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Today's Connections: Sports Edition is for people who like to gamble.

As we've shared in previous hints stories, this is a version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. 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: Headed to the casino

• Green: Quarterback reads the play

• Blue: Buy a tennis racket

• Purple: Types of fields

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Bet

• Green: Pre-snap Football Motions

• Blue: Tennis Racket Brands

• Purple: ___Field

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 #524 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Bet - GAMBLE, RISK, STAKE, WAGER

• Pre-snap Football Motions - AUDIBLE, HARD COUNT, MOTION, SHIFT

• Tennis Racket Brands - BABOLAT, HEAD, PRINCE, WILSON

• ___Field - PROGRESSIVE, RIGHT, SOLDIER, WRIGLEY

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new sports 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.

In the battle for AI supremacy, Anthropic’s Claude has just managed to dethrone OpenAI’s ChatGPT in Apple’s App Store, claiming the #1 spot as the most-downloaded free app in the United States, leaving ChatGPT in second and Google’s Gemini a distant fourth.

This sudden surge in the rankings is almost certainly due to public backlash at a recent announcement by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, released on X, that they would work with the Department of Defense (unofficially titled the Department of War) to deploy artificial intelligence through its classified networks.

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This announcement comes on the heels of a public stand by Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei against the unrestricted use of AI by governments, in which he specifically highlighted the dangers of both "mass domestic surveillance" and "fully autonomous weapons" powered by AI.

While much of the general public, nervous about the speed and scope of AI’s sudden prominence, viewed this as a principled stand, President Donald Trump saw it as a rebuke of government policy: "The Leftwing nut jobs at Anthropic have made a DISASTROUS MISTAKE trying to STRONG-ARM the Department of War, and force them to obey their Terms of Service instead of our Constitution," he wrote in a Truth Social post.  

SEE ALSO: Trump orders Pentagon to stop using 'woke' Anthropic in fiery Truth social post

The Trump administration, acting through Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, has since sought to designate Anthropic as a "supply-chain risk to national security," an unprecedented label for an American company and a move that would make it impossible for them to secure government contracts in the future.

In a cross-company show of support for Anthropic’s stance, more than 700 employees of both Google and OpenAI have signed an open letter, "We Will Not Be Divided," that concludes forcefully:

"We hope our leaders will put aside their differences and stand together to continue to refuse the Department of War's current demands for permission to use our models for domestic mass surveillance and autonomously killing people without human oversight."

More recently, and as proof that the average person is sensitive to these ethical issues, the general public is weighing in as well, shifting their loyalty from ChatGPT to Claude. To put this shift into perspective, an Anthropic spokesperson told Mashable over email that free users up 60%+ since January, daily signups tripled since November (breaking the all-time record every day this week), and paid subscribers more than doubled this year." Per the spokesperson, Anthropic ranked #42 before Super Bowl LX and has since ranked in the top 10 in the US app charts.

With the AI revolution still in full swing, the battle for its soul is still being fought, and this latest flare-up proves that the average person still has leverage.

Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

At this year's MWC in Barcelona, Honor showcased its first-ever AI-powered humanoid robot. And how do you know a robot is any good these days? Of course, by its ability do dance!

This being Honor's first robot, and having seen numerous botched robot launches recently, I wasn't sure what to expect. Honor's robot managed to surprise by being quite a dancer, performing a live act next to actual human dancers on stage in Barcelona.

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After a short chat with Honor's Robot phone, which didn't feel weird at all, the robot walked out just as elegantly as it walked in. Pretty impressive for Honor's first try.

Of course, we don't know if the robot was acting autonomously or whether it was remotely controlled by a human. We also don't know any of its specs, or when it might turn into a real product.

SEE ALSO: MWC 2026 live updates: Announcements from Honor, Xiaomi, more

The thing about robots, though, that it's pretty hard to fake them; one little mistake and it could stumble off stage. Honor's did a great job today; we'll see how it develops over time.

At this point, anything President Donald Trump does feels like it’s already been workshopped in the Saturday Night Live writers’ room. The line between satire and reality is practically gone at this point.

SEE ALSO: Connor Storrie makes out with Sarah Sherman in 'SNL' promo

This week, with global tensions spiking, the Cold Open returned to familiar territory: James Austin Johnson behind a podium, doing his uncanny Trump, explaining why the United States launched attacks on Iran.

“What is war good for?" Johnson’s Trump begins. "Distracting from the Epstein files."

Subtle, it is not.

The broadcast aired just hours after the United States, in coordination with Israel, launched strikes on Iranian military targets. This then prompted retaliatory attacks, and what Vox describes as the start to a "far-reaching and open-ended war."

Colin Jost’s Pete Hegseth then entered the Cold Open to blaring patriotic rock, brimming with Fox News bravado. "Don’t let my confident demeanor fool you,” Jost’s Hegseth declared. “I’m scared and don’t know what I’m doing."

Saturday Night Live host Connor Storrie and cast member Mikey Day get off to a deeply improper start in this delightfully dramatic, Victorian-era, Bridgerton-coded sketch.

The offense starts with Storrie casually implying — in front of Day’s beau and a gathering of tightly wound aristocrats — that Day is, in fact, quite bad at croquet. Naturally, this grave insult can only be resolved the way gentlemen of the era intended: by slapping each other senseless with gloves.

SEE ALSO: Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams are having a blast in 'SNL' ice rink sketch

What begins as a dainty challenge quickly devolves into an increasingly unhinged exchange of theatrical glove-smacks, escalating in both volume and pettiness. But the real fun arrives in the form of Kenan Thompson, who makes it abundantly clear that while Regency-era nobles may tolerate a light face tap, he absolutely does not.

