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Every August, the most entertaining spectacle in our solar system isn't in theaters or on a streaming service, but above all our heads at night: the cosmic pyrotechnics display that is the Perseid meteor shower. This year's entry in this long-running annual show coincides with the warmest nights and early mornings of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, which will be a good one. 

2024's display comes with impressive — possibly even blockbuster — viewing conditions. 

SEE ALSO: What does a meteorite taste like? Someone found out and bottled it. Exactly what are the Perseids?

The Perseid meteor shower is our planet's annual run-in with the trail of debris left behind by a comet called 109P/Swift-Tuttle, which, like us, is orbiting the sun, but on a different course that happens to intersect with ours. As the Earth orbits through this trail of tiny granules called meteoroids, they slam into our atmosphere at blistering speeds and ignite. The meteoroids become what we call meteors only for a moment, during their spectacular deaths. 

This all happens about 60 miles above your head during your meteor-gazing session. For reference, the moon is roughly 24,000 miles away, and Mirfak, the brightest star in the constellation Perseus, is 510 light-years away. The meteors are very close, in other words — so close that you can sometimes hear them. 

Comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle, with its 16-mile-wide nucleus, is colossal — the largest object known to repeatedly pass by our planet, which it won't do again until 2126. Will this giant ever smash into Earth? Not in 2126, and possibly not ever. But there's a tiny chance it could — catastrophically — at some indeterminate point in the distant future. 

When to catch the Perseids at their peak in 2024

The show will crescendo, with 100 meteors per hour sometimes visible, in the pre-dawn hours of August 12.

For best results, stay up late the night of Sunday, August 11, and into the early hours of Monday, or look up when the sky is dark any time until the end of August. Viewing conditions depend on how dim the moon is, and in 2024 we're in luck: it will only be at 50 percent illumination at the peak. It's also set to dip below the horizon around midnight, meaning the wee hours of the morning will be essentially moonless for your meteor viewing pleasure. 

As always, the moon's precise schedule differs depending on where you are, so check your local listings.

It's worth noting that as one of the more drawn-out meteor displays, the Perseids linger for well over a month every year, meaning activity is visible from mid-July to late August. Peak activity is when you'll theoretically see the most meteors, assuming favorable moon and weather conditions, but any clear night during the shower's active period is a chance to see the Perseids. For instance, the new moon on August 4 will darken the skies, providing another possible opportunity for great off-peak viewing. 

How to spot the Perseids in 2024

The Perseids get their name from the fact that they appear to radiate from the constellation Perseus. This can be a little deceptive, however, because you don't have to worry about finding Perseus; meteors seem to streak across the whole sky during a shower. Pointing out Perseus during your viewing session will make you the hand-raising, A+ student of your stargazing party — but it probably won't help anyone see more meteors. 

For optimum viewing, get to a dark location away from city lights. Even suburban or exurban lights can pollute the precious darkness, so get to the deep wilderness if you can. Give your pupils about 30 minutes to widen, initiating your body's too-seldom-used night vision mode. Telescopes and binoculars are fun but unnecessary, or even counterproductive since they limit your peripheral vision. 

But I'm making this too complicated. Is it your first time stargazing in a while? Just do what they do in movies: lie back on a blanket, relax, and stare up at the dang sky. 

'Creature Commandos,' a monster-filled D.C. Comics animated series written by James Gunn, got a teaser trailer at SDCC.

'Like a Dragon' is making its way from your video game console to Prime Video in a new live-action TV series.

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: NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for July 27 SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Here's the answer hints for July 27

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Saturday, July 27, 2024:

AcrossBreed of sled dog

• The answer is Husky.

Ante establishment?

• The answer is Casino.

Golden-brown drizzle on an ice cream sundae

• The answer is Caramel.

Guitarist's accessory

• The answer is Amp.

Tree that makes acorns

• The answer is Oak.

Shoot off again, as an email

• The answer is Resend.

Unmanned aircraft

• The answer is Drone.

Castle material that's not very sturdy

• The answer is Sand.

