might get frequently confused with You've Got Mail, but Sleepless in Seattle is solid company in the niche but excellent Tom-Hanks-and-Meg-Ryan-fall-in-love-without-meeting genre. Hanks plays widower Sam, whose son (Ross Malinger) convinces him to talk about his late wife on the radio. His story captivates listeners around the country, including Annie (Ryan), who writes to Sam and asks him to meet her at the Empire State Building on Valentine's Day. As the day ticks closer, life mostly goes on, but chance encounters and missed connections pile up until the fateful meeting.
We know what you're thinking: Do they go to the Empire State Building? Do they live happily ever after?? Who knows!! — P.K.
Where to watch: Sleepless in Seattle is now available for rent or purchase on Prime Video.
10. (500) Days of Summer This is not a love story. Credit: Watermark / Kobal / ShutterstockSometime in the 2000s, romantic comedies stopped trying to be funny and started trying to say something meaningful, none more overtly than 500 Days of Summer. This indie darling breaks from rom-com formula to tell a non-linear story of a relationship coming together and falling apart. Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s sincerity is palpable and Zooey Deschanel, as the object of his affection, is a quirky girl so quirky she single-handedly ushered in a new era of messy bangs for millions of women everywhere. With unexpected touches of surrealism and a stellar supporting cast, 500 Days of Summer is a satisfying watch for a love story that hits you right in the gut. —K.G.
How to watch: (500) Days of Summer is now available for rent or purchase on Prime Video.
11. Love & FriendshipBased on Jane Austen’s posthumously published novel Lady Susan, Love & Friendship is an 18th-century rom-com that’s surprisingly raunchy for what we’ve come to expect from Austen. The titular character of Lady Susan is a widow and a notorious flirt whose reputation precedes her when she comes to live with her brother and sister-in law at their country manor and proceeds to seduce a variety of characters. Love & Friendship was adapted and partially rewritten by director Whit Stillman, who also released a version of the novel with the movie’s title to supplement a retelling that "vindicates" Lady Susan from the salacious gossip that, as seen in the movie, is pretty much entirely true. — A.N.
Where to watch: Love & Friendship is now streaming on Prime Video.
12. Marry Me Credit: Universal PicturesJennifer Lopez is a queen of rom-coms, having headlined The Wedding Planner, Maid in Manhattan, Jersey Girl (opposite her current husband Ben Affleck), and the recently released Shotgun Wedding (also on Prime). But the most charming of the bunch may be this 2022 treasure, which has JLo playing a pop diva who falls for a mild-mannered math teacher (Owen Wilson). The unlikely couple marry onstage the night they meet because fame is strange. But love can be even stranger — and sweeter. By breaking the rules of romantic comedies past, Lopez and Wilson bring fresh thrills and plenty of chances to swoon. Bonus: The fashion in this one is a love affair all its own. — K.P.
Where to watch: Marry Me is now available for rent or purchase on Prime Video.
13. I Want You BackA rom-com starring Charlie Day and Jenny Slate, I Want You Back enchanted Mashable's Nicole Gallucci with its willingness to skip over some of the most played-out tropes of the genre. "Every successful rom-com has a source of authentic chemistry, and Slate and Day's natural rapport delivers," she wrote in her review. "The two shine as heartbroken hot messes who desperately want their search for soulmates to be over, and their shared sense of humor proves to be ceaselessly charming."* — Caitlin Welsh, Australia Editor
How to watch: I Want You Back is now streaming on Prime Video.
14. CluelessClueless, first of all, is iconic. Nearly 30 years have passed, but it's still a cultural touchstone for today's teens. Perhaps its staying power comes from its plot, directly lifted from the literal founder of the romantic comedy, Jane Austen. Like Austen's Emma Woodhouse, Clueless' Cher (Alicia Silverstone) acts as a matchmaker to everyone around her but can't seem to get her own love life in order. The story alone does not fully capture the movie's charm. Clueless is both hilarious and sweet, features unforgettable costumes, and most importantly, is filled to the brim with memorable, quotable lines. Cinema has never heard a more cutting insult than "You're a virgin who can't drive."* — K.G.
How to watch: Clueless is now available for rent or purchase on Prime Video.
15. The Idea of You Credit: Amazon MGM StudiosAnne Hathaway gives a significantly better performance than she needed to for this sexy little rom-com about a single mother falling for a younger pop star (Nicholas Galitzine). It was inspired by a Harry Styles fantasy — we were going to watch it no matter what! But Hathaway, who also produced the film, gives a simply captivating performance, elevating this crowd-pleasing romance to a complex story about a woman reinventing herself. You'll be surprised how quickly and how deeply you become invested in this sparkling 2023 hit. — K.G.
