The release of Game of Thrones spinoff and The Hedge Knight adaptation A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms has been delayed until 2026.
Per Variety, Warner Bros. Discovery revealed that the show’s 2025 release date has been pushed to next year as part of its Upfront showcase in New York today. The announcement arrived toward the end of a new trailer which has yet to be made available to the public, so while the latest Game of Thrones series is making progress, it will remain in the oven a little longer before it officially premieres.
While this delay means we'll have to wait until next year to see the show, HBO Content Chairman and CEO Casey Bloys clarified that the series is still expected to release in the winter, suggesting an early 2026 premiere.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms has been an especially exciting part of HBO’s slate of upcoming shows set in the world of Westeros, as original author George R. R. Martin teased earlier this year that he couldn’t wait to see Dunk and Egg’s story come to TV screens.
“I’ve seen all six episodes now (the last two in rough cuts, admittedly), and I loved them," Martin said in a blog post in January. "Dunk and Egg have always been favorites of mine, and the actors we found to portray them are just incredible. The rest of the cast are terrific as well. Wait until you guys meet the Laughing Storm and Tanselle Too-Tall.”
Martin continued to celebrate A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, adding, “It’s as faithful as adaptation as a reasonable man could hope for (and you all know how incredibly reasonable I am on that particular subject).”
Despite Martin’s towering praise, we’ve seen little from the show since it was announced in 2021. After locking in actors Peter Claffey and Dexter Sol Ansell to play Ser Duncan the Tall and Egg, respectively, HBO went on to reveal one image from the show in June 2024. A brief teaser trailer then followed in August, showing a glimpse at some of the series’ major players and a few shots of familiar Game of Thrones action.
We’ll have a better look at A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms as we move closer to 2026. When it eventually arrives, it will be available to stream on Warner Bros. Discovery’s renamed service, HBO Max. The company announced plans to revert its branding switch-up earlier today. For more while we wait, you can check out everything you need to know about A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms here.
Michael Cripe is a freelance contributor with IGN. He's best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).
Having spent nearly a decade testing VPNs, there’s one thing that was crystal clear to me from the outset that remains true today: Not all VPNs are created equal. Some boast powerful unblocking and seamless streaming, while others offer a more robust security setup or a stronger stance on privacy. These VPNs are available at prices to suit all budget levels too – some are even free.
The challenge is finding the best VPN for your specific needs. To make this easier, I’ve run dozens of VPNs through a series of tests to see where they excel and, crucially, where they fall short. This includes measuring server speeds, accessing streaming services from abroad, checking for DNS leaks, reading privacy policies, and even contacting each VPN’s support to gauge response time and quality. It’s about as comprehensive an approach as there is, resulting in a fair and accurate picture of the very best VPN services in 2025.
TL;DR: These Are the Best VPN Services:
Still not sure exactly what a VPN is or how it works? Short for Virtual Private Network, a VPN is a service you can use to encrypt your internet connection and spoof your virtual location. When you connect to a VPN, it routes your traffic via a secure, encrypted tunnel to a server in your preferred location. The encryption provides security from hackers and snoopers but, in hiding your IP address, a VPN also allows you to sidestep annoying geographic restrictions on content.
1. Proton VPN
The Best VPN
Proton VPN simply does it all. It’s fast, has a huge server network, is a reliable unblocker, and does all this without compromising in terms of security or privacy. At the time of writing, Proton VPN offers more than 12,000 servers in 117 countries. This makes it very easy to not just find a fast server close to your location (and Proton VPN is very fast indeed), but to bypass geo-blocking of websites and services. I found it worked very well with Netflix in testing.
Although Proton VPN’s MacOS app is not quite as easy on the eye as, say, that of ExpressVPN, it’s nonetheless easy to use. What’s more, Proton VPN’s Windows, Android, and iOS apps have recently had a welcome facelift and they’re more intuitive to navigate as a result. Proton VPN has a strong set of security features and sets itself apart from rivals with what is a true no-logs policy. It’s also one of very few VPNs to let you pay anonymously in cash should you like.
2. ExpressVPN
Best VPN for Streaming
ExpressVPN is a worthy runner-up and is also our best VPN for streaming. In my review, I found that this is just a great all-rounder that’s beginner-friendly while still packing fast speeds and powerful unblocking. Its 3,000 servers is fewer than Proton VPN and NordVPN but they cover 105 countries. Moreover, connections are high-speed without interruptions, proving there’s no server load issues. I’ve found ExpressVPN to be one of the most consistent unblockers of popular streaming services.
During testing, I connected to various ExpressVPN servers and observed no DNS or IP leaks. 256-bit AES encryption secures your connection and the kill switch works exactly as it should. Although ExpressVPN doesn’t have as many extras as Surfshark, one of the most feature-rich VPN services, it does still have some intriguing features including a password manager. There’s a 10-device connection limit but you can bypass this by setting ExpressVPN with your router, which is easy thanks to the availability of custom firmware.
3. NordVPN
Best VPN for Gaming
NordVPN is one of the biggest names in the VPN space and its reputation is well deserved as I found in my review. Its network of over 7,000 servers in 118 countries is among the largest. If you’re in the U.S., know that some 2,000 of these servers cover 16 U.S. cities. It’s little wonder then that NordVPN worked so well with U.S. Netflix and Peacock in my unblocking tests. NordVPN’s proprietary NordLynx protocol allows for almost unrivaled speeds, which is a reason why it’s the best VPN for gaming.
Unlike some VPNs, NordVPN doesn’t stand still. It receives regular updates and new features. An entry-level NordVPN subscription includes all of the security essentials you’d expect. Tier up from this however and you’ll gain access to Threat Protection Pro, which serves to block ads, trackers, and malicious websites. You’ll also find a password manager and data breach scanner. The server map view of the apps won’t be for everyone, but the apps are still very accessible.
4. Surfshark
Best VPN for Extra Features
Surfshark doesn’t impose a limit on the number of devices you can connect simultaneously. This makes it ideal if you’ve got a lot of internet-connected devices at home to secure. Over 3,000 servers are offered in 100 countries. Notably, Surfshark has servers in almost two dozen U.S. cities. Having connected to these servers and streamed HBO Max and Prime Video and played games like Fortnite and Helldivers 2from my review testing,I can confirm that they’re more than fast enough.
Aside from impressive performance, Surfshark ticks every security box. There’s 256-bit AES encryption (OpenVPN) and ChaCha20 encryption (WireGuard), DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and a kill switch. If that’s not enough, Surfshark’s MultiHop servers can provide an extra layer of encryption. Then there’s the many extras, be it the new Alternative ID (email masking) or a highly impressive antivirus. Plans start from $1.99, but the one-month plans are very expensive.
5. IPVanish
Best VPN for Unlimited Devices
IPVanish continues to add to its server network, which now stands at 2,400 servers, over 1,400 of which are in North America. As such, this is a highly reliable choice for streaming services like U.S. Netflix and Hulu. Having run speed tests on IPVanish servers in the U.S., UK, and Japan in my review testing, I was impressed by the speeds on offer. IPVanish has made great progress in this respect and it means that streaming is lag-free while online gaming sessions don’t suffer from high ping.
Planning on sharing your VPN with family or friends at home? IPVanish is one of just two VPNs covered here that allows unlimited simultaneous connections. Two different subscription tiers are offered, and both include Threat Protection which blocks ads, trackers and malicious websites. Only the Advanced tier includes new IPVanish features like a secure browser and cloud storage. IPVanish does lack a Smart DNS feature however, and there’s no browser extensions either.
Disclosure: IPVanish is owned by Ziff Davis, IGN's parent company.
6. CyberGhost
Best VPN with a Free Trial
CyberGhost is not only one of the best VPNs available, it’s also one of the most accessible. Apps are available for desktop, mobile, and Amazon Fire TV, as are browser extensions for Chrome. Better still, I found them to be very easy to use in my review and particularly appreciated seeing each server’s load in the desktop apps. CyberGhost no longer publishes its server count, but with servers in 100 countries, it’s like it still has one of the largest networks of any VPN.
Another area in which CyberGhost stands out from the competition is its 45-day money-back guarantee (most VPNs offer 30 days). There’s even a 24-hour free trial available for both Windows and MacOS. Better still, you don’t need to provide a credit card to take advantage. Where CyberGhost is lagging is in terms of advanced features with no Double VPN servers or port forwarding. It’s one of the few top VPNs that still hasn’t introduced an Apple TV app either.
