While GoT had Jon Snow and Ellaria Sand (we're ignoring Ramsey), HotD has the dragonseeds, many of whom we were already introduced to before season 2, episode 4. These men (and eventually women) are set up to play monumental roles in the fight for the Iron Throne, even if they aren't all introduced within season 2. Read on for a primer on the dragonseeds we've met on House of the Dragon so far, including some extra details from Fire and Blood.

What is a dragonseed in 'House of the Dragon?'

In the era of Westeros where dragons roamed the sky and Targaryens were on the throne, "dragonseed" was the term for bastards of Valyrian descent. A dragonseed is fathered or mothered by someone from a dragon-riding Valyrian family, typically a Targaryen or a Velaryon. Not all children of Valyrian descent inherit dragon-riding skills, but a great amount do. Since the ability to ride dragons is passed down through blood (look up "why Valyrians can ride dragons" for a fun yet harrowing time), a dragonseed doesn't need to be officially claimed by their family to be able to ride a dragon, though that is likely the only way they'd get anywhere near one.

Being a dragonseed is dangerous at any time before Robert's Rebellion since the odds are they could become cannon fodder for a potential heir securing his throne. As Ulf says, “A dragonseed must watch his own neck when he has no white cloak guardsman to do it for him.” However, at a time when dragons are the most valuable weapon in a war, there is a chance the dragonseeds could become indispensable.

Let's meet some of them below.

Alyn and Addam of Hull

Early in season 2, we meet brothers Addam (Clinton Liberty) and Alyn (Abubakar Salim), who grew up in the Driftmark town of Hull. Remember when Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint) was thought dead after a battle in the Stepstones? It turns out that Alyn is the one who saved him, and, as his brother Addam hints in episode 2, that's not the only connection the men have to the Sea Snake. In episode 4, Rhaenys (Eve Best_ pretty much confirms that Alyn and Addam are the bastard children of Corlys, adding that Corlys should reward Alyn for saving his life. She also mentions that the pair shouldn't have to hide in the shadows, which is some mighty foreshadowing.

In Fire and Blood, Alyn and Addam are confirmed to be of Velaryon blood, though it's unsure whether they are Laenor (John MacMillan) or Corlys's sons. One passage reads, "That Addam and Alyn were dragonseed no man who looked upon them could doubt, though their mother steadfastly refused to name their father." (Judging by Laenor's sexuality, we suspect it's going to be either Corlys or even his late brother Vaemond on the show.) As for their dragonseed heritage, there was a lovely nod in episode 2, where we got a lengthy shot of Addam admiring his half-brother(?) Laenor's dragon, Seasmoke.

Ulf the White

Ulf the White (Tom Bennett) is one of the residents of King's Landing, who we first see among the crowds learning of the ratcatchers' untimely deaths after the incident known as Blood and Cheese. In episode 3, we properly meet Ulf at a tavern, where he's regaling his crowd of friends with the story of his parentage. According to Ulf, he's the bastard son of Baelon the Brave, and therefore half-brother to Daemon (Matt Smith) and the late King Viserys (Paddy Considine). (In actuality, Baelon was Jaehaerys' heir to the Iron Thorne, but he died before his father, leading to the Great Council of Harrenhal where Viserys was chosen as king over Rhaenys.)

Ulf's friends do not believe him, as he doesn't have white Targaryen hair, but Ulf points out that Rhaenyra's son Jace (Harry Collett) is a brunette. He also dubs Jace the rightful heir to the Iron Throne, though he quickly toasts Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney) once the usurper shows up at the brothel. House of the Dragon has yet to confirm Ulf's parentage, but Fire and Blood fans know that the loudmouth's claim has some truth to it.

Hugh Hammer

In the first episodes of season 2, one of the common folk we meet is Hugh Hammer (Kieran Bew), a blacksmith whose family is struggling through the Velaryon blockade of the Gullet. Upon a first look, he represents the many residents of King's Landing who face starvation, along with his partner Kat (Ellora Torchia) and their ill daughter. However, as you can tell by the uncommon white hair, Hammer has some Velaryon heritage.

House of the Dragon has yet to reveal Hammer's heritage, but per Fire and Blood, he's a "blacksmith’s bastard” with “hands so strong that he was said to be able to twist steel bars." The passage continues, "Through largely untrained in the art of war, his size and strength made him a fearsome foe. His weapon of choice was the warhammer, with which he delivered crushing, killing blows.”

Are there any female Dragonseeds?

As of season 2, episode 4, all of the dragonseeds introduced in House of the Dragon have been men. However, the most powerful dragonriders (or at least the most beloved) in the Thrones TV universe have been women—so there has to be at least one female dragonseed incoming. Hopefully, they'll make their appearance sooner rather than later.

While you could bring any number of books with you on vacation, "the beach read" tends to mean a novel that's easy to get lost in as you soak up the sun. Typically, engrossing thrillers or easy-breezy romance novels make for great reading material. This summer season, there's a handful of options that fit the bill, including some of the best books of the year so far, heartwarming new romance novels, and, as always, series worth getting into, modern genre classics you may have missed, and more. Below, find the best summer beach reads of 2024 worth picking up, whether you're headed out on holiday or to the shore or pool in your city.

On July 8, multiple outlets reported that a follow-up to the original movie was in the works at Disney, with inside sources confirming the news to Deadline.

I know what you're thinking but no, sadly as it stands there's no word on whether the main cast members—Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, Stanley Tucci—will be returning.

Still, we do have some juicy details, like the rumored basic plotline. The movie is reportedly set to feature Miranda Priestly (originally played by Streep) as she tries to navigate the new landscape of magazine publishing post-online boom—and puts her former assistant Emily Charlton (Blunt, originally) as her high-powered advertising exec nemesis. I think we can all agree it sounds delicious.

Though cast members haven't been announced (nor, it seems, pinned down), we do know that Aline Brosh McKenna is returning as a screenwriter. McKenna has also previously worked on the likes of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Your Place or Mine, and 27 Dresses.

Director David Frankel is apparently "in talks" to come back, as is producer Wendy Finerman.

As for the probability of the beloved top-billed cast quartet from the original movie returning, in the absence of hard evidence, let us take a look at some of the breadcrumbs they've scattered over the years since the 2006 movie came out.

Tellingly, Hathaway seemed reluctant to participating in a sequel as recently as March of this year. She told E! News at the time that she'd rather "make something else" with Streep and Blunt, and added, "I don't think a continuation of that story is probably ever gonna happen." (Beg to differ...)

However, there's a shred of hope to be gleaned from an April 2024 interview with Hathaway, who told V Magazine, "We all love each other and if somebody could come up with a way to do it, I think we’d all be crazy not to. But there’s a huge difference in the world now with technology, and one of the things about that particular story is it was about producing a physical object. Now with so much being digital, it would just be very different." (And some clever movie creator has taken this into account when thinking up a sequel!)

Emily Blunt has also expressed her reluctance to filming a sequel, saying on the Happy Sad Confused podcast in February, "Sometimes things should be cherished and preserved in this bubble and it’s okay."

Is it wishful thinking to speculate that the actresses were trying to throw us off the scent? Or will they really not sign on for the sequel? Only time will tell, I'm sorry to say.

The battle begins when Ser Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel) and the Green Army attack one of the castles in the crownlands close to King's Landing, as a detour on his campaign to retake Harrenhal. Ser Criston (who, despite being the worst, is a great tactician) uses the castle as bait to lure out one of the Blacks' dragons, at which point a hidden Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) and his beast Vhagar will emerge and fight. When Princess Rhaenys (Eve Best) and her dragon Meleys arrive to help defend the castle, Criston sounds a signal for Vhagar to storm in, but they're interrupted by King Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney) on his (much smaller) dragon Sunfyre. The leader of the Greens flies to battle without alerting his family, his council, or his army, and subsequently gets smoked.

House of the Dragon had spent episode 4 (and every Aegon scene since the season 2 premiere), setting the foundation for this rash act. Even before his son Jaehaerys II was beheaded by Blood and Cheese, he was hungry for bloodshed against his aunt Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy), leader of the Blacks and rival for the throne. Being a new king and a horrible strategist, Aegon had no idea what he was doing, and his entire council (including his mother Alicent, played by Olivia Cooke) chose to ignore him. Even his new Hand of the King Criston set out to battle as soon as humanly possible. So, Aegon's decision to ride into battle himself is a desperate grab for respect and deference—gone horribly wrong.

Meanwhile, Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) has already been pissed at his older brother Aegon all season. Sure, Aemond's base state is intimidation, but it's become clear that he thinks his sibling is an imbecile. In episode 3, there was also that scene in which Aegon tormented Aemond at the brothel. So when Aemond and his beast Vhagar join the battle, Aemond chooses to attack Rhaenys and Meleys without any concern about Aegon getting caught in the dragonfire crosshairs. A fatally wounded Sunfyre crashes to the ground, and several minutes later, Rhaenys and Meleys also crash to their fiery deaths. (R.I.P. Rhaenys, the Queen Who Never Was.)

After that confirmed death, the episode ends with Criston searching for Aegon and finding Sunfyre's crash site. Aemond stands next to it, sword drawn. He quietly picks up Aegon’s fallen dagger and uses it to point to his brother's unmoving body, framed by the dying dragon. However, the episode ends before it's confirmed whether the king who sits on the Iron Throne is actually dead. Could the Greens have already lost their leader in the war's first major battle? The series wants to keep this a cliffhanger, but luckily for impatient fans, George R.R. Martin's novel Fire and Blood has the answer. Major spoilers for Fire and Blood ahead.

Miraculously, Aegon does survive a faceful of dragonfire at the Battle of Rook's Rest, where he suffers "broken ribs, a broken hip, and burns that covered half his body." As Martin explains, "His left arm was the worst. The dragonflame had burned so hot that the king’s armor had melted into his flesh." Ouch.

Sunfyre also survives(!), but he's grounded for a long while, due to Meleys breaking one of his wings. The dragon stays near Rook's Rest to recuperate, with Ser Criston stationing men to protect Sunfyre and sending him sheep to eat, and eventually, the dragon recovers enough to fly again. However, he's a little off, with one historian later describing him as "a great golden fire-breathing chicken."

So, while not dead, Aegon's down for the count. Per Fire and Blood, he remains on bed rest for over a year, sleeping "nine hours out of every 10" and suffering from burns that "brought him such pain that some say he prayed for death." He remains king in name, but Aemond takes over as Prince Regent and Protector of the Realm, with Cole remaining as his Hand of the King.

Considering war stats, the Battle of Rook's Rest can't be considered a win by either side; the Greens (temporarily) lost their king while the Blacks lost their MVP and biggest dragon. The question going forward is whether having Aemond on the throne will turn the tides in either direction.

Of course, there is the dangling question of whether HBO's televised version of the Dance of the Dragons will decide to kill Aegon off after all. It would be the biggest change from Fire and Blood yet, but House of the Dragon has already made some big book-to-film changes in season 2 so far. Also, the major House of the Dragon spoilers that were included in Game of Thrones are vague enough that the prequel series could meet its canon conclusion with or without Aegon. Still, for the sake of some major story twists going forward, the series adaptation will hopefully decide to keep its plot close to the book.

As sci-fi movies can be overlooked by audiences who aren't already devout fans of the genre, we've rounded up a handful of movies beyond the iconic titles worth watching. These films are underrated and misunderstood upon their release and later reappraised, as well as incorporating elements from other genres, like action, horror, comedy, and romance. From niche '80s movies you haven't heard of to captivating stories set in space to time travel narratives and beyond, these are 32 movies to watch if you like sci-fi.

'2046' (2004)

This Wong Kar-wai film (envisioned as a sort of sequel to his masterpiece, In the Mood for Love) is complex and non-chronological. In brief, it centers around a train that can take people to a place to recapture their memories, but no one ever comes back.

WATCH IT

'About Time' (2013)

This movie leans in on the comedy (and tragedy) of what living as a time traveler would be like. We'd argue that About Time nails the nuances of the science, too; it is a smart rumination on what we can't change in our lives and how we understand the limits of our power.

WATCH IT

'Annihilation' (2018)

Alex Garland (Ex Machina) takes on the novel of the same name, changing much about the story but keeping the very scary crux: a meteor lands and causes "the Shimmer," an expanding field of energy from which no one escapes. We follow a team of female scientists (Natalie Portman, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Gina Rodriguez, and Tessa Thompson) as they enter the Shimmer.

WATCH IT

'Another Earth' (2011)

This is an incredibly brilliant concept: a new planet appears in the sky, named Earth 2, in which the two planets have been synchronous. It's all told through the perspective of a young woman (Brit Marling, who co-wrote the screenplay) recovering from a horrible accident—and must decide whether to pursue a new life on Earth 2.

WATCH IT

'Arrival' (2016)

Despite largely being considered one of the best sci-fi films ever made, Arrival is still underrated. If you like Denis Villeneuve (Dune, Blade Runner 2049), you will love this: After several alien spaceships come to Earth, a linguist (Amy Adams) is tasked with figuring out a way to communicate before time runs out.

WATCH IT

'Asteroid City' (2023)

This throwback film toys with our conceptions of aliens in the 1950s, Wes Anderson makes a characteristically ornate and star-studded film about a space convention that becomes the site of an actual alien visitation. With its large ensemble cast, lots of storylines play out, but just let it wash over you.

WATCH IT

'Barbarella' (1968)

Space traveler Barbarella (a delightful Jane Fonda) travels through space and gets up to various shenanigans in this cheesy, sexy movie. Nowadays, this is probably a fun time capsule for anyone who didn't experience this movie when it came out in 1968, but it's also just silly and fun.

WATCH IT

'Dark City' (1998)

This film is considered a forerunner for the modern sci-fi film—a man (Rufus Sewell) wakes up with no memory, is pursued by strange creatures, and is thrust into a terrifying dystopia. Sewell, William Hurt, Kiefer Sutherland, and Jennifer Connelly are all brilliant in this.

WATCH IT

'Death Becomes Her' (1992)

This Robert Zemeckis has some incredible-for-its-time special effects, but in hindsight, it's also a brilliant study of constantly chasing youthfulness. Two nemeses (Meryl Streep and Goldie Hawn) discover the fountain of youth and begin using it to try and take the other down. This is a dark comedy.