After several people catch an unexpected right hook for their troubles, the dispute ends with honor restored and Storrie "beshatting" himself and conceding defeat.

A very good time all around — and bonus points to the makeup department for those aggressively committed sideburns. Good lord.

Honor brought its Robot Phone concept to Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, giving us a first close look at the device.

Honor calls the Robot Phone a "new species" of smartphone that combines "embodied AI interaction with robot-grade motion and cinematic imaging capabilities." No, that doesn't make the concept any clearer.

Having seen it in person, I can tell you that it is, indeed, still a smartphone. It has a robotic arm that springs out of the back, carrying a 200-megapixel camera with it. Once it's out, the arm functions as a gimbal, allowing the camera eye to move around freely in all three dimensions.

This could be useful for certain types of tasks in photography and videography, but Honor seems to be equally as interested in using the camera/eye to give the phone personality. Yeah, it can nod at you, or perform other gestures that really do turn the entire thing into a robot of sorts.

The gimbal arm required the world's smallest micro motor. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

Some actual use cases, besides it looking pretty darn cool, include video calls in which the camera eye follows you around as you move, baby monitoring, and yes, dancing to the music.

Some of the units I've seen up close were asleep, with the robotic eye gently nodding, as if it were breathing. One was tracking the crowd and answering questions, responding either with a nod or a shake.

On stage, during a demonstration of Honor's first-ever humanoid robot, the Robot Phone had a simple interaction with its human-sized counterpart, in accordance with Honor's vision of connecting its gadget ecosystem via AI.

SEE ALSO: Honor launches super-thin Magic V6 foldable phone alongside new laptop and tablet

We weren't allowed to touch the device, but it did seem pretty close to a finished product. Honor says it created the world's smallest micro motor for that robotic arm, and I can attest that it seemed quite lively, though we weren't shown how long it takes for it to unfold.

There's no word on when the Robot Phone will be available as an actual product you can buy. For now, it's an interesting take on a smartphone, though we'd really need to spend more time with it to see how useful the robotic part really is.

If you’ve ever wondered what hell looks like, apparently it’s getting your marriage proposal rejected while three grown men behind you at an ice rink are having the absolute time of their lives.

SEE ALSO: Connor Storrie's 'SNL' promo shows off a truly impressive range of accents

That’s the premise of this week’s Saturday Night Live sketch, which features Heated Rivalry heartthrob Connor Storrie as one-third of a blissed-out trio living their best frozen-water fantasy. The only person not vibing was Tommy Brennan’s character, who’s just been publicly denied and cannot — cannot — stop watching the dudes behind him.

"I’ve never seen grown men have such genuine, pure fun," Brennan laments, staring past his crumbling relationship and directly into what appears to be the world’s most euphoric bro-bonding session. Things spiral further when the trio shouts that this is the "best bachelor party ever," which is... not the energy you want wafting over your failed proposal.

It was only a matter of time before SNL found a way to get Storrie on skates, but the loudest reaction of the night didn’t come from the rink. It came from a surprise guest appearance from co-star Hudson Williams, who had the crowd losing it.

A free tuna melt to anyone who guessed that one correctly.

Honor's got a new foldable phone, and it's even thinner than the last one.

The company had its big unveiling in Barcelona, one day before the official start of this year's Mobile World Congress, and the key word was "slim." Oh, and also "AI," but you already knew that.

As part of MWC, which officially runs from March 2-5, Honor has revealed its Magic V6 phone, the MagicPad 4, and MagicBook Pro. We've gotten an up-close look at all of them, and there is a lot to like.

Honor Magic V6

The Honor Magic V6 is a foldable smartphone that's just 8.75mm thick when closed (for comparison, Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 7 is slightly thicker at 8.9mm). It has a 7.95-inch, 2,352x2,172 pixel inner display, as well as a 6.52-inch, 2,420x1,080 pixel exterior display, both with a refresh rate of up to 120Hz. Yeah, that's a lot of pixels for your eyes to feast on. Thankfully, the phone comes with a bunch of Honor technologies to make both displays easier on the eyes, including anti-glare coating, dynamic dimming, and motion sickness relief.

The Magic V6 should be pretty durable thanks to a "super-strong" steel structure, as well as a nano-crystal shield protecting the displays (and also giving them anti-reflective properties). In fact, to prove how sturdy the phone is, Honor had a guy use it as a zipline link; check out the video below.

Inside, there's a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip, 16GB of RAM, 512GB of storage, and a 6,660mAh silicon-carbon battery with 80W wired and 66W wireless charging.

The camera system on this one is pretty bonkers, too. The phone has a triple camera array, with a 50-megapixel main camera, a 64-megapixel periscope telephoto camera, and a 50-megapixel ultra-wide camera. You also get two 20-megapixel selfie cameras, one for each display.

SEE ALSO: MWC 2026: What to expect at the world's largest phone show

Other features of note include stereo speakers and IP68/69 dust- and water-resistance rating.

On the AI side, you get Google Gemini, which should be embedded into numerous aspects of the phone. One interesting software aspects of this phone, which is a trend we're seeing a lot from Chinese manufacturers recently, is that it integrates well with Apple devices; you should, for example, be able to use an Apple Watch alongside this phone.

The Honor Magic V6 will be available in "select markets" in the second half of 2026. It will be available in four colors: Gold, Red, White, and Black; pricing will be determined later.