7. Mullvad
Best VPN for Anonymity
Mullvad is the VPN for you if you’re concerned about privacy above all else. Although it uses the WireGuard protocol and is one of the fastest VPNs, I don’t recommend it for streaming due to its lack of unblocking ability. It also offers far fewer servers and server locations than most major providers. Yet none of that is Mullvad’s primary focus. Instead, it puts security and privacy first, as evidenced by its comprehensive set of security features and strict no-logs policy.
Where Mullvad really stands out though is that it’s possible to sign up for the service entirely anonymously. It doesn’t ask for an email address during signup, instead generating a random account number for you. Available for a flat monthly rate of just €5 (about $5.65 as of writing), it accepts not only cash but Monero, which is one of the most privacy-friendly cryptocurrencies in existence. There’s not a wealth of features however, and live chat support is also absent.
How We Picked the Best VPN Services
You’d think that with so many VPN services available, whittling them down to just seven would be no easy task. Yet it’s not as challenging as you might think when you know what to look for:
Fast, consistent connections: A VPN shouldn’t slow your connection significantly. For each VPN, I connected to three server locations and measured speeds at different times of day over several days. This helped create a more reliable average. I also streamed content and played games (yes, it still counts as work!) to make sure there were no performance issues during more bandwidth-heavy tasks.
Strong unblocking ability: Most quality VPNs have servers in dozens of countries around the world. Not only does this make it easier to find a server close to your location for a faster connection, it provides more flexibility when it comes to unblocking geo-restricted online content. Streaming platforms are commonly region-locked, so I test each VPN’s servers against them to see how they fare.
Keeps data secure: For any VPN service to be taken seriously, it must use strong encryption to safeguard your internet traffic. This should be 256-bit AES if using the OpenVPN protocol or ChaCha20 if on WireGuard. Not content to simply assume protection is set up correctly, I run DNS and IP leak tests to make sure absolutely no data is escaping the VPN tunnel.
Respects your privacy: The fact is that many VPN providers don’t respect your privacy. This is most evident with VPNs that keep extensive logs of users. These logs can contain valuable data which is then sold to third parties. I read each VPN’s privacy policy to make sure there’s no identifying logs. I also prioritize VPNs that have had their no-logs policies independently audited.
How to Use the Best VPN: A Step-by-Step Guide
Getting set up and connected to your shiny new VPN couldn’t be easier. Simply follow the steps below to secure your internet connection and circumvent geo-blocking and censorship:
Sign up with the best VPN service that you feel best fits your needs. Proton VPN is our top pick.
Download and install the VPN on your devices. I’ve only recommended VPN services that allow at least seven simultaneous connections per account.
Open the VPN app and log in if prompted. You can then connect to a server in your preferred location. For example, a server in the U.S. if you want a U.S. IP address.
Your connection is now secure. You can now browse more privately because your real IP address has been hidden and your traffic is encrypted.
If you’re having trouble unblocking, clear your browser’s cache and cookies. This helps websites and services forget your previous IP address and location.
VPN FAQs
Are VPNs legal to use?
Yes, VPNs are legal to use in almost every country worldwide. There are a small number of exceptions such as China and Russia. Even then, VPNs aren’t outright illegal but their use is restricted or otherwise regulated. To stay safe, be sure to check local laws before using one.
Will a VPN slow my internet speed?
A VPN encrypts and redirects your traffic to one of its servers in another location. This in itself can slow your internet speed slightly. Yet the best VPNs use fast protocols and don’t throttle your bandwidth. This means that you shouldn’t notice a difference even when streaming.
Can I use a VPN to access Netflix?
Netflix actively blocks VPNs in an effort to protect copyright and licensing agreements by preventing users from accessing content outside their region. Yet some VPNs are capable of bypassing Netflix’s VPN blocking, several of which are included among our best VPN list.
Why not just use a free VPN instead?
The majority of free VPNs offer very few servers and locations. They also tend to cap the data and speed of users. This makes free VPNs unsuitable for anything other than very basic browsing. There’s also the risk that they’ll look to profit by logging and selling your data.
Mark Gill is a freelance VPN writer for IGN, bringing years of dedicated experience from Comparitech, where he delves deep into the intricacies of VPNs. When he’s not testing VPNs, Mark is an avid gamer with a soft spot for the Sega Mega Drive, reliving the classics for a dose of nostalgia.
The LEGO Star Wars Spider Tank set (75361) is still available on Amazon despite being officially retired recently in May. For $49.99 you can still pick up this set depicting an action-packed scene from the Mandalorian season 3. The spider tank itself is a to-scale cyborg that towers over the included minifigures just like in the show. At 526 pieces, it's a great gift for any LEGO and Star Wars fan or for collectors looking to fill in any blanks.
Retired LEGO Star Wars Spider Tank Is Still Available at Amazon
The Spider Tank is highly detailed, offering an almost one-to-one replica from the Mandalorian. Its front claws and mandibles move, its legs are easily flexible, and it comes equipped with a back-mounted cannon that actually launches LEGO studs. The set also includes three minifigures: The Mandalorian Din Djarin (with the Darksaber!), Bo-Katan Kryze, and Grogu for you to recreate the fight against the tank. This set was officially retired in May, so supplies are likely limited and the price will probably go up eventually.
The Mandalorian is a live-action Star Wars series exclusively streaming on Disney+ starring Pedro Pascal. We gave season 3 a seven overall, saying in our review that it "continues to deliver plenty of great action but spent too much time tying into other shows and juggling between competing protagonists". The next chapter in the Mandalorian saga is the upcoming Mandalorian & Grogu film directed by Jon Favreau, coming May 2026.
More Recently Retired LEGO Sets on Amazon
Once LEGO officially retires a set, they tend to hang around at other retailers for a bit longer. This makes Amazon one of the best places to buy LEGO thanks to their extended inventory of these products. There are a number of other recently retired sets you can currently still purchases right now. We've featured some of the most popular ones below:
You're never too old to bring out the kid inside you. For a limited time, Amazon is offering 50% off select styles of officially licensed LEGO trifold wallets. They're normally $15 each, but a bunch of them are on sale right now for $7.49 on Amazon. Get free shipping on orders over $35, or no minimum with an Amazon Prime membership.
50% Off LEGO Wallets
Choose from several different designs such as the classic LEGO brick wall pattern or iconic minifigs including the Ninjago Team, Unicorn Girl, or Shark Suit Guy. As cute as these wallets are, they're also practically designed. These are trifold-style wallets that can hold plenty of cards as well as your ID, cash, keys, and even coins. They're made from double-stitched RPET fabric made to survive the wear and tear, even from more youthfully exuberant individuals.
Eric Song is the IGN commerce manager in charge of finding the best gaming and tech deals every day. When Eric isn't hunting for deals for other people at work, he's hunting for deals for himself during his free time.
We just found a great deal for anyone looking for an inexpensive pair of earbuds that are a perfect fit (pun intended) for sports, exercise, or fitness activities. Right now Amazon is offering the Baseus Bowie MC1 Open Ear Clip-On Earbuds for just $39.99 with free shipping after you clip a $20 off coupon on the product page and apply a $10 off coupon code "P2XMEPBB" during checkout. That's a 44% price drop from its original $70 list price.
Baseus Bowie MC1 Open Ear Sports Earbuds for $39.99
The Baseus Bowie utilizes a unique hook-ear shape that keeps the earbuds securely in place even when you're moving around. It sits right above instead of inside your ear canal. This open-ear design allows you to hear your immediate surroundings, which is ideal if you're running or biking on streets, listening to an instructor, or carrying a conversation while working out. The earbuds are IP57 rated for water and dust protection and there are on-button controls, although you can also use the mobile app if you don't want to fiddle around with the buds once they're on your ear.
My favorite sport earbuds are the Shokz OpenRuns, but they retail for $120 or 300% more than these Bowie MC1. Another popular "budget" earbuds are the AirPods 4. However, they're not specifically designed to be used during active workouts, they're only ideal for iPhone users, and they're also three times more expensive than the Bowies. At its current price point, it's hard to find anything that can compete. You can check out our 2025 picks for the best running headphones and earbuds but be forewarned that they are all also much pricier than the Bowies.
Eric Song is the IGN commerce manager in charge of finding the best gaming and tech deals every day. When Eric isn't hunting for deals for other people at work, he's hunting for deals for himself during his free time.
Seven actors have donned the cape and cowl across nearly 60 years of live-action Batman movies. From campy capers to noir-drenched crime thrillers, Batman has (to varying degrees of success) glided across the gamut of superhero subgenres, though the series’ singular cast of characters and ability to attract top talent has enabled decades of relevancy that transcends its comic-book origins.
For those interested in embarking on the complete big-screen Batman journey, we've compiled a largely spoiler-free* list of every Batman movie ordered by release date, from oldest to newest. At the bottom of the article, you’ll also find a breakdown of the Batman movies by director.
There are 13 Batman movies included on this list — 11 live-action and two animated. While Bats appears in dozens of films, this list only compiles feature-length theatrical releases in which Batman is a main character. This excludes the bulk of animated Batman movies (including The Killing Joke, which appeared in theaters for just one day) and movies like Suicide Squad in which Batman isn’t a lead figure.
Batman Movie Sets
Although you can easily stream Batman movies online, owning physical copies guarantees you'll always have them. If you're looking to grab a Blu-ray set of your favorite Batman eras, we've gathered some of the best ones below.
Every Batman Movie in Order
*Each blurb contains a broad overview of the plot and mentions the heroes/villains who appear in that film.
1. Batman (1966)
Based on the successful Adam West-led TV series, Batman’s theatrical debut came in 1966 with West once again playing the Caped Crusader. The film pitted Batman and Robin (Burt Ward) against the United Underworld: Joker (Cesar Romero), Riddler (Frank Gorshin), Penguin (Burgess Meredith), and Catwoman (Lee Meriwether). The villains are equipped with a dehydrating device that turns people to dust.
The campy ‘60s film was significantly lighter in tone compared to the gritty Batman of today.
2. Batman (1989)
Over 20 years later, Batman returned to the big screen with Tim Burton at the helm and Michael Keaton behind the cowl. It explores Joker’s origin story, setting up the film’s primary plot: a deadly game of cat and mouse between Batman and Joker, with Kim Basinger’s Vicki Vale serving as a love interest for Batman and a pawn for Joker.
Jack Nicholson earned a Golden Globe nomination for his memorable take on the Clown Prince of Crime.
3. Batman Returns (1992)
The second of Burton’s two Batman movies is a sequel that pits Keaton’s Batman against Danny DeVito’s creepy Penguin, who teams up with Catwoman (Michelle Pfeiffer) to tarnish Batman’s reputation. Christopher Walken also stars as the villainous industrialist Max Shreck.
It’s one of the least successful Batman movies commercially, though it features excellent performances from Keaton, Pfeiffer, and DeVito.
4. Batman: The Mask of the Phantasm (1993)
The first theatrically released animated Batman movie, The Mask of the Phantasm, was based on the beloved Batman animated TV series from the ‘90s. The film was produced between the series’ first and second seasons and released on Christmas Day 1993.
The Mask of Phantasm explores the interconnected narratives of three characters: Batman (voiced by Kevin Conroy), Joker (Mark Hamill), and Phantasm (voice actor redacted to avoid spoilers).
Conroy, who died in 2022, was the definitive voice of Batman, portraying the character brilliantly across 30 years of TV shows, movies, and video games.
5. Batman Forever (1995)
After two films, Tim Burton stepped away from the franchise, opening the door for Joel Schumacher’s pair of Batman movies. Keaton, later citing creative differences with Schumacher, also elected not to return for Forever, leading to Val Kilmer’s one and only turn as Batman.
Batman Forever is most fondly remembered for its villains: Tommy Lee Jones’s Two-Face and Jim Carrey’s Riddler. The duo, equipped with a mind-reading device called The Box, is pursued throughout the movie by Batman and Robin (Chris O'Donnell). Nicole Kidman also stars as psychologist Chase Meridian.
6. Batman & Robin (1997)
Kilmer was replaced by George Clooney, another one-time Batman, who starred opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger in Schumacher’s follow-up, Batman & Robin. The duo faces off against Schwarzenegger’s Mr. Freeze and Uma Thurman’s Poison Ivy, who plan to freeze humanity and replace it with Ivy’s mutant plants. Also on the side of good is Batgirl (Alicia Silverstone), while Freeze and Ivy are assisted by Bane (played by Robert Swenson, a 6’4”, 400-pound professional wrestler).
Despite the strong cast, Batman & Robin is generally considered the franchise’s worst film: It earned less than any other live-action Batman movie at the box office and easily holds the worst score on Rotten Tomatoes. It marked the end of Schumacher’s time at the helm and the beginning of an eight-year hiatus for Batman on the big screen.
7. Batman Begins (2005)
Eight years after the underwhelming Batman & Robin, DC’s flagship hero returned under the direction of Christopher Nolan. Nolan and new Batman actor Christian Bale introduced moviegoers to a grittier Gotham City.
The trilogy’s first film, Batman Begins, provides Nolan’s take on the Batman origin story, eventually pitting our hero against the likes of eminent DC villains Scarecrow (Cillian Murphy) and Ra’s al Ghul (Liam Neeson). Begins also introduces Nolan’s Pennyworth (Michael Caine), Lucius Fox (Morgan Freeman), and James Gordon (Gary Oldman). Katie Homes plays Bruce’s love interest, Rachel Dawes, before she was replaced by Maggie Gyllenhaal in The Dark Knight.
8. The Dark Knight (2008)
Nolan followed up on his Batman debut with the best Batman movie of all time. The Dark Knight is Nolan’s version of the ultimate comic-book showdown: Batman vs. Joker.
Heath Ledger turns in an Oscar-winning performance as a cunning, terrifying, believable, and sadistically charming Joker. The dynamic between Ledger and Bale, alongside a propulsive plot and excellent supporting performances from Maggie Gyllenhaal (Rachel Dawes) and Aaron Eckhart (Harvey Dent/Two-Face), led IGN to name The Dark Knight the best superhero movie ever. It's also the second most successful Batman movie at the worldwide box office, grossing over $1 billion USD.
9. The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
Nolan’s Batman trilogy concluded in 2012 with The Dark Knight Rises. In Christian Bale’s final Batman performance, The Dark Knight faces off against Tom Hardy’s imposing Bane.
Rises had the impossible task of living up to The Dark Knight, but comparisons aside, the movie was a massive success: It’s the highest-grossing Batman movie of all time and the third-highest-rated on Rotten Tomatoes.
In addition to returning many staple characters from Nolan’s previous Batman movies, Rises introduces Anne Hathaway as Selina Kyle/Catwoman and Joseph Gordon-Levitt as police officer John Blake.
10. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)
Four years later, Batman entered the DCEU in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. Ben Affleck’s Batman starred opposite Henry Cavill’s Superman in the big-budget battle of DC’s most famous heroes.
It’s a messy, action-heavy blockbuster that brings together many of the biggest names in DC Comics: Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot), Lex Luthor (Jesse Eisenberg), and Lois Lane (Amy Adams), to name a few. The movie also serves as Zack Snyder’s setup to Justice League.
BvS is among the most-profitable Batman movies at the box office and among the worst-reviewed on Rotten Tomatoes.
11. The LEGO Batman Movie (2017)
The second of two animated movies on this list, The LEGO Batman Movie is a fun, cameo-packed adventure centered around another Batman-Joker conflict.
Will Arnett as Batman leads a voice cast directed by Chris McKay (Renfield). Supporting cast members include Zach Galifianakis as Joker, Michael Cera as Robin, Rosario Dawson as Barbara Gordon, Channing Tatum as Superman, Billy Dee Williams as Two-Face, Conan O'Brien as Riddler, and Zoe Kravitz as Catwoman (before she portrayed the character in 2022's The Batman).
The LEGO Batman Movie also pulls in characters from across the world of LEGO, including King Kong, Voldemort, Sauron, Gremlins, and others. It’s the second-highest-rated Batman movie on Rotten Tomatoes behind only The Dark Knight.
12. Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021)
Zack Snyder’s Justice League, aka the Snyder Cut, is a revamped and re-released version of the 2017 Justice League film. Ben Affleck reprises his role as Batman for the biggest DCEU crossover event to date.
Batman and Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman recruit a team of superheroes — Henry Cavill's Superman, Jason Momoa's Aquaman, Ezra Miller's Flash, and Ray Fisher's Cyborg — to protect the planet from Steppenwolf and Darkseid.
We’ve opted to include the 2021 Snyder Cut instead of the original 2017 release, though its position on the list would be the same regardless.
13. The Batman (2022)
Matt Reeves’s turn at the helm began with 2022’s The Batman, a moody crime thriller that IGN awarded a rare review score of 10/10. Robert Pattinson stars as a pained, antisocial version of Bruce Wayne/Batman investigating the murder of Gotham City mayor Don Mitchell Jr.
