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The Dodow is an unassuming object: About three inches in diameter, it sort of resembles a coaster. But it's a sleep device that's pretty well beloved, albeit pricey, and very simple to use.

Armed with a blue light and three AAA batteries, the Dodow sits on your nightstand and helps guide your breathing as you try to drift to sleep. The device has two "breathing modes," one eight-minute exercise and one 20-minute exercise. If you change your mind midway through the eight-minute mode, you can also switch to the 20-minute mode without restarting the whole sequence, which I thought was a nice touch. 

Once you select your mode, you'll notice that a circle of blue light will be projected onto the ceiling above your bed. The beam of light will expand and contract rhythmically: Your job is to lie on your back, inhale when the light expands, and exhale when the light contracts. Before long, Dodow promises, "sleep will come."

What works

Adding light of any kind to a sleep routine feels like a dangerous game: There's plenty of research confirming light's adverse effects on sleep. But the Dodow's blue light at least felt soft and unobtrusive, bright enough to show up on the ceiling but not so bright that it prevented me from falling asleep. 

The breathing exercises were pleasant and calming, although I'm not sure they ever caused me to slumber. Still, I often don't have much decompression time before hitting the hay, so it was nice to concentrate on something other than my own mile-a-minute thoughts. Meditative indeed! 

I could see the Dodow working especially well for travel: it's lightweight and easy to pack, and it would be handy for nights when it's hard to fall asleep in a new place. (Plus, you can buy a cute round carrying case for it.) Further evidence: the company has a partnership with Air France, which provides the devices to its flight staff.

What doesn't quite work

Again, it's hard for me to say whether the Dodow actually caused me to fall asleep. While I enjoy using the device, its effects still feel a bit mysterious.

In addition, the Dodow is probably not a great choice if you hate sleeping on your back. Fortunately, I don't mind sleeping on my back — it tends to soothe my sciatica — so this wasn't an issue for me. If you're a side or stomach sleeper, though, you'll have no way of watching the blue light. (I suppose there might be some kind of creative workaround for side sleepers, but that seems like a lot of work to figure out.) 

I also struggled with the Dodow's battery cover falling off frequently, though this may have been an issue confined to my unit.

Is the Dodow worth it?

Let's be honest: $60 is pretty expensive for a device with pretty one-note functionality. If it's just meditation or breathing exercises you're after, you'd do just as well with a meditation app. And if you want a white noise or other sound component, Dodow isn't the fix for you.

Dodow's big advantage, in my view, is that it's completely untethered to other devices. It doesn't connect to your phone or smart home hub, so you can leave all your other tech in another room (as is recommended) for bedtime.

What softens the cost is the company's 100-day free trial, which lets you try the Dodow for 100 nights before determining whether it's right for you. If it's not your thing, you can return it for a full refund.

So you've finally nailed your sleep routine. Congratulations! Lights dimmed, white noise on, alarm set for the wake-up time that gives you five perfect REM cycles — you're about to be well-rested to the max. 

But there's a way to streamline your sleep setup even more: by creating a routine using your Alexa device. This will ready your room for bedtime with a single voice command. Here's how to do it, in just four easy steps.

Step 1: Make sure your devices are connected to Alexa

First, you'll want to make sure all the devices involved in your bedtime routine are connected to your Alexa app, so they'll be available options when you're constructing your routine. Just head to "Devices" in the Alexa app, select the plus sign, and click "Add device." 

From there, you can choose the type and brand of the device you want to connect and add it to your Alexa-compatible lineup.

SEE ALSO: I tested sleep earbuds for over a month: Here are the 3 best pairs Step 2: Create a routine in the Alexa app

Next, you'll create your routine. Open the Alexa app and select "More," then select "Routines." From there, press the plus sign. You'll be directed to start a new routine.

Step 3: Set your voice command "event"

This part's fun: Click on "When this happens" and you'll be directed to select the voice command to trigger your bedtime routine. This could be as simple as "Start my night routine," or you can get a little creative. 

For example, if you're creating a bedtime routine for a child, consider picking something they'll have fun saying themselves. Getting to shout "night night!" every evening could make bedtime a little more enjoyable, right?

Choosing a quirky or unusual command is also helpful because you're less likely to accidentally say it at other points during the day. (Simply using the word "sleep," for example, might be too much of a hazard.) You don't want to set off your bedtime routine when it is not, in fact, bedtime.

Step 4: Design your routine

Finally, you'll select "Add action" and choose the components of your routine. This could be:

• Turning the temperature on your Nest thermostat to 65 degrees Fahrenheit (an optimal sleep temperature)

• Playing a white noise playlist or a relaxing bedtime song

• Dimming or switching off the lights (you'll need smart bulbs for this one) or fading lamps to 0 percent brightness over time as you doze off

• Starting up a relaxing scent diffuser, like the Pura Mini

• Setting your alarm for the next morning

• Firing up an Alexa-compatible sleep tracker, like Amazon's Halo Rise or one of our picks for the best sleep trackers.

Good night! We hope you're ready for the sweetest dreams ever.

SAVE $20: As of May 6, the Fitbit Inspire 3 fitness tracker is on sale for $79.95 at Amazon. That's 20% off its list price of $99.95.

Opens in a new window Credit: Fitbit Fitbit Inspire 3 $79.95 at Amazon
$99.95 Save $20 Get Deal

Investing in a fitness tracker doesn't need to break the bank. If you're looking for a more affordable option to aid you in staying on top of your health and fitness goals, there are plenty to choose from. Our favorite budget fitness tracker, the Fitbit Inspire 3, is currently on sale.

The Fitbit Inspire 3 is marked down to $79.95 at Amazon, a 20% discount from its list price of $99.95. It's currently listed as a limited-time deal, so it's best to jump on this deal now if it has caught your eye.

SEE ALSO: Score the Fitbit Sense 2 for under $200 for a limited time

This little band comes with all-day activity tracking, 24/7 heart rate tracking, 20+ exercise modes, and it even features a daily Stress Management Score to help you stay calm and focused on your health and fitness goals. As mentioned before, we consider it the best budget fitness tracker and our review had high praise for it upon release, with writer Sam Stone saying, "For just under $100, the Fitbit Inspire 3 packs so many great health metrics and fitness tracking into a small wearable."

Don't miss out on 20% off the Fitbit Inspire 3 at Amazon.

If you're curious to see some more fitness tracker deals, you can also save on the Fitbit Versa 4 right now at Amazon.

SAVE $100: As of May 6, the Beats Solo 4 headphones are on sale for $99.95 at Amazon. That's 50% off their list price of $199.95.

Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Solo 4 $99.95 at Amazon
$199.95 Save $100.00 Get Deal

Summer is coming up fast, and if you've got travel plans this year, it's nice to have a pair of headphones to keep you occupied on any long journeys. Thankfully, there are some great deals available right now on top brands.