WATCH IT

'Event Horizon'

While this horror movie set in outer space had a troubled production, and it was not a commercial success, it's still quite a terrifying film. A starship mysteriously disappears and then reappears—so a new ship goes out to see what happened. It goes about as well as you'd expect.

WATCH IT

'Gattaca' (1997)

While this was a box office flop, this dystopian sci-fi imagines a future in which you can practice eugenics has become a cult classic. A person conceived naturally (Ethan Hawke) takes on the identity of a "valid" genetically modified human to get a prestigious aerospace job. This is quite an influential film about the dangers of human genetic modification, FYI.

WATCH IT

'Her' (2014)

This is considered one of Spike Jonze's very best films, in part because of how deftly it handles a complicated sci-fi topic. Joaquin Phoenix plays a shy, lonely, soon-to-be divorced man who downloads an AI operating system (played by Scarlett Johansson) and then promptly falls in love with her.

WATCH IT

'High Life' (2019)

For French filmmaker Claire Denis' first English-language project, she tackled a dark outer space story. Criminals aboard a spaceship perform research on a black hole and let's just say tensions arise. This film goes to some unexpected places, and it's as visually lush as it is intensely dramatic.

WATCH IT

'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy' (2005)

If you like comedies and don't mind following along with a trippy story, then Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy might be for you. It's based on a book of the same name and follows a human's intergalactic journey after (spoiler alert) the Earth is destroyed by aliens five minutes into the movie.

WATCH IT

'Idiocracy' (2006)

This is a '00s movie you might have missed, which has since been reclaimed by modern audiences. In this satirical black comedy, two humans (Luke Wilson and Maya Rudolph) are placed in hibernation, and then (after an intervening 500 years) they awaken to discover humanity's collective intelligence and functionality are at an all-time low.

WATCH IT

'The Invisible Man' (2020)

This retelling of a classic horror novel by H.G. Wells becomes an intense tale of domestic violence. The Invisible Man is about an obsessive, abusive partner (Olivia Jackson Cohen) who fakes his death and starts stalking his ex (Elisabeth Moss). The sci-fi comes in with the tech he uses to become invisible, to incredible effect.

WATCH IT

'Legend' (1985)

This is a sci-fi/fantasy film by Ridley Scott, and it's not as well-known as some of his other movies (although it's now considered an '80s cult classic). It's conceived as a fantastical nightmare, with the characters—including a young Tom Cruise—trying to prevent eternal night and the death of all unicorns.

WATCH IT

'Life' (2017)

This film was a commercial hit but (at the time) was considered less innovative than similar movies like Alien. The film is quite scary—think of it as a horror sci-fi film—that involves a rapidly growing alien organism that some astronauts are desperately trying to keep from making it to Earth.

WATCH IT

'The Lobster' (2015)

This Yorgos Lanthimos movie has one of the weirder sci-fi premises on this list: In an alternate reality, if you become single, you have 45 days to find a partner, or you are transformed into an animal of your choice. And yet—it's a funny, devastating film.

WATCH IT

'Moon' (2009)

This is probably the best example of an underrated, classic, reclaimed sci-fi movie—so if you like the genre, this is a must-watch. In the future, an astronaut (Sam Rockwell) labors by himself on the moon, and then he discovers a doppelgänger who insists he's the same person.

WATCH IT

'Paul' (2011)

What if Seth Rogan played an alien? Such is the concept of this film, which is generally a satire of other movies that feature similar plots. It's also kind of a road trip comedy, with two BFFs (Simon Pegg and Nick Frost) trying to get Paul back to his home planet.

WATCH IT

'Primer' (2004)

This is a low-budget, experimental, independent film that hardcore sci-fi fans love. It features two engineers who accidentally discover time travel; absolutely no effort is made to translate any of the technical jargon, so you might feel a little lost, but the movie's incredibly cool.

WATCH IT

'Poor Things' (2023)

With Poor Things, Yorgos Lanthimos offers his take on a Frankenstein-inspired narrative. It begins with a mad scientist who implants a baby's brain into the body of a woman (Emma Stone). As she begins to develop rapidly, the hysterical gothic fantasy examines what it means to step into one's personhood.

WATCH IT

'Serenity' (2005)

This Joss Whedon film (based on the underrated and beloved show Firefly) combines the genres of a Westerns and a space film together in a glorious mashup. You don't need to have watched the series: It centers around a ragtag group of space travelers on the run from some very scary forces.

WATCH IT

'Slither' (2006)

This is a gruesome film, in all the best ways. Directed by James Gunn, it follows a bunch of characters trying to outrun an extraterrestrial parasite that manifests in the form of huge slugs or takes over its human hosts. If you've got a strong stomach, though, this is entertaining as heck.

WATCH IT

'Solaris' (2002)

While most people are familiar with the 2002 remake with George Clooney, this original Russian film is considered one of the best sci-fi films of all time. A psychologist is sent to a space station after the astronauts report strange visions. Best to know nothing else before you watch.

WATCH IT

'Super 8' (2011)

If you like Spielbergian films like E.T. and Close Encounters of the Third Kind, J.J. Abrams pulls heavy inspiration from them in Super 8. Without spoiling too much, a group of kids run afoul of a government train carrying a creature and complications ensue.

WATCH IT

'Snowpiercer' (2014)

Before Parasite wowed audiences and received critical acclaim, Snowpiercer was Bong Joo-ho's first film to receive breakout success in the U.S. and marked his first English-language film. In a dystopian future, the world is frozen except for the remnants of humanity circling the globe in an ever-moving train. The trip from the tail to the engine is a violent, fascinating, visually rich journey.

WATCH IT

'Spirited Away' (2001)

Even if you're unfamiliar with Japanese animated fantasy films (or this director, Hayao Miyazaki), you may like Spirited Away as an incredible sci-fi fantasy tale. After Sen and her family accidentally step into the world of spirits, she must figure out how to save them.

WATCH IT

'The Wandering Earth' (2009)

One of China's highest-grossing films of all time, this is a cool interstellar film. It's set in the near future when Earth's population has either fled underground or to a nearby space station after the sun died. Years later, the survivors are content with the wreckage of humanity.

WATCH IT

'Under the Skin' (2014)

This artsy film was not a box office success but is considered a classic of the genre; if you missed it the first time around, you should reconsider it. Scarlett Johansson is an alien who's dropped off in the middle of Scotland and has malicious designs for the men she meets.

WATCH IT

'The World's End'

Ostensibly a story about several friends doing a pub crawl that they attempted as teens, this quickly takes a left turn into sci-fi territory. Directed by Edgar Wright (Shawn of the Dead) and co-written with his frequent collaborator, and star Simon Pegg, this didn't get quite as much love as their earlier films.

WATCH IT

Read on for a selection of the best historical K-dramas to watch, from zombie horror shows to epic romances and fantasy adventures. (Once you've dipped your toes in, check out our list of the best K-dramas to watch on Netflix.)

'100 Days My Prince' (2018)

Period: Fictional story within the Joseon era (1392-1910)

Main Cast: D.O., Nam Ji-hyun, Kim Seon-ho, and Han So-hee

Anyone searching for a more lighthearted period rom-com, this one's for you. Lee Yul (D.O.) and commoner Hong-shim (Nam Ji-hyun) were childhood sweethearts, but they were separated due to tragic events. 16 years later, Lee Yul is the cold-hearted Crown Prince, who decrees that all Korean citizens of marriageable age must wed. Meanwhile, Hong-shim is the country's oldest single woman, and faces possible punishment as she refuses to get married. After he survives an assassination attempt, an amnesic Lee Yul is saved by Hong Shim's father, and, having lost his memories, offers to marry Hong Shim.

WATCH ON NETFLIX

'Alchemy of Souls' (2022–2023)

Period: Set in a fictional country, similar to the Joseon era (1392-1910)

Main Cast: Lee Jae-wook, Jung So-min, and Go Youn-jung

This fantasy saeguk takes place in the magical land of Daeho, where mages populate the upper classes. While on the run, master assassin Nak-su (Go Yoon-jung) transfers her soul to a new body to disguise herself, but she unknowingly chooses Mu-deok (Jung So-min), a servant who's too weak to handle magic. Stuck without access to her powers, she soon encounters Jang Wook (Lee Jae-wook), an heir to a family of mages who can't access his powers due to a curse. Jang Wook decides that Nak-su will be his master and the means to remove his spell.

WATCH ON NETFLIX

'Empress Ki' (2013–2014)

Period: Mid-1300s, Yuan dynasty China

History: Based on the life of Korea-born Chinese Empress Ki

Main Cast: Ha Ji-won, Ji Chang-wook, Joo Min-jo, and Baek Jin-hee

This mega-hit saeguk is the fictionalized biopic of Ki Seung-nyang, who was born in Goryeo-era Korea and ascended to power to become the Empress Consort of the Yuan dynasty. The 50-episode drama follows the future ruler from childhood throughout her life, as she serves Goryeo as a warrior (while disguised as a man), and is eventually sent to become a concubine of the Yuan emperor. There's also a love triangle, between her first love Wang Yoo (Joo Min-jo) and her eventual husband, Ta Hwan (Ji Chang-wook).

WATCH ON VIKI

'The Forbidden Marriage' (2022–2023)

Period: Fictional story within the Joseon era (1392-1910)

Main Cast: Kim Young-dae, Park Ju-hyun, and Kim Woo-seok

When this period rom-com begins, Joseon is seven years into a marriage ban. The wife of King Lee Heon (Kim Young-dae) died seven years ago, and no marriages have been allowed while the monarch remains single and grieving. However, Ye So-rang (Park) is determined to make her living as a psychic matchmaker despite the ban (or whether she has to make some fraudulent predictions). When So-rang's arrested for breaking the ban, she pretends that she can communicate with spirits, including the king’s dead wife. She gets out of jail, but Lee Heon refuses to let her leave his side, believing that she's really channeling his lost love.

WATCH ON VIKI

'Gyeongseong Creature' (2023– )

Period: 1945, in Japanese-occupied Gyeongseong (modern-day Seoul)

History: Fictional story that takes inspiration from the imperial Japanese army's Unit 731

Main Cast: Park Seo-joon, Han So-hee, Kim Do-hyun, and Kim Hae-sook

This genre-bending historical horror-thriller (with hints of romance) takes place in the final days of Japan's occupation of Korea. The villainous General Kato (Choi Young-joon) relocates his terrifying "creature," the monstrous result of human experimentation, to Gyeongseong. Meanwhile, an unlikely pair are both searching for missing women: business owner Jang Tae-sang (Park Seo-jun) is tasked with locating a commissioner's mistress, while a private detective named Yoon Chae-ok (Han So-hee) has arrived in Joseon in search of her mother who vanished 10 years ago. The strangers team up to find the women, which sets them on a path straight toward Kato's monster (and, of course, they begin to fall for each other).

WATCH ON NETFLIX

'Kingdom' (2019–2020)

Period: Early 17th-century Joseon

History: Alternate history of the period

Main Cast: Ju Ji-hoon, Bae Doona, Ryu Seung-ryong, Kim Hye-jun, and Kim Sung-kyu

This acclaimed horror drama mixes South Korea's zombie trend with Joseon-era politics. A horrific plague has swept through the country, even reaching the royal palace. To investigate the mysterious illness and ensure his place on the throne, Crown Prince Lee Chang (Ju) works with two physicians, Seo-Bi (Bae) and Yeong-Shin (Kim Sung-kyu), who have been tracking the disease. Meanwhile, the pregnant Queen Consort (Kim Hye-jun) and the traitorous Chief State Councilor (Ryu) scheme to take the throne for themselves.

WATCH ON NETFLIX

'The King's Affection' (2021)

Period: Fictional story within the Joseon era (1392-1910)

Main Cast: Park Eun-bin, Rowoon, Nam Yoon-su, Choi Byung-chan, Bae Yoon-kyung, and Jung Chae-yeon

This epic rom-com belongs to the subgenre of female leads in saeguks disguising themselves as men, either for greater freedom in society or to cover for their twin brother, the Crown Prince. Okay, the latter case is pretty rare, but that's where Dam-yi (Park) finds herself after her twin brother, Prince Lee-hwi, is killed. As Lee-hwi, Dam-yi distances herself from people to keep up the ruse, but things change when she begins to fall for Jung Ji-woon (Rowoon), her childhood first love who becomes her tutor. Meanwhile, Ji-woon who has no clue of her real identity, is surprised when he finds himself falling in love with the Crown Prince.

WATCH ON NETFLIX

'Moon Embracing the Sun' (2012)

Period: Fictional story within the Joseon era (1392-1910)

Main Cast: Kim Soo-hyun, Han Ga-in, Jung Il-woo, and Kim Min-seo

Another epic romance that takes place in the Joseon royal court, this saeguk follows a love triangle between two princes and a common girl. Though Prince Yangmyung (Jung Il-woo) is the eldest, he has been passed over as heir in favor of his younger brother Crown Prince Lee-hwon (Kim Soo-hyun). Yangmyung is also forced to grow up outside of the palace compound, though there's no bad blood between the brothers. When teenage Lee-hwon sneaks out of the palace to attend Yang-myung's graduation, he meets Heo Yeon-woo (Han Ga-in), the daughter of the king's trusted advisor. Between the love triangle and the vicious court politics, there's plenty of drama before this series approaches anything near a happy ending.

WATCH ON VIKI

'Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo' (2016)

Time Period: Mid-900s, Goryeo dynasty

History: Uses names of the royal family of Taejo of Goryeo

Main Cast: Lee Joon-gi, IU, Kang Ha-neul, Hong Jong-hyun, Nam Joo-hyuk, Byun Baek-hyun, Kim Ji-soo, and Kim San-ho.

This fan-favorite saeguk is known for its star-studded cast and tragic, heartbreaking ending. (You've been warned!) Modern-day woman Go Ha-jin (IU) is transported back to the Goryeo era, where she inhabits the body of royal court lady Hae Soo. She quickly becomes entwined with the lives of the many sons of King Taejo (Jo Min-ki), as the princes are drawn to her unusual, lively personality. She eventually falls for one of the princes, but they're kept apart due to political intrigue as the show's plot gets much darker.