Joining Pattinson is Zoe Kravitz as Catwoman, Colin Farrell as Penguin, Paul Dano as Riddler, Jeffrey Wright as James Gordon, Andy Serkis as Alfred, and John Turturro as mobster Carmine Falcone.
It’s a must-watch movie for Batman fans and the first in what DC boss James Gunn has called Reeves’s “Batman Crime Saga,” which is planned across three films. It's arguably one of Robert Pattinson's best films to date.
Batman Movies By Director
Leslie H. Martinson Batman Movies in Release Order
Batman (1966)
Tim Burton Batman Movies in Release Order
Batman (1989)
Batman Returns (1992)
Joel Schumacher Batman Movies in Release Order
Batman Forever (1995)
Batman & Robin (1997)
Christopher Nolan Batman Movies in Release Order
Batman Begins (2005)
The Dark Knight (2008)
The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
Zack Snyder Batman Movies in Release Order
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)
Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021)
Matt Reeves Batman Movies in Release Order
The Batman (2022)
Theatrically Released Animated Batman Movies in Release Order
Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993)
The LEGO Batman Movie (2017)
Upcoming Batman Movies
The Batman – Part II (2026)
The next Batman movie is The Batman – Part II, a sequel to 2022’s The Batman once again directed by Matt Reeves and starring Robert Pattinson. There’s no word on plot details yet, but we know the film’s scheduled release has been pushed back to October 2, 2026.
A third film is expected to follow, as Reeves’s Batman saga is planned as a trilogy.
Looking to upgrade the storage capacity of your Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, or Asus ROG Ally? For a limited time, Amazon is offering a 512GB PNY Premier-X Micro SDXC Card for just $23.99 after a 44% off instant discount. An SD card adapter is also included. Despite the low price tag, this is actually one of the faster Micro SD cards we've seen. It's compatible with most gaming handhelds, including the Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, and ROG Ally.
512GB PNY Premier-X Micro SDXC Card for $23.99
U3 A2 V30 rated
If you've started compiling a collection of digital games, you probably already know just how limited the Switch's base storage capacity is. The Switch and Switch OLED have 32GB and 64GB of internal storage, respectively, some of it reserved for the OS. Some games require a huge portion of that space. Examples include Tears of the Kingdom which takes up 16GB of space, Monster Hunter Rise 20GB, Breath of the Wild 13.5GB, and Persona 5 Royal 14GB. There's only one memory card expansion slot in the Switch so you'll want to make sure you get the biggest card you can afford, although most people won't need more than 1TB of additional storage.
The PNY Premier-X is compatible with virtually any device that accepts the Micro SDXC card standard, including the Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, and the Asus ROG Ally. It's faster than the average Micro SDXC card with a speed rating of U3 / A2 / V30. In terms of actual numbers, it boasts up to 100MBps sustained read speeds and 90MBps sustained write speeds. This card would make an ideal memory storage option for devices that need fast and high-capacity transfers, like a smartphone, 4K DSLR or action camera.
Need a quick way to transfer files and images from your SD or Micro SD cards to your PC? Right now Amazon is offering the Sabrent USB 3.0 OTG Card Reader for just $6.98 after you apply coupon code "PL7MOA5Q" during checkout. This tiny little stick features both USB 3.0 Type C and USB Type-A ports for maximum compatibility and up to 5Gb/s bandwidth.
Eric Song is the IGN commerce manager in charge of finding the best gaming and tech deals every day. When Eric isn't hunting for deals for other people at work, he's hunting for deals for himself during his free time.
Update 5/14/25:Digital Foundry has revealed the full specs of the SoC behind the Nintendo Switch. This has confirmed much of the rumors about the system, down to how many CUDA cores the Tegra T239 has. With this information, we now know quite a lot about how the Nintendo Switch will run when it hits store shelves in June, though we will have to wait and see how games will use this powerful mobile hardware. Things are looking bright, though.
Original article:
The Nintendo Switch 2 has finally been revealed, and while it brings huge improvements over the original console, it doesn’t exist in the same vacuum that the original handheld did. With the introduction of devices like the Steam Deck and Asus ROG Ally X, a ton of handheld gaming systems out there can play AAA PC games on the go.
So, while the Switch 2 will automatically have a niche carved out for being a system that plays, well, Nintendo games like Mario Kart World, anyone that’s buying a Switch 2 to play multiplatform games will have to reckon with devices like the Steam Deck – especially with the Switch 2’s $449 price tag.
Now that Nintendo has given a sneak peek into the hardware that’s running its new console, we can take a look at how exactly it will run, and whether or not its 4K promises are more than empty words.
Nvidia’s Custom Chip
The SoC (System on a Chip) that runs the Nintendo Switch 2 is probably the most important part of the console. The Nintendo Switch 2 is using “custom Nvidia processor” that supports DLSS and ray tracing, and Digital Foundry has revealed the final specs of the chip. The Nintendo Switch 2 runs on the Nvidia Tegra T239, an APU with a 8-core ARM CPU and an Ampere GPU with 1,536 CUDA cores. For reference, Ampere is the graphics architecture behind the RTX 3080 – though it won't be nearly that powerful.
Going all the way back to 2023, there were leaks suggesting that the Nintendo Switch 2 would be using the Nvidia Tegra T239 SoC. [Now confirmed.] This APU uses 8 ARM A78C cores, combined with an Nvidia Ampere GPU with 1,536 CUDA cores. Napkin math puts that at 12 Streaming Multiprocessors, which would be significantly smaller than even the smallest Ampere GPU – the RTX 3050 for laptops. However, assuming Nvidia didn’t nerf the Ampere SMs in the T239, each SM would have four Tensor Cores and an RT core, making for a total of 48 and 12, respectively.
To be fair, the Steam Deck is using a custom AMD APU that’s built on 8 AMD RDNA 2 GPU cores, which is smaller than what Nintendo is offering here. But, you have to keep in mind that the Steam Deck has a lower resolution display, and pumps more power into it. Plus, AMD Z2 processors are coming out over the next year, with the Z2 Extreme featuring 16 RDNA 3.5 GPU cores, which will be a huge upgrade. Though, systems with that chipset are going to be much more expensive than the Switch 2.
That small of a GPU basically makes 4K gaming an impossibility natively, but because the Tensor Cores are there, DLSS is going to be a major factor in how the Nintendo Switch performs when docked – assuming this is the SoC that’s actually in the system. However, with so few Tensor Cores, even upscaling to 4K is going to be a stretch in everything but the most lightweight games.
Instead, most games are likely going to target 1080p, even if they don’t natively render at that resolution. There are games like Donkey Kong Bananza that do seem to be rendering at a native 1080p resolution, according to Digital Foundry’s hands-on demos. However, third-party games like Cyberpunk 2077 seem to be relying heavily on upscaling, with native resolutions as low as 540p. I wouldn’t expect the Nintendo Switch 2 to ever be able to handle Cyberpunk 2077 at 4K, even with DLSS, though Nintendo will definitely have better luck with any game it can get running natively at 1080p.
The Ampere cores in the T239 also have RT cores, which should theoretically allow for hardware-based ray tracing in Nintendo Switch 2 games. Though, again, this will be heavily constrained by the processor’s 12 RT cores. Ray tracing will be possible, but don’t expect any jaw-dropping implementations of the technology, and especially don’t expect it in games like Cyberpunk 2077.
Even with RT cores, ray tracing is an extremely expensive workload for the GPU, and the T239 is limited by more than just its small SM count – power is a huge limiting factor, too. I spoke with Richard Leadbetter over at Digital Foundry, who told me that the entire system likely consumes as little as 10W, including the display, the SoC, and the mainboard. We won’t know exactly what the T239’s actual TDP (thermal design power) is until someone finds a way to measure it, but it likely leaves only 5-6W for the SoC itself – a third of the power of the Steam Deck’s AMD APU.
[We now also know how fast the CPU and GPU will run. When its docked, the Nintendo Switch 2 GPU will run at 1,007MHz, just shy of 1GHz. That's a bit slower than the mobile RTX 3050, the closest existing Ampere GPU on the market right now. However, when running on battery, the speed drops precipitiously, coming down to 561MHz. That's going to make for a huge difference in gaming performance between the two modes.
The CPU, however, runs faster when in handheld mode, at 1,101MHz, compared to 998MHz when docked. This seems counter intutive, but it likely has something to do with the lower memory bandwidth allocated to the system when in handheld mode, and that'll be much more impactful to gaming performance.