The Beats Solo 4 headphones are 50% off right now at Amazon. This has dropped the price of the Beats Solo 4 from $199.95 to $99.95, saving you $100 on list price. This also marks a return to their lowest-ever price, so if they've caught your eye there's no better time to pick them up.

SEE ALSO: The 9 best headphones of 2025

With a comfortable design and up to 50 hours of battery life, the Beats Solo 4 can keep you busy with good music, audiobooks, podcasts, and more for hours. Whatever you choose to listen to will sound great, and with features like Personalized Spatial Audio, you'll always feel fully immersed.

There's no better time than now to upgrade your headphones, so don't miss out on 50% off the Beats Solo 4 at Amazon.

If you'd prefer to pick up earbuds instead, the AirPods 4 (without ANC) are also discounted at Amazon. And if you're on the lookout for headphones for working out, the SHOKZ OpenRun Pro 2 are also on sale there right now.

SNL has a massive following in the U.S., but how would that popularity translate to the UK?

Appearing on Late Night on Monday, John Oliver gives host Seth Meyers his thoughts on the very real possibility of a UK spin-off — and he doesn't beat around the bush.

"It sounds like a terrible idea," says Oliver. "We have had sketch comedy before, and it just feels like Saturday Night Live is a unique group...it's a cult. I don't know how you're going to impose that cult onto the UK."

For what it's worth, he's equally (if not more) sceptical about Universal opening up a theme park in Bedford.

The Last of Us Season 2 has already been packed with brutal moments, but there's been some beauty in there too. Ellie (Bella Ramsey) playing a cover of A-ha's "Take On Me" to Dina (Isabela Merced) after finding a working guitar in episode 4 has got to be one of the most moving scenes so far — and now you can rewatch it to your heart's content on YouTube.

For an explanation of why Ellie plays that song in particular, we've got you covered.

The Last of Us Season 2 is now streaming on Max. New episodes air weekly on Sundays 9 p.m. ET on HBO.

Donald Trump's social media team has been playing around with AI again, this time posting an image of the president holding a lightsaber on the official White House X account to mark Star Wars Day (May the Fourth...) over the weekend.

As Jon Stewart points out in the Daily Show monologue above, though, there's a fairly key detail they overlooked.

"I know I'm not meant to get distracted, but he's not a fucking Jedi in that picture!" yells Stewart. "Do you understand? Trump is presenting himself as a Jedi, but his lightsaber is red. The only way you can have a red lightsaber is by infusing its kyber crystal with the power of your rage and hate, thereby corrupting it into a vessel for the Dark Side.

"Therefore, every one of those photos that Trump is putting out there, he's admitting he's not a Jedi but in fact a Sith Lord!"

SAVE $100: As of May 6, the iPad Mini with A17 chip is down to $399 on Amazon. That's $100 off the list price, and the lowest-ever price on Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad Mini 2024 (A17 chip, 128GB, WiFi) $399 at Amazon
$499 Save $100 Get Deal

What a year for iPads! First we got new versions of the iPad Air and iPad Pro, and then the iPad Mini got a much-needed upgrade to be compatible with Apple Intelligence. And if all of that wasn't enough, we've been treated to a number of deals on these new models lately.

As of May 6, the iPad Mini with A17 chip is on sale for $399 on Amazon. That's $100 off the list price, and the lowest-ever price on Amazon. We haven't seen a price drop on the iPad Mini for some time, so if you've been waiting for the right moment to strike, this could be it.

SEE ALSO: The app that turns your iPhone into a scanner, and it lasts for life

The iPad Mini is the smallest of Apple's tablets with an 8.3-inch display, making it a great option for reading. Plus, with the A17 chip, the iPad Mini is ready for Apple Intelligence — helping you edit photos, summarize articles, write emails, and much more.

Get $100 off the iPad Mini for a limited time at Amazon.

The 2025 Met Gala took place on Monday night, with celebrities and fashion insiders once more flocking to New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art to partake in some flamboyant pageantry. And once more, the internet's denizens have turned to social media to offer takes on their outfits.

SEE ALSO: K-pop fans are furious about racism at the Met Gala. Here's why. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

This year's Met Gala theme celebrated the museum's new spring exhibition "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style," which opens on May 10. This exhibit will explore Black fashion history and style in the U.S. and Europe, stretching from the 18th century until now. In particular, "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style" aims to examine Black dandyism, and the key role style has had in forming Black identities in the Atlantic diaspora.

As such, the dress code for the 2025 Met Gala was "Tailored to You," the museum stating that it is "a nod to the exhibition’s focus on suiting and menswear." Unsurprisingly, many Black celebrities shone with spectacular style this year, taking centre stage and commanding attention.

Everyone else take note: This is now you do the Met Gala.

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Among those absolutely owning the Met Gala was Motown legend Diana Ross, who attended the event for the first time in over 20 years. She wore a magnificent white gown featuring an 18-foot train embroidered with her family's names, the result of a collaboration between Ross, her son Evan, and Nigerian designer Ugo Mozie.

Expressing a widely held sentiment, X user @beyoncegarden posted that Ross "LITERALLY CLEARED EVERYONE OMFG ICONIC."

Diana Ross. Credit: Kevin Mazur / MG25 / Kevin Mazur / Getty Images for The Met Museum / Vogue

Damson Idris' outfit earned a notable chef's kiss from Derek Guy, also known as "the menswear guy" or @dieworkwear on X. Though Guy was focused on Idris' striking red Tommy Hilfiger suit, the F1 actor initially wore a white racing suit which was subsequently torn off for a dramatic reveal.

Damson Idris. Credit: Savion Washington / Getty Images

Guy also dubbed Janelle Monáe's look as one of his favourites at the event. Collaborating with Tom Browne and Wicked costume designer Paul Tazewell, Monáe initially appeared in a structured, pinstriped cape which bore an image of a suit. She then shed the cover to show off a striking tailored jacket and skirt in bold red, black, and white. The unmistakably dandy ensemble was topped off by a bowler hat, monocle, and a brooch featuring a diamond made from tequila — a nod to the impact diamond mining has had on African nations.

Janelle Monáe Credit: John Shearer / WireImage; Kevin Mazur / MG25 / Kevin Mazur / Getty Images for The Met Museum / Vogue; Theo Wargo / FilmMagic

In fact, there were so many amazing looks at the 2025 Met Gala that it's impossible to choose a highlight. From Tessa Thompson to Jodie Turner-Smith, Doechii to Lupita Nyong'o, it seems practically everyone came determined to leave no crumbs.