How to watch: The Idea of You is now streaming on Prime Video.
16. Notting HillThe movie that cemented Hugh Grant's place in cinema history as one of the most lovable bumbling Brits of all time, Notting Hill is a rom-com hall-of-famer. This dreamy and captivating love story, bursting with heart, is just as poignant now as it was in 1999. If you aren't moved by the final scene, then we're sorry, your heart is simply made of stone, and there's not much we can do about that.
Julia Roberts absolutely glows as international movie star Anna Scott, who tries to hide from the paparazzi by wandering into an adorable bookstore owned by an equally adorable dude named William Thacker (Grant). Because, as previously mentioned, Grant is at his most criminally charming here, an unlikely romance blooms between the pair from completely different worlds. A superb supporting cast and an airtight script from rom-com veteran Richard Curtis (Bridget Jones's Diary, Four Weddings and a Funeral, About Time) makes Notting Hill the definitive take on the "celebrity falls for regular person" genre — the standard to which all subsequent romances have been held.* — K.G.
How to watch: Notting Hill is now available for rent or purchase on Prime Video.
17. Warm BodiesWhoever says romantic comedies can't also be zombie thrillers just hasn't seen Warm Bodies yet. Nicholas Hoult is a zombie who lives in an abandoned airport and spends his time consuming human flesh so he can experience the memories of his victims before they die. But when he sees Julie (Teresa Palmer), everything changes. He doesn't want to eat her. He wants to protect her. The more time he spends in her company, the more human he feels. His heart begins to beat, and slowly, he even regains the ability to speak. Now the misfit pair must not only save themselves from the hordes of zombies they're surrounded by, they must also find a way to share the discovery that zombie-ism might be reversible.
Written and directed by Jonathan Levine, and adapted from Isaac Marion's novel, Warm Bodies is both romantic and gory, touching and irreverent. It straddles multiple genres with confidence and style: a captivating and utterly unique love story that you won't forget anytime soon. — K.G.
How to watch: Warm Bodies is now streaming on Prime Video.
Mark (Kyle Allen) is a teenager stuck in a time loop, living the same day over and over, and he has completely perfected it. He knows exactly where and when he needs to be to help his family, friends, and the attractive girls around town with their tasks to make his repeatable day as enjoyable as possible. Until the day something happens he does not expect: Margaret (Kathryn Newton) interrupts his routine. She's stuck in a time loop as well! Will they find a way to escape… together? (Yes, it's basically Palm Springs, with teenagers!)
Written by Lev Grossman, based on one of his own short stories, The Map of Tiny Perfect Things is a sweet and entertaining romantic comedy about getting stuck in patterns and the courage it takes to break out of them. — K.G.
How to watch: The Map of Tiny Perfect Things is now streaming on Prime Video.
19. EmmaIf you've seen the Gwyneth Paltrow Emma from 1996 or even Clueless, then you know all about this beloved Jane Austen tale of romance and missed connections. Emma Woodhouse fancies herself a matchmaker and sets up all her friends — but in doing so, she realizes she might not know as much about love as she previously thought.
The best part about Autumn de Wilde's excellent and sumptuous 2020 adaptation is that this film understands more clearly what its predecessors did not: Emma is kind of a brat. She ignores her friends' wishes, insisting she knows better; she infantilizes them and pushes them toward men who aren't interested. Allowing a beloved heroine to exist in a gray area, both sparkling and fallible, makes this version of a well-loved tale more complex and satisfying than many of those that come before. And the top tier cast doesn't hurt: Anya Taylor-Joy, Johnny Flynn, Josh O'Connor, Callum Turner, Mia Goth, Miranda Hart, and Bill Nighy all give sublime performances. — K.G.
How to watch: Emma is now streaming on Prime Video.
20. Four Weddings and a FuneralWith multiple Academy Award nominations and Golden Globe wins, Mike Newell's Four Weddings and a Funeral is about as big as a romantic comedy can get. Though Hugh Grant was launched to stardom by this, his original bumbling romantic role, the film's strength is in the chemistry of the entire friend group who laugh and lovingly tease their way through the year's social events. As if you needed another reason to watch after you learned Hugh Grant was in it, Four Weddings and a Funeral was written by Richard Curtis, an absolute rom-com legend who also penned Notting Hill, Bridget Jones's Diary, and Love, Actually.* — K.G.
How to watch: Four Weddings and a Funeral is now streaming on Prime Video.