As for the memory, the Switch 2 will feature 12GB of LPDDR5 memory on a 128-bit, a huge jump from the original Switch. When the system is docked, the Switch 2 will get 102GB/s of memory bandwidth, which will get cut down to 68GB/s in handheld mode. With how important memory bandwidth is to current-generation games, especially those with an open world – looking at you Mario Kart World – this is likely going to have the biggest performance impact.]
However, while the Nintendo Switch 2 might not be able to produce the same amount of power as a handheld gaming PC like the Asus ROG Ally X, that doesn’t mean there won’t be gorgeous games running on the system. After all, games like Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza look stunning, and it goes to show how clever Nintendo developers are at getting the most out of the hardware in the Switch.
After all, the original Nintendo Switch was powered by the Nvidia Tegra X1, which was built on the now-ancient Maxwell graphics architecture and only packed 256 CUDA cores. Ampere is orders of magnitude more efficient than Maxwell even on its best days, and there are six times more cores in the Switch 2’s GPU. The Nintendo Switch 2 should be way faster than the original console, which bodes well for cross-generation ports like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.
Battery Life
While a total system power budget of 10W means the system isn’t quite as fast as it could be, it does mean the battery will have a much better time keeping up. Nintendo has come out and said it should last around 2 hours at a minimum. That’s less than was quoted for the original Switch, but that shouldn’t be too surprising, due to its higher-resolution display and more powerful processor.
The Nintendo Switch 2 has a 5,220mAh battery, a large step up from the 4,310mAh battery in the original console. That’s a sizable jump, and if its battery has the same voltage of the original Switch, that would equate to around 19Whr. That’s a smaller battery than the Steam Deck, which is probably why Nintendo quotes a similar battery life to the Steam Deck, despite its less power-hungry processor.
Nintendo probably could have put a more powerful battery in the Switch 2, but its decision likely came down to size constraints. There’s only so much battery that’ll fit while retaining the same thickness as the original Nintendo Switch, after all.
The Display
The most striking difference at first glance between the Switch and Switch 2 is probably going to be the display. While it doesn’t have the OLED screen that made the Switch OLED such a marvel, the display is bigger and has a higher resolution. The Nintendo Switch 2 sports a 7.9-inch LCD display with a resolution of 1920x1080 with HDR 10 support. The display is also fast, supporting variable refresh rate up to 120Hz. That’s honestly a bit overkill considering the silicon powering the thing, but it does mean that older games or indie titles will feel extremely smooth – assuming they have unlocked frame rates. 120Hz is also a useful refresh rate for games that target 40fps since that makes for a clean ratio that won’t result in excessive stuttering.
Nintendo hasn’t released any information about the brightness of the display, but the HDR 10 certification means it needs to at least have a peak brightness of 1,000 nits, so it’s going to be a bright screen. We don’t know exactly how color performance will turn out either, but Nintendo does claim that it supports WCG, or Wide Color Gamut.
The display is probably going to be the thing that lifts the Nintendo Switch 2 above its competitors. The Steam Deck LCD has an 800p display with a peak brightness of 400 nits, and it doesn’t support WCG. The Steam Deck OLED does offer a much nicer display, but it’s still an 800p display. The Nintendo Switch 2 screen is also a huge upgrade over the original, which had a 6.2-inch, 720p LCD display.
Is the Nintendo Switch 2 a Worthy Upgrade?
In a vacuum, the Nintendo Switch 2 is massively better than the original Nintendo Switch. It’s leagues faster, has a screen that’s bigger, brighter and sharper, and has Joy-Con that you don’t have to wrestle with to disconnect. The only problem is that the Switch doesn’t exist in a vacuum anymore.
There are a ton of handheld gaming systems out there now, and while most of them are more expensive than the $449 Nintendo Switch 2, they likely offer a better gameplay experience in multi-platform games. The real appeal of the Switch 2 is going to be Nintendo’s catalog of first-party games, just like with the original console. Nintendo is known for making great games that make the most of its – relatively – weak hardware. If you’re the type of gamer that falls in love with Nintendo games, then the Nintendo Switch 2 makes a lot of sense. However, if you’re just going to get this thing to play Cyberpunk or Elden Ring on the train, there are better gaming handheld options out there.
Jackie Thomas is the Hardware and Buying Guides Editor at IGN and the PC components queen. You can follow her @Jackiecobra
Sony has announced the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog additions for May 2025, unveiling a list of titles that includes newcomers such as Sand Land, S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Legends of the Zone Trilogy, Battlefield 5, and more.
The full lineup of titles coming to its gaming subscription service was revealed in a PlayStation.Blog post today. It’s a collection of six games for PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium subscribers that will all drop come May 20, delivering a variety of experiences for fans of different genres and eras of gaming.
Those starting at the Extra tier can take advantage of a whopping nine new titles coming to the Game Catalog for May 2025. Headlining the list of PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 games is Sand Land, an action RPG adaptation of the Akira Toriyama manga of the same name.
Other PS4 and PS5 highlights include Five Nights at Freddy’s: Help Wanted – Full Time Edition and the three-in-one S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Legends of the Zone Trilogy. An enhanced version of the latter was announced for PS5 (as well as PC and Xbox Series X | S) just this morning and is also set to arrive May 20. Developer GSC Game World says those who own the original trilogy release on console will receive the Enhanced Edition for free, though it's unclear if this same offer is extended to those who play on PlayStation Plus.
PlayStation Plus Premium members, meanwhile, get one new classic title in the form of Battle Engine Aquila. Available on PS4 and PS5, this sci-fi action game puts players in the cockpit of a mobile war vehicle that can fight off enemies from both the air and on the ground. You can see the full list of May 2025 PlayStation Plus Game Catalog titles below.
PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium Game Catalog Additions – May 2025
While we wait to dive into this month’s PlayStation Plus additions, you can read up on which games joined the Essential tier’s monthly games for May 2025. You can also see Sony’s list of April 2025 Game Catalog additions here.
Michael Cripe is a freelance contributor with IGN. He's best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).
Whether you're looking to save on games, storage, or accessories, there are plenty of Nintendo Switch deals to check out right now. We've gathered up some of the best Switch deals currently available, including discounts on Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol.1 and Super Mario RPG. You can see these deals and even more of our favorites at the moment below. For more updates on the latest discounts, follow @IGNDeals on Twitter/X.
Nintendo Switch 2 Preorder Information
The Nintendo Switch 2 is currently out of stock at numerous retailers right now, but don't let that get you down. If you're still hoping to get your hands on Nintendo's new console, bookmark our Nintendo Switch 2 preorder guide to stay up to date on restocks. For instant updates on what's going on, it's also worth following @IGNDeals on Twitter/X and Bluesky.
Best Nintendo Switch Game Deals
While Woot's Spring Sale is still going strong - with great deals on Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol.1, Super Mario RPG, and more - Amazon's also offering some great discounts at the moment. This includes deals on Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics and Unicorn Overlord. You can see those deals and many more of our favorites above.
Preorder the LEGO Mario Kart Set - Out Soon!
While not a deal, the Mario Kart LEGO set that dropped on MAR10 Day this year is up for preorder, priced at $169.99 andreleasing very soon on May 15. Complete with 1,972 pieces, this set features the man himself in his Standard Kart. It also comes with a display stand to show it speeding off among your collectibles. Check out our build of this Mario Kart set to see it all come together.
Best Switch Micro SD Card Deals
The best Switch SD card should be fast and reliable. Therefore, you're going to want to opt for a micro SDXC UHS-I U3 A2 V30 memory card. That's a lot of random letters, so to save you a bit of time we've left our top suggestions and deals below for your convenience. We've also included a selection of Switch 2 compatible MicroSD express cards if you're planning on picking up the brand new console.
Switch 2 Compatible MicroSD Express Cards
Best Nintendo Switch Accessory Deals
Whether you're looking for a new controller or case for your Switch, there are quite a few different accessory deals that are worth checking out. Here, we've listed just a few of our favorite discounts at the moment, including a deal on a two-pack of amFilm Tempered Glass Screen Protectors for $8.99 for the Nintendo Switch 2. This is a great deal to take advantage of to pick up a little bit of added protection for the new console.
Looking for a new power bank to keep your Switch charged up? Thankfully, there are some nice deals to check out at the moment. Our favorite picks right now are over at Amazon, where the INIU 22.5W 20000mAh power bank has received a great discount down to $26.98 and the Anker 737 has dropped down to $99.99, after clipping the $10 coupon.