Honor MagicPad 4

Honor also brought the MagicPad 4, an impressively thin 12.3-inch tablet that measures just 4.8mm in thickness (for comparison, Apple's 13-inch iPad Pro is 5.1mm thick).

Do we need our tablets to be even thinner? Honor definitely thinks so. Credit: Honor

It's powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chip, 12/16GB of RAM, 256/512GB of storage, and a massive 10,100mAh battery with 66W wired charging. Other highlights include refresh rate going up to 165Hz, eight speakers with spatial audio, and a 13-megapixel rear camera coupled with a 9-megapixel selfie camera.

Software-wise, the MagicPad 4 is powered by Honor's MagicOS 10 on top of Android 16.

There's no word on pricing or exact availability date for the Honor MagicPad 4. It will be available in two colors: Gray and White.

Honor MagicBook Pro 14

Finally, the company also unveiled the new Honor MagicBook Pro 14, a 14.6-inch laptop with a 120Hz, OLED touch display, a battery that should last 15.5 hours in normal office work, 100W fast charging, stereo speakers, and a 1,080p front camera.

It can be configured with a range of Intel chips, from Intel Core Ultra 5 to Intel Core Ultra X9, as well as several GPUs, including Intel Arc B370 and B390. It comes with either 24GB or 32GB of RAM and 1TB of storage.

In terms of connectivity, you get one USB-C port, two USB-A ports, a HDMI port, a memory card slot, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.

The Honor MagicBook Pro 14 will come with Windows 11 Home out of the box; there's no word on pricing and availability yet.

Oh, and Honor also brought a bunch of robotic gadgets which we cover in a separate article, including its first-ever humanoid robot, and the Honor Robot phone.

Mashable is on the ground at Mobile World Congress 2026. Follow along here as we bring you the latest reveals and surprises from Barcelona.

Mobile World Congress 2026 has arrived, and Mashable is in Barcelona to bring you the latest from one of the biggest tech shows on the planet.

Following on the heels of CES and Samsung Galaxy Unpacked, this year's MWC runs March 2-5 and will share with you big reveals from Honor, Xiaomi, Nothing, and more. Mashable's Stan Schroeder is bringing you the best and most interesting news from the show floor.

We expect to see plenty of phones and tablets as well as a few surprises along the way.

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: How to play Pips, the newest NYT game

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Sunday, March 1, 2026:

AcrossStereotypical wearer of a letterman jacket

• The answer is Jock.

Surrounding glows

• The answer is Auras.

Eschew a heavy meal in favor of light snacks

• The answer is Graze.

The white stuff?

• The answer is Snow.

M.M.A. fight enders, for short

• The answer is KOs.

DownJacksonville N.F.L. player, informally

• The answer is Jag.

"But this love is ___" (Taylor Swift lyric)

• The answer is Ours.

Grumbly sort

• The answer is Crank.

Instrument that buzzes

• The answer is Kazoo.

Uses needle and thread

• The answer is Sews.

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

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

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

It’s not exactly going analog, but people looking to move away from streaming say Apple’s old device is a small step away from constantly being online.

As of March 2026, I think the 13-inch Apple MacBook Air powered by the M4 chip is the best cheap MacBook for most people. It's seriously speedy and super well-made. It's priced at a very fair $999 to start, but Amazon and Best Buy have sold it for as little as $749.

If you need an even cheaper MacBook, just hold tight: Apple is rumored to be launching a new low-cost MacBook in early March. It could retail for around $599 to $699.

Among the best Windows laptops, the Acer Aspire 16 AI is my top budget pick. It has a big, buttery smooth display, an impressive battery life, and a good mix of ports. On the performance front, it outpaces every other sub-$900 laptop we've tried. For those with a more flexible budget, the ultraportable Asus Zenbook A14 is my favorite Windows laptop under $1,000.

SEE ALSO: We've tested more than 30 laptops in the past year. Here are the 13 best for 2026.

TL;DR: Enjoy Microsoft tools with AI capabilities thanks to this Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business for Mac or PC lifetime license, on sale for $99.97 through tonight at 11:59 p.m. PT.

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What do you get when you take classic computer apps and infuse a little AI? Your new go-to work tools. Microsoft Office 2024 Home and Business brings some Microsoft essentials to your PC or Mac, and adds some present-day AI capabilities. You can get the lifetime license for just $99.97 through tonight at 11:59 p.m. PT.

If you’ve got an old PC or Mac lying around, you can give it an easy upgrade with this Microsoft Office 2024 Home and Business license. This lifetime license gives you permanent access to five of Microsoft’s must-haves, with no subscription costs needed.

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Curious what’s included? You’ll get old classics like Word to help you draft documents, Excel for any spreadsheet needs, and Outlook to manage your emails. PowerPoint can help you build eye-catching presentations, and OneNote rounds out this license to bring your note-taking into the 21st century.

Don’t let the year of this edition fool you — these tools have been updated and include AI capabilities. You can take advantage of features like text, formatting, and design element suggestions. There’s also AI assistance for analyzing data, identifying trends, and building better charts and graphics in Excel.

Aside from some help from AI, you’ll also enjoy perks like Focus Mode in Word, which helps you concentrate on your project. There are also options in PowerPoint to record presentations with voice, video, and closed captions.

Get this Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business for Mac or PC lifetime license for $99.97 through tonight at 11:59 p.m. PT.

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TL;DR: Make 15 minutes feel productive with this lifetime subscription to Headway Premium, currently on sale for just $59.99, the best price online.

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We’re all hurting for free time, but if you’re hoping to sneak a little culture or knowledge into your lunch break, Headway makes it possible. This app actually needs just 15 minutes to catch you up with a summary of one of the world’s best nonfiction books, making it a game-changer when you’re standing in line or commuting home.

You can currently pay once and secure a lifetime subscription to Headway Premium for just $59.99, the best price on the web.

Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!

Want to cut back on your doom scrolling? If you’re looking for an app that can help you do something more productive on your phone, Headway is it. This app serves up summaries from nonfiction books in 15 minutes, and you can choose to read them or listen via professional audio summaries.

Over 15 million people are already taking advantage of Headway’s growing collection of book summaries. You’ll receive the key concepts and ideas from the books, and while they don’t replace reading the entire book, they’re a great way to introduce you to topics you may want to explore further.

Learn more about business strategies, personal development, health and wellness, and tons more topics. There are over 2,000 summaries currently available, with more added every month to keep exploring.

Headway’s gamified learning process incentivizes you to keep learning. It tracks your progress, and there are quizzes and trivia to test your understanding of the concepts you’ve learned and keep things fun.

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Looking to fuel up your Netflix queue with some high-octane action?

Whether you're a fan of wild Westerns, cunning detectives, high-swinging superheroes, ravenous zombies, rowdy thieves, or hard-hitting heroines, Netflix has a movie pitch-perfect for every kind of adrenaline seeker.

We know scrolling through the streaming app can be a chore when all you want to do is Netflix and chill. So, we've taken out the hard step by highlighting the most stunt-stuffed, battle-powered, high-speed films the streamer has to offer.

SEE ALSO: The best Netflix movies of 2025 now streaming

Here are the best action movies on Netflix, streaming right now.

25. Cold Pursuit

Patron saint of action Liam Neeson headlines this icy thriller that's an English-language remake of the 2014 Norwegian film In Order of Disappearance (Kraftidioten). Here, Neeson plays Nels Coxman, a snowplow driver whose job in his Colorado community is so key that he's been awarded Citizen of the Year. But when his beloved son dies of a drug overdose, Nels readies to clear away more than snow. With a thirst for vengeance and a sawed-off shotgun, he hunts down the cartel that's corrupted his community — and it's bloody thrilling to witness. Edged with a dark sense of humor, Cold Pursuit is wicked fun. — Kristy Puchko, Entertainment Editor

How to watch: Cold Pursuit is now streaming on Netflix.

24. Karate Kid: Legends

It's easy to be cynical about sequels when Hollywood's cinematic landscape is littered with bad examples. But then a sequel comes along that's so good, it'll knock you out. Karate Kid: Legends is a sensational sequel, building on the classic underdog framework of the original 1984 Karate Kid movie, while working in fresh fun, familiar faces, and a dazzling new talent. 

Directed by Jonathan Entwistle, Karate Kid: Legends unites the original trilogy's Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) with the 2010 Karate Kid's martial arts master Mr. Han (Jackie Chan). Together, they train a new "karate kid" to best a ruthless bully. But the best bits of this high-kicking sequel are actually when this new kid, Li Fong (played by the dynamic Ben Wang), is carving out his own story in New York City.* — K.P.

How to watch: Karate Kid: Legends is now streaming on Netflix.

23. Independence Day

When a devastating alien invasion hits Earth, it’s up to a motley crew of American heroes to save the day. Co-written and directed by Roland Emmerich, Independence Day follows a snarky satellite engineer (Jeff Goldblum), a scrappy single mom (Vivica A. Fox), a wacky Vietnam War vet (Randy Quaid), a cocky yet charismatic fighter pilot (Will Smith), and a brave president (Bill Pullman) through a globe-rattling battle for the future of mankind. A series of stellar action set pieces deliver massive explosions, narrow escapes, breathtaking air battles, and a satisfying punch right in the face of an attacking extraterrestrial (“Welcome to Earth!”).

As masterfully executed as it was ambitious, this 1996 film won praise from critics, an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects, and the love of audiences worldwide. Plus, it minted Will Smith as an action star and pushed a trend of big-budget disaster movies. However, few could compete with the jaw-dropping spectacle found in this holiday hit. — K.P.

How to watch: Independence Day is now streaming on Netflix.

22. Back in Action Credit: John Wilson / Netflix

Aptly titled, Back in Action not only refers to the plotline of this charming espionage comedy but also the return of its stars to the spotlight.

Jamie Foxx and Cameron Diaz co-star as a couple of spies who fake their deaths to flee their dangerous jobs once they learn they've got a baby on the way. Cut to 15 years later, when they're middle-aged with a cozy suburban life that's interrupted by an unexpected visit from some former colleagues. To keep their kids safe, they'll need to go on one more mission. And things get pretty zany — and yeah, corny too. But there's an undeniable pleasure in watching Diaz and Foxx bounce off each other's energy.

In my review for Mashable, I wrote, "Don't overthink it. Turn on Back in Action, and allow the star power and nostalgia for the heyday of '90s rom-coms, the peak of Cameron Diaz fame, and the fun of all that wash over you."* — K.P.

How to watch: Back in Action is now streaming on Netflix.

21. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

This 2018 electrifying adventure won Best Animated Feature at the Academy Awards for its dynamic style and compelling coming-of-age story. Forget what you thought you knew about the high-swinging superhero. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse focuses on Miles Morales (voiced by Shameik Moore), an Afro-Latino teen, whose radioactive spider-bite gives him superpowers. But to learn how to be a hero, he'll have to take lessons from some friends from alternate realities, like Spider-Gwen (Hailee Steinfeld) and Peter B. Parker (Jake Johnson).