21. His Girl FridayThis classic screwball rom-com, adapted from the play The Front Page, sees star reporter Hildy Johnson take on one last assignment with her editor ex-husband before she gets out of the game for good to remarry and retire to a quiet life of motherhood. If you're a little burned out on contemporary comedy, there's nothing better for the soul than watching a dame with moxie stalk around in gorgeous skirt suits tossing out rapid-fire banter in a Mid-Atlantic accent. As Hildy Johnson, Rosalind Russell does it better than just about anyone. Throw in Cary Grant as the former boss who's still in love with her — and still gives as good as he gets — and this 1940 film still crackles with energy and wit.* — C.W.
How to watch: His Girl Friday is now streaming on Prime Video.
22. UpgradedAna (Camila Mendes) is a long-suffering intern at an auction house, dreaming of a lavish career in art while sleeping on the couch at her sister's apartment. But one day, after finally getting promoted to assistant, she finds herself on a first class flight to London. Seated next to her is the handsome William (Archie Renaux), who assumes Ana is wealthy like himself — and Ana doesn't correct him. Upgraded is a surprisingly funny modern-day Cinderella retelling directed by Carlson Young. It's got everything you want from a romantic comedy: charismatic leads, over-the-top villains (Marisa Tomei is excellent as the nightmare boss), and ridiculous, low-stakes shenanigans you can get behind. — K.G.
How to watch: Upgraded is now streaming on Prime Video.
23. Bridget Jones's DiaryBridget Jones's Diary is a perfect movie, and we're not hearing any opinions to the contrary, thank you! Renée Zellweger gained 20 pounds to snag the role of Bridget, already a beloved character in the UK thanks to Helen Fielding's wildly popular Bridget Jones novels. The Brits were in an uproar about an American being cast as in a role that was archetypally British, but Zellweger's performance (and accent!) were so spot-on, the complaints quickly gave way to rave reviews.
The start of a film franchise and the best movie of the lot, Bridget Jones's Diary introduces us to an ordinary thirtysomething woman in London who, after turning 32 alone, vows to lose weight, quit smoking, stop drinking, and find love. Enter Hugh Grant as Bridget's preternaturally charming boss, and, because this is a Pride and Prejudice adaptation, Colin Firth as the man who couldn't seem more wrong for Bridget (his name is literally Mr. Darcy!!!). Even if you know where this funny and grounded rom-com is going, you're sure to have a blast along the way.* — K.G.
How to watch: Bridget Jones's Diary is available for rent or purchase on Prime Video.
Let's get one thing out of the way. Michael Lukk Litwak's quirky, sci-fi rom com is absolutely bonkers — and that's what makes it so dang lovable. It's When Harry Met Sally, set a billion years in the future!
Molli (Zosia Mamet) is an impulsive, wannabe space witch, and Max (Aristotle Athari) is a methodical robotics whiz. The two crash into each other, literally, and quickly form a friendship. Over the course of 12 standard galactic years, their paths diverge and come back to each other, again and again. Are they friends? Or could they be something more? — K.G.
How to watch: Molli and Max in the Future is now streaming on Prime Video.
25. Legally BlondeWhat can we possibly say about this truly perfect movie that hasn't already been said? Written by Karen McCullah Lutz and Kirsten Smith, Legally Blonde is bright, bubbly, and seriously smart — just like its main character, Elle Woods. Reese Witherspoon is iconic as the blonde bombshell who gets into Harvard Law School with the goal of wooing back her old boyfriend, only to learn that loving herself gives her much more satisfaction. Luke Wilson is a perfect supportive new flame, and Jennifer Coolidge is peak Jennifer Coolidge as Elle's BFF.
Endlessly quotable, inspiring a successful Broadway musical, and garnering multiple awards, Legally Blonde is both a smash hit and a honest-to-goodness cultural milestone.* — K.G.
How to watch: Legally Blonde is now streaming on Prime Video.
UPDATE: Feb. 7, 2025, 4:38 p.m. EST Originally published in February 2022, this post has been updated to reflect Prime Video's current offerings.
Last-minute Valentine’s Day gifts don’t have to be bad, or impersonal, or something you found in the bargain bit at CVS. Maybe you’ve just been doing a bit of unconscious research this whole time so you could find the absolutely perfect gift this year. (Yeah, that’s it.) If you waited until the last minute to find a gift for your loved one this Valentine’s Day, then rest assured that you still have plenty of options for a thoughtful gift. Thanks in large part to speedy shipping options, monthly subscriptions, and digital gifts galore, this list has been expertly engineered so that your last-minute Valentine’s Day gift may actually be the best Valentine’s Day gift.
Need more ideas? Check out our mega list of the best Valentine’s Day gifts, or get specific and peruse gift ideas for your wife, husband, girlfriend, or boyfriend. If you're still stumped trying to shop for that special someone, then we also have a guide to the best gifts under $50.
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