WATCH ON VIKI

'Mr. Queen' (2020-–2021)

Period: Mid-1800s Joseon

History: Uses names of King Cheoljong and Queen Cheorin

Main Cast: Shin Hye-sung and Kim Jung-hyun

If you like you're a fan of period shows that get a bit anachronistic (Bridgerton stans, to the front), then this body-swap, time-travel comedy is a must-watch. In the present day, Jang Bong-hwan, the male head chef for the South Korean President, nearly drowns in his apartment complex pool. When he wakes up, he finds himself in a different body and time: He now embodies the Joseon-era queen Kim So-yong (Shin). As he searches for a way to return to his own time, Bong-hwan must navigate both palace politics and the irritating King Cheoljong (Kim), his now-husband.

WATCH ON NETFLIX

'Mr. Sunshine' (2018)

Time Period: Late 1800s to early 1900s, before Japanese occupation

History: Fictional story inspired by Korean independence fighters in the Righteous Army

Main Cast: Lee Byung-hun, Kim Tae-ri, Yoo Yeon-seok, Byun Yo-han, and Kim Min-jung

This suspenseful, tragic drama follows an unlikely romance amid a tumultuous time in Joseon's history. Eugene Choi (Lee) was an orphaned child of enslaved people, who escaped to the U.S. and later became a citizen and Marine. When he's sent back to Joseon on a diplomatic mission, he meets Go Ae-shin (Kim), an aristocratic lady whose late parents were killed in a political plot. Ae-shin is now a sniper in Korea’s Righteous Army, which fights for Korea's continued independence against the Japanese. The series follows both Ae-shin and her comrade's efforts, and the couple's will-they-won't-they romance. (An added snag is that Ae-shin's betrothed to another man.)

WATCH ON NETFLIX

'Pachinko' (2022– )

Period: Spans from 1910-1989

History: Based on the novel by Min Jin Lee

Main Cast: Youn Yuh-jung, Kim Min-ha, Jin Ha, and Lee Min-ho

This breathtaking international series chronicles the story of one family over multiple timelines, from 1910s Japanese-occupied Korea to 1980s Tokyo. It centers on Sunja (played by Kim MIN-HA in her youth and Youn YUH-JUNG as an older woman), who decides to leave her home country for Imperial Japan, seeking more opportunities in the early 20th century. Though Sunja is fictional, her journey mirrors the resilient history of Korean women who migrated to Japan during colonial rule, also known as Zainichi.

WATCH ON APPLE TV+

'The Red Sleeve' (2021–2022)

Period: Late-1700s Joseon

History: Based on the romance between King Jeongjo and his royal consort Ui-bin Seong

Main Cast: Lee Jun-ho, Lee Se-young, and Kang Hoon

This moving drama takes inspiration from one of Joseon's most famous love stories. Crown Prince Yi San (King the Land's Lee Jun-ho) is scarred by his father's traumatic death, but he's determined to become a better ruler than his cruel grandfather, the current king. Meanwhile, his court lady Seong Deok-im (Lee Se-young) is a strong-willed, progressive woman who wants to live an independent life. Their engrossing, heartwarming love story is challenged by their places in society, as Deok-im has to choose between her freedom or life as the future king's concubine.

WATCH ON VIKI

'Uncle Samsik' (2024)

Time Period: 1960s South Korea

History: Fictional story set in the tumultuous period after the Korean War

Main Cast: Song Kang-ho, Byun Yo-han, Lee Kyu-hyung, Jin Ki-joo, and Seo Hyun-woo

This tense political thriller mixes real-life historical events with fictional ones, during a tumultuous economic and political period in the country. In his first-ever TV role, Parasite star Song Kang-ho plays Park Doo-chil, a mysterious fixer power broker called "Uncle Samsik" who's determined to shape Korea's future according to his goals. He strikes up a partnership with Kim San (Byun Yo-han), a U.S.-educated economist who wants to transform Korea's agricultural economy to an industrial one.

WATCH ON HULU

'Under the Queen's Umbrella' (2022)

Period: Fictional story within the Joseon dynasty (1392-1910)

Main Cast: Kim Hye-soo, Kim Hae-sook, Choi Won-young, Kim Eui-sung, Moon Sang-min, Ok Ja-yeon, and Chani

This royal melodrama is the story of a mother going to extreme lengths to keep her family safe in a succession battle. The woman in question is Queen Hwa-ryeong (Kim Hye-Soo), a mother of five whose eldest son is the heir to King Yi Ho (Choi Won-young). When the Crown Prince suddenly becomes ill, Hwa-ryeong realizes that her family's status could be in danger, if one of the king's many concubines manages to install their son as the new prince. Hwa-ryeong sets out to install one of her four remaining, underachieving sons, as the next heir.

WATCH ON NETFLIX

With their scream queen leads and nuanced stories, there’s a whole subset within the genre known as feminist horror. While some franchises may center around the male gaze and a handful of older filmers may have included shameful messaging (ever notice the first kill in a slasher is the character who has sex?), horror also has a long history of being feminist. From its trope of “the final girl” who resiliently faces off with the villain to its themes exploring puberty and empowerment and the many up-and-coming filmmakers within the genre today, many scary movies are centered around women’s stories. Below, we’ve rounded up a handful of the very best feminist horror movies that we consider must-watch.

'Alien' (1979)

Has there ever been a more badass character in sci-fi/horror than Ripley? We don’t think so! Sigourney Weaver stars in this space movie as a member of a seven-piece crew on a mission to explore a new moon and the horrors that await them when they encounter traces of life. When her teammates don’t listen to her warnings, it ends up being a one-woman mission (along with her cat Jones!), and nothing’s more frightening than when no one else can hear you scream.

WATCH IT

'Black Christmas' (1974)

Texas Chainsaw Massacre is the first-ever slasher, and Halloween gets a lot of credit for bringing the genre into the mainstream, but in reality, Black Christmas came before it. Released just several months after TCM, this home invasion thriller starring ‘70s icons Olivia Hussey and Margot Kidder is set at a sorority house just before the winter holiday break. The co-eds start getting obscene phone calls and murders ensue, leading to a rallying of sisterhood to stop the killings.

WATCH IT

'Carrie' (1976)

Being a teenage girl is a nightmare, and that’s exactly what this film based on Stephen King’s novel of the same name is all about. Brian De Palma expertly adapts the book about a bullied girl with telepathic abilities (Sissie Spacek) and an abusive, religious mother (Piper Laurie), making the horrors in the girls' locker room as real as the supernatural. She’s forever the prom queen in our hearts.

WATCH IT

'Ginger Snaps' (2000)

Ginger Snaps walked so Jennifer’s Body could run. (In fact, one high school hallway shot nearly mirrors one in the 2009 movie.) Like Carrie, it’s a classic within the puberty horror genre—about a teenage girl undergoing rapid change and how disturbing that can be. Except, after an encounter with a wild beast, outcast Ginger (Katharine Isabelle) develops a tail, starts turning into a werewolf, and develops a magnetism that her male classmates can’t ignore.

