&34;I retire and then, if I find something I like, I unretire, do that, and I immediately retire afterwards. Every gig is my last,&34; he said on the &34;SmartLess&34; podcast. Macaulay Culkin explains his perpetual retirement from acting: 'Technically, I'm retired right now' &34;I retire and then, if I find something I like, I unretire, do that, and I immediately retire afterwards. Every gig is my last,&34; he said on the &34;SmartLess&34; podcast. By Lauren Huff :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/PXL202501060627063092a245c0a56a194868af7b6a47af56223c.

"I retire and then, if I find something I like, I unretire, do that, and I immediately retire afterwards. Every gig is my last," he said on the "SmartLess" podcast.

Macaulay Culkin explains his perpetual retirement from acting: 'Technically, I'm retired right now'

"I retire and then, if I find something I like, I unretire, do that, and I immediately retire afterwards. Every gig is my last," he said on the "SmartLess" podcast.

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Macaulay Culkin attends the premiere of Amazon Prime Video's 'Fallout' season 2. Credit:

Alberto Rodriguez/GA/The Hollywood Reporter via Getty

Retirement is a perpetual state of mind for Macaulay Culkin.

The *Home Alone* star, who was widely considered to be one of the most successful child stars in the '90s, opened up about his views on the subject during a new appearance on the *SmartLess* podcast.

"Technically, I'm retired right now," Culkin, 45, told hosts Will Arnett, Jason Bateman, and Sean Hayes. "I retire and then, if I find something I like, I unretire, do that, and I immediately retire afterwards. Every gig is my last."

Technically, following the release of his 1994 film *Richie Rich* when he was 14, Culkin did actually take a lengthy hiatus. "I quit for nearly a decade," Culkin explained during the podcast episode. "Just went to high school, fell in love, got drunk for the first time, things like that."

Macaulay Culkin in 'Home Alone'.

20th Century Fox /Courtesy Everett Collection

Unlike a lot of child stars, he said he received the "lion's share" of money from his work, so he found himself in a unique position from a young age. "I was in a position where I could just put my thumb up my butt and play video games all day long. You know? I could do anything I wanted, really," he said.

Culkin, who first started acting at age four and received his first onscreen credit on *The Equalizer* nearly four years later, said a lot of his desire to take a break stemmed from wanting to be around other children. "When I was younger, I never worked with people my own age. I was always working with adults," he recalled. "I had a yearning to go to school, to have contemporaries and things like that."

At the time, Culkin said he was sure he was finished with Hollywood forever. "I was doneskies. I was like, 'I hope you all made your money because there's no more coming from me,'" he said, adding, "I made my name. I made my mark. I made my fortune. The only reason why I even do it now is because I like to do it. Pay, pleasure, prestige — that's the only reason to do a gig."

Macaulay Culkin confirms that's no longer his legal name

Macaulay Culkin lays out his idea for a 'Home Alone' sequel: 'It would have to be just right'

When asked if there was another field of interest he considered instead, Culkin said no. "I was kind of just drifting around, and tried to figure out what I wanted out of life and so forth," he said. "This was a calling that found me. I didn't find it. I wanted to explore that in a different way, on my terms."

To wit, in recent years, Culkin has seen a bit of a career resurgence. Earlier this year, he voiced Cattrick Lynxley in *Zootopia 2*, and he can currently be seen in a mysterious new role in *Fallout* season 2 on Prime Video.

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See our staff list of recommendations for the last week of December. All Creatures Great and Small, When Harry Met Sally, and more top our cozy holiday Must List See our staff list of recommendations for the last week of December. By Tiffany Kelly Tiffany Kelly Tiffany Kelly is a staff editor at . She has been working at EW since 2024. Her work has previously appeared in the Los Angeles Times, Wired, GQ, and Ars Technica. EW's editorial guidelines December 29, 2025 7:54 p.m. ET Leave a Comment :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/MUSTLISTDEC26155eb51ef30b467ba5751f32068f88d9.

See our staff list of recommendations for the last week of December.

All Creatures Great and Small, When Harry Met Sally, and more top our cozy holiday Must List

See our staff list of recommendations for the last week of December.

By Tiffany Kelly

Tiffany Kelly

Tiffany Kelly is a staff editor at **. She has been working at EW since 2024. Her work has previously appeared in the Los Angeles Times, Wired, GQ, and Ars Technica.

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The cast of 'It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play'; Meg Ryan in 'When Harry Met Sally'; Samuel West in 'All Creatures Great and Small'. Credit:

There's nothing like sleeping off that holiday food hangover in front of the warm glow of the...television. This final *Must List* of the year is dedicated to the pop culture that makes our staff feel nice and cozy. We hope you'll enjoy curling up with a few of our suggestions as well. —*Patrick Gomez, Editor-in-Chief*

***P.S. If you want to receive the Must List in your inbox, sign up for our " and Awardist" newsletters. You'll receive all three each week — the trifecta of entertainment news.***

All Creatures Great and Small

Samