It's a remarkably versatile medium. The 25 best stopmotion movies in cinematic history It's a remarkably versatile medium. By Jordan Hoffman :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/JordanHoffmanauthorphotoe4b61cf41b534ce3bd109eae4b8f4eaa.jpg) Jordan Hoffman Jordan Hoffman is a writer at , mostly covering nostalgia. He has been writing about entertainment since 2007. EW's editorial guidelines July 1, 2026 6:00 p.m. ET Leave a Comment :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/beststopmotion04202674f922fb4edc4184936210c4c268b68e.jpg) Mr. Fox (George Clooney), Sally (Catherine O'Hara), and Wallace (Peter Sallis).

It's a remarkably versatile medium.

The 25 best stop-motion movies in cinematic history

It's a remarkably versatile medium.

By Jordan Hoffman

Jordan Hoffman

Jordan Hoffman is a writer at **, mostly covering nostalgia. He has been writing about entertainment since 2007.

EW's editorial guidelines

July 1, 2026 6:00 p.m. ET

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Mr. Fox (George Clooney), Sally (Catherine O'Hara), and Wallace (Peter Sallis). Credit:

Fox Searchlight; Warner Bros.; Wallace & Gromit

What makes animation such a wonderful medium is that, truly, anything can happen. You want your characters to take a very quick trip to Saturn? Not an issue.

Or at least it *seems *that way. While a lot of animation today is computer-generated, there was a time when it was all crafted by hand.

Perhaps you've visited a children's museum where you got to putz around with blocks of clay, click a button to take a still image, then move your creation ever so slightly to (oh, what's the word?) *animate* it. After many, many, many such incremental movements that, let’s face it, got a little boring after a while, you got to see your hard work — a fraction of a second's worth of animation, just for a blob to nod its head.

When you think about the level of detail and labor that goes into a feature-length stop-motion film, it boggles the mind. It's that elbow grease and abundant creativity that make stop-motion animation so vital, especially today. With this in mind, here are 25 stop-motion movies that are hypnotizing to watch.

The Adventures of Mark Twain (1985)

Mark Twain dispenses wisdom and spins a few comic yarns.

Clubhouse Pictures

Just before creating the California Raisins, a healthy snack alternative mascot that kinda took over pop culture for a minute, animator Will Vinton made a glorious claymation film riffing on classic middle school literature. We follow a quip-ready Mark Twain as he travels in an airship, interacting with his famous characters like Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn.

Most memorable is the adaptation of Twain’s *Mysterious Stranger*, a supernatural tale in which the personification of evil grants tiny clay people life, only to then confront them with great hardship. The odd tone didn’t lend itself to immediate popularity, but the film became a cult hit years later.

Alice (1988)

This is the 'Alice' you should watch. Show your kids the cartoon one. Burn the Burton one.

First Run Features

This is the first film on our list — but not the last — that represents Czech animation. Puppeteering is a cherished and nurtured tradition in Czech culture, as is rejuvenating folkloric tales. Jan Švankmajer is one of the most important names in envelope-pushing stop-motion animation, and his spin on Lewis Carroll’s fantasy, *Alice*, is equal parts whimsical and sinister.

The film transforms everyday items from a sock drawer and even taxidermized animals leaking sawdust into living characters. The familiar story takes on new layers of meaning in this gorgeously decayed form.

Anomalisa (2015)

This is the face of almost every character in the movie (seriously). Google 'Fregoli delusion'.

Paramount Pictures

Charlie Kaufman — writer of the puppet-themed *Being John Malkovich *(1999) and the bananapants novel *Antkind* — wrote and directed *Anomalisa*,* *a devastating look at isolation and emotional fragility made with stop-motion puppets.

Our main character, voiced by David Thewlis, sees everyone else as the same — literally. As such, they all have Tom Noonan’s voice and face. Until our traveler (stuck in a Cincinnati hotel) meets a woman voiced by Jennifer Jason Leigh. Things seem to be going well… until they don’t. Kaufman and co-director Duke Johnson exploit the surrealism of puppets to great ends (most notably in a love scene), creating a one-of-a-kind vision.

Chicken Run (2000)

This is basically 'The Great Escape' except without Steve McQueen doing motorcycle tricks.

Aardman is arguably the most successful independent stop-motion studio. After several successful and influential shorts, *Chicken Run* became its first feature film — and a lucrative one at that.

A spin on the classic *The Great Escape*, the hilarious movie features a slew of memorable characters: the determined Ginger (Julia Sawalha), the dimwitted Babs (Jane Horrocks), and Rocky, a cocky American rooster voiced by Mel Gibson (who was born in America, by the way). In addition to featuring marvelous clay figures, it's a perfect way to introduce kids to British humor. (And, perhaps, a vegetarian diet.)

Chronopolis (1982)

Trust us, we can't describe it to you any better than this image can (complimentary).

Saint-André-des-Arts

Polish animator Piotr Kamler’s science-fiction stop-motion feature (with narration from Michael Lonsdale, a.k.a. Bond villain Hugo Drax) imagines a vast, floating city suspended in darkness, inhabited by immortal beings who, out of boredom, begin tinkering with the construct of time. The abstract imagery of the epic cityscape creates an eerie texture, with a heavily stylized, dreamlike look. The soundscape is just as unusual as the visuals; the result is less a traditional narrative and more a sustained cinematic *feeling*. If you can track this one down, it’s a must-see for late nights.

Charlie Kaufman and the 10-year odyssey to bring 'Anomalisa' to the screen

'The Boxtrolls' Animation: How They Did It

Coraline (2009)

'Coraline' ushered in the Laika library in dark and colorful style. LAIKA

The first film from stop-motion studio Laika, *Coraline* had an absolute supergroup of talent behind it. Henry Selick adapted Coraline by Neil Gaiman and enlisted voice performances from greats like Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders, plus music by They Might Be Giants, to tell this crafty, Grimm-esque fairy tale about alternate worlds. It arrived at the height of the 3D boom, which added significant pop to the handmade textures of every colorful flower petal and creepy doll eye. Oh, and the movie also gave us one of the most enduring kids' movie villains of the century: the "Other Mother."

Corpse Bride (2005)

The happy bride and groom in 'Corpse Bride'. Warner Bros.

Many people think Tim Burton directed *The Nightmare Before Christmas*. He did not. He did, however, co-direct the not-as-memorable-but-still-good *Corpse Bride*, a gothic fantasy featuring voice performances from Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter. The film boasts a broad visual palette between the dull Land of the Living and the vibrant Land of the Dead (ironic!), and there’s no shortage of fast-paced visual puns in this charming beyond-the-grave love story. Some of the best scenes revolve around original songs by Burton’s longtime musical accompanist, Danny Elfman.

Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)

That look he gets when he wants to pull off a secret heist.

Fox Searchlight

Wes Anderson took to stop-motion like a fox to a henhouse with this innovative and slightly melancholy comedy, based on Roald Dahl’s book. Anderson did not record the voices of George Clooney, Jason Schwartzman, Meryl Streep and others in a booth, as is typical in animation, but instead had them perform the scenes in a field with microphones.

The very tactile miniatures are intricately designed, but the scenes are still blocked and shot in a manner that makes them instantly recognizable as an Anderson film. This movie is appropriate for most kids, but it isn’t really a kids’ movie, which is a breath of fresh air for any animated film made in Hollywood.

Faust (1994)

Turns out Švankmajer and Goethe are a match made in heaven.

Though not as famous as his *Alice*, *Faust *may be Jan Švankmajer’s finest film. It’s about a man who goes to a building in which players are prepping a theater production of *Faust — *then becomes the title character himself. His scenes with the other characters blend live-action and large puppets, with relentless running gags and stream-of-consciousness imagery. (One could make the case that this is a film about falling asleep during a play and the production triggering unsettling dreams.) Nothing in the film is spelled out for you, but if you have a basic understanding of the Faust myth, you’ll get the gist of it.

The Good Soldier Schweik (1954)

There would be no 'Catch-22' without this, so let's thank our lucky stars for Czechoslovakia.

Czechoslovak State Film

Sticking with Czech puppetry, *The Good Soldier Schweik *is something of a national mascot over there. (You may see renderings of the wide-eyed soldier with a kind heart at local pubs. Imagine if Ziggy were in the army.) There have been many adaptations of the story, which ultimately champions pacifism despite its title, but director Jiří Trnka's 1954 animated version is the most impressive. It combines 2D wood carvings with tiny wooden figures and plenty of slapstick humor.

Isle of Dogs (2018)

A loyal pilot and five mighty dogs in 'Isle of Dogs'.

Fox Searchlight

Wes Anderson’s second stop-motion feature is just as impressive — once again overwhelming in its texture, with every bit of fur handmade. Anderson’s symmetrical framing and exaggerated colors showcase his trademark precision.

As with the rest of the director’s work, it balances melancholy with optimism, and also pays homage to the filmmaking techniques of Japanese greats like Yasujirō Ozu. The impressive voice cast includes Bill Murray, Edward Norton, and Bryan Cranston, and, yes, the title is a pun if you say it fast enough. (Aha!) Though it is, indeed, about an island run by dogs.

Junk Head (2017)

Our protagonist got himself bisected, joining the tradition of the Black Knight and Bishop from 'Aliens'.

The feature-length *Junk Head *is essentially the work of one person. Takahide Hori wrote, directed, animated, edited, and voiced much of the film himself. It reportedly took him years to complete, which isn’t surprising considering the level of detail. The story follows a human explorer entering an underground realm of constructed sentient beings in a future where humanity faces extinction. It blends frightening dystopian imagery with absurd humor, and even an invented language. The self-funded project is part of a planned trilogy, but don’t expect the follow-ups any time soon.

Kubo and the Two Strings (2016)

Kubo and Beetle (voiced by Matthew McConaughey) set off to take out Ralph Fiennes and two Rooney Maras. Laika Studios/Focus Features

A Laika project directed by company CEO Travis Knight, *Kubo and the Two Strings *is set in feudal Japan and follows a young boy who uses a string instrument as a magical weapon. The film’s look is inspired by ink wash paintings and wood blocks, moving fluidly between different visual idioms. The most dazzling moment comes when our young hero uses his magical powers to bring a small army of paper warriors to life. The film is also a nice introduction of Eastern religious beliefs for a Western audience.

Mad God (2021)

One of literally thousands of magnificent frames from Phil Tippett's 30-year passion project.

Another dark, surreal dystopia, *Mad God *is a passion project from special effects legend Phil Tippett, the man responsible for some of the outstanding miniature and visual effects work in *RoboCop *(1987), *Jurassic Park *(1993), and *The Empire Strikes Back *(1981). The film took 30 years to make, as he basically worked on it from home on his own time. The nearly dialogue-free story revels in grotesque creatures and nightmarish vignettes in an underworld setting. It may not have the most enthralling plot, but its style and independent spirit are mesmerizing.

Marcel the Shell With Shoes On (2021)

Marcel simply cannot miss an episode of '60 Minutes'.

This cutesy li’l feature, an expansion of shorts made by Dean Fleischer Camp and Jenny Slate, fuses live action and stop motion to tell the story about a one-inch living seashell and its friend, a ball of lint. While there is no shortage of visual gags that play around with a mockumentary style, the movie ultimately reveals itself as an adventure about taking risks and the universal drive to ask questions and explore. There’s also a weird bit about stanning *60 Minutes* reporter Lesley Stahl.

Mary and Max (2009)

Mary, covered in her own stamp collection, in 'Mary and Max'.

Icon Entertainment International

*Mary and Max* was Adam Elliot’s first claymation feature film, made a few years after his *Harvie Krumpet *won the Oscar for Best Animated Short. This story was inspired by real-life pen-pal correspondence between Mary, a lonely Australian girl, and Max, an overweight New Yorker on the autism spectrum.

There’s a frank sadness to nearly every scene, but also a tenderness and warmth between these two unlikely friends. There are also scenes of great slapstick, like when Max (voiced by Philip Seymour Hoffman) tries to bake himself a birthday cake, which goes extremely poorly.