When Should You Buy a Nintendo Switch?
The short answer is that you should buy a Nintendo Switch whenever there’s any kind of sale, regardless of the time of year. Amazon will likely offer the same console bundles on any other sale as it will on Black Friday or Amazon Prime Day, so there’s no real reason to wait if you’re in need of a Nintendo Switch.
That being said, there are sometimes some unique bundles and promotions during Black Friday that you won’t find any other time of the year. They usually include additional games (like the famous Mario Kart 8 bundle) or Switch accessories for free, but quantities tend to be limited. As always, do your research into the seller before you make a purchase and keep in mind that the Nintendo Switch 2 is coming soon.
With how expensive gaming is getting in 2025, we're trying to save you as much money as possible on the games and other tech you actually want to buy. We've got great deal roundups available for all major platforms such as PlayStation and Xbox, and keep these updated daily with brand-new offers. If you're trying to keep costs down while maintaining your favorite hobby, stay tuned for more incredible discounts.
Robert Anderson is a deals expert and Commerce Editor for IGN. You can follow him @robertliam21 on Twitter.
Insight Editions' Pac-Man: The Official Cookbook is out now and available on Amazon. Like you probably are right now, I was a bit skeptical about how good the recipes could be from a Pac-Man-themed cookbook, but authors Lisa Kingsley and Jennifer Peterson — wait for it — cooked.The 160-page hardcover book features over 60 delicious recipes that are easy to make in the comfort of your own home. This is the perfect companion for when you're hosting a game night or having a video game-themed watch party of the industry's biggest events.
While this latest cookbook may seem a bit strange, there are actually a lot of video game cookbooks already out there. It's actually surprising it took this long for Pac-Man to get in on the action.
Get the Pac-Man: The Official Cookbook on Amazon
It's filled with a wide variety of recipes, from healthy quick bites to full meals for the family. Each recipe comes complete with easy-to-follow instructions and crisp full-color photographs to show off the finished product. As you'd expect, many of them are fun and creative nods to Pac-Man's long history. You can make a pepperoni pizza in the iconic shape of Pac-Man, turn Blinky into a hearty tomato soup, whip up some sweet cherry pocket pies, and even make eerily accurate Ghost cake pops. Personally, the smash burger recipe has my attention. Pick up Pac-Man: The Official Cookbook now for just $30 to level up your cooking skills and try something new in the kitchen.
In other Pac-Man related news, the next entry into the yellow blob's video game library is Shadow Labyrinth, a bizarre take on both the Metroidvania genre and traditional Pac-Man mechanics, based on the Secret Level episode titled Circle. We gave Secret Level a 5 overall, and in our review said "[w]ith a dubious selection of source material and indistinct styles of animation, Secret Level struggles to find satisfying stories for a short-form anthology."
Crowbar Collective has released the Resonance Decade Update for its amazing Half-Life Remake, Black Mesa. So, let’s see what this new patch brings to the table. Black Mesa is easily one of the best remakes of a classic PC game. The game expands some of its levels, especially in Xen. To be honest, though, I … Continue reading Half-Life Remake Black Mesa Gets Resonance Decade Update→
Ubisoft's extreme sports game Riders Republic is the latest in a long line of video games heading to the silver screen. The publisher announced today that a feature film adaptation of 2021's Riders Republic is underway, and it already has a directorial duo seated behind the camera.
In a press release, Ubisoft Film & Television annnounced it's partnering with Gaumont for the adaptation of Riders Republic. Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, the Belgian duo who directed Bad Boys for Life and Bad Boys: Ride or Die, are already signed on to direct.
The script adaptation will be penned by Noé Debré, whose credits include Stillwater and The World Is Yours.
Not much has been said about the direction, other than the adaptation is "poised to be an electrifying action movie, delivering non-stop thrills, humor, and spectacular stunts on the snowy slopes of the Alps," per Ubisoft.
2021's Riders Republic mixed elements of extreme sports simulation with open-world exploration, akin to Ubisoft's The Crew games. "Riders Republic is an excellent, arcadey extreme sports sandbox with bonkers multiplayer events, an impressive open world, and unfortunate server issues," wrote our reviewer in IGN's 8/10 review of its launch version.
In the years since, Ubisoft has gradually added more to the experience, with Season 14 adding a Park Creator for players to form their own playgrounds. It certainly seems like players have been gradually poking away at Riders Republic over time.
As for a feature film adaptation, it remains to be seen what narrative might be concocted around all the extreme sports action. Hopefully there's at least some sick tricks and crazy stunts, if nothing else.
Video game adaptations are certainly picking up in earnest, though. From box office successes like the Sonic and Mario movies, to recent attempts like Until Dawn, to upcoming adaptations like Clair Obscur and Death Stranding, everyone seems to be getting in on the video game adaptation trend. So why not Riders Republic?
Actress Scarlett Johansson has two Academy Award nominations under her belt, but she still can’t understand why Avengers: Endgame, which she starred in as Black Widow, didn’t walk away with more than its one nomination for visual effects.
“How did this film not get nominated for an Oscar?” Johansson wondered about the 2019 Marvel Cinematic Universe smash hit in a recent interview with Vanity Fair. “It was an impossible movie that should not have worked, that really works as a film — and also, it’s one of the most successful films of all time.”
Avengers: Endgame is certainly considered one of the best of the MCU outputs in recent years, but the Academy has rarely afforded top honors — such as the acting and directing categories for example — to superhero (or even genre) fare. In fact, the only Marvel film to date to snag a nomination is 2018’s Black Panther. That said, Johansson’s turn as Natasha Romanoff was pretty award-worthy, from her first appearance in 2010’s Iron Man to her death in Endgame.
However, the actress also told Vanity Fair that she most likely would never return to that world. “It would be very hard for me to understand in what capacity [returning] would make sense for me, for the character that I play,” she explained.
“I miss my buddies and really would love to be with them forever, but what works about the character is that her story is complete. I don’t want to mess with that. For fans, too — it’s important for them.”
After Black Widow’s death in Endgame, Johansson returned for one more spin as Romanoff. She starred in the prequel film Black Widow in 2021, which she also executive produced.
Lex Briscuso is a film and television critic and a freelance entertainment writer for IGN. You can follow her on Twitter at @nikonamerica.
Peacock TV just launched another seasonal coupon code. Get one year of the ad-supported Peacock Premium plan for only $24.99 – or about $2.08 per month – when you apply coupon code "SPRINGSAVINGS". This promotion starts now and runs through April 30. That's 70% off the normal annual price of $79.99. Anyone who isn't currently subscribed to Peacock TV should be eligible, and that includes past subscribers. This beats out the previous winter sale price of $29.99.
1 Year of Peacock Premium for $24.99
In our recently updated Peacock TV streaming service review, Rosie Knight wrote, "When it comes to growth and evolution since its launch, Peacock has really had an impressive journey. In 2024 it feels like the service has found its niche as an affordable platform with a wide range of viewing options. When every other service is edging closer towards $20 a month, Peacock offers new straight-from-the-theater movies, an untouchable TV back catalog, and even live sports. It's a selection that keeps Peacock in the streaming conversation, while the affordability raises it up to one of the best options."
Watch Wicked Exclusively on Peacock
Watch Nosferatu on Peacock
Watch The Wild Robot on Peacock
Access to Live Sports, Including NFL Sunday Night Football
Since Peacock TV is owned and operated by NBC (Peacock, after all, is named after the NBC logo), you get access to NFL Sunday Night football games. You also get access to other live sports like Premier League, Big 10 Football, and WWE.
Exclusive Access to The Office
Peacock has a couple of other big wins. This is the only platform where you're able to stream all episodes of The Office for no additional fee. If you aren't familiar with the inter-work relationships between Michael Scott and Dwight Schrute, you are seriously missing out. If that still doesn't tickle your fancy, Yellowstone is another outstanding TV series that just recently ended with its fifth season. (This was a Paramount original that Peacock had the streaming rights to because Paramount made a deal with Peacock before Paramount+ existed. Complicated!) Video game aficionados will find plenty of things to like here as well, like the superbly animated new Super Mario Bros. kids' flick, the Five Night At Freddies supernatural horror, or the Twisted Metal TV series.
Eric Song is the IGN commerce manager in charge of finding the best gaming and tech deals every day. When Eric isn't hunting for deals for other people at work, he's hunting for deals for himself during his free time.
