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‎Fourteen years after Warner Bros. released Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, a new adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s beloved book series is already in production. ‎ Molly Weasley played by Julie Walters (left) and newcomer Katherine Parkinson. ‎Everett Collection; Courtesy ‎ ‎HBO has begun filming a TV series based on the Harry Potter saga, with each season set to cover one book from Harry’s time at Hogwarts. The cast has been completely reimagined, featuring new actors in the iconic roles originally made famous by the film series. Notably, the adult characters are being portrayed by actors closer in age to how they were written in the books. ‎ ‎Here is a rundown of the confirmed cast members so far, along with side-by-side comparisons to the actors from the original films. Some major characters — like Lord Voldemort, who only appears late in the first book — have yet to be announced. ‎ ‎Hermione Granger ‎ —  ‎Hermione Granger played by Emma Watson; Arabella...

‎Neil Gaiman’s The Sandman adapts his celebrated DC comic series into a sweeping fantasy drama that follows Lord Morpheus (Tom Sturridge), the personification of dreams, who is imprisoned in 1918 by a British occultist. After escaping more than a century later, Dream returns to find his kingdom in chaos. The Netflix series blends epic world-building with complex themes, drawing from mythology, literature, and folklore. Those fascinated by The Sandman’s surreal aesthetics and mythic overtones will find resonance in these twelve shows that similarly navigate alternate realities, dark magic, and fantastical lore. ‎ Jenna Coleman as Johanna, Tom Sturridge as Dream in Netflix's 'The Sandman.' ‎Courtesy of Netflix ‎ ‎12. Dead Boy Detectives (2024) ‎ ‎Steve Yockey’s Dead Boy Detectives, derived from the DC Comics universe, tells the story of Edwin Payne (George Rexstrew) and Charles Rowland (Jayden Revri), two teenage ghosts who opt to remain in the mortal realm. Edwin...

‎John Wick didn’t just redefine the modern action film — it created a new language for storytelling through fight choreography, emotional drive, and the lonely path of vengeance. For viewers drawn to tales of elite assassins, criminal syndicates, and morally torn antiheroes, Netflix holds an arsenal of compelling alternatives.  ‎ ‎ Keanu Reeves in 'John Wick: Chapter 4.' ‎Courtesy of Murray Close/Lionsgate ‎ ‎Here are nine of the best movies like John Wick available on Netflix this July — ranked from #9 to #1. ‎ ‎9. Upgrade (2018) ‎ ‎Directed by Leigh Whannell, Upgrade is a brutal sci-fi action thriller set in a not-so-distant future. After his wife is murdered and he’s left paralyzed, Grey Trace (Logan Marshall-Green) is implanted with an AI chip that turns him into a weapon. The film’s inventive fight sequences, dark atmosphere, and cold-blooded revenge plot recall the precision and single-minded focus of John Wick. ‎ ‎Why it’s similar: Vengeance-driven plot, clo...

‎Tyler Perry’s Straw has ignited a whirlwind of conversation across streaming platforms and social media. Starring Taraji P. Henson, the psychological thriller follows a mother at her breaking point. After a shocking workplace robbery, her life spirals into a psychological and emotional breakdown—mirroring the tension and trauma audiences crave in dark, human-centered dramas. ‎ ‎Taraji P. Henson in 'Straw.' ‎Chip Bergmann/Perry Well Films 2/Courtesy Netflix ‎ ‎With Straw holding a divisive 50% critics score and an impressive 71% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes, it's clear the film resonates with viewers—especially those drawn to tales of ordinary people facing extraordinary pressure. If you’re one of them, here are 10 harrowing movies like Straw where characters suffer through unforgettable, catastrophic days. ‎ ‎1. Straw Dogs (1971) ‎ ‎Sam Peckinpah’s gritty, controversial thriller stars Dustin Hoffman as a man pushed to violence in rural England. Like Straw...