DownTalks persistently about

• The answer is Harps on.

Olympic women's gymnastics powerhouse

• The answer is USA.

Biles who represents 2-Down

• The answer is Simone.

Work with the hands, as dough

• The answer is Knead.

Egg's center

• The answer is Yolk.

Backup ___ (modern auto feature)

• The answer is Camera.

Birthday messages may be written on them

• The answer is Cards.

Fitting final Down answer

• The answer is End.

Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of Games

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

TL;DR: Get the Ultimate Microsoft 2019 Bundle including Windows 11 Pro, Office, Visio, and Project for just $79.97 through July 28,

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Ultimate 2019 Microsoft Bundle: Office, Project, Visio and Windows 11 Pro $79.97 at The Mashable Shop
$927.98 Save $848.01 Get Deal

Upgrade your digital toolkit with the Ultimate Microsoft 2019 Bundle — which includes lifetime licenses to Windows 11 Pro, Office 2019 Professional Plus, Visio 2019 Professional, and Project 2019 Professional — all for just $79.97. This comprehensive suite equips you with everything you need to get stuff done, from operating systems to project management.

1. Windows 11 Pro: Provides a sleek, user-friendly design with advanced security features like biometrics login and encrypted authentication. Enjoy improved productivity with snap layouts, desktops, and a powerful search experience, alongside unprecedented gaming capabilities with DirectX 12 Ultimate.

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This bundle is a one-time purchase with lifetime access, ensuring you get the best tools without ongoing fees.

Through July 28, you can get the Ultimate Microsoft 2019 Bundle on sale for $79.97.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Through July 28, get the Learn to Code certification bundle for just $49.97 to master Python, AI, and more.

Opens in a new window Credit: StackCommerce The 2024 Premium Learn to Code Certification Bundle $39.97 at The Mashable Shop
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If you're looking to get into the world of artificial intelligence and coding, an online learning package could be a great option. This comprehensive bundle offers a deep-dive into essential programming languages and AI technologies, helping you stay ahead in the fast-paced tech world.

Get lifetime access to the 2024 Premium Learn to Code Certification Bundle on sale for $49.97 through July 28.

Gain hands-on experience with real-world applications and a focus on AI and ChatGPT. You'll explore OpenAI, gaining insights into ChatGPT's inner-workings and potential applications. Practical exercises will help you learn to create and utilize OpenAI APIs effectively. You'll learn how to set up your development environment, obtain and use your API key, and understand the performance metrics and pricing structures of different OpenAI models. Additionally, you can learn how to use ChatGPT for various applications, from automating tasks to developing intelligent chatbots.

Along with AI, the bundle covers essential programming languages. Courses like Python 3 and the Complete Python Course will take you from a novice to an expert, empowering you to write efficient and elegant code. These skills open doors to in-demand industries such as data science, web development, and more.

Each course comes with a certificate upon completion (although it is not an accredited certification). With over 100 hours of content available 24/7, you can learn at your own pace and start applying your new skills immediately.

Become proficient in AI and coding with this Learn to Code bundle on sale for just $49.97 through July 28.

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TL;DR: Get a 9-inch wireless car display for $99.97 (reg. $179.99) until July 28 and keep your kids entertained with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.

Opens in a new window Credit: RochasDivineMart 9-inch Wireless Car Display $99.97 at The Mashable Shop
$179.99 Save $80.02 with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto Compatibility & Phone Mirroring Get Deal

Family road trips can be a whole lot more enjoyable with a 9-inch wireless car display. This device is perfect for keeping your passengers entertained and connected while traveling.

Compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, you can easily mirror your phone's display, giving your kids access to their favorite movies, games, and apps directly on the car’s screen. Score the 9-inch Wireless Car Display on sale for $99.97 (reg. $179.99) through July 28.

The display features a high-resolution touchscreen that offers crisp visuals and responsive controls, ensuring that navigating through apps and media is smooth and enjoyable. Additionally, the device includes Bluetooth connectivity, allowing for hands-free calls and music streaming from your phone.