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'A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night' (2014)

When you hear the phrase “a girl walks home alone at night,” it implies that something awful is lurking around the corner, and bound to meet her demise. Ana Lily Amirpour’s film flips the script on that perception: In this Persian-language indie favorite, the girl walking home is a vampire (Sheila Vand) holding all the power. Set in an Iranian ghost town, she lurks the streets on her skateboard, finding men to feast on, including those dealing with their own forms of addiction.

WATCH IT

'The Invisible Man' (2020)

Inspired by the concept from H. G. Wells' 1897 novel, Elisabeth Moss stars as a woman who flees her abusive, crazed scientist/tech boss ex-boyfriend (Oliver Jackson-Cohen)—only to be haunted by him. Having invented a suit that makes him invisible, he stalks and torments her to extremely eerie results, until she discovers how to win at his game.

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'It Follows' (2015)

No one can see what “it” is in this teen scream, but it starts to haunt you once you’ve had sex (so it’s a pretty obvious stand-in for the shame surrounding teen sex and STIs). The movie is a humble, oddball of an indie film centered around high schooler Jay, played by Maika Monroe who instantly became a modern scream queen because of her performance. With its larger themes, It Follows and filmmaker David Robert Mitchell unquestionably changed the horror game upon this movie’s release, inspiring the “elevated horror” genre we know today.

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'Jennifer’s Body' (2009)

When Jennifer’s Body was released, misogynistic critics couldn’t comprehend the genius of the Diablo Cody-penned movie directed by Karyn Kusama—but thank goodness the film has since been reevaluated for its greatness. Megan Fox stars as the titular Jennifer, whose body becomes a vessel for a demon after she’s assaulted, and she starts killing off boys at school in response. As her BFF, the awkward Needy (Amanda Seyfriend), takes matters into her own hands, it turns into a campy cat-and-mouse game, but this was a smart movie about assault long before it was more openly discussed in Hollywood.

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'The Love Witch' (2016)

Anna Biller’s The Love Witch is much more of a comedy than it is a horror movie, but it’s a satire that’ll cast a spell on you. Filmed in technicolor and set in a ‘60s-inspired world, it follows a young witch named Elaine (Samantha Robinson) who is desperate to find love. When men fail her time and time again, whether they simply be pisces or forcing her to adhere to specific expectations, she finds herself with blood on her hands—but all the more powerful as a witch.

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'Midsommar' (2019)

Not many horror movies are set in the daytime, but leave it to genre master Ari Aster to make one of the freakiest cult films of all time set at a sunny Sweden festival. When Dani (Florence Pugh) is grieving the death of her entire family, she’s surprised to learn her boyfriend (Jack Reynor) is abandoning her to travel with his friends to research a midsummer festival in a desolate location, so he reluctantly brings her along. Immediately upon arrival, things get weird, and Midsommar unfolds into a folk horror examination of grief, found family, and bad boyfriends.

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'Pearl: An X-Traordinary Origin' (2022)

Pearl, the second film in Ti West’s X trilogy, can be watched as a standalone movie or a fun prequel to the series. On its own, the slasher set in the 1920s, Spanish flu-era Texas is a wild romp and features the most overt feminist themes of the three movies as an examination of feminine rage. Series lead Mia Goth returns as the titular Pearl, a farm-wife-to-be who has dreams of the silver screen. She’s a bit quirky and willing to do anything to be a star, so she’ll have you screaming before she takes her final bow. And you’ll never look at scarecrows the same.

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'Raw' (2016)

When Julia Ducournau’s feature film directorial debut premiered at Cannes, audiences couldn’t stop talking about how squeamish it made them. They exaggerated the level of gore here—but it is the kind of movie that’ll make your stomach turn. When Justine (Garance Marillier) goes to veterinary school and undergoes a hazing ritual in which she’s forced to eat raw meat, despite being a vegetarian, she develops a taste for flesh—one that becomes unbearable and finds her feasting on humans. An allegory for one’s sexual awakening, you’ll feel well-fed the whole way through.

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'Ready or Not' (2019)

You get married, and on your wedding night, find out your in-laws aren’t just hypothetical nightmares, but are out to kill you. What do you do? That’s what happens to Grace (Samara Weaving) when she marries into the wealthy Le Domas board game family dynasty, who have a tradition of “playing a game” at the end of every family wedding. When Grace selects hide-and-go-seek, it becomes a hunt to the death—and an action-filled, sinisterly funny f-the-rich movie from the horror collective Radio Silence plays out.

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'Rosemary’s Baby' (1968)

Never ignore a mother’s instinct. Rosemary’s Baby is a certified classic that has inspired countless of other horror movies—and is a notable fashion film—about a Manhattanite woman (Mia Farrow) who is convinced the child she is pregnant with is not of this world.

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'The Slumber Party Massacre' (1982)

This ‘80s movie directed by Amy Holden Jones and written by Rita Mae Brown toys with all the expectations that might come to mind when you hear its title. Rather than being an exploitative slasher, it takes a stab at being satirical of the sub-genre (the weapon is a phallic power drill) and uplifts the women who are frequently victims in it. While it’s a parody, it still plays like a horror movie, so bonkers kills and scares still abound.

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'Suspiria' (2018)

Dario Argento’s splashy 1977 original is legendary, but Luca Guadagnino’s remake of the story of an American dancer named Susie’s enrollment at a mysterious German school for dance gave it a feminist update. While the original Susie (Jessica Harper) is more of a vessel for all of the horrors that unfold behind closed doors at Tanz Akademie, the version played by Dakota Johnson steps into her power. The overall mood is dark and dreary, and it features some of the most contortionistic body horror, but the payoff deserves a standing ovation.

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'The VVitch' (2015)

Set in colonial New England, a teenage girl named Thomasin (Anya Taylor-Joy in her breakout role) becomes the subject of scrutiny within her own family when they accuse her of being a witch. As Robert Eggers’ debut feature, it cemented him as a horror auteur with an impeccable taste for mood, period accuracy, and language. And as a story about a young woman facing disbelief and mob mentality—and stepping into one’s divine feminine—it’s also one of the best witch narratives ever crafted. “Live deliciously” and watch it.

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Written and directed by Baker after helming over a decade of acclaimed plays (Circle Mirror Transformation, The Frick, Nocturna) and released by A24, Janet Planet is a humble comfort movie that makes humble emotions feel massive—and one of the best dramas of the year. Set in 1991 in western Massachusetts, the film (out now in theaters nationwide) follows Lacy’s lackadaisical summer and her attentiveness to how her bohemian mother moves through the world and the many people, from s---y boyfriends to old friends, who come in and out of it. But most importantly, it’s a tender meditation on mother-daughter relationships; specifically, the way our mothers see us and we see them unlike anybody else.

Janet Planet begins as Lacy sneaks out of her bunk at summer camp to make a phone call. “I’m going to kill myself if you don’t come and get me,” she says matter-of-fact tone to her mother on the other end, who’s there to rescue her by morning. Rather than encouraging her to stay, Janet drives her home without question—seemingly both because she values Lucy’s autonomy and trusts that one day she’ll get to a place where she doesn’t need to make that phone call.

Much of Janet Planet is framed around how perceptive Lacy is to the world. While she has her quirks, she’s not necessarily a precocious child cliché. Rather, she represents a kind of intellect that feels unique to girls before they enter middle school or hit puberty—when they still feel invincible, proud to be inquisitive, and unhindered by shame. She’s bold and pressing in the questions that she asks and fervently observant as she watches Janet or studies the outdoors with the very particular, quiet stare that she so often holds through her wire-frame glasses.

Janet sees Lacy just the same. At one point, she even tells another adult in her life that she feels like her daughter is always observing her, even when she’s not around. She’s also unafraid of speaking to her like an adult. When Lacy hysterically notes that she feels like every moment of her life—consisting of repetitive piano lessons, lonely bike rides to the ice cream stand, and melancholic days laying inside to beat her bummer summer—is Hell, Janet says, “I don’t think it will last, though.” Later, Janet gives a soliloquy about how she feels like she can make any man fall in love with her, and like that quality has ruined her life. Lacy listens, maybe because she understands already and sees that in her mom, or maybe because at the very least she would like to try to understand and thinks she could.

There are many excellent movies about mother-daughter relationships—their unique comfort or fraughtness. And Janet Planet may be a small story but it shows how expansive the world between a mother and her child can be when their closeness allows one to grow. It feels special because of that—inevitably reminding you of all of the even most muted details you notice of your mother, the moments that you reflect on how she had a girlhood of her own that you’ll never quite know, or your own summers from 10, 11, and 12. It also feels unique because of the empowerment it lends to girls of Lacy’s age, whose stories are seldom told with such profundity. But then again, it’s what mothers always see in their own and girls tend to know to be true of themselves; Baker is just letting you even closer into that orbit, and in Janet Planet, it’s a beautiful place to be.

The streaming giant announced the season 6 cast a few weeks from the show's premiere date. So to help guide you through this season's binge-watch, we're breaking down who the latest Too Hot to Handle players are.

Bri

Bri, 26, is a model and influencer based in Atlanta, Georgia. Per her Netflix bio, "This American stunner wants to visit Lana’s retreat to test if she can 'take dating seriously,' but is she ready for the hard work ahead?"

Instagram: @thebriannabalram

TikTok: @irbmai

Charlie

Fun facts about model Charlie, 21: He's from Kent, England; he plays the saxophone; and was Head Boy at his high school. "With brains and brawn on his side, saxophonist Charlie is definitely most people’s cup of tea," reads his Netflix bio.

Instagram: @charliejeer

TikTok: @charliejeer

Chris

Chris, a 24-year-old model and world traveler from Manchester, England, tells Netflix that he's "never stayed in one place long enough to establish a meaningful connection." The streamer also teases, "Outside of the retreat, he’s used to playing chess and playing with girls’ hearts, but can Lana help this Nigerian king find his queen?"

Instagram: @chrisaalli

Demari

Demari, 27, brings brains and brawn to the villa, as a "stockbroker by day, and a model by night." Per Netflix, "Lana is going to need to suss out what matters most to Demari: being the best rule breaker, best retreat accountant, or being the best version of himself."

Instagram: @demaridavis4

Gianna

Gianna, 21, is a college student at the University of Arkansas, whose favorite childhood memory is milking cows on her grandma's Missouri farm. Per Netflix, "Gianna is typically impulsive and gets bored of the chase quickly. However, when Lana forces Gianna to stay in one place at the retreat and confront her feelings head-on, how will this Arkansas dancing queen manage?"

Instagram: @giannapettus

TikTok: @giannalettuce

Joao

Joao, 22, is a rock artist from Brazil who counts some similarities between himself and Machine Gun Kelly: They own "the same pink guitar... and much like his idol, he’s definitely entertained a few emo girls." Looks like we have another bad boy on our hands.

Instagram: @joaocoronel_

TikTok: @joaocoronel_

Jordan

California boy Jordan, 21, is an actor, model, and surfer. Per Netflix, "Since surfer Jordan had a glow up, he hasn’t slowed down... Will this golden-haired boy be tempted to show Lana that blondes really do have more fun, or will he be waving goodbye to falling hard and fast for the wrong reasons?"

Instagram: @jordanroyfrank

Katherine

Katherine is a 28-year-old model from LA. Her Netflix bio reads, "As the outspoken one in her friend group, she’s used to being the loudest and fiercest person in the room. But will Lana be able to help Katherine shed this tough exterior?"

Instagram: @katherine_laprell

TikTok: @katherinelaprell

Kylisha

Kylisha, 24, is a Toronto-based entrepreneur. Per Netflix, "As a lover of travelling, Kylisha has been known to ‘catch flights and not feelings’ and jet off on holiday instead of confronting her problems with guys. But this summer she’s jetting into Lana’s domain."

Instagram: @kylishajag

TikTok: @kylishajag

Lucy

28-year-old Lucy has worked as a host in nightclubs around the world, from her home base in London to Mykonos, Greece. She may be a troublemaker among the cast; as her Netflix bio says, "no amount of money is going to stop Lucy from breaking rules and having fun."

Instagram: @lucy_syed

Because costume designers have been helping craft well-dressed characters since the dawn of television, we're rounding up the most fashionable names TV has ever had to offer. Below, find icons whose style we're still emulating to this day.

Edina "Eddie" Monsoon and Patricia "Patsy" Stone from 'Absolutely Fabulous'

If you have never watched Absolutely Fabulous (i.e., Ab Fab), we highly encourage it. The series follows two women in fashion whose outfits are equal parts high fashion and utter ridiculousness. Their over-the-top looks are riveting in the best and worst ways.

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Blossom Russo from 'Blossom'

If there was a show that defined fun, funky '90s fashion, it's Blossom. While her style is often described as "eclectic," the character's diverse array of patterns, colors, and textures (usually with a floppy hat) is joyful in a way that still resonates.

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Everyone on 'Bridgerton'

This is a period drama that leans in on its lavish costumes—but many of the Regency-era looks have inspired contemporary trends in recent years. The costume designers on the romance series take an artistic approach to the wardrobe, blending authenticity with modernity—and the result is stunning, especially for our main characters Penelope, Kate, and Daphne.

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The original angels from 'Charlie's Angels'

Charlie's Angels had a massive impact on '70s fashion. A big part of that came from Farrah Fawcett, whose fringed hair and bell bottoms charmed a generation (even though she was only on the show for a season!). What made their costumes so great, in part, was that they ushered in a casual and comfortable style that let the ladies be charming and kick butt in the same breath.

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Denise Huxtable from 'The Cosby Show'

Lisa Bonet inherently had an alternative style, so it makes sense that her innate coolness would rub off on The Cosby Show character she played. Denise Huxtable was an icon, rebel, and absolute layering queen.

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Cybill Sheridan and Maryann Thorpe from 'Cybil'

The two characters on Cybill could not dress more differently: Cybill (Cybill Shepherd) dresses for casual but chic comfort, and Maryann (Christine Baranski) is dressed to the nines in Christian Lacroix and Thierry Mugler. Both are completely iconic.

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Daria from 'Daria'

There was perhaps no better show to define growing up in the '90s (and being angsty about it) than Daria. You could choose any of the characters for their style sensibilities, but our hearts go to the utilitarian-lite looks of Daria and BFF Jane.