From left to right: Tessa Thompson, Jodie Turner-Smith, Doechii, Lupita Nyong'o. Credit: Dia Dipasupil / Getty Images; Jamie McCarthy / Getty Images; John Shearer / WireImage. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. From left to right: Lauryn Hill, Halle Berry, Kerry Washington, Imaan Hammam. Credit: John Shearer / WireImage; Jamie McCarthy / Getty Images; Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images for The Met Museum / Vogue This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

What's more, this year the men of the Met Gala brought their A-game as well. It is Met Gala tradition that at least some (typically male) attendees to earn onlookers' disdain by showing up in relatively ordinary outfits — and there were indeed some less interesting suits on the daffodil-dotted carpet. However, this year's smattering of lacklustre looks were completely overshadowed by the sheer volume at which everyone else was serving.

"It’s such a breath of fresh air to see the men nail the Met Gala theme and be creative for once!!" posted X user @jacquemusx.

From left to right: Brian Tyree Henry, Jeremy O. Harris, Khaby Lame, André 3000. Credit: Dia Dipasupil / Getty Images; Jamie McCarthy / Getty Images; Gilbert Flores / Variety via Getty Images. From left to right: Keith Powers, Alton Mason, Dynasty Ogun and Soull Ogun, Shaboozey. Credit: Jamie McCarthy / Getty Images; Savion Washington / Getty Images; Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images for The Met Museum / Vogue

While the 2025 Met Gala undeniably belonged to its Black attendees, other guests were also working hard to keep up. Sabrina Carpenter forewent pants, opting for a Louis Vuitton bodysuit she described as a "dramatic take on a dandy tailcoat."

Others put a unique spin on the Met Gala's theme by zeroing in on the "Tailored to You" dress code. SEVENTEEN leader S.Coups was dressed by BOSS, which clearly drew inspiration from the Korean hanbok to design the K-pop idol's outfit. Indian singer and actor Diljit Dosanjh honoured his Punjabi heritage with a custom sherwani by Prabal Gurung. Meanwhile, Wednesday's Jenna Ortega leaned heavily into the tailoring concept with a Balmain gown made of metal rulers, designed by Olivier Rousteing.

From left to right: Sabrina Carpenter, S.Coups, Diljit Dosanjh, Jenna Ortega. Credit: Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images for The Met Museum / Vogue; Kevin Mazur / MG25 / Kevin Mazur / Getty Images for The Met Museum / Vogue; Taylor Hill / Getty Images. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

You can watch the whole Met Gala carpet on Vogue's YouTube channel — all three hours of it.

SAVE $40: As of May 6, the Kindle Essentials Bundle is on sale for $121.97 at Amazon. That's 25% off its list price of $161.97.

Opens in a new window Credit: Kindle Kindle Essentials Bundle including Kindle (2024) $121.97 at Amazon
$161.97 Save $40 Get Deal

The latest Kindle release is one of my favorite recent investments. It has been a great way to catch up on new books and ones I've been meaning to start for a while. I'd highly recommend it to anyone who's an avid reader. Its essentials bundle — which comes with a fabric cover and power adapter alongside the e-reader itself — is even on sale right now at Amazon, so there's no better time to pick it up.

Usually the Kindle Essentials Bundle is listed for $161.97, but it's currently on sale for $121.97. That lets you keep $40 compared to buying everything separately, which is a very nice deal to take advantage of while it's live. With Mother's Day right around the corner, it's also a great gift idea.

SEE ALSO: Prime members get a free e-book with Amazon's First Reads

This Kindle is worth every cent, too. It features a six-inch glare-free display that's great for reading in any lighting. I recently took mine out to the park to read in the sunshine and it felt really nice to not have to deal with any pesky reflections getting in my way. And with 16GB of storage, there's plenty of space to stock up your library with exciting new e-books. Its portable size makes it a perfect traveling companion, too.

Amazon has this listed as a limited-time deal, so don't miss out on 25% off the Kindle Essentials Bundle at Amazon while it's still available.

Another great Kindle deal that's worth checking out right now is on the Kindle Colorsoft. If you'd prefer an e-reader that will bring your favorite stories and comics to life in color, this one deserves a look. The redesigned Kindle Scribe is also down to its lowest-ever price at Amazon.

Squid Game Season 3 is fast approaching, and now we have our first proper glimpse of what the end will look like.

In the brief teaser above, we see Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) returning to the games in a bow-wrapped coffin before the main characters line up to wearily draw a red or blue ball from a large, ominous-looking gumball machine.

Squid Game Season 3 premieres June 27 on Netflix.

For more TV shows coming this summer, check out Mashable's big streaming preview.

SAVE $40: As of May 6, the Fitbit Versa 4 is on sale for $149.95 at Amazon. That's a 25% saving on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Fitbit Fitbit Versa 4 $149.95 at Amazon
$199.95 Save $50 Get Deal

Getting a smartwatch for fitness and lifestyle tracking doesn't need to break the bank, especially when you don't need the most advanced model on the market. I've tested a lot of smartwatches over the years, and for affordable fitness and lifestyle tracking, you can't go wrong with the Fitbit Versa 4.

As as of May 6, the Fitbit Versa 4 is on sale at Amazon, reduced to just $149.95. This deal can be found in all color options: black, pink sand, and waterfall blue.

SEE ALSO: The best Fitbits in 2025

This is my favorite watch in the Fitbit range, and one I've spent a lot of time testing. In my opinion, it's an excellent all-rounder fitness tracker. Whether you're hoping to run a 5K or want to get some insights into your sleeping habits, this watch offers a bit of everything.

There are over 40 sports tracking modes that include running, swimming, cycling, and general workout features. However, it's worth noting that the battery life isn't as long-lasting for long-distance activities as the likes of Garmin or Coros. So if you're planning to regularly hit the double digits for runs, it's worth having a look at run specific watches.

Health and lifestyle features of the Versa include heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and built-in GPS so you can head outside for activities without your phone. And style-wise, the Versa 4 ticks all the boxes. It has a bright AMOLED display with vibrant colors and images, and is touchscreen-controlled, so it's easy to use as well as looking nice on your wrist.

Grab this great Fitbit deal before it runs out.

SAVE $40: As of May 6, the SHOKZ OpenRun Pro 2 headphones are on sale for $139.95 at Amazon. That's a 22% discount on list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: SHOKZ SHOKZ OpenRun Pro 2 $139.95 at Amazon
$179.95 Save $40 Get Deal

For many, running with headphones is a constant battle of hearing your music, hearing your surroundings, and not having them fall out of your ears at every given opportunity. Why must it be that you always have to sacrifice something?

That's where SHOKZ OpenRun Pro 2 come in. An incredible pair of bone-conducting headphones that are designed for running, these help to keep your ears free for spatial awareness, and still allow you to enjoy your favorite running playlist or podcast.

SEE ALSO: I tried my AirPods Max headphones' new lossless audio ability: Does it really work?

Bone conduction technology does what it says on the tin. It's a technology that transmits sound through vibrations directly to the inner ear via the cheekbones, bypassing the eardrum, and increasing your spatial awareness. And as of May 6, you can buy the SHOKZ OpenRun Pro for less, reduced to just $139.95 at Amazon.

The SHOKZ OpenRun Pro headphones are an earbud-free design with a lightweight, wraparound frame and open-ear fit. They deliver high-quality audio while keeping your ears open to your surroundings for safety and connection during workouts. This is one we recommend for runners, and a product I'm eyeing up for my own runs.

It has an IP55 waterproof rating, so they’re sweatproof and work for runs or walks in the rain. However, these are not suitable for swimming. The battery life will keep you listening for up to 12 hours, and a quick five-minute charge will top you up with two and a half hours of extra playtime.

This is a limited-time deal, so head to Amazon now.

Today, Microsoft confirmed some long-standing rumors and unveiled two new compact Surface devices, its second batch of Qualcomm-powered Copilot+ PCs.

The devices include a more portable 13-inch Surface Laptop and a 12-inch Surface Pro, which are pared-down versions of Microsoft's flagship laptop and convertible. Both Surface devices feature an eight-core Snapdragon X Plus processor with an NPU rated at 45 trillion AI operations per second (TOPS), which supports the latest Copilot+ experiences.

The new Surface Laptop and Surface Pro will come with 16GB of RAM, 256GB or 512GB of UFS storage, and three finishes: Ocean, Violet, and Platinum. They're set for release on Tuesday, May 20 starting at $899.99 and $799.99, respectively. Preorders are now available from the Microsoft Store and Best Buy.

The new 13-inch Surface Laptop: No more 'Go'? Credit: Microsoft

Measuring in at 11.25 x 8.43 x 0.61 inches and 2.7 pounds, the new 13-inch Surface Laptop is the "thinnest and lightest Surface Laptop yet," according to a company blog post. It joins the Surface Laptop 7th Edition, Mashable's current favorite Windows laptop, which debuted in June 2024 in two sizes: 13.8 inches and 15 inches.

Compared to last year's model, the new Surface Laptop has a downgraded 60Hz touchscreen display with a lower resolution and contrast ratio. It's also a tad less powerful, as the existing Surface Laptop 7 is configurable with 10-core Snapdragon X Plus and 12-core Snapdragon X Elite CPUs with up to 64GB of RAM. It should still be plenty peppy, though: Microsoft's announcement claims it "outpaces the MacBook Air M3," Apple's previous-generation notebook.

SEE ALSO: Best Windows laptops for 2025: Our top pick lasts longer than the M4 MacBook Pros

The 13-inch Surface Laptop might have one leg up over the flagship model in the stamina department. It's rated at 23 hours of local video playback per charge, whereas the Surface Laptop 7 is rated at 20 hours. That said, the latter lasted nearly 23 hours in Mashable's hands-on testing, so they could be equals in practice.

At $899.99, the new Surface Laptop is $100 cheaper than the entry-level Surface Laptop 7, and even cheaper than Apple MacBook Air laptops.

The launch of the 13-inch Surface Laptop seems to mark the end of Microsoft's Surface Laptop Go line of budget portable laptops, which was last updated in 2023 (we've reached out to a company rep to confirm this). It's also a sign that the tech giant is committed to Windows on ARM over x86-based processors (for its consumer-oriented products, at least). The most recent Surface Laptop Go 3, a 12.4-incher, was powered by a 12th-gen Intel Core CPU.

The new 12-inch Surface Pro: A tinier hybrid Credit: Microsoft

The 12-inch Surface Pro measures 10.8 x 7.47 x 0.3 inches and weighs in at only 1.5 pounds, making it "the thinnest and lightest Copilot+ PC yet" across all brands, per Microsoft's announcement. That was a title previously held by the Asus ZenBook A14.

A hybrid device with a built-in adjustable kickstand, the new Surface Pro is a smaller alternative to last year's 13-inch Surface Pro 11th Edition, which came in two different configurations: a 10-core Snapdragon X Plus variant with a LCD touchscreen display, and a 12-core Snapdragon X Elite model with an OLED touchscreen display, both with up to 64GB of memory. Its own touchscreen has a worse refresh rate, resolution, and contrast ratio than both of the flagship options, but a better rated battery life of 16 hours of local video playback per charge (compared to 14 on WiFi-only models and nine with those sporting cellular connectivity). As with the new Surface Laptop, we'll see how that translates to real-world usage.

SEE ALSO: As tariffs come for tech, these are the best cheap laptops under $1,000

A new Surface Pro 12-inch Keyboard will turn the Surface Pro into a laptop, while Microsoft's Surface Slim Pen will allow the user to draw or take notes on its display. (It can magnetically attach to the back of the new Surface Pro for safekeeping.) Both accessories are sold separately.

The new Surface Pro will start at $799.99, making it $200 cheaper than the base Surface Pro 11.

New Windows Copilot+ experiences

Microsoft introduced several new and updated Copilot+ experiences alongside its new Surface devices Tuesday, including a dynamic lighting feature in Microsoft Photos, a custom sticker generator in Paint, image description-reading capabilities for Narrator, and more Click to Do actions. They'll roll out to members of its Windows Insiders feature preview program over the course of the next month.

Copilot+ PC users will also soon have the option to enable an AI agent that can automate and execute tasks within their Settings menu. Users will be able to describe what they need help with in plain English, such as "my mouse pointer is too small," and the AI agent will take care of it.

Head over to the Microsoft Blog to check out the full list of new Copilot features.

A sweltering planet circling a star much like the sun is delivering something scientists rarely get when studying distant worlds — clarity.

Using the James Webb Space Telescope, a collaboration of NASA and its European and Canadian counterparts, a team of astronomers zoomed in on TOI-421b, a planet more than 2.5 times larger than Earth and 245 light-years away in space. 

The exoplanet isn't just missing clouds, it's free of the typical hazes that have obscured views of the atmospheres surrounding other planets in its size class. 

That makes TOI-421b a standout among so-called "sub-Neptunes," planets larger than Earth but smaller than Neptune. These worlds are thought to be the most common in the Milky Way, yet scientists know relatively little about them, said Eliza Kempton, principal investigator of the study. That's because their atmospheres have been so hard to study.

"They're incredibly plentiful in our galaxy," Kempton, an astronomer at the University of Maryland, told Mashable. "And that just raises the importance that if this is the most common kind of planet, we better try to figure out what they're all about." 