Gone are the days of boredom and endlessly repeating, "Are we there yet?" This wireless car display allows you to stream content from your phone, keeping your little ones occupied for the entire journey. Whether they want to watch their favorite cartoons, play interactive games, or even follow along with a family-friendly playlist, the large 9-inch screen provides an enjoyable viewing experience.

Setup is easy with the wireless connection, meaning you can get started without the hassle of tangled cables. The display is designed to work with both Apple and Android devices, so you can connect no matter which camp you're in.

Through July 28, you can get this 9-inch wireless car display with CarPlay and Android Auto for $99.97 (reg. $179).

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NASA has used a number of eyebrow-raising words to describe their new Martian find: "fascinating," "intriguing," "compelling," and "mind-bending."

The space agency's Perseverance rover recently drilled into a Mars rock, where the six-wheeled robot had detected organic molecules (aka the "building blocks of life" as we know it). The robot collected a sample, and inside scientists spotted a telltale composition that suggests the potential of ancient microbial life. "The rock exhibits chemical signatures and structures that could possibly have been formed by life billions of years ago when the area being explored by the rover contained running water," NASA said in a statement. But, crucially, much more research, over many years, is needed to confirm this possibility.

Indeed, regions on Mars once gushed with water, with roaring rivers and expansive lakes. These watery environs could have set the stage for primitive life to evolve.

SEE ALSO: NASA scientist viewed first Voyager images. What he saw gave him chills.

In the image below, you can see the novel Martian structures NASA scientists observed in this rock. They're white splotches surrounded by black halos dubbed "leopard spots."

"These spots are a big surprise," David Flannery, an astrobiologist at the Queensland University of Technology and member of the Perseverance science team, said in a statement. "On Earth, these types of features in rocks are often associated with the fossilized record of microbes living in the subsurface."

That's quite an intriguing connection. These spots are formed by chemical reactions on Earth, which can release iron and phosphate (an important nutrient), and supply microbes with energy.

The "leopard spot" splotches found in a new Mars rock sample. Credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech / ASU / MSSS

NASA planetary scientists are certainly excited.

"As a rock geek/scientist and as the Director of @NASAJPL — this is the kind of discovery you hope for — where mind-bending observations make your heart beat just a little faster," NASA's Laurie Leshin posted online.

"This is more than intriguing, it’s really exciting! We must bring that sample to Earth for analysis in our best labs!" Rosaly Lopes, a senior research scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, wrote.

But, of course, the space agency has also tempered expectations until more is known. Non-biological processes could have created the leopard splotches, such as mineral deposits from past flows of water. In the announcement, the agency included the helpful graphic below, showing the Confidence of Life Detection scale, or CoLD. With this detection, NASA is at number one.

Credit: NASA / Aaron Gronstal Tweet may have been deleted

And, crucially, to move up the scale, the sample (from a rock named Cheyava Falls) must be closely analyzed in labs on Earth, with far more instruments than the distant, car-sized rover can carry. This can prove if non-biological factors actually formed the structures, confirm the presence of past life, rule out other hypotheses, and beyond. NASA's Mars Sample Return mission, however, is in jeopardy. It would cost around $11 billion, a price the space agency can't afford. The agency now seeks a financially feasible plan for the complex endeavor, which would retrieve samples and rocket them back to Earth.

Until then, these compelling structures will largely remain just that.

"We have zapped that rock with lasers and X-rays and imaged it literally day and night from just about every angle imaginable," said Perseverance project scientist Ken Farley. "Scientifically, Perseverance has nothing more to give. To fully understand what really happened in that Martian river valley at Jezero Crater billions of years ago, we'd want to bring the Cheyava Falls sample back to Earth, so it can be studied with the powerful instruments available in laboratories."

TL;DR: Live stream Giannis Antetokounmpo in the Paris 2024 basketball for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Basketball opens the action at Paris 2024, with one of the most popular B-ball players on the planet, Giannis Antetokounmpo, looking to take home a gold, silver, or bronze medal for Greece.