On top of the kinetic animation style that pulls inspiration from comic books and graffiti, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse also offers side-splitting comedy and eye-popping action. And it's family-friendly to boot. — K.P.

How to watch: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is now streaming on Netflix.

20. Train to Busan

Like your action with a blood-splashed buffet of horror? You, my fright-seeking friend, will love Train to Busan.

This South Korean horror thriller imagines what would happen if a zombie outbreak hit a rail train full of average people. Directed by Yeon Sang-ho, Train to Busan focuses on a workaholic father who's taking the train with his young daughter to spend her birthday with his ex-wife in Busan. But this dad will have to prove himself when their fellow passengers become flesh-craving, limb-contorting beasts. The action sequences on this journey are nerve-shreddingly intense, thanks to a clever use of contortionists and the screen presence of South Korean action star Don Lee. You'll never look at a train — or a flight of escalators — the same way again. — K.P.

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

19. Upgrade

The always-welcome Logan Marshall-Green stars here as Grey, an auto mechanic who gets sucked into a nefarious world of cyber-horror when a car crash leaves him paralyzed and his wife dead. Implanted with an untested computer chip that can control his limbs and "fix" his paralysis, Grey's mind starts communicating with the technology, which in turns starts egging him on. After all, why just walk when you can be a kick-ass super-soldier? Needless to say, as in any good RoboCop spin, the corporations are not to be trusted when it comes to our best interests. — Jason Adams, Contributing Writer

How to watch: Upgrade is now streaming on Netflix.

18. Land of Bad

Land of Bad seems fairly generic at first glance. A ragtag group of soldiers (portrayed by both Liam Hemsworth and Luke Hemsworth, American Gods star Ricky Whittle, and former Gilmore guy Milo Ventimiglia) find themselves stranded behind enemy territory in the Philippines and they must, you know, get the heck out of there. Russell Crowe plays "Reaper," a drone pilot who provides air support to the group on the ground by yelling into a telephone a lot. This is nothing we've not seen before!

And yet the movie's actually a solid B-movie slice of old-fashioned action movie entertainment. The film is directed and co-written by William Eubank, whose previous credits include one of the most underrated action-thrillers of recent times, 2020's Underwater with Kristen Stewart. Like that film, Land of Bad doesn't rewrite its genre, but it does bring the action and thrills efficiently and well. — J.A.

How to watch: Land of Bad is now streaming on Netflix.

17. Kraven the Hunter Credit: Sony Pictures

OK. So you're probably thinking, "Why is a movie with a 15% on Rotten Tomatoes on a best-of list? Is Netflix really so thin on good action?!" I hear you. But look, while Kraven the Hunter is not a great film, or even a good one, it is wildly fun. And the action is a major part of that! 

SEE ALSO: 'Kraven the Hunter' is bad. But what if I love it?

This Spider-Man spinoff centers on the comic book villain Kraven the Hunter (Aaron Johnson), but makes him less a poacher and more a bad-guy hunting vigilante. And along the way, there's other Spidey characters haphazardly looped in, like Aleksei "The Rhino" Sytsevich (Alessandro Nivola), Calypso (Ariana DeBose), and The Foreigner (Christopher Abbott). But the real fun comes in some fight scenes so violent that Sony's sheer reckless rebellion in the face of MCU PG-13 standards is worth the watch. Like, Kraven bites off a dude's nose. And that's not the climax of a fight. Come on. You want to watch that.  — K.P.

How to watch: Kraven the Hunter is now streaming on Netflix.

16. The Union

Mark Wahlberg and Halle Berry team up for an action-comedy that is surprisingly charming! He's a Boston everyman who works construction by day and by night hooks up with local hotties (including his former seventh-grade English teacher). She's a globe-trekking secret agent — and his high school girlfriend — who shows up at their old dive bar out of the blue to invite him in on a secret mission. Together, they're working for The Union.

Explosive espionage action blends with rom-com chemistry as Wahlberg and Berry delve into car chases, gun fights, and plenty of bouncy banter. J.K. Simmons brings gruff bravado, while Evil's Mike Colter delivers breathtaking swagger. Full of thrills, fun, and verve, The Union is a great pick for movie night at home.* — K.P.

How to watch: The Union is now streaming on Netflix.

15. Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F

Coming back onto the scene 30 years after Beverly Hills Cop III flopped, this fourth installment of the comedic crime-solving adventures of Detroit police officer Axel Foley has no right to be as good as it is. Not only did screenwriters Will Beall, Tom Gormican, and Kevin Etten have to manage how public opinion has shifted when it comes to cops who play by their own rules, but also how to approach Axel's wise-cracking sense of humor that traditionally put just about everyone in its crosshairs. Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F manages both in a way that gives fresh life to the character without casting aside the fans who loved his wild ways.

As I wrote in my rave review, "Eddie Murphy is as good as ever as Axel Foley." Plus, he's got his old friends, like John Ashton, Judge Reinhold, Paul Reiser, and Bronson Pinchot back and in action. It's an absolute blast to see all these energies colliding, and yet there's room for newcomers, like the dynamic Taylour Paige and the always solid Joseph Gordon-Levitt, both of whom prove to be compelling foils to the ever-quipping Murphy. "In the end, Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F isn't just a great sequel, or an awesome action-comedy; it might just be the most entertaining movie of [2024]."* — K.P.

How to watch: Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F is now streaming on Netflix.

14. Bad Boys: Ride or Die Credit: Frank Masi / Sony Pictures

Nearly 30 years after their first adventure as cop buddies Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett, Will Smith and Martin Lawrence are back with the Bad Boys' franchise's fourth installment. Bad Boys For Life co-helmers Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah also returned, bringing their high-octane brand of action into a stunt-packed epic about loyalty and redemption.

When the late Captain Howard (Joe Pantoliano) gets dragged for alleged ties to corruption, it's up to Mike and Marcus to find the truth and clear his name. In her review of this action-comedy, Mashable contributor Monica Castillo praised this rousing return, writing, "Bad Boys: Ride or Die is an entertaining reminder of what made the original movie work all those years ago." — K.P.

How to watch: Bad Boys: Ride or Die is now streaming on Netflix.

13. Damsel Credit: John Wilson / Netflix

Netflix has invested big in Millie Bobby Brown. Not only has the English ingenue led Stranger Things for years, but also she's become an outright action star through movies she has headlined and produced for the streamer, including a pair of Enola Holmes adventures and the fearsome fairy tale Damsel. Here, Brown stars as Elodie, a dutiful damsel destined to wed a handsome prince (Nick Robinson)! But rather than happily ever after, her deceitful groom pitches her into a dragon's pit. However, that's far from the end of her story. She'll fight her way to salvation and vengeance, one fiery sequence at a time.

In her review, Mashable's Belen Edwards wrote, "Boasting some inventive twists and a heartfelt lead performance from Brown, Damsel may not be groundbreaking fantasy, but it is a thrilling ride." — K.P.

How to watch: Damsel is now streaming on Netflix.

SEE ALSO: Netflix's 'Damsel' trailer will put you in distress 12. KPop Demon Hunters

Officially the most popular Netflix original movie of all time, KPop Demon Hunters delivers a little bit of everything: romance, action, comedy, and a totally addictive soundtrack.

SEE ALSO: How 'KPop Demon Hunters' became a love letter to K-pop and its fandom

The story stars with K-pop trio HUNTR/X, who, when they aren't making bops like "Golden," are battling demons to protect the very souls of their fans. But just as they think they're on the verge of building an impenetrable barrier with their songs, the demons fight back with a boy band of their own. The Saja Boys are comically hot, delivering smooth moves, devious plans, and plenty of slapstick. Plus, they've got a tiger, who is cute, creepy, and silly to boot! Whether it's the martial arts action sequences, the swoon-worthy song-and-dance numbers, or the cheeky sense of humor that's grabbed fans of all ages, KPop Demon Hunters is sure to thrill. And hey, now there's a sing-along version too. — K.P.

How to watch: KPop Demon Hunters is now streaming on Netflix.

11. The Harder They Fall Credit: David Lee / Netflix

Put 'em up, as this is hands-down one of the best action movies in the Wild West.

Directed by Jeymes Samuel, The Harder They Fall defiantly redefines the predominantly white Western, boasting an incredible cast of Black stars: Jonathan Majors, Idris Elba, Regina King, Zazie Beetz, LaKeith Stanfield, and Delroy Lindo. A tale of heroes and villains, the film follows Nat Love (Majors) on his quest for revenge against the formidable Rufus Buck (Elba). But he'll have to make his gunslinging way through "Treacherous" Trudy Smith (Regina King) and Cherokee Bill (Stanfield) first. Even before the opening credits roll, you'll fall hard for this one. — Shannon Connellan, UK Editor

How to watch: The Harder They Fall is now streaming on Netflix.

10. Enola Holmes Credit: Netflix

Sherlock Holmes's much cooler little sister is an overlooked young action hero in Enola Holmes. Based on author Nancy Springer's popular book series The Enola Holmes Mysteries, the film puts the great detective's savvy 16-year-old sibling on the case, played with energetic spoonfuls of gumption by Stranger Things star Millie Bobby Brown. She's set to solve the greatest mystery of her young life: to find her missing mother (Helena Bonham Carter) through a series of deliberately cryptic clues — all while breaking the fourth wall and confiding in the audience, thanks to Fleabag director Harry Bradbeer and His Dark Materials' Jack Thorne's sharp screenplay.

Stepping into the footsteps of her famous brother Sherlock (Henry Cavill) and avoiding those of her stuffier misogynist brother Mycroft (Sam Claflin), Enola's case leads her on a wild ride through Victorian-era England, with more than a few fistfights and butts to kick along the way. And lucky for you, the sequel is even better. — S.C.

How to watch: Enola Holmes is now streaming on Netflix.

9. They Cloned Tyrone Credit: Netflix

With this 2023 release, co-writer/director Juel Taylor pulls plenty of inspiration from Blaxploitation. John Boyega, Jamie Foxx, and Teyonah Parris star as a drug dealer, a pimp, and a sex worker who undercover a nefarious conspiracy that's happening underneath their neighborhood. Taylor and fellow screenwriter Tony Rettenmaier weave in wild twists, fly fight scenes, irreverent humor, and swaggering style for what our critic called "a propulsive comedy-thriller with weight." As bold as it is star-studded, you won't want to miss They Cloned Tyrone. And stay for the credits, trust us. — K.P.

How to watch: They Cloned Tyrone is now streaming on Netflix.

SEE ALSO: We need to talk about 'They Cloned Tyrone's ending 8. Kill Boksoon Credit: No Ju-han / Netflix

Gil Bok-Soon (Jeon Do-yeon) is a single mother who often finds herself at odds with her teenage daughter. She's also a highly skilled and successful assassin. Kill Boksoon is a fantastic action film that sees its main character head straight from a brutal killing to the grocery store so she can get dinner on the table. It's one hell of a hook that sucks you in immediately. The fight scenes are hypnotic and the cinematography ambitious and exciting. It's a gripping thriller that makes plenty of space for the complex emotional reality of its characters.* — Kristina Grosspietsch, Freelance Contributor

How to watch: Kill Boksoon is now streaming on Netflix.

7. Triple Frontier Credit: Netflix

This Netflix adventure has Ben Affleck, Oscar Isaac, Charlie Hunnam, Garrett Hedlund, and Pedro Pascal coming together as a group of former Special Forces who plan an elaborate heist in South America. But after things get out of hand, their survival skills are put to the ultimate test.

Putting a talented cast in a tension-filled scenario, Triple Frontier is the type of gritty thriller that's hard to turn away from. — Brooke Bajgrowicz, Entertainment Fellow

How to watch: Triple Frontier is now streaming on Netflix.

6. Okja Credit: Netflix

Blending drama with fantasy/adventure and weaving in a very real message about the horrors of the meat industry, Bong Joon Ho's Okja is a beautifully unique creature feature, striped with action.

The film follows Mina (Ahn Seo-hyun), the granddaughter of a farmer in South Korea who has spent the last 10 years rearing a genetically modified super-pig called Okja as part of a breeding project spearheaded by a grim U.S. corporation. This movie is dark in places, magical in others, and poignant overall, asking us to stop and reflect on the dark side of an industry the majority of us are complicit in. Tilda Swinton and Jake Gyllenhaal make for an entertaining pair of villains, too.* — Sam Haysom, Deputy UK Editor

How to watch: Okja is now streaming on Netflix.

5. Da 5 Bloods Credit: Netflix

Spike Lee copters audiences back to the Vietnam War with Da 5 Bloods, a daring film that's part drama, part war movie, and part heist flick. Named for a squad of Black U.S. Army soldiers of the 1st Infantry Division, Lee's critically heralded 2020 joint follows this band of brothers through a treacherous war zone, then rediscovers them in a present where they're seeking to uncover the past — and a big payday.

Sequences of brutal battles, narrow escapes, and high-tension hijinks make Da 5 Bloods an enthralling watch. Though inspired by history, it's impossible to predict where Lee's story will lead. Our guides on this intense journey through time, loss, war, and brotherhood are Delroy Lindo, Jonathan Majors, Clarke Peters, Norm Lewis, Isiah Whitlock Jr., and the late Chadwick Boseman. Together, they and Lee create an American war film that can't be missed. — K.P.

How to watch: Da 5 Bloods is now streaming on Netflix.

4. Army of the Dead Credit: Netflix

Sometimes all you want is to grab hold of that action-o-meter and crank the dial, hard, to a solid 11. Army of the Dead more than delivers on that front, opening with a musical montage of guns and exploding body parts — and it only gets gorier from there. Zack Snyder's story follows a band of mercenaries hired to steal $200 million from a casino in Las Vegas. The problem? Vegas has been invaded by zombies, the city is quarantined, and the military is planning to blow the entire thing up with a tactical nuclear strike. The sprawling cast includes Dave Bautista, Omari Hardwick, Hiroyuki Sanada, Garret Dillahunt, and Ana de la Reguera, as well as a digitally added Tig Notaro.

What follows is a gloriously silly romp that refuses to take itself too seriously, propelling us through a series of explosions and bullets while the story twists and turns through a 148-minute runtime that feels oh, so much shorter. — S.H.

How to watch: Army of the Dead is now streaming on Netflix.

3. The Old Guard Credit: Netflix

Folks looking for that summer blockbuster thrill, search no further than The Old Guard. Based on the superhero comic books of the same name, director Gina Prince-Bythewood's movie sucks viewers into a slick, well-crafted world of action and narrative that isn't particularly unique but delivers its formulaic pieces with enough precision to keep you invested.

Charlize Theron crushes as the ass-kicking leader of an immortal warrior fight crew, with performances by Harry Melling, Marwan Kenzari, KiKi Layne, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Veronica Ngo, Matthias Schoenaerts, and more.* — Alison Foreman, Entertainment Reporter 

How to watch: The Old Guard is now streaming on Netflix.

2. RRR

You've never seen an action movie quite as bombastic or as bromantic as RRR. Director S.S. Rajamouli draws loosely from history to tell the story of Indian freedom fighters Alluri Sitarama Raju (Ram Charan) and Komaram Bheem (N.T. Rama Rao Jr.). Over the film's three-hour runtime, the two unwittingly face off in the search for a kidnapped girl, become the best of friends, and square off against villainous English colonizers.

SEE ALSO: Was 'RRR' snubbed at the Oscars?

Any of RRR's action sequences would be the pinnacle of a lesser action movie, but the film seems determined to outdo itself with showstopper after showstopper. Take when Raju faces down hundreds of protesters and wins, or when Bheem fights a tiger bare-handed. Would you believe me if I told you those happen within the first 20 minutes? The action — and the movie — only get more awesome from there. — B.E.

How to watch: RRR is now streaming on Netflix.

1. Godzilla Minus One Credit: Toho Company Ltd / Everett / Shutterstock.com

You don't know Godzilla until you see Godzilla Minus One. The American movies featuring the classic kaiju go for huge monster-versus-monster face-offs, bogged down by tedious human characters. But writer/director Takashi Yamazaki reclaims the Japanese icon with a movie that gets the balance between rampaging monster action and human drama just right.