SEE ALSO: These scientists think alien life best explains what Webb just found The James Webb Space Telescope has provided the clearest atmospheric reading yet for a hot sub-Neptune exoplanet. Credit: NASA GSFC / CIL / Adriana Manrique Gutierrez illustration

The way the team analyzed the planet's atmosphere is called transmission spectroscopy. When planets cross in front of their host star, starlight shines through their atmospheres. Molecules within the atmosphere absorb certain light wavelengths, or colors, so by splitting the star’s light into its basic parts — a rainbow — astronomers can look for which light segments are missing to figure out the makeup of an atmosphere.

When they peered at TOI-421b, they saw strong signs of water vapor and a hydrogen-rich atmosphere, with no evidence of the thick aerosol layers that have previously cloaked other sub-Neptunes. 

The team picked up hints of carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide, though they'd need more observations to confirm those detections. The researchers also noted what was absent from the data: methane and carbon dioxide. Their findings are published in the Astrophysical Journal Letters.

Scientists chose TOI-421b for this study because it was predicted to have a haze-free atmosphere, based on its extremely high temperature of 1,340 degrees Fahrenheit. Cooler planets — like the previously studied sub-Neptunes orbiting dimmer stars called red dwarfs — often show signs of methane. But methane tends to break down in high heat, unable to start the chemical process that can lead to haze.

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The big surprise was just how lightweight the planet's atmosphere appeared. It wears a jacket of hydrogen and helium, like the gas its star is made of. Previous sub-Neptune studies revealed worlds wrapped in much heavier gases that could potentially be water worlds. Scientists are now wondering if the planet has held onto the molecular outfit it was born with billions of years ago.

Perhaps the type of star a planet orbits changes how the atmosphere of that world develops over time. Or maybe the hotter planets are just more likely to have clear skies. Whatever the reason, the team is motivated more than ever to look at other hot sub-Neptunes for patterns.

"So we can see if this planet just turned out to be kind of a unique snowflake," Kempton said, "or is it emblematic of a class of planets that all have similar properties?"

TL;DR: Create anything, even NSFW art, with a lifetime subscription to Imagiyo for only $39.97.

Digital creativity has never been more accessible, yet many of us remember the days when crafting a single image meant wrestling with layers and plugins for hours on end. Now there’s a way to generate stunning visuals in seconds simply by typing a description of what you have in mind.

Imagiyo uses Stable Diffusion AI alongside FLUX AI to turn text prompts into high-quality images ready for commercial use, and there aren’t many limits to what you can create. Here’s what that means.

What art can you make with Imagiyo

What do you want to make first? It only takes a brief description to put Imagiyo’s advanced algorithms to work, and unlike other image generators, Imagiyo actually lets you really follow your creativity. Craft stunning landscapes, visualize characters from books, or go for something a little more daring. Imagiyo supports NSFW content creation. Just set your prompts to private and let your mind run wild.

Imagiyo’s commercial-use license means you can take some of the images you generate and incorporate them into client projects, social media campaigns, or personal portfolios without fear of copyright issues.

Each month, you receive 500 image-generation credits and can submit up to two prompts at once. Unused credits roll over, so you never lose access to your creative potential. Best of all, Imagiyo delivers your purchased engine updates and feature improvements automatically, ensuring you always work with the latest AI models.

You have until June 1 at 11:59 p.m. PT to get an Imagiyo AI Image Generator lifetime subscription for $39.97 (reg. $495).

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TL;DR: Pok Pok is an educational app for kids 2-8, and it’s only $49.99 for life with code SAVE10.

It’s hard to avoid screen time with kids. They see you on your phone and want something of their own. The secret is that screentime isn’t inherently bad. Pok Pok offers a refreshing alternative by combining the playfulness of a toy chest with the gentle guidance of Montessori principles. Designed for kids aged two to eight, this platform encourages curiosity through hands-on games that build fundamental skills in math, science, language, and creative thinking, and it’s only $49.99 (reg. $250) for a lifetime subscription.

An educational app for kids

From the moment your child taps open Pok Pok they enter a world free of advertisements and clutter. The handcrafted art and soothing sounds draw children in without overwhelming their senses. Every activity invites low-stimulation exploration so youngsters can learn cause and effect by experimenting at their own pace. A built-in hint system even keeps frustration at bay.

Because Pok Pok works offline, it’s the perfect companion for family road trips or waiting rooms. There are no surprise charges or data-hungry ads, and the tantrum-free design means you can pause play anytime without protest. Parents trust this award-winning collection of educational games to foster problem-solving and early STEM awareness while offering a guilt-free introduction to screen time.

Behind the scenes early childhood experts collaborated with Pok Pok’s developer-parents to make sure every interaction supports natural development. The app adapts to each child’s growth with open-ended scenarios that remain engaging from toddlerhood through the early school years. Whether they’re building outer-space worlds or assembling jigsaw puzzles of real-life scenes, your child enjoys endless discovery without ever needing a menu or written instructions.

Use code SAVE10 by June 1 at 11:59 p.m. PT to get a Pok Pok Lifetime Subscritpion on sale for $49.99.

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TL;DR: Add another layer of digital protection to your browsing and devices with iProVPN’s three-year plan, now available for $29.99 (reg. $324).

If you’re looking to secure your online activity without breaking the bank, iProVPN’s three-year subscription plan offers excellent value. Priced at $29.99 (reg. $324) for three years, that’s just over $1 per month — a significant discount from the standard $10 monthly rate for other VPNs on the market.

With this plan, you gain access to over 350 servers in 47+ countries, allowing you to bypass geo-restrictions and access content from around the globe. Meaning? If you’re still upset by Netflix US’s removal of The Office or Rick and Morty, you can still stream those shows and other content via Netflix France, Australia, etc.

iProVPN also supports up to 10 devices simultaneously, so you can run it on your phone, laptop, tablet, and more, all without juggling multiple logins. The subscription also includes one year of free password manager access and a bonus month of 2TB of cloud storage for extra digital functionality. Say goodbye to low storage notifications across your devices or misplacing passwords with these additional features.

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If you’re in the market for a reliable VPN service that balances affordability with robust features, iProVPN’s 3-year plan is worth considering.

Don’t wait to protect your online life — secure your data and devices with this iProVPN three-year subscription for just $29.99 while supplies last.

iProVPN: 3-Year Subscription

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TL;DR: Use code FAMPLAN to grab AdGuard’s ad-blocker, malware protection, and more for nine devices for only $15.97 (reg. $169.99).

It probably feels like ads are everywhere these days, whether it’s those unskippable YouTube videos, pop-ups on websites, or oddly specific promos that make you wonder if your phone is eavesdropping on your conversations. Instead of putting up with it all for one more day, you can finally block the noise with AdGuard.

The AdGuard Family Plan offers a one-and-done solution to annoying ads and online threats. It not only wipes out interruptions across your devices, but also adds a strong layer of protection for your peace of mind. For a limited time, you can score lifetime access for just $15.97 (reg. $169.99) with code FAMPLAN at checkout.