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Gabrielle Solis from 'Desperate Housewives'

For those of you who don't remember Desperate Housewives, it was the show for domestic drama in the '00s. The characters were all stylish, but Gabrielle Solis (Eva Longoria) was the clear winner with her couture closet and her unabashed Y2K outfits (hello blue tracksuit!).

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Alexis Colby from 'Dynasty'

Has there ever been a better personification of the '80s than Alexis on Dynasty? With big hats, bigger hair, and a ton of sparkle and shoulder pads, the character was over-the-top in a way that made sense for the series. It helped that actor Joan Collins dressed in the same way as her character.

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Cookie Lyon from 'Empire'

Every single second Cookie Lyon (Taraji P. Henson) appears on screen in Empire, she's pulling focus. Part of that is the sheer force of her character, but a lot of it is the clothes: Cookie shows skin, dresses in all sparkles, gives us a glam coat, and is generally sartorially fearless in every way.

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Hilary Banks from 'The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air'

Hilary Banks from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air was the definition of '90s chic. Unlike some of her counterparts in this decade (Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Blossom, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and others), she was classy and polished and the power woman she knew she was.

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Monica, Phoebe, and Rachel from 'Friends'

Were you a Monica, a Rachel, or a Phoebe? No question was more important in the '90s. Each Friends character had a unique aesthetic, and the ubiquity and longevity of the show meant we got a lot of inspo throughout its run.

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Mary Ann Summers from 'Gilligan's Island'

Mary Ann Summers from Gilligan's Island was a style icon for many young women at the time—including with her trademark short shorts, marking the first time a person on television had worn the style. Her style was a little daring yet still modest, but always fashionable.

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Blanche Devereaux from 'Golden Girls'

The Golden Girls was peak '80s fashion in an accessible way, from the soft layers to the vivid colors. Blanche was by far the most fun: She never met a sparkle or a pattern she didn't like, in both clothes and accessories. Her aesthetic was joyful—plain and simple.

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Diane Lockhart from 'The Good Wife' and 'The Good Fight'

Arguably the star of The Good Wife (and definitely the star of The Good Fight), Diane Lockhart's power suits are the stuff of legend in the courtroom. Christine Baranski has made a career of playing fashionable women, and Diane might be the apotheosis.

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Blair Waldorf from 'Gossip Girl'

Gossip Girl used fashion in a much more obvious way than viewers were used to: The whole point of the covetable wardrobes was that you should seek to replicate it yourself. Blair Waldorf (Leighton Meester) was preppy-chic, from her headbands to her Chanel purses, and it was extremely enjoyable to bear witness to the glam.

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Serena van der Woodsen from 'Gossip Girl'

Serena from Gossip Girl (played by Blake Lively) was a bit edgier and more mischievous than her buttoned-up classmates. She didn't mind a more daring pattern or a studded jacket, and her bohemian-chic aesthetic is still deeply iconic today.

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Halston from 'Halston'

Who says women have to have all the fun? Legendary designer Halston, whose historic rise and fall was part of a Netflix series starring Ewan McGregor, was as chic as the women he dressed. The Studio 54 regular was known for his sharp, impeccable graphic style.

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Lucy Ricardo from 'I Love Lucy'

As the prototypical '50s housewife, Lucy Ricardo (Lucille Ball) on I Love Lucy had some exceptional costumes. Her A-line dresses, casual loungewear, and gowns: Everything was perfectly tailored and stylish but with that dose of quirky personality befitting the character.

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Betty Draper from 'Mad Men'

You could tell a lot about the Mad Men characters from their outfits (supported by the enormous work of the costume designers, who strove for intense authenticity). Betty Draper (January Jones) is firmly in the '50s, with its conservative but classic aesthetic, and she doesn't change much even with the changing of the times.

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Joan Holloway from 'Mad Men'

Joan Holloway (Christina Hendricks), the resident bombshell of Mad Men, had an "if it's not broken, don't fix it" attitude to her outfits. She was the queen of the fitted office dress, the better to show off her curves without ever showing too much skin. It was a delicate balance, and she nailed it.

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Megan Draper from 'Mad Men'

Megan (Jessica Paré) was a much-needed youthful presence in Mad Men as Don Draper's second wife, and she brought forth a new era of fashion (the '60s) for the show. From her minis to her beehive to her full-on hippie transformation, she had some of the best looks on the show.

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Mary Tyler Moore from 'The Mary Tyler Moore Show'

Mary Tyler Moore had more than just an incredible fashion sense on her show: She changed how women dressed and approached work style in the '70s. Her character made a single woman with a mind towards her career relatable, stylish, and glam.

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Mindy Lahiri from 'The Mindy Project'

The real Mindy Kaling has exceptional style, so it makes sense that her character Mindy Lahiri in The Mindy Project would also be defined by her colorful, vivacious style. While we love her glam gowns, let's be honest: Her workwear is just as memorable.

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Fran Fine from 'The Nanny'

The Nanny just simply wouldn't be as fun without Fran Fine's wardrobe. From the ridiculous (that candy bar wrapper dress) to the best (head-to-toe animal print and a lot of LBDs) she was the epitome of dressing to impress herself—and looking like an absolute icon.

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Jessica Day from 'New Girl'

There was a very specific aesthetic that Jess (Zooey Deschanel) was rocking in New Girl, and it felt down-to-earth and easy to replicate. Cardigan, A-line dress or skirt, big glasses, headband, flats, and bangs—and voila. You've just nailed preppy-cute in the '10s.

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Sabrina Spellman from 'Sabrina the Teenage Witch'

The titular Sabrina from Sabrina the Teenage Witch was a '90s teen girl's dream. She must have placed a spell on her wardrobe because her wardrobe was straight out of a Delia's catalog. Graphic tees, crop tops, floral minis, and a whole lot of spaghetti straps—yes, please.

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Kelly Kapowski from 'Saved by the Bell'

If you were a teen growing up in the '90s, your whole personality (including your style) was defined by which Saved by the Bell character you related to the most. Kelly Kapowski (Tiffani Thiessen) was everyone's favorite, from her florals to her crop tops (and her floral crop tops!).

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Olivia Pope from 'Scandal'

Scandal had some of the best work fashion of its day. It also popularized the idea of the "wine cardigan" (so named because Olivia Pope, played by Kerry Washington, spent a lot of this show dramatically drinking wine in a cozy knit), which was part of the larger show idea that a smart career woman could have a lot going on in her personal life.

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Carrie Bradshaw from 'Sex and the City'

This one's a no-brainer: Carrie Bradshaw was the dream for career-minded women in the '00s, particularly those who wanted to be a writer and live in New York. Her outfits perfectly straddled the line between polished and chaotic, and her shoes were to die for.

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Samantha Jones from 'Sex and the City'

Even though this character could sometimes be unfairly maligned at the time (Samantha was the sexually liberated one who was often depicted as flighty and unwise), her wardrobe on Sex and the City was a perfect mix of power boss and sexy siren.

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Wednesday Addams from 'Wednesday'

All things considered, this is a relatively recent show to be added to the list of fashionable TV characters. But Wednesday has had an important impact on our style trends: The latest adaptation of the beloved Addam's Family teen (played now by Jenna Ortega) is the perfect mix between goth and the TikTok-coined dark academia.

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