Antetokounmpo has already made history at the Paris 2024 opening ceremony, having the proud honor of being Greece's first Black flag bearer. It's little wonder — Antetokounmpo is one of the most decorated NBA players of all time. But can Antetokounmpo do for Greece what he's done for the Milwaukee Bucks?

Thankfully, you can watch Giannis Antetokounmpo compete at Paris 2024 for free, no matter where you are in the world. Read on to find out how.

When is Antetokounmpo competing at the Paris 2024?

Giannis Antetokounmpo is set to compete in the following group games at Paris 2024:

Men's basketball

• Greece vs. Canada in Group A — 3:00 p.m. ET on Jul. 27

• Spain vs. Greece in Group A — 5:00 a.m. ET on Jul. 30

• Australia vs. Greece in Group A — 7:30 a.m. ET on Aug. 2

How to watch Antetokounmpo at Paris 2024 for free

The basketball at Paris 2024 is available to live stream for free on BBC iPlayer.

BBC iPlayer is a free streaming platform that's geo-restrcited to the UK only. But basketball fans from anywhere around the globe can watch it by signing up to a VPN. VPNs are handy tools that hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect with a secure server in the UK, allowing you to bypass geo-restrictions and unblock free streaming sites such as BBC iPlayer.

Unblock BBC iPlayer for free by following this simple process:

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

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

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

4. Visit BBC iPlayer

5. Live stream the basketball at Paris 2024 from anywhere in the world

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not technically free to use, but leading VPN providers usually have incentive deals such as free trial periods or money-back guarantees. By using these offers, you can unblock BBC iPlayer without committing any cash in the long run. This will give you time to stream all the basketball, plus lots more action from Paris 2024, before reclaiming any initial downpayment.

What is the best VPN for BBC iPlayer?

ExpressVPN is the best service for streaming live sport on BBC iPlayer, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is 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 — that's 49% off for a limited time. The plan will also give you an extra three months for free, a whole year of unlimited cloud backup, and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream Giannis Antetokounmpo at Paris 2024 for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Germany in the Paris 2024 basketball for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

As the action begins at Paris 2024, teams from all around the world with take to the basketball court. That includes Germany, who compete in both the men's and women's categories. Can the Germans shoot for gold, silver, and bronze?

The action on the basketball court is sure to be fast and furious whatever happens — it's the most elite level of competition on the planet.

The good news is you can watch Germany compete at Paris 2024 for free, no matter where you are around the globe. Read below to find out how.

When are Germany competing in the Paris 2024 basketball?

Germany are set to compete in the below group games at Paris 2024:

Men's basketball

• Germany vs. Japan in Group B — 7:30 a.m. ET on Jul. 27

• Brazil vs.Germany in Group B — 11:15 a.m. ET on Jul. 30

• France vs. Germany in Group B — 3:00 p.m. ET on Aug. 2

Women's basketball

• Germany vs. Belgium in Group C — 7:30 a.m. ET on Jul. 29

• Japan vs. Germany in Group C —5:00 a.m. ET on Aug. 1

• Germany vs. USA in Group C — 11:15 a.m. ET on Aug. 4

How to watch Germany in the Paris 2024 basketball for free

The basketball at Paris 2024 is available to live stream for free on BBC iPlayer.

BBC iPlayer is a free streaming platform that's geo-blocked outside of the UK. But basketball fans from anywhere around the globe can watch it by using a VPN. VPNs are great tools that can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect with a secure server in the UK, helping unblock free streaming sites such as BBC iPlayer, giving you access to all the Paris 2024 basketball, no matter where you are.

Unblock BBC iPlayer for free by following this simple process:

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

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

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

4. Visit BBC iPlayer

5. Live stream the basketball at Paris 2024 from anywhere in the world

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not actually free to use, but leading VPN providers usually have free trial period deals or money-back guarantees. By using these offers, you can unblock BBC iPlayer without committing any cash. This is obviously a short-term solution, but it gives you time to stream the basketball, and lots more action from Paris 2024, before reclaiming any downpayment.

What is the best VPN for BBC iPlayer?

ExpressVPN is the best service for streaming live sport on BBC iPlayer, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is 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. The plan will also give you a whole year of unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream Germany in the Paris 2024 basketball for free with ExpressVPN.

There are Greenland sharks older than the United States.

This deep sea species has an expected lifespan of at least 270 years. Some may live longer than 500 years. And biologists have identified an important reason for their impressive longevity. The sharks, an Arctic species dwelling thousands of feet underwater, do not age like other animals: Their metabolisms should slow as they grow older, resulting in cellular changes. But the researchers' analysis of differently aged Greenlands sharks show their metabolisms don't diminish. They are a biological curiosity.

"Every detail about this animal is fascinating and the more I find out about them, the further I am motivated to continue my work," Ewan Camplisson, a biologist pursuing a PhD at the University of Manchester, told Mashable.

SEE ALSO: A dominant shark lurks in the deep, dark ocean. Meet the sixgill.

Camplisson presented this new research at the Society for Experimental Biology Annual Conference in July.

The sharks don't just grow profoundly old. They're also the only shark species capable of living in the frigid Arctic year-round. And that's not all. "They are one of the slowest swimming fish when accounting for size, the females only become sexually reproductive at approximately 150 years old, they have tiny brains yet can seemingly hunt and navigate vast distances, the majority of the population live most of their lives with parasites in their eyes and their flesh is so full of toxins such as TMAO and urea that they are poisonous to eat for humans," Camplisson marveled.

Scientists have suspected the sharks' extremely slow movement and life in the cold may contribute to the species' unusual age — and these are likely important factors. But Camplisson noticed that other Arctic fish species, such as the northern wolffish, also dwell in cold waters, are predatory, and move relatively little. But this fish only lives for some 20 years. Another deep sea species, the dominant sixgill shark, is predatory, slow-moving, lives in the cold deep sea (but found in oceans around the world), yet lives for 80 years — not centuries.

"Therefore we thought that there must be other factors also involved in the Greenland sharks' longevity," Camplisson said.

A Greenland shark spotted over 2,500 feet under the surface in waters off the northeast continental U.S. Credit: NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research A graphic showing how researchers measured the metabolic activity in Greenland shark tissue. Credit: Ewan Camplisson

So Camplisson and his team investigated the sharks' metabolism. They used preserved Greenland shark red muscle, from 23 sharks of different ages, to observe how metabolic enzymes would react when activated. The sharks ranged in age from around 60 to 200 years. As illustrated above, the muscle samples were suspended in a liquid that reacted to the enzyme's changes; the more activity, the more shift in color. A machine called a spectrophotometer, which assesses changes in light intensity, measured these changes. And as described earlier, sharks of all ages didn't show signs of any metabolic slowdown.

It's clear these Arctic sharks live a long time. But it's unclear why. It's possible that gradually growing and maturing for over a century simply sets them up for adult success.

"My best guess would be that the deep waters of the Arctic can be a challenging environment to live in, where an animal such as the Greenland shark may not have consistent access to plenty of food and they may not frequently be in contact with other Greenland sharks," Camplisson explained, noting they swim slowly in a vast ocean environment. And, crucially, they have few predators. There's not much to stop them from thriving in the depths. "Therefore, as a species with low natural mortality rates, their optimal life strategy would be one of a slow growth and building reserves of energy, so that when they do interact with the opposite sex they are in a suitable condition to reproduce," he said.

Scientists collecting tissue samples from a Greenland shark. Credit: Ewan Camplisson

Wielding such intriguing research results, Camplisson intends to further analyze these sharks' tissues, and their anti-aging metabolisms. It won't just satisfy deep sea biological curiosity.

"I believe that if we can work out how the Greenland shark lives so long and how they seem to be so resilient to age related diseases (such as cardiac disease), we may be able to improve the quality of life within the elderly human population," he said.

TL;DR: Live stream Carlos Alcaraz at Paris 2024 for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

What a time it is for tennis star Carlos Alcaraz. He's won two straight Wimbledons, including a decisive victory over Novak Djokovic last month, and the French Open. The 21-year-old Spaniard is the hottest tennis star on the planet right now.

Now he's back on the court at Roland-Garros for Paris 2024, competing in singles competition as well as teaming with Spanish legend Rafael Nadal in the men's doubles. Can Alcaraz add a gold medal to his collection? It seems very likely.

If you want to watch Carlos Alcaraz at Paris 2024 for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Alcaraz competing at Paris 2024?

Carlos Alcaraz is set to compete in the first round of the men's singles and men's doubles at Paris 2024:

Men's singles

• Carlos Alcaraz vs. Hady Habib — from 06:00 a.m. ET on Jul. 27

Men's doubles

• Gonzalez & Molteni vs. Nadal & Alcaraz — from 1:00 p.m. ET on Jul. 27

How to watch Alcaraz at Paris 2024 for free

The tennis events at Paris 2024 are available to live stream for free on BBC iPlayer.

BBC iPlayer is geo-restricted to the UK, but you can gain access to this free streaming site by using a VPN. VPNs are helpful tools that can mask your actual IP address (digital location) and connect you to a UK-based secure server, allowing you to unblock free streaming platforms such as BBC iPlayer, along with all the Paris 2024 action, no matter where you're located around the globe.

Unblock BBC iPlayer for free by following this simple process:

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

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

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

4. Visit BBC iPlayer

5. Live stream the tennis events at Paris 2024 from anywhere in the world

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPN services usually offer free trial periods or money-back guarantees. Leverage these offers to unblock BBC iPlayer without committing any cash. This is obviously a short-term solution, but it gives you time to stream the tennis events at Paris 2024 — plus all other Paris 2024 events available on BBC iPlayer — before recovering any upfront investment.

What is the best VPN for BBC iPlayer?

ExpressVPN is the best service for streaming live sport on BBC iPlayer, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is 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, which is a total saving of 49%. Within that package you get an extra three months for free, plus a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream the Carlos Alcaraz games at Paris 2024 for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Rafael Nadal at Paris 2024 for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Rafael Nadal has done it all in tennis. The 38-year-old Spaniard is a 22-time grand slam winner and a gold medalist in singles and doubles action.

But at Paris 2024 Nadal takes up a new challenge: teaming with Carlos Alcaraz, the hottest young name in world tennis.

Alcaraz has won two straight Wimbledons — beating Djokovic both times, no less — and he's still only 21 years old. Nadal and Alcaraz could be a tennis doubles dream team — not to mention a sure bet to take the gold medals.

If you want to watch Rafael Nadal at Paris 2024 for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Nadal competing at Paris 2024?

Rafael Nadal is set to compete in the men's doubles first round at Paris 2024:

• Gonzalez & Molteni vs. Nadal & Alcaraz — from 1:00 p.m. ET on Jul. 27

How to watch Nadal at Paris 2024 for free

The tennis events at Paris 2024 are available to live stream for free on BBC iPlayer.

BBC iPlayer is geo-restricted to the UK, but you can get free access to this streaming platform by using a VPN. VPNs are brilliant tools that can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server based in the UK, unblocking free streaming sites like BBC iPlayer, along with all the tennis action, no matter where you are around the globe.

Unblock BBC iPlayer for free by following this simple process:

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

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

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

4. Visit BBC iPlayer

5. Live stream the tennis events at Paris 2024 from anywhere in the world

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPN services usually have free trial period or money-back guarantee offers. Leverage these offers to unblock BBC iPlayer without committing any cash. This is obviously a short-term solution, but it gives you time to stream the tennis events at Paris 2024 (plus all other Paris 2024 events on BBC iPlayer) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for BBC iPlayer?

ExpressVPN is the best service for streaming live sport on BBC iPlayer, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is 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, which gives you a saving of 49% off the regular price. The package includes an extra three months for free, plus a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream the Rafael Nadal games at Paris 2024 for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Novak Djokovic at Paris 2024 for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

There are a dozens of elite athletes performing at Paris 2024, but few names stand out like tennis superstar Novak Djokovic. And the Serb is sure to bring his A-game. He's a 24-time Grand Slam winner but a gold medal still eludes him. His highest accolade at this level is a bronze at Beijing 2008.