With more than 1,400 five-star reviews, AdGuard has earned its sterling reputation as a comprehensive ad-blocking and privacy tool. It blocks banners, pop-ups, and even those dreaded mid-video ads. You can also create custom filters to fine-tune what you see — or don’t — on specific sites and platforms. Missed something? You can manually block it, too.

But it’s more than an ad-blocker. AdGuard acts like a low-key security guard for your digital life, helping you avoid malware, phishing sites, and creepy trackers trying to harvest your data. It’s privacy protection that actually works without slowing you down.

Since this plan works across up to nine devices — including Mac, Windows, iOS, or Android — it’s great for anyone with a multi-device setup or a full household. Families will especially like the parental controls that keep the internet safe for kids, letting them access only kid-friendly content like Peppa Pig or Bluey without straying into questionable territory.

You can finally ditch the interruptions and browse the web on your terms. Get an AdGuard Family Plan lifetime subscription for just $15.97 with code FAMPLAN. You’ll have to act quickly since this coupon code won’t last forever.

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Want something to tickle your funny bone but don’t want to spend hours perusing your options? Picking a comedy to watch can be tricky, because humor is a matter of taste. But worry not, because we cater to all sorts with our watch guides.

Whether you’re hankering for a comedy classic or a modern hit, a feel-good crowd-pleaser or an oddball critical darling, an outrageous musical or a candy-colored fantasy, we've got you covered. Giggles to chuckles, guffaws to belly laughs — Max can get you whatever laughs you need.

Here are the best comedy movies now streaming on Max.

20. Home Again

Want a deeply charming comedy about a May-December romance? Then you'll fall for Home Again.

Hallie Meyers-Shyer's directorial debut stars Reese Witherspoon as Alice Kinney, a Los Angeles mother of two spirited daughters, who's staring down her 40th birthday while separated from her husband (Michael Sheen). Her friends are desperate to set her up with an appropriate could-be beau. But then she crosses paths with not one but three fun-loving twentysomethings who're looking to make it as filmmakers. Only one of them (Pico Alexander) will end up in her bed. But all three become a vibrant and welcomed presence in the life of Alice and her kids. Even if her husband is less than thrilled!

Warm and witty, Home Again is an absolute delight. — Kristy Puchko, Entertainment Editor

How to watch: Home Again is now streaming on Max.

19. Severance

Nope! Not the Apple TV+ hit. Before Adam Scott was splitting himself into innie and outie, this 2006 horror-comedy offered its own cutting commentary on corporate culture.

From writer/director Christopher Smith (Black Death, Triangle) comes a silly slasher set at a company retreat. Employees at a British office travel to the mountains of Hungary, ostensibly to learn how to work better as a team. But paintball and social awkwardness give way to running for their lives when a mysterious killer begins — to use a corporate parlance — cutting heads. If your sense of humor is on the sick side, you'll appreciate Smith and company's Severance. — K.P.

How to watch: Severance is now streaming on Max.

18. Y2K Credit: Nicole Rivelli / A24

If you love '90s nostalgia and wacky horror/comedies, you'll treasure Y2K. Saturday Night Live's Kyle Mooney makes his directorial debut with this goofy movie, which imagines that when the clocks clicked over into the year 2000, mankind's greatest fears were realized. Specifically, all our coolest tech — from Tamagotchis to CD players — would gain artificial intelligence and go on a murderous rampage. 

This AI ambush pitches high school wallflower Eli (Jaeden Martell) and his outgoing goofball bestie Danny (Julian Dennison) into a battle for their lives. And all their classmates at a New Year's Eve house party become their anxiety-ridden allies as the war between man and machine gets very ridiculous. To Mooney's credit, he heaps plenty of delicious, era-appropriate details into Y2K, which will give children of the '90s palpable flashbacks. But the comedy itself gets wobbly as the funniest characters get killed off. In my review out of its SXSW premiere in 2024, I determined, "Y2K is a good time, but falls short of greatness."* — K.P.

How to watch: Y2K is now streaming on Max.

17. Pee-wee's Big Adventure

If you’re searching for something off the beaten path, check out Tim Burton’s lively feature directorial debut. The weird but enchanting worlds he’d come to create in films like Edward Scissorhands, Beetlejuice, and Batman Returns got their start in this bombastic road trip movie about a boy in search of his stolen bicycle.

SEE ALSO: 'Pee-wee as Himself' trailer: Meet Paul Reubens, the genius behind your favorite playhouse

Cheeky comedian Paul Rubens stars as Pee-wee Herman, a live wire (loner and rebel) whose determination to reclaim his beloved bike takes him on a jubilant journey across the nation. At every pit stop, he finds friends, trouble, or both! With this giddily odd movie, grown-ups can revel in the nostalgia of the madcap humor of the "Tequila" dance and the frightful thrill of Large Marge. Kids can freshly enjoy Pee-wee's wackiness and marvel over what a PG-movie looked like in 1985. — K.P.

How to watch: Pee-wee's Big Adventure is now streaming on Max.

16. Singin' in the Rain Credit: Silver Screen Collection / Moviepix via Getty Images

Craving something that’ll not only make you laugh but also make you want to get up and dance? Then splash into the stupendous pleasures of this 1952 classic, co-directed by Stanley Donen and Hollywood legend Gene Kelly. The latter stars as a vaudevillian who has worked his way up from stuntman to silent movie star. As the sound era shakes up the film industry, he hopes to make sweet music with an enchanting ingenue (a beaming Debbie Reynolds). However, his cantankerous leading lady (a ruthlessly silly Jean Hagen) won’t be sidelined without a fight! Full of meta jokes, charming banter, hysterical hijinks, and astonishing song numbers, Singin' in the Rain is one of the best musical comedies that's ever been made. Come for the jokes. Stay for the signature dance number that's as astonishing now as it was decades ago. Then, let the romance of this feel-good film sweep you away. — K.P.

How to watch: Singin' in the Rain is streaming on Max.

15. Barbie Margot Robbie is Barbie in "Barbie." Credit: Warner Bros.

Frankly, the promotional journey for Barbie was so full of pink, so joyful, so fun, that would have been Kenough. The movie could have been a silly trifle, and we'd likely have been pleased. But writer/director Greta Gerwig brought us the universally heralded coming-of-age comedy Lady Bird and then the rapturous reimagining of Little Women. Her Barbie wasn't going to stop at playful. Instead, it parodied the patriarchy with horses, Stallone-inspired fashion, and a rousing dream ballet fueled by an actual banger, "I'm Just Ken."

Margot Robbie was picture-perfect as a Barbie who realizes the world is much bigger than the dreamhouse-dotted Barbie Land. Ryan Gosling snagged the rare comedy Oscar nomination for his delightfully deranged take on the insecure man doll who couldn't cope, and so turned to conquering. (Napoleon relates!) While detractors have argued the film's girl-power messaging is simplistic, it's hard to deny that Gerwig did more with this IP than we could have dreamed. Sure, Barbie is a glossy toy commercial. But it's a glossy toy commercial that not only has something to say, but does so through spectacular filmmaking that folds in eye-popping practical effects, enthralling details, discontinued dolls, and jokes that were way outside the box. From Weird Barbie to that on-point Pride and Prejudice mini-series namedrop, Barbie had us so giddy that we felt like kids again.* — K.P.

How to watch: Barbie is now streaming on Max.

14. Problemista Credit: A24

Is your favorite brand of comedy the bleak, existential kind? Then Julio Torres' Problemista is the surreal and fractured fairy tale for you. Torres (who also wrote and directed the film) stars as Alejandro, an imaginative toy designer trying to make it in New York City. But when he's fired from his job at a cryogenics facility, Alejandro needs to find a new visa sponsor or he'll be deported. Enter Tilda Swinton as Elizabeth, a temperamental, delusional harridan — and the wife of one of Alejandro's former frozen clients. Alejandro must figure out how to manage Elizabeth's ever-changing whims while navigating the labyrinthine U.S. immigration process and keeping his dream alive. — Kristina Grosspietsch, Freelance Contributor

How to watch: Problemista is now streaming on Max.

13. Lady Bird

Saoirse Ronan is completely captivating as the artsy Christine (aka Lady Bird), with dreams bigger than her Sacramento suburb will allow. She's constantly at odds with her mother (Laurie Metcalf) and is struggling to find her path. Will she get into her dream school on the East Coast? Could her family even afford it if she did? 

A coming-of-age dramedy about a teenager redefining her relationship with her parents and yearning to leave home, Greta Gerwig's Lady Bird is simply sublime. It's a fantastic encapsulation of adolescent angst, poking fun at the self-seriousness of 17-year-olds while maintaining empathy for even the moodiest of high school crushes (a perfectly cast Timothée Chalamet). — K.G.

How to watch: Lady Bird is now streaming on Max.

12. Modern Times Credit: Hulton Archive / Moviepix via Getty Images

Charlie Chaplin was a king of comedy in the silent film era, rolling his iconic Little Tramp into such side-splitters as City Lights, The Gold Rush, and The Kid. These and many more Chaplin offerings are available on Max. Subscribers can easily look back at how American physical comedy was forged through set pieces both silly and sensational. You really can’t go wrong when it comes to Chaplin, but we're highlighting Modern Times because even though it's set in 1936, its humor is truly timeless. Taking on a string of industrial jobs while romancing a charming gamin, Chaplin zips from one zany bit to another with a captivating waddle and a chipper twitch of his mustache, fearlessly throwing himself face-first into the wildest shenanigans. Plus, as this film includes some scenes with sound and dialogue, it's maybe the most accessible introduction to Chaplin's works. — K.P.

How to watch: Modern Times is streaming on Max.

11. Unpregnant

Many excellent films about the hardships this country forces women to undergo in order to receive an abortion are fittingly stirring and sobering. 2020's Unpregnant, on the other hand, is a ridiculous road trip/buddy comedy about abortion that seems like it shouldn't work, but it does. And we love it! 

Haley Lu Richardson (White Lotus) is Veronica, an over-achieving 17-year-old in Missouri who needs a "procedure." But the closest place a minor can get an abortion without parental consent (and Veronica's parents are very religious) is over a thousand miles away in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She seeks the help of her former best friend, high school misfit Bailey (Barbie Ferreira), for a ride. A charming look on modern female friendship, a wacky road trip misadventure, and a thoughtful take on reproductive rights, all wrapped into one! And don't miss an unexpectedly laugh-out-loud cameo from Giancarlo Esposito. — K.G.

How to watch: Unpregnant is now streaming on Max.

10. Keanu Credit: Warner Bros / Everett / Shutterstock.com

Long before Jordan Peele became Hollywood's foremost horror auteur, he was doing ridiculous and boundary-pushing comedy alongside Keegan-Michael Key. Their magnum opus? 2016's absurd buddy action/adventure Keanu. Rell (Peele) and Clarence (Key) are normal, if somewhat boring, cousins who find themselves embroiled in a drug-smuggling scheme when Rell's kitten, Keanu, goes missing. When Rell adopted the little ball of fur, he had no idea Keanu previously belonged to a cartel boss. Now that it seems Keanu has been cat-napped, Clarence and Rell will stop at nothing to get him back. Keanu is a fun, fast-paced, and ludicrous ride starring two infectiously watchable comedians at the top of their game — and a criminally cute kitten! — K.G.

How to watch: Keanu is streaming on Max.

9. Tampopo Credit: Apic / Moviepix via Getty Images

A spirited spoof tipping its hat to the Spaghetti Western, this 1985 Japanese comedy was promoted as a "ramen Western." Its central story is about a cowboy hat-wearing truck driver (Tsutomu Yamazaki) who comes across a humble ramen shop where the food is truly "terrible." Damsel-in-distress Tampopo (Nobuko Miyamoto) begs this hardened hero to save her family's business by teaching her to do right by ramen. So of course, he rounds up a posse to perfect her recipe. Full of physical comedy, giddy silliness, quirky characters, and charming performances, this film is a delectable delight. But writer/director Jûzô Itami brings even more to the table, spicing up this culinary tale with fantastical vignettes about the love of food. Though often ridiculous — and sometimes salacious — none of the laughs are lost in translation. But be warned: This funny film will make you hungry. The loving shots of ramen and the various speeches about its richness and wonders are ruthlessly mouth-watering. Maybe order dinner before digging in. — K.P.

How to watch: Tampopo is streaming on Max.

8. Mamma Mia!: The Movie

Is there a more fun movie than Mamma Mia!? We're not sure there is! Adapted in 2008 from the insanely popular jukebox stage musical, Mamma Mia!: The Movie is a bubbly, pre-wedding romp stuffed with ABBA songs and storied actors who may or may not have been drunk throughout the entire course of filming. This is the height of cinema, people!

Amanda Seyfried is enchanting as Sophie, a young bride-to-be who finds her mother's journal from the year she was conceived and discovers three possible candidates for her birth father. Does she talk to her mom (a glowing Meryl Streep) about this? No! She invites them all to her wedding on the remote Greek island where she and her mom live, in the hopes she'll figure out which is her biological father before it's time to walk down the aisle. 

Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, Stellan Skarsgard, Julie Walters, Dominic Cooper, and Christine Baranski fill out the charismatic cast of this most spectacularly cheerful film, which is guaranteed to leave you smiling. — K.G.

How to watch: Mamma Mia!: The Movie is now streaming on Max.