Memoir of a Snail (2024)

She either has a really quirky hat or is doing very obvious espionage work.

This R-rated, Oscar-nominated effort from Australia follows the tragic misadventures of a twin brother and sister growing up with their drunken, paraplegic father in 1970s Melbourne. When their father dies of sleep apnea, the kids are separated — she heads to Canberra and is raised by swingers, he winds up on a religious farm.

Once again, Adam Elliot balances deep cynicism with wonderment in the challenging and funny film, with a great many unexpected twists. The voice cast is a murderer's row of famous Australians, including Sarah Snook, Eric Bana, and Nick Cave.

My Life as a Zucchini (2016)

Don't worry, he does not turn into a vegetable, 'Zucchini' is just a nickname.

This Franco-Swiss film from director Claude Barras deploys tenderly expressive puppets to tell the story of a boy placed in an orphanage after inadvertently killing his alcoholic mother. (It’s complicated.) At first, life there is rather tough, but in time he makes connections with other troubled kids — and the police officer who placed him there.

The screenplay, cowritten by Céline Sciamma (*Portrait of a Lady on Fire*), nicely balances dark humor and sincerity. (The kid, for example, keeps an old beer can around to remind him of his mother.)

The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

You wouldn't know it from Dr. Finkelstein's work, but this is a joyful Christmas movie.

“What’s this? What’s this?” Few films become an instant classic quite the way this one did. Produced by Tim Burton and based on a short poem he wrote, the film was actually directed by Henry Selick, even though Disney branded it as *Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas*, which still annoys Selick.

Nevertheless, this magnificent look at how “Halloween Town” adapts to the concept of Christmas has tickled the imagination for decades, leading to many great Halloween costumes and singalongs.

ParaNorman (2012)

Laika does John Carpenter proud in 'ParaNorman'.

Focus Features/courtesy Everett Collection

Another home run from Laika, *ParaNorman* is about an 11-year-old boy who, much to his chagrin, can communicate with the spirit world. This causes him no end of trouble at school, but it suddenly becomes useful when it's up to him to protect his hometown from a witch's curse. The film was a box office success and was also notable for featuring a casually gay character in a family film — a quietly groundbreaking choice in 2012. The animation is more spooky than scary, but it's full of terrific creature designs and visual effects.

The Pied Piper (1986)

As this list proves, Czech animation is on a whole other level.

Here’s yet another Czech masterpiece, this time from director Jiří Barta, adapting the folk tale of *The Pied Piper of Hamlin*. The film uses carved wooden figurines and borrows heavily from medieval art and German expressionist cinema, giving the production a unique visual style. As with many Czech films on this list, it walks the line between kid-friendly and super dark, which is probably more in keeping with actual fairy tales than the versions Hollywood usually offers. The best scene is likely when the swarm of rats first comes to town, played up for maximum creepiness.

A Town Called Panic (2009)

What, you DON'T let your horse take a shower in your normal human bathroom? Rude.

Brain Dead Studios

One of the more madcap titles on this list, *A Town Called Panic*, from Belgian directors Stéphane Aubier and Vincent Patar, is wall-to-wall sight gags and surrealist moments. The animation is deliberately crude, meant to evoke the imagination of a kid hyped up on sugar. A cowboy, Native American, and a horse romp around through various zany setbacks and misunderstandings in classic sitcom form. Shenanigans include an accidental delivery of millions of bricks, a visit to an underworld realm, and an aquatic adventure.

Toys in the Attic (2009)

Not gonna lie, a teddy bear that looks like that would not be a comfort to a typical child.

From *The Pied Piper*’s Jiří Barta comes this absolutely gorgeously detailed look at a group of toys and other objects that come to life when no one is looking. Yes, this sounds an awful lot like *Toy Story*, and while Pixar movies absolutely have their place, the handcrafted care of each shot of Barta’s stop-motion film puts it in a whole other category.

There are also too many shots of rotten food and gross insects for it to be completely kid-friendly. Additionally, there are elements of claymation and traditional illustrations thrown in, because with great art there are no rules.

The Wolf House (2018)

Do not show this one to your kids unless they're really into dark political allegory for some reason.

This Spanish-language film is, along with *Mad God*, one of the few genuinely terrifying entries on this list. It’s loosely based on an actual Chilean colony where German expatriates tortured prisoners at the behest of General Pinochet. The story is told allegorically through the eyes of a young girl who witnesses pigs transforming into people. Directors Cristobal Léon and Joaquin Cociña used papier-mâché, charcoal, tape, moving miniature wall art, and other mixed media in lieu of traditional puppets. The film has a very avant-garde style, with images melting into one another to to give the horrific tale a hazy, dreamlike logic.

***Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our EW Dispatch newsletter.***

The Wrong Trousers (1993)

One frame from genuinely one of the best action sequences ever filmed.

Wallace & Gromit/YouTube

We wouldn’t dream of concluding this list without including Aardman’s Wallace and Gromit, arguably the most famous claymation figures of modern times. *The Wrong Trousers* was the second short film starring the British cheese-loving gentleman and his loyal beagle.

The Academy Award-winning film, directed by Nick Park, involves a mechanical pair of pants, an annoying penguin, and a surprisingly tense action sequence on a model train set. It can never be emphasized enough how adorable Gromit is, and that middle-aged men in England all eventually become like Wallace.

- Movie Reviews & Recommendations

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&34;My understanding is that these myths should be changing,&34; Helen Slater said. Original '80s Supergirl star weighs in on Milly Alcock's version of the DC character &34;My understanding is that these myths should be changing,&34; Helen Slater said. By Wesley Stenzel :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/WesleyStenzelauthorphoto32b61793a2784639af623f2ae091477e.jpg) Wesley Stenzel Wesley Stenzel is a news writer at . He began writing for EW in 2022. EW's editorial guidelines July 1, 2026 5:20 p.m.

"My understanding is that these myths should be changing," Helen Slater said.

Original '80s Supergirl star weighs in on Milly Alcock's version of the DC character

"My understanding is that these myths should be changing," Helen Slater said.

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Helen Slater in 'Supergirl'; Milly Alcock in 'Supergirl'. Credit:

Stanley Bielecki Movie Collection/Getty; Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures

- Helen Slater, who played Supergirl in 1984's *Supergirl*, shared her opinion on the new *Supergirl* movie starring Milly Alcock.

- Slater said she thinks that superhero "myths should be changing": "We want reinterpretations."

- The actress also recalled filming a cameo for 2023's *The Flash*.

Helen Slater is sharing her two cents on the latest version of *Supergirl*.

The actress, who made her film debut as Kara Zor-El in 1984's *Supergirl*, discussed Craig Gillespie's new movie about the DC hero starring Milly Alcock.

"I loved the new *Supergirl* film," Slater told* THR*. "I thought Milly Alcock was astonishing — fierce, strong and great comic timing!"

Milly Alcock in 'Supergirl'.

Slater had no qualms about the character being reimagined for the new movie. "My understanding is that these myths should be changing," she said. "We want reinterpretations. That keeps it alive and keeps it going. It echoes what's happening in the culture right now. It's fun that it evolves and keeps developing."

Slater's *Supergirl* movie served as a spinoff of the '70s and '80s *Superman* series starring Christopher Reeve as the Man of Steel. Though Reeve himself didn't appear in the film, Marc McClure did reprise his role as Jimmy Olsen from the *Superman* movies — and Slater still connected with Reeve off-screen.

Helen Slater in Los Angeles on Dec. 9, 2023.

Araya Doheny/Getty

"I became friends with him, and he was just the loveliest person on the planet," the actress said of the *Somewhere in Time* actor, who died in 2004. "There was no ill will or strangeness — just sweet, very protective, mentor-y kind of person for me."

Reeve and Slater eventually shared the screen — kind of — in 2023's *The Flash*, which featured a number of cameos from previous superhero actors as multiple DC universes begin to collide. Though many assumed that Slater's appearance was CGI, the actress said that she actually filmed new material for the cameo.

How 'Supergirl' star Milly Alcock embraced the DC heroine's darker edge

How David Corenswet's Superman factors into the 'Supergirl' movie

"I was in this very wild machine with 600 eyes around it," she said. "But they could have just put a Barbie doll in because I'm de-aged so much. They were so kind to fly me out to London, but I don't know that they needed to."

Slater also said that she "loved" *The Flash* and that she had a positive experience with its star, Ezra Miller. "Ezra was so lovely and knew about my graduate work in mythology and wanted to talk about that," she recalled.

*The Flash* wasn't Slater's first return to the DC multiverse. The actress previously voiced Talia al Ghul on four episodes of *Batman: The Animated Series* in the 1990s, and later returned to her Kryptonian roots when she portrayed Lara-El, the biological mother of Superman, on three episodes of *Smallville* between 2007 and 2010.

***Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our EW Dispatch newsletter.***

Slater also played Eliza Danvers, the foster mother of Melissa Benoist's Supergirl, on the CBS/CW series *Supergirl* from 2015 to 2021. During that same period, she voiced Martha Kent, the adoptive mother of Superman, in the animated TV movie *DC Super Hero Girls: Super Hero High* in 2016.

- Film Worlds & Fandoms

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The beloved actor had a recurring gueststar role on the series. Legally Blonde prequel Elle pays tribute to late star James Van Der Beek The beloved actor had a recurring gueststar role on the series. By Samantha Highfill :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/SamanthaHighfillauthorphoto0917254112e875604542d49744a27de908d183.jpg) Samantha Highfill Samantha Highfill is an executive editor at , where she's worked for more than 12 years covering television. EW's editorial guidelines July 1, 2026 12:00 p.m.

The beloved actor had a recurring guest-star role on the series.

Legally Blonde prequel* Elle* pays tribute to late star James Van Der Beek

The beloved actor had a recurring guest-star role on the series.

By Samantha Highfill

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James Van Der Beek as Dean Wilson on 'Elle'. Credit:

Kimberley French/Prime Video

- *Legally Blonde* prequel *Elle *is paying tribute to one of its stars.

- The new Prime Video series dedicates an episode to James Van Der Beek.

- Van Der Beek, who died in February, plays superintendent Dean Wilson on the show.

**This post contains spoilers from season 1 of *Elle*.**

The *Elle* team is paying tribute to one of its own.

The *Legally Blonde* prequel series, which follows a teenage Elle Woods (Lexi Minetree) as she navigates life in Seattle, dropped its first season on Prime Video, and it features a special dedication. Specifically, the show's third episode is dedicated to late star James Van Der Beek, who plays superintendent Dean Wilson.

When Elle's father moves her family from sunny Los Angeles to not-so-sunny Seattle, she struggles to fit in — as does her mother, Eva (June Diane Raphael). But there's at least one smiling face to greet the family, and it belongs to beloved local Dean Wilson, who just so happens to be running for mayor. Dean quickly sees potential in Eva's knowledge and asks her to join his campaign.

June Diane Raphael as Eva and James Van Der Beek as Dean on 'Elle'.

Kimberley French/Prime Video

*Elle* is one of Van Der Beek's final projects. The actor was able to finish filming on the series before his death in February of 2026 from colorectal cancer. At the time of his death, *Elle* executive producer Reese Witherspoon posted on social media, saying, "Devastated to hear about James Van Der Beek. What an extraordinary, talented man who also showed great kindness and grace in every action. Praying all the angels watch over his family during this difficult time."

Celebrity deaths 2026: Remembering the stars who died this year

Reese Witherspoon gets emotional as 'Legally Blonde' cast reunites ahead of 'Elle' prequel series

***Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our EW Dispatch newsletter.***

Although Van Der Beek is remembered for many projects over his 30-plus-year career, *Elle *wants to make sure it's counted as one of them.

*Elle* is now streaming on Prime Video.

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&34;I think people now look at this and think maybe nine years has been enough,&34; the actor said. Kevin Spacey feels 'much more welcomed' in Hollywood after outlasting sexual assault allegations &34;I think people now look at this and think maybe nine years has been enough,&34; the actor said. By Marina Watts Marina Watts Marina Watts is a news writer for with seven years experience covering entertainment, pop culture and celebrity news. Her previous work appears in PEOPLE, Bustle and Newsweek. EW's editorial guidelines June 29, 2026 2:15 p.m.

"I think people now look at this and think maybe nine years has been enough," the actor said.

Kevin Spacey feels 'much more welcomed' in Hollywood after outlasting sexual assault allegations

"I think people now look at this and think maybe nine years has been enough," the actor said.

By Marina Watts

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Marina Watts is a news writer for with seven years experience covering entertainment, pop culture and celebrity news. Her previous work appears in PEOPLE, Bustle and Newsweek.

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Kevin Spacey in Milan in June 2025. Credit:

Rosdiana Ciaravolo/Getty

- Kevin Spacey revealed he is starting to feel "much more welcomed" in Hollywood years after sexual assault allegations came to light.

- "I think that things are moving in the the direction that we we hope they're moving in," Spacey told Bill Maher on his podcast *Club Random*.

- The disgraced actor has been accused of sexual assault by over a dozen men.

Kevin Spacey is opening up about his relationship with Hollywood.

The *House of Cards** *actor admitted he feels "less in" show business "jail" than he once did while reflecting on the time that has passed since sexual misconduct allegations from over a dozen men began to surface amid the #MeToo movement in 2017.

"I know, as you said, you didn't really pay attention to the details and I know most people don't, but I think when people actually start to hear the facts, understand what we've won in courts, I think people now look at this and think maybe nine years has been enough," Spacey said on the Monday episode of *Club Random With Bill Maher*.

Most recently, following a hail of accusations and court cases, Spacey reached a settlement with three sexual assault accusers in March before a civil trial in London planned for later this year. The alleged assaults occurred between 2000 and 2013.

Spacey at the Venice International Film Festival in August 2025.

Laurent KOFFEL/Gamma-Rapho via Getty

Spacey contrasted his situation to that of a professional athlete, saying he would have "been benched for seven games."

"I believe we're at a point now where people are now beginning to look at what actually happened. And I feel much more welcomed and I think that things are moving in the direction that we we hope they're moving in."

Spacey mentioned he didn't go out in public in 2018, and when he did he wore a mask because he "didn't want to be seen." He then underwent "enormous amounts of therapy" and backpacked through Europe for six months in 2019. "That was when I was able to without a hat, without glasses, without hiding in any way, just go out into the world," he admitted.

9 actors who were written off TV shows amid behind-the-scenes controversy

Brian Cox says Kevin Spacey shouldn't be 'punished endlessly' by Hollywood

The disgraced actor was stopped many times while abroad "by people who were so generous and so happy to see me." Spacey said they asked him when he would return to work in Hollywood. "I know there's people online that that say nasty things, but I've not met one of them in real life."

In October 2017, sexual misconduct allegations surfaced involving the Oscar winner from actor Anthony Rapp dating back to 1986. Rapp was 14 at the time of the alleged incident, and Spacey was 26.

In response, Spacey posted on social media, "I honestly do not remember the encounter, it would have been over 30 years ago. But if I did behave as he describes, I owe him the sincerest apology for what would have been deeply inappropriate drunken behavior, and I am sorry for the feelings he describes having carried with him all these years." The actor also came out as gay in response to the allegations.

***Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our ******EW Dispatch newsletter******.***

Spacey was subsequently dropped from *All The Money In The World*, which was already filmed, and replaced by Christopher Plummer with reshoots of Spacey's scenes. Plummer wound up getting an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his role.

In 2020, Rapp and another man sued Spacey for sexual assault in the 1980s. Spacey was found not liable for battery against Rapp by a jury in October 2022 after a three-week trial in New York.

Spacey at the amfAR Gala Cannes in May 2025.

Pascal Le Segretain/amfAR/Getty

There is some evidence of Spacey feeling "welcomed" back in the show business world, where celebrities have spoken out in his favor. In May 2024, Liam Neeson, Sharon Stone, F. Murray Abraham, and Stephen Fry voiced their support for him in statements shared with *The Telegraph*.

Months later, Brian Cox told *The Hollywood Reporter** *in December 2024 that Spacey had been punished enough. "Maybe he got too out of hand, but I don’t think he should be punished endlessly for it," he said.

"There should be a case of forgive and forget. Let’s move on. I think he should be given the opportunity to come back to work."

In 2025, Spacey was the guest of honor at the Better World Fund's gala dinner during the Cannes Film Festival, where he was recognized with the lifetime achievement award for "excellence in film and television."

- Celebrities & Creators

- Celebrity Lawsuits & Legal Troubles

Original Article on Source

Source: "EW Celebrity"

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Source: Celebrity

Published: July 1, 2026 at 09:38AM on Source: PRIME TIME

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Kevin Spacey feels 'much more welcomed' in Hollywood after outlasting sexual assault allegations

&34;I think people now look at this and think maybe nine years has been enough,&34; the actor said. Kevin Spacey feels 'm...

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Start streaming for a mood enhancer. The 18 best happy movies on Netflix that’ll inspire a smile Start streaming for a mood enhancer. By Ilana Gordon :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/ILANAGORDONHEADSHOT80577598f8ed442cacff5de184ceb9f5.jpg) Ilana Gordon is an entertainment, culture, and comedy writer originally from Connecticut. She currently lives in Los Angeles. EW's editorial guidelines and Andrew Walsh on July 1, 2026 6:16 a.m. ET :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/BestHappyMoviesonNetflix0626263af9baa7eadc4d73a1e1e02386da2fe5.

Start streaming for a mood enhancer.

The 18 best happy movies on Netflix that’ll inspire a smile

Start streaming for a mood enhancer.

By Ilana Gordon

Ilana Gordon is an entertainment, culture, and comedy writer originally from Connecticut. She currently lives in Los Angeles.