After a tricky tennis season that's seen Djokovic suffer a knee injury and lose the Wimbledon final for the second straight year, Paris 2024 could be a chance for Djokovic to redeem himself — and remind tennis fans why he's one of the greatest of all time.

If you want to watch Novak Djokovic at Paris 2024 for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Djokovic competing at Paris 2024?

Novak Djokovic is set to compete in the men's singles first round at Paris 2024:

• Novak Djokovic vs. Matthew Ebden — from 6:00 a.m. ET on Jul. 27

How to watch Djokovic at Paris 2024 for free

The tennis events at Paris 2024 are available to live stream for free on BBC iPlayer.

BBC iPlayer is geo-restricted to the UK, but you can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. VPNs can obscure your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, helping unblock free streaming sites like BBC iPlayer, along with the tennis action, no matter where you are around the globe.

Unblock BBC iPlayer for free by following this simple process:

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

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

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

4. Visit BBC iPlayer

5. Live stream the tennis events at Paris 2024 from anywhere in the world

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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 unblock BBC iPlayer without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it gives you time to stream the tennis events at Paris 2024 (as well as all other Paris 2024 events on BBC iPlayer) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for BBC iPlayer?

ExpressVPN is the best service for streaming live sport on BBC iPlayer, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is 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 for a total saving of 49% from the regular price. That includes an extra three months for free, plus a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream the Novak Djokovic games at Paris 2024 for free with ExpressVPN.

Linda Yaccarino, the C.E.O. of X, has worked hard to bring back advertisers and fix the platform’s business. But its owner, Elon Musk, is always one whim away from undoing her work.

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Billions of birds are likely killed in the U.S. each year — but contrary to popular claims, wind turbines aren't nearly a primary culprit.

Former President Trump has continually used his prominent platform to claim that wind turbines — an economically sensible part of energy generation in the U.S. — are "killing our birds."

"The wind, it kills our birds. If you want to see a bird cemetery, go under a windmill sometime," Trump most recently said on national TV, a clip that spread to the web. His running mate, JD Vance, snickered along during these repeated claims.

But in a sea of distorted facts, unvetted claims, viral falsehoods, and fake videos swirling through our internet existence, disseminating misinformation isn't too funny. Yes, as detailed below, wind farms do inevitably kill some birds — all energy production carries costs. But wind turbines, which are cleverly designed from airplane wings, are not what's decimating bird populations in the U.S.

SEE ALSO: These animals went extinct in 2023

"In comparison to wind farms, other aspects of human life are far more lethal, kill far more species, and are more problematic to fix," Anne B. Clark, a biologist and bird expert at Binghamton University, told Mashable.

Tweet may have been deleted What is really killing U.S. birds

A host of human-caused factors kill birds. The most damaging, by far, live among us.

"The worst of these are feral or outdoor pet cats, estimated to kill as many as 4 billion birds per year, including many of the backyard songbirds that people value and control our insects," Clark explained. (At minimum, cats probably kill well over 1 billion birds in the U.S. annually.)

This is why biologists urge people to keep their cats inside. "Just one person keeping their cat indoors can save hundreds, maybe thousands, of birds. That’s a no-brainer," bird biologist Nico Arcilla previously told Mashable.

The next-highest bird killer in the U.S. are buildings (and their windows), estimated to kill some 365 to 988 million birds each year. "Those kills range from the tiniest hummingbirds to large owls," Clark said. (Here's how to limit the number of birds that crash into your windows.) And it's not just towering buildings. Any structures or objects in the path of bird flight — power lines, communication towers, and cars — contribute to the millions of avian deaths annually, Clark added. Cars kill an estimated 214 million birds each year.

Wind energy has been generating increasing amounts of electricity in the U.S. for decades. Credit: EIA

And then there are innumerable culprits that are difficult to count because they require collecting and assaying bird bodies for toxins. These include rodenticides, agricultural pesticides, water pollution, and beyond.