7. Scott Pilgrim vs. the World Credit: Big Talk Productions / Kobal / Shutterstock,com

A romantic comedy/action/comic book/adventure mashup, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World is a simply fantastic movie through and through. More than a decade after its release, a fun, new rewatching bonus is seeing current Hollywood heavyweights (Chris Evans, Anna Kendrick, Aubrey Plaza, Kieran Culkin, and more) having fun and being silly at the start of their careers. These stars enjoyed working on the film so much, they all agreed to come back for Netflix's 2023 animated reimagining, Scott Pilgrim Takes Off. 

Michael Cera is iconic as the soft-spoken Scott Pilgrim, a bass player in an unsuccessful indie band who becomes enamored with delivery girl Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead). Unfortunately for Scott, to date Ramona, he’ll have to defeat her seven evil exes first! Uh oh! Good thing this movie also pulls some of its visual style from video games! That’s right, Scott Pilgrim has it all! — K.G.

How to watch: Scott Pilgrim vs. the World is now streaming on Max.

6. Shazam! 

Billy Batson is a 14-year-old living in a group home who can't seem to stay out of trouble. But when he's mysteriously transported to a mythical cave called the Rock of Eternity, a wizard grants him the power to transform into Shazam, an adult superhero. So what would a 14-year-old do if he could instantly look like a grown-up and had super strength? Make viral videos, of course! 

Shazam! is a fun and welcome twist on the classic superhero flick. Zachary Levi is pitch-perfect as a 14-year-old in an adult's body, and Mark Strong is deliciously evil as the villain trying to steal Shazam's powers for himself.* — K.G.

How to watch: Shazam! is now streaming on Max.

5. The Hangover

If you're looking for comedy of the dude variety, no film franchise is as bro-y, as raunchy, or as crude as The Hangover. In this archetypal 2000s party flick, Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, and Zach Galifianakis are taking Justin Bartha out for an epic Las Vegas bachelor party two days before his wedding. And when they wake up the next morning in a destroyed hotel room that is missing the groom-to-be but now contains a tiger (!!!), they must piece together the clues of their insane, blacked-out night to find their buddy and save his wedding. The Hangover is an adrenaline comedy, mixing gross-out humor with dumb stunts, car chases, and an excellent Mike Tyson cameo. — K.G.

How to watch: The Hangover is streaming on Max.

4. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Credit: Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc

Coming out more than 30 years after Tim Burton's Beetlejuice first delighted audiences with his madcap and macabre tale of the "ghost with the most," this sequel did what seemed impossible: It was a hell of a good time! Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, and Catherine O'Hara reprise their roles as, respectively, Beetlejuice, his could-have-been child bride Lydia Deetz, and her savagely chic stepmother Delia. Jenna Ortega joins the cast as Lydia's rebellious daughter Astrid, whose surprise trip to the Netherworld sends the Deetzes into an uneasy alliance with their old enemy.

SEE ALSO: 'Beetlejuice Beetlejuice' star Winona Ryder reveals Lydia Deetz's full character arc leading up to the sequel

Filled with Burton's classically creepy yet enchanting character designs, oddball musical numbers, and visual gags that had audiences drop-jawed in demented glee, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is a sequel true to the spirit of the original, while making fresh fun with freaky new characters, played by Willem Dafoe, Monica Bellucci, and Arthur Conti. Don't miss the fun. — K.P.

How to watch: Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is now streaming on Max.

3. Dicks: The Musical Credit: Justin Lubin / A24

Sometimes a movie comes along that is so completely outrageous that it feels like a miracle it exists at all. Dicks: The Musical is such a treasure. Writers/actors/homosexuals Josh Sharp and Aaron Jackson translated Fucking Identical Twins, a two-man comedy musical once staged in the basement of a Gristedes, into a movie musical that is not only beyond bonkers but also features such big stars as Nathan Lane, Megan Mullally, and Megan Thee Stallion.

Imagine The Parent Trap as a scorching satire of queer culture and homophobic fears, and you'll get some idea of what's in store. It's not just musical numbers about the joys of putting alpha males in their place, or the madcap chaos of Mullally's ad-libs, or even national treasure Lane spitting ham at his beloved Sewer Boys. It's also got Bowen Yang as God, and a finale number that is as joyous as it is absolutely iconoclastic. 2023 was a year peppered with superb comedies, but nothing made us laugh as hard or loud or long as Dicks: The Musical.* — K.P.

How to watch: Dicks: The Musical is now streaming on Max.

2. Bridget Jones's Diary Credit: Alex Bailey / Miramax / Universal / Kobal / Shutterstock.com

Bridget Jones's Diary is a perfect movie, and we're not hearing any opinions to the contrary, thank you! Renée Zellweger gained 20 pounds to snag the role of Bridget, already a beloved character in the UK thanks to Helen Fielding's wildly popular Bridget Jones novels. The Brits were in an uproar about an American being cast as in a role that was archetypally British, but Zellweger's performance (and accent!) were so spot-on, the complaints quickly gave way to rave reviews.

The start of a film franchise and the best movie of the lot, Bridget Jones’s Diary introduces us to an ordinary woman in London who, after turning 32 alone, vows to lose weight, quit smoking, stop drinking, and find love. Enter Hugh Grant as Bridget's preternaturally charming boss, and, because this is a Pride and Prejudice adaptation, Colin Firth as the man who couldn't seem more wrong for Bridget (his name is literally Mr. Darcy!!!). Even if you know where this funny and grounded rom-com is going, you're sure to have a blast along the way. — K.G.

How to watch: Bridget Jones’s Diary is streaming on Max.

1. Wonka Credit: Jaap Buittendijk / Warner Bros.

A prequel to 1971's Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory seemed an idea so preposterously cash-grabby that fans of the Gene Wilder-fronted original and Roald Dahl's children's books scoffed ahead of Wonka's release. Even the trailer got naysayers tittering about Timothée Chalamet's performance. But once this movie musical finally was shown to critics, it was determined sweet, charmingly, and scrumdiddlyumptious!

Chalamet stars as the famous chocolatier years before his factory was built. A pauper with a case of curious ingredients and a dream to make divine candy, Wonka instantly earns the ire of a nefarious chocolate cartel and a ruthless con artist played by Academy Award–winner Olivia Colman. But with a bit of ingenuity, the help of his motley crew of friends, and some pure imagination, Wonka will manifest a sweet life. Watching it happen, and listening to the jaunty tunes along the way, is a pure pleasure. But we'd expect nothing else from Paddington 1 & 2 writers Paul King and Simon Farnaby. — K.P.

How to watch: Wonka is now streaming on Max.

UPDATE: May. 5, 2025, 4:00 p.m. EDT This article was originally published September 3, 2021. It has been updated to reflect the current selection on Max.