EW's editorial guidelines

and Andrew Walsh

on July 1, 2026 6:16 a.m. ET

Sean Astin as Daniel 'Rudy' Ruettiger in 'Rudy'; Will Harris (voice: Caleb McLaughlin) in 'GOAT'; Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka in 'Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory'. Credit:

TriStar Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection; Sony Pictures Animation; Silver Screen Collection/Hulton Archive/Getty

Cue the happy chemicals: Netflix just performed its monthly inventory restock and filled its digital shelves with options sure to brighten your mood. Among this month's highlights: Engage your youthful fantasies with *13 Going on 30** *(2004) and *Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory** *(1971), two films about childhood wishes coming true, to unexpected results. Plus, the World Cup wraps up halfway through July, but you can fill the void with a viewing of the uplifting sports drama *Rudy* (1993).

A happiness infusion awaits: here are 's 18 picks for the happiest movies currently streaming on Netflix.**

13 Going on 30 (2004)

Mark Ruffalo as Matt Flamhaff and Jennifer Garner as Jenna Rink in '13 Going on 30'.

Melinda Sue Gordon/Columbia Pictures

Jennifer Garner launches a full-scale charm offensive in *13 Going on 30*, a fantasy romantic comedy about Jenna Rink, a 13-year-old who wishes to be grown up after a disastrous birthday party. A cross between *Big* (1988) and *The Devil Wears Prada *(2006), the film follows Jenna from her childhood home to her New York City luxury apartment and dream job at a magazine.

As the teen in a 30-year-old’s body attempts to understand what has happened to her in the last 17 years, she must confront whether growing up was everything she had hoped for. One of the purest and most rewatchable rom-coms from the early aughts, *13 Going on 30* represents some of the best the genre has to offer, and is a joy to watch at any age. *—Ilana Gordon*

Where to watch *13 Going on 30*: Netflix

**EW grade:** A–

**Director: **Gary Winick

**Cast: **Jennifer Garner, Mark Ruffalo, Judy Greer, Andy Serkis

Always Be My Maybe (2019)

Ali Wong as Sasha Tran and Randall Park as Marcus Kim in 'Always Be My Baby'. Ed Araquel/Netflix

Sasha Tran (Ali Wong) and Marcus Kim (Randall Park) were best friends–turned–high school sweethearts who, after a post-coital fight, lost contact for 16 years. When Sasha makes a triumphant return to San Francisco as a big-time chef, she and Marcus, who is not doing quite as well, find themselves nursing old grudges and long-dormant feelings. EW praises the stars' effortless chemistry, writing, “the bond between them is one of the many elements that make the film feel authentic, sweet, and wildly funny.” *—Andrew Walsh*

Where to watch *Always Be My Maybe*: Netflix

**EW grade: **B

**Director: **Nahnatchka Khan

**Cast: **Ali Wong, Randall Park, James Saito, Michelle Buteau, Daniel Dae Kim

Chef (2014)

Emjay Anthony as Percy Casper and Jon Favreau as Carl Casper in 'Chef'.

Director Jon Favreau was coming off a string of big-budget action movies (2008's *Iron Man*, 2011's *Cowboys & Aliens*) when he released *Chef*. A cinematic 180, this road dramedy tells the story of a celebrity chef (Favreau) who gets fired from his high-profile job at a Los Angeles restaurant, only to rediscover his love of cooking by opening a food truck.

The film was inspired by the success of Roy Choi's Kogi Korean BBQ truck in 2008, and the script is reflective of the 2014 social media culture into which it was born. (One of the major plot points involves a viral Twitter beef with a food critic.) A charming comedy, *Chef* is Favreau’s return to more intimate filmmaking after his Marvel success. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Chef*: Netflix

**Director: **Jon Favreau

**Cast: **Jon Favreau, Sofía Vergara, John Leguizamo, Scarlett Johansson, Dustin Hoffman

Dumplin' (2018)

Jennifer Aniston as Rosie Dickson in 'Dumplin''. Netflix

A coming-of-age Southern charmer imbued with the soul of Dolly Parton, *Dumplin’ *is the story of Willowdean Dickson (Danielle Macdonald), a teenager who enters a local pageant overseen by her mom as an act of protest. When Willowdean’s rebellion spurs other misfits to sign up for the pageant, too, she struggles to manage the relationships in her personal life, especially with her semi-estranged mother, Rosie (Jennifer Aniston).

Parton wrote 12 new songs for the movie, filled with mantras, melodies, and the motivation to just be yourself. EW’s critic writes, “Like a pillow cross-stitched with sassy aphorisms, *Dumplin’ *is kitschy and squishy and, if you let yourself, pretty sweet to sink into.” *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Dumplin'*: Netflix

**EW grade:** B

**Director:** Anne Fletcher

**Cast:** Danielle Macdonald, Jennifer Aniston, Odeya Rush, Maddie Baillio, Bex Taylor-Klaus

Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga (2020)

Will Ferrell as Lars Erickssong and Rachel McAdams as Sigrit Ericksdóttir in 'Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga'.

John Wilson/Netflix

Icelandic musicians Lars Erickssong (Will Ferrell) and Sigrit Ericksdóttir (Rachel McAdams) are lifelong friends and not-yet-sweethearts who dream of winning the Eurovision Song Contest. Despite disapproval from their parents, their town, and the local Eurovision selection committee, the duo dubbed “Fire Saga” refuses to let anything stop them from achieving their goal of songwriting immortality — including their romantic feelings for each other.

Underneath all the spandex and over-the-top production numbers is a sincere film that cares as much about sharing the joy of music as satirizing its ostentatious performance. *—A.W.*

Where to watch *Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga*: Netflix

**Director: **David Dobkin

**Cast: **Will Ferrell, Rachel McAdams, Dan Stevens, Pierce Brosnan

GOAT (2026)

Modo (voice: Nick Kroll), Lenny (voice: Stephen Curry), Will (voice: Caleb McLaughlin), Olivia (voice: Nicola Coughlan), Jett (voice: Gabrielle Union), and Archie (voice: David Harbour) in 'GOAT'.