Wind turbines, however, are a relatively small player in bird mortality. "Research shows that wind projects rank near the bottom of the list of human-related bird mortalities, resulting in far fewer annual deaths than those caused by house cats, building collisions, or vehicle impacts," the Department of Energy explains. Turbines on land, with huge spinning blades, kill an estimated 234,012 birds annually, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Wind farms limit bird deaths

Abundant wind energy, which supplies 125,000 jobs in the U.S. and cheap energy, is growing.

Fortunately, we can build or operate wind farms to curb avian deaths. "There are all sorts of ways that we can limit risks to birds," Jeff Buler, a wildlife ecologist at the University of Delaware, told Mashable.

This includes locating wind farms away from migratory passages, painting blades black (a visual aid that slashed bird deaths at a Norway wind farm by 70 percent), adding sound, and using fewer but larger turbines. Turbines can also be turned off on the handful of nights many birds are migrating through a specific region. Buler and other researchers found that by observing radar data, the migration of birds through corridors like the Great Lakes region can be well-predicted, allowing turbine operators the ability to temporarily shut down operations. "You can reduce collisions," Buler said.

"It's way easier to make false claims than back up claims with evidence."

While wind farms aren't free of environmental costs, they almost certainly kill far fewer birds than the fossil fuel sector, which requires intensive mining and burning of fuels.

"Coal-, oil-, and natural gas-fired power plants induce avian deaths at various points throughout their fuel cycle: upstream during coal mining, onsite collision and electrocution with operating plant equipment, and downstream poisoning and death caused by acid rain, mercury pollution, and climate change," according to a research article in the Journal of Integrative Environmental Sciences. The study concludes that "fossil-fueled facilities are about 35 times more dangerous to birds on a per GWh basis than wind energy." (A GWh, or Gigawatt hour, is a measurement unit for the production or consumption of energy.)

In the coming months and beyond, you're likely to see more misleading claims about renewable energy and a host of other topics. Beware the soundbites and spurious talking points.

"It's way easier to make false claims than back up claims with evidence," Buler said.

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

To toast the unveiling of Deadpool & Wolverine, who officially bring the X-Men crew into the MCU, let's look back at all the villains who got us here.

How do Mr. Paradox and Cassandra Nova stack up to the likes of Loki, Thanos, and Killmonger? Find out with our thorough ranking of MCU villains, beginning with the least gnarly and ending with the biggest of bads.

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

Literally who?* — Angie Han, Deputy Entertainment Editor

44. Dormammu (Doctor Strange)

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

43. Ivan Vanko (Iron Man 2)

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: All Marvel Cinematic Universe movies ranked worst to best 41. Aldrich Killian (Iron Man 3)

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

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

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

39. Justin Hammer (Iron Man 2)

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

38. Abomination (The Incredible Hulk)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: Why I love, love, love 'Captain Marvel' and everything it stands for 34. Obadiah Stane (Iron Man)

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

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

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

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

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

31. Arishem the Judge (Eternals)

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

SEE ALSO: Your 'Eternals' crushes, ranked 30. Thunderbolt Ross (The Incredible Hulk)

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

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

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

28. Dreykov (Black Widow)

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

27. Yellowjacket (Ant-Man)

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

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

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

25. Trevor/The Mandarin (Iron Man 3)

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

24. Taskmaster (Black Widow)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

17. Ultron (Avengers: Age of Ultron)

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

16. Hela (Thor: Ragnarok)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

12. Helmut Zemo (Captain America: Civil War)

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

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

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

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

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

9. Vulture (Spider-Man: Homecoming)

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

8. Namor (Black Panther: Wakanda Forever)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

4. Loki (Thor, The Avengers)

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

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

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

2. Eric Killmonger (Black Panther)

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

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

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

*This blurb appeared on a previous list.

UPDATE: Jul. 23, 2024, 4:15 p.m. EDT Originally published on Sept. 9, 2021, this list has been updated to include the latest MCU releases.