Set near the close of World War II, Godzilla Minus One proves a fascinating tale of atomic age terror. Ryunosuke Kamiki stars as a kamikaze pilot who first flubs his mission, then crosses paths with the giant lizard with atomic breath. Survivor's guilt torments him, even as he cobbles together a found family of fellow survivors. This cast of characters is dynamic, making the scenes of simple home-cooked meals just as satisfying as sequences of town-trampling destruction. Actually, one deeply informs the other. Because while the movie's jaw-dropping special effects rightfully won the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects, it's the emotional impact of them that makes this Godzilla hit harder than any contemporary. Even on the small screen, you'll be in awe.* — K.P.

How to watch: Godzilla Minus One is streaming on Netflix.

Opens in a new window Credit: Netflix Netflix   Get Deal

* denotes the entry comes from a previous Mashable list.

UPDATE: Feb. 26, 2026, 4:50 p.m. EST This list was first published on May 24, 2020. It has since been updated to reflect the current selection on Netflix.

TL;DR: Live stream Zimbabwe vs. South Africa in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 for free on ICC.TV. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The 2026 T20 World Cup action this weekend is absolutely electric. A lot of fans will be tuning into the huge clash between India and West Indies later today, but for an exciting warm up, Zimbabwe face off against South Africa.

Zimbabwe did well to make this stage of the competition, but they've lost both their games in the second group stage. South Africa have looked formidable, and will want to continue their run of wins before the semi finals. Expect an action-packed contest between two talented sides.

If you want to watch Zimbabwe vs. South Africa in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Zimbabwe vs. South Africa?

Zimbabwe vs. South Africa in the 2026 T20 World Cup starts at 4:30 a.m. ET on March 1. This game takes place at the Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium.

How to watch Zimbabwe vs. South Africa for free

Zimbabwe vs. South Africa in the 2026 T20 Cricket World Cup is available to live stream for free on ICC.TV.

This free live stream on ICC.TV is only available in select regions (see full list of territories here), but anyone can live stream the T20 Cricket World Cup for free with a VPN. These helpful tools can hide your IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in a location with free access. This simple process bypasses geo-restrictions so you can live stream on ICC.TV from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Zimbabwe vs. South Africa in the 2026 T20 Cricket World Cup for free by following these simple steps:

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

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

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in a location with access

4. Visit ICC.TV

5. Watch the 2026 T20 Cricket World Cup for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch every game from the 2026 T20 Cricket World Cup before recovering your investment.

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

What is the best VPN for ICC.TV?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on ICC.TV, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

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A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).

Watch the 2026 T20 World Cup for free with ExpressVPN.

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hint

Mixed metals.

SEE ALSO: Apple’s new M3 MacBook Air is $300 off at Amazon. And yes, I’m tempted. Hurdle Word 1 answer

ALLOY

Hurdle Word 2 hint

A popular board game.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for March 1, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

CHESS

Hurdle Word 3 hint

The edge of the beach.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for March 1 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for March 1, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

COAST

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Milk-based.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

DAIRY

Final Hurdle hint

A Spanish character.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answer

TILDE

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

It's a new month, and while the Moon may appear totally full, we're still a couple of days away from this yet. But in the meantime, there's still lots to spot on its surface.

What is today’s Moon phase?

As of Sunday, March 1, the Moon phase is Waxing Gibbous. According to NASA's Daily Moon Guide, 94% of the Moon will be lit up tonight.

With just your naked eye, tonight you'll be able to see the Mares Imbrium and Crisium, as well as the Tycho Crater. If you have binoculars hanging about, dust them off and pull them out to catch a glimpse of the Mares Nectaris and Frigoris, and the Endymion Crater. And proud telescope owners will see all this and more, including the Apollo 15 and 17 landing spots, and the Schiller Crater.

When is the next Full Moon?

The next Full Moon will be on March 3. The last Full Moon was on Feb. 1.

What are Moon phases?

According to NASA, the Moon takes about 29.5 days to orbit the Earth. Over the course of this period, it moves through eight recognisable phases, what we call the lunar cycle. While the same side of the Moon always faces us, the amount of its surface lit by the Sun changes as it continues along its path. The shifts in sunlight create the different appearances we see from Earth, ranging from a fully illuminated Moon to a thin sliver or near darkness. The eight phases are:

New Moon - The Moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it's invisible to the eye).

Waxing Crescent - A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).

First Quarter - Half of the Moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-Moon.

Waxing Gibbous - More than half is lit up, but it’s not quite full yet.

Full Moon - The whole face of the Moon is illuminated and fully visible.

Waning Gibbous - The Moon starts losing light on the right side. (Northern Hemisphere)

Third Quarter (or Last Quarter) - Another half-Moon, but now the left side is lit.

Waning Crescent - A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult to solve if you're a frequent flyer.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for March 1, 2026 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: Appetizers

• Green: Building gear

• Blue: Jetsetting

• Purple: Looks can be deceiving

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Little bite

• Green: Construction equipment

• Blue: Vacation emoji

• Purple: Things you don't eat that end in foods

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 #994 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Little bite: CANAPÉ, FINGER FOOD, HORS D'OEUVRE, TAPA

• Construction equipment: HARD HAT, LADDER, NAIL GUN, TOOL BELT

• Vacation emoji: AIRPLANE, LUGGAGE, PALM TREE, SMILING FACE WITH SUNGLASSES

• Things you don't eat that end in foods: COPYPASTA, JOHANNESBURGER, KNUCKLE SANDWICH, LICORICE PIZZA

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 28, 2026

Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.

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.

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you're not on. your best behavior.

Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game, 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 March 1, 2026 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for March 1, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Dressing down

The words are related to discipline.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe ways to chastise.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is The Riot Act.

NYT Strands word list for March 1

• Braidup

• The Riot Act

• Scold

• Castigate

• Reprimand

• Admonish

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.