Earlier in April, T-Mobile launched two new mobile family plans intended to replace the Go5G and Go5G Plus services, which included unlimited talk, text, and premium data. The new plans - "Experience Beyond" and "Experience More" - carry over the benefits of Go5G but also tack on new perks like a 5-year fixed price guarantee, a higher mobile hotspot data cap, T-Satellite with Starlink (for "Experience Beyond"), and more, all at a lower monthly rate.
T-Mobile Experience Plans: What They Offer
T-Mobile's Experience plans are currently available as two separate tiers. The "Experience More" plan offers 3 lines for $140 per month with AutoPay (otherwise $185 per month), plus taxes and fees. The "Experience Beyond" plan offers 3 lines for $180 per month with AutoPay (otherwise $230 per month). The benefits for each plan are as follows:
1. T-Mobile Experience More ($140/mo with AutoPay)
5-year price guarantee
Upgrade-ready every two years
Unlimited talk and text
Unlimited 4G & 5G LTE premium data
Netflix (standard with ads) subscription included
Apple TV+ subscription included
60GB of high-speed mobile hotspot data
Unlimited text, 15GB of high-speed data in Canada & Mexico
Unlimited text, 5GB of high-speed data in 215+ countries & destinations
Full-flight texting and Wi-Fi with streaming where available
2. T-Mobile Experience Beyond ($180/mo with AutoPay)
5-Year price guarantee
Upgrade-ready every year
Unlimited talk and text
Unlimited 4G & 5G LTE premium data
T-Satellite with Starlink service (through end of 2025)
Netflix (standard with ads) subscription included
Apple TV+ subscription included
Hulu (standard with ads) included
Unlimited mobile hotspot included
Unlimited text, 30GB of high-speed data in Canada & Mexico
Unlimited text, 15GB of high-speed data in 215+ countries & destinations
Full-flight texting and Wi-Fi with streaming where available
Watch & tablet lines just $5/month
The "Experience More" plan is more than sufficient for most people, since you get unlimited talk, text, and premium 5G and 4G LTE data for $45 per month (with autopay) plus a 5 year guarantee and both Netflix and Apple TV+ subscriptions. The 2 year upgrade path is perfectly reasonable since most people don't replace their phone every year.
If, however, you do like to be at the forefront of smartphone tech, or you plan to connect an additional device like your tablet or Apple Watch, and/or you travel often (and could benefit from a higher international data cap or Starlink accessibility), then the "Experience Beyond" plan is an attractive option at $60 per month (with autopay).
Did you know? T-Mobile offers incentives for switching carriers
As part of its Family Freedom initiative, T-Mobile will cover up to $800 per line to help pay off your AT&T and Verizon phones (even if they’re locked) and a new smartphone when trading in that device. Families score with deals like four flagship smartphones on Us and four new voice lines for just $100/month on Essentials.
These plans with no yearly contract - What does that mean?
Not to be confused with your phone's financing plan
T-Mobile's "Experience" are postpaid plans that don't lock you into any sort of yearly contact, so you are free to cancel your service at anytime. Keep in mind, however, that if you finance a phone through T-Mobile, you are still required to make payments on the phone for however long the contract entails, usually for a length of 24 months. Although you can opt to pay your phone off early, T-Mobile often offers discounts on their phones in the form of bill credits that are applied every month. So, paying a phone off early could mean you forfeit the bill credits for the remainder of the term. As per the norm, common sense dictates that you read the fine print before committing to any form of contractual obligation.
Eric Song is the IGN commerce manager in charge of finding the best gaming and tech deals every day. When Eric isn't hunting for deals for other people at work, he's hunting for deals for himself during his free time.
DC Studios has released a new Superman trailer revealing three minutes of the upcoming movie.
The James Gunn-directed film, out July 11, 2025, has an extensive supporting cast of superheroes and supervillains, and we get a better look at those characters in this trailer. We see Nathan Fillion in action as Guy Gardner / Green Lantern, batting enemies away with a flick of his hand, Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, and our best look yet at The Engineer, played by María Gabriela de Faría.
We now know it’s The Engineer who destroys the robots who care for Superman in the Fortress of Solitude, including, presumably, Kelex. (In a previous trailer we saw a distraught Superman cradle Kelex after a battle.)
We also see Krypto the Superdog perform a flying punch at The Engineer during the battle. Clearly Krypto isn't afraid to get his paws dirty when it comes to fighting bad guys.
We also see Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult) and Ultraman in action. There's a lot more of Edi Gathegi's Mister Terrific and Anthony Carrigan's Rex Mason / Metamorpho, too. The Hammer of Boravia, who was revealed in yesterday's trailer teaser, appears as expected in the full trailer (the brand new character created by Gunn for this movie is thought to be Ultraman in disguse).
Clark Kent and Lois Lane’s relationship is front and centre, with Lois interviewing Clark in Superman mode. It looks like the interview ends up in a row as the pair argue over the ethics of Superman’s controversial intervention in a war on foreign soil ("I wasn’t representing anyone except for me... and doing good!"). The Hammer of Boravia attacks Downtown Metropolis in response to Superman's actions in the country.
In another shot, seemingly taken from the battle with The Hammer of Boravia, a member of the public helps Superman out of a hole in the ground. This contrasts with other shots we've seen of the public screaming at Superman and even throwing objects at him.
Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.
One of the biggest questions left over after Elden Ring Nightreign’s network test back in February was: “How will the world of Limveld change in the real game”? After all, Nightreign is, for all intents and purposes, a roguelite. And one of the core elements of any roguelite is a degree of randomness or procedural generation that ensures that every run feels just a little bit different. Nightreign has that in the loot department, with every run giving you different rewards and forcing you to cobble together a build based on what you’re able to find within that run; and also in the enemy and boss department, since none of the boss encounters are static, with the sole exception of the Nightlord battle on Day 3. But as far as the world of Limveld, we never really got a chance to see how it changes from run to run during the Network Test.
During my two days of playtime at FromSoft’s office and over the course of about 10 full runs, I got my answer. Here’s how Limveld will change from run-to-run in Elden Ring Nightreign:
Elden Ring Nightreign: How Limveld Will Change
Actually, we jumped the gun. Before we go into the ways Limveld will change, let’s quickly establish what doesn’t change:
This overall structure of Limveld will not change. The shape of the island, the major geographical features, the positioning of the cliffs, rivers, and lakes, will all be the same, barring a few major exceptions that we’ll cover in just a bit.
The locations of sites of grace, evergaols, the launching spirit springs, cave entrances and exits, the spectral trees and the wind currents, all of these are static and do not change location from run-to-run.
There is also a giant castle that features exceptionally tough battles and big rewards right smack in the middle of the map that will never change.
Everything else, from the locations of all of the rest of the points of interest, the types of rewards offered at those points of interest, to the wandering mini-bosses, and the bosses you’ll fight at the end of Day 1 and 2 are left completely up to chance.
That said, there are two other huge factors that can completely alter a run. The first are world events known as “Shifting Earth”. Occasionally, before you even launch into a level, you’ll be made aware that there is a Shifting Earth modifier in effect. In our playtime, the one we encountered was “Crater,” which transformed the northern section of the map, placing a giant crater in the middle and rivers of lava all around it. The enemies around and inside the crater are no joke, and wiped the floor with us when we first attempted to even get close enough to investigate the crater on the first day.
But investigate it you should, and you should do so as soon as the second day begins, if you’re up to the challenge. Exploring the crater took us pretty much the entirety of the second day, but when we did eventually make it all the way to the bottom, we beat a boss that granted us an epic rarity level reward by itself, but then also the unique reward of being able to take any weapon in our arsenal and upgrade it to max for free! It’s a risky endeavor though, as in order to escape from the crater, you need to use a bunch of spectral trees and ride the hawks from platform to platform as you try to escape, which will certainly lead to nail-biting escape sequences when you take too long in the crater and now must race against the clock to get out while the circle closes in around you.
The other big way that runs can change are through the appearance of certain events that seem to occur completely randomly and can throw a huge wrench into an otherwise routine run. I’ve seen a couple of these, and some might be familiar with the Margit invasion from the Network Test, in which Margit the Fell will just all of a sudden jump into your game and mercilessly hunt your squad down wherever they are.
But a new one that I encountered involved the appearance of a swirling tornado-like phenomenon in the sky. When our squad approached it, we were suddenly attacked by a very tough group of AI-controlled Nightfarers who seemingly invaded us from another world. Like typical NPC invasions in Elden Ring, these enemies were smarter and hit a lot harder than typical enemies, making it another big risk/reward consideration to explore the areas near one of these ominous swirling tornadoes in the sky.