Sony Pictures Animation

Steph Curry produces and makes his feature film debut in *GOAT*, the animated sports comedy about a small animal who dreams of becoming a professional athlete and competing with the fiercest predators. Caleb McLaughlin (*Stranger Things*) voices Will Harris, an undersized 16-year-old goat who wants to become the greatest of all time at roarball — an all-gender contact sport that infuses basketball with MMA-style fighting, held in the most dangerous stadium. When Will gets a chance to play in the pros for his favorite team, the Thorns, he jumps at the shot. But once in uniform, he feuds with his roarball idol and current face of the Thorns, black panther Jett Fillmore (Gabrielle Union). Think a funnier version of *Rudy *(1993), but with anthropomorphized creatures. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *GOAT*: Netflix

**Director: **Tyree Dillihay

**Cast: **Caleb McLaughlin, Stephen Curry, Gabrielle Union, Nicola Coughlan, David Harbour

The Greatest Night in Pop (2024)

Recording artists in 'The Greatest Night in Pop'.

Courtesy of Netflix

The ‘80s were a different time, man. Back then, you could convince 45 of the world’s biggest artists to spend one night recording a song, with all sales intended to help fight famine in Africa. The song — “We Are the World,” co-written by Lionel Richie and Michael Jackson — facilitated one of the largest and most successful charitable collaborations in music history, and the story of how that one night came to pass makes for a pretty great documentary.

Narrated by the living artists who participated, the film is a shining example of what can happen when celebrities combine their platforms for good, and its relevance is particularly strong today. Littered with pop culture anecdotes and music history, *The Greatest Night in Pop *is a lovely reminder of the healing power of music and a moving tribute to the artists involved who have since died. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *The Greatest Night in Pop*: Netflix

**Director: **Bao Nguyen

**Cast: **Lionel Richie, Cyndi Lauper, Bruce Springsteen, Kenny Loggins, Huey Lewis

Klaus (2019)

Jesper (voice: Jason Schwartzman) and Klaus (voice: J.K. Simmons) in 'Klaus'.

Netflix/Everett

*Klaus* is a Santa Claus origin story that’s enjoyable any time of the year. Starring Oscar winner J.K. Simmons as the film’s eponymous hero, *Klaus *tells the tale of a widowed Norwegian woodsman who is recruited by the town’s new postman, Jesper* *(Jason Schwartzman), to make toys for him to deliver in an effort to prove his postmaster general father wrong. But when Klaus’ toys begin to cheer up the children of Smeerensburg — a town whose inhabitants are perpetually engaged in a feud between two familial clans — Jesper and Klaus must step out of their comfort zones to help save the town from itself. *Klaus* isn’t just another feel-good film; it’s also a film that looks great. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Klaus*: Netflix

**Director:** Sergio Pablos

**Cast: **Jason Schwartzman, J.K. Simmons, Rashida Jones, Will Sasso, Neda Margrethe Labba**

The 50 best high school movies of all time, for every mood and genre

Ranking the 11 best Adam Sandler movies, from highbrow must-sees to lowbrow classics

Matilda (1996)

Mara Wilson as Matilda Wormwood in 'Matilda'.

Before Danny DeVito was Frank in *It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia*, he directed and starred in one of the best adaptations of Roald Dahl’s work: *Matilda*. A movie about a prodigious 6-year-old who develops telekinetic abilities to deal with the bullying she experiences from the adults in her life, *Matilda* was not a box office success, but it is a millennial cult classic.

Like much of Dahl’s work, *Matilda* is ultimately the story of a brilliant child attempting to police the unstable adults around her. But DeVito’s direction — coupled with excellent casting and performances — finds whimsy, comedy, and connection amidst all the abuse and special abilities. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Matilda*: Netflix

**EW grade:** B

**Director: **Danny DeVito

**Cast:** Mara Wilson, Danny DeVito, Rhea Perlman, Embeth Davidtz, Pam Ferris

Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris (2022)

Lesley Manville as Ada Harris and Lucas Bravo as André Fauvel in 'Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris'. Everett Collection

*Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris* is a charming underdog story about Ada Harris (Lesley Manville), a 1950s English house cleaner who receives a war widow’s pension, and uses it to travel to Paris to splurge on a couture Dior gown. As sweet and soothing as a cup of tea, this historical dramedy was adapted from a 1958 novel that was previously adapted into a 1992 TV movie starring Angela Lansbury in the titular role.

Manville is adorable and determined as Ada, a woman accustomed to sacrificing and serving, who finally decides to acknowledge her own dreams and treat herself. While the plot can be mistaken as off-the-rack for the genre, there’s something special about seeing a wearable work of art being made specifically for someone so used to putting others first. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris*: Netflix

**Director:** Anthony Fabian

**Cast: **Lesley Manville, Isabelle Huppert, Lambert Wilson, Alba Baptista, Lucas Bravo

Muriel's Wedding (1994)

Toni Collette as Muriel Heslop and Bill Hunter as Bill Heslop in 'Muriel's Wedding'.

Ciby 2000/The Kobal Collection/Everett

Landing more on the dramedy end of the comedic spectrum, *Muriel’s Wedding* is an Australian export that stars actress Toni Collette in her breakout role as Muriel Heslop, a geeky, wedding-obsessed 22-year-old who dreams of a brighter future than her small beach town can offer. After being tormented and bullied by her high school friends and overbearing father, Muriel moves to Sydney and enters into a marriage of convenience with an athlete. But when her bridal era fails to transform her circumstances, Muriel must confront reality and discover her true happily ever after. Featuring a soundtrack that leans heavily on ABBA songs, this comedy is affectionate, quirky, and surprisingly poignant. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Muriel's Wedding*: Netflix

**EW grade:** A–

**Director:** P.J. Hogan

**Cast:** Toni Collette, Bill Hunter, Rachel Griffiths

My Octopus Teacher (2020)

Craig Foster with an octopus in 'My Octopus Teacher'.

*My Octopus Teacher *is an Oscar-winning documentary that chronicles South African free-diver Craig Foster’s bond with an octopus he discovers while on an underwater expedition. As he observes the creature’s life, playfulness, and harrowing encounters with predators, he notices changes in his approach to his own life and relationships out of the water. Filled with gorgeous, entrancing cinematography, this true story of an unlikely friendship inspires wonder about the natural world and our place in it. *—A.W.*

Where to watch *My Octopus Teacher*: Netflix

**Directors: **James Reed, Pippa Ehrlich

**Cast: **Craig Foster

Nimona (2023)

Nimona (voice: Chloë Grace Moretz) in 'Nimona'. Netflix

Shape-shifting troublemaker Nimona (Chloë Grace Moretz) aspires to be the villainous sidekick to the Queen’s would-be assassin, Ballister Boldheart (Riz Ahmed), despite the latter's protests that it was a frame-up. As the unlikely pair of outcasts team up, the kingdom’s ancient history and modern politics throw unexpected wrinkles into their quest to clear Ballister’s name.

We expect animated family adventures like this to be uplifting and heartfelt, but *Nimona *ups the ante with its explorations of chosen families, queer identity, self-expression, and its complex but inspiring understanding of heroism. *—A.W.*

Where to watch *Nimona*: Netflix

**EW grade: **B+

**Directors: **Troy Quane, Nick Bruno

**Cast: **Chloë Grace Moretz, Riz Ahmed, Eugene Lee Yang, Frances Conroy, Lorraine Toussaint

Paddington in Peru (2024)

Paddington Bear (voice: Ben Whishaw) in 'Paddington in Peru'.

Britain’s fuzziest marmalade enthusiast is back for his third adventure, and this time he’s headed home to the jungle. After learning that the bear who raised him after his parents died has gone missing, Paddington convinces his adoptive family to join him on a quest to Darkest Peru to find and rescue his Aunt Lucy.

Of course, nothing on a quest is ever as it seems, and Paddington and the Brown family must contend with gold hunters and scheming villains on their journey. In times of great stress, there’s nothing quite like turning on a *Paddington* movie and setting off on a well-mannered adventure. *Paddington in Peru* doesn’t reinvent the franchise, but it does not disappoint. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Paddington in Peru*: Netflix

**Director: **Dougal Wilson

**Cast:** Ben Whishaw, Hugh Bonneville, Emily Mortimer, Julie Walters, Jim Broadbent

Remarkably Bright Creatures (2026)

Lewis Pullman as Cameron and Sally Field as Tova in 'Remarkably Bright Creatures'.

Courtesy of Netflix

If octopuses are on the brain after watching *My Octopus Teacher*, consider *Remarkably Bright Creatures* as a companion piece. The mystery casts Sally Field as Tova, a grieving cleaning woman living in Washington, who befriends an aging octopus named Marcellus (voiced by Alfred Molina) at the aquarium where she works. When an accident forces Tova to take time off, she forges a bond with Cameron (Lewis Pullman), the young musician hired to replace her. The film is adapted from the 2022 bestselling novel by Shelby Van Pelt, and tells a life-affirming story of grief and unlikely friendships — human and otherwise. Octopuses don't live long, but this Netflix Original is likely to endure. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Remarkably Bright Creatures*: Netflix

**Director: **Olivia Newman

**Cast:** Sally Field, Lewis Pullman, Joan Chen, Kathy Baker, Beth Grant

Rudy (1993)

Sean Astin as Daniel 'Rudy' Ruettige in 'Rudy'. Van Redin/Sony

Nearly a decade before Sean Astin first showed his heart as Samwise Gamgee in *The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring *(2001), he bared his soul on the field as the title character of David Anspaugh's *Rudy*. Inspired by a true story, this sports drama follows a young man who is determined to play football for Notre Dame — in spite of his small stature, poor grades, and lack of athletic abilities. Daniel "Rudy" Ruettiger is the perfect Astin character, a "5 foot nothing" kid from Joliet, Ill., hellbent on willing his dream into existence, and Angelo Pizzo's script can be counted on to score an emotional touchdown with viewers. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Rudy*: Netflix

**Director: **David Anspaugh

**Cast:** Sean Astin, Ned Beatty, Charles S. Dutton, Lili Taylor, Robert Prosky

Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl (2024)

Gromit, Norbot (voice: Reece Shearsmith), and Wallace (voice: Ben Whitehead) in 'Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl'.

England’s most beloved national treasures aren’t all locked away in the British Museum: some are streaming on Netflix. Wallace & Gromit, the U.K.’s favorite stop motion claymation duo, return in their second feature-length film, *Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl.*

Released 19 years after the franchise’s first feature (*The Curse of the Were-Rabbit*, 2005), *Vengeance Most Fowl *is a follow-up to the 1993 short, *The Wrong Pants*, and joins the eccentric inventor and his loyal beagle as they confront the modern world. After Wallace invents a robotic garden gnome — which is later hacked by Feathers McGraw, a criminal penguin seeking revenge — the pair must fight to save themselves from the dangers of technology. It's comfort comedy at its finest. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl*: Netflix

**Directors: **Nick Park, Merlin Crossingham

**Cast: **Ben Whitehead, Peter Kay, Lauren Patel, Reece Shearsmith

Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)

Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka in 'Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory'.

Silver Screen Collection/Getty

Before there was *Charlie and the Chocolate Factory* (2005) and *Wonka* (2023), there was 1971’s *Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory*. Based on the acclaimed children’s book by Roald Dahl — who also wrote the screenplay for the film — *Willy Wonka* tells the story of an eccentric chocolatier (as played by Gene Wilder) who orchestrates a contest to help him select a child to carry on his candy-making empire. Fantastical, whimsical, funny, and scary, the film was nominated for an Oscar for Best Music for its score, which included the debut of the song “The Candy Man.”* —I.G.*

Where to watch *Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory*: Netflix

**Director: **Mel Stuart

**Cast: **Gene Wilder, Jack Albertson, Peter Ostrum, Roy Kinnear

- Movie Reviews & Recommendations

Original Article on Source

Source: "EW Movie"

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Source: Movie

Published: July 1, 2026 at 06:38AM on Source: PRIME TIME

#ShowBiz#Sports#Celebrities#Lifestyle

byPrime Sky

in

July 01, 2026

The 18 best happy movies on Netflix that’ll inspire a smile

Start streaming for a mood enhancer. The 18 best happy movies on Netflix that’ll inspire a smile Start streaming for a mood enhan...

Read More