The most impactful of all of these random events, though, was the appearance of a mysterious boss that would attack from miles away with mortar shots of level-sapping bugs. That's right, get hit even just once by these telegraphed mortar strikes, and you lose a level. It’s not even limited to losing just one. Get a hit again, it’ll take another level from you. The only way to get those levels back is to find and kill the boss by following the bugs to his hiding spot. Unfortunately, I don’t have footage of this, nor do I know what the reward is for killing him, because by the time we found the boss by following the bugs, the circle had started encroaching, and we just wouldn’t have been able to kill him before the circle killed us. I’m not going to lie, It was pretty soul-crushing to have to just give up on those levels that he stole from us, and it really kind of doomed our run right from day one.
There are certainly more of these that I still haven’t encountered, like the forest of corruption, the madness towers, and more that we can see in the overview trailer released by FromSoftware. It’s worth mentioning as well that if you don’t like the Shifting Earth modifier that will affect the world, you can use the bed in the Roundtable Hold to sleep to either remove the modifier or have it be replaced by something else.
As devastating as some of these modifiers can be, I’m nonetheless eagerly anticipating seeing more of them. They inject a healthy level of chaos into what otherwise might start to feel very routine, and led to some great emergent moments with high emotion between me and my squadmates as we raced to escape the crater, or panicked at an unexpected ambush, or felt true despair as we realized the levels that were stolen from us were gone forever. Moments like these are the heart of any good roguelite, and hopefully Nightreign is able to keep them coming at a steady pace.
This is a nice little treat for Studio Ghibli fans: Grave of the Fireflies is getting a Blu-ray steelbook. This is set to release in a couple of months, on July 8, so you won't have to wait too long to add it into your collection. It is currently listed for $26.99 at both Amazon and Target. Alongside the film itself, this steelbook also comes with quite a few bonus features to keep you busy, which we've broken down below.
We consider Grave of the Fireflies to be one of the best Studio Ghibli movies, so if you've been waiting to add it to your physical media collection there's no better time than now to get your preorder in.
Preorder Grave of the Fireflies Blu-Ray Steelbook
Grave of the Fireflies Blu-Ray Steelbook Bonus Features
From teasers to interviews to storyboards, there's a whole bunch of bonus features to dig into with this steelbook release of Grave of the Fireflies. Here's the full list of features available to watch:
Max is changing its name back to HBO Max from this summer, Warner Bros. Discovery has announced.
The surprise rebrand follows the change of HBO Max into Max only two years ago. Max, soon to be HBO Max, is the streaming platform home to the likes of Game of Thrones, The White Lotus, The Sopranos, The Last of Us, House of the Dragon, and The Penguin.
Announcing the change, WBD said its streaming business had turned around its profitability by almost $3 billion in just two years, and was “scaling” globally with 22 million subscribers added over the past year. It has a “clear path” to over 150 million by the end of 2026, WBD said.
“This is thanks to an enormous amount of hard work, investment and re-focusing the strategy on the programming that is working best like HBO, recent box-office movies, docuseries, certain reality series, and Max and local originals, and de-prioritizing other genres that drive less engagement or acquisition,” the company continues.
So why go back to HBO Max now? Because people associate the HBO brand with quality content that is unique and “worth paying for,” and that’s what people want now, more than ever, amid the sea of overwhelming streaming options.
“This evolution has also been influenced by changing consumer needs, and the fact that no consumer today is saying they want more content, but most consumers are saying they want better content,” WBD said.
“With other services filling the more basic needs with volume, WBD has clearly distinguished itself through its quality and distinct stories, and no brand has done that better and more consistently over 50+ years than HBO.
“Returning the HBO brand into HBO Max will further drive the service forward and amplify the uniqueness that subscribers can expect from the offering. It is also a testament to WBD’s willingness to keep boldly iterating its strategy and approach – leaning heavily on consumer data and insights – to best position itself for success.”
David Zaslav, President and CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery, said: “The powerful growth we have seen in our global streaming service is built around the quality of our programming. Today, we are bringing back HBO, the brand that represents the highest quality in media, to further accelerate that growth in the years ahead.”
JB Perrette, President and CEO of Streaming, added: “We will continue to focus on what makes us unique – not everything for everyone in a household, but something distinct and great for adults and families. It’s really not subjective, not even controversial – our programming just hits different.”
And Casey Bloys, Chairman and CEO of HBO and Max Content, said: “With the course we are on and strong momentum we are enjoying, we believe HBO Max far better represents our current consumer proposition. And it clearly states our implicit promise to deliver content that is recognized as unique and, to steal a line we always said at HBO, worth paying for.”
Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.
The tech experts at Digital Foundry have revealed the final tech specs for Nintendo Switch 2, and with it claimed that the GameChat feature has a "significant impact" on system resources to the point where developers are said to be concerned.
Players can watch each other enjoying the same or different titles and, with the help of a camera, even see each other. It's made all the easier by a built-in microphone that is shown to be relatively reliable regardless of each player's gaming environment. The C button's chat menu aims to be an all-in-one multiplayer feature that could result in Nintendo's most successful online push in decades.
Digital Foundry said Nintendo provides developers with a GameChat testing tool that simulates API latency and L3 cache misses that the real world GameChat system incurs on the system. This means developers can test this without needing active GameChat sessions running.
DF is now left wondering whether game performance for the end user is impacted by having GameChat on or off. If GameChat resources are within the system allocation, it shouldn't make any difference. However, given Nintendo provides GameChat emulation tools, the suggestion is there is a hit of some description that developers need to test for.
As Digital Foundry put it: "We'll be interested to see how GameChat may (or may not) impact game performance as this does seem to be an area of developer concern." We won’t know for sure until Switch 2 comes out on June 5.
Meanwhile, Digital Foundry revealed the Switch 2 final tech specs. Switch 2 Memory System Reservation is 3GB, with 9GB available for games. For context, the Switch 2 has 0.8GB Memory System Reservation and 3.2GB available for games. That’s a significant chunk of the Switch 2’s resources that games do not get. As with all consoles, Switch 2 developers don't get access to the full GPU resources, with some reserved by the system.
Switch 2 features a 7.9-inch wide color gamut LCD screen that is capable of outputting at 1080p (1920x1080). This is a big upgrade from Switch 1's 6.2-inch screen, the Switch OLED's 7-inch screen, and the Switch Lite's 5.5-inch screen.
There is also support for HDR10 and VRR up to 120 Hz, which means games can jump up to 120fps if they and your setup allow it.
Slotting the Switch 2 to its new dock will allow games to be played in 4K (3840x2160) at 60fps or 1080p/1440p (1920x1080/2560x1440) at 120fps. We know these higher-end graphics are made possible by a "custom processor made by NVIDIA."
Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has many memorable characters, but few might inspire as much joy as Esquie, the game's lovable giant pal who might as well be a mascot character. The studio is warning against issues with fake merch sales around him, but also teasing an official plush Esquie that's in the works.
In a post on X/Twitter from the official Expedition 33 account, Sandfall Interactive said it has seen a number of "suspicious" websites pop up selling Esquie plushies.
"To be clear: any third-party websites selling Esquie plushies are NOT officially licensed," the studio said. "Many of them are using AI-generated artwork to advertise, and we strongly recommend against purchasing from these sources. They could be scams."
To balance out the wheee with the whooo though, as Esquie might say, Sandfall confirms it is looking into making official Esquie plushies, and wants to get them out as soon as it can. "In the meantime, please be patient — and don’t get scammed!" the studio said.
Those who have played the game probably get why an Esquie plushie might be in high demand. If you haven't gone on Expedition 33 yet, Esquie is a giant helper you meet in Act 1 of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 who becomes both a traveling companion and overworld travel method. He's got the same vibe as Big Hero 6's Baymax.
With that in mind, it's easy to see how an Esquie plush might garner some interest, so it's good to know Sandfall is working on an official solution. A cursory search on Google pulled up both an unofficial site, and a few threads asking about Esquie plush peddlers. If you want the real thing from Sandfall and Kepler, you'll have to wait a bit. No news on whether the real-life plushie will also be filled with wine, though.
Last week, Sandfall Interactive released patch 1.2.3 for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, addressing some balance tweaks around Maelle's Stendhal ability. French President Emmanuel Macron also recently praised the game, calling its developers a "shining example of French audacity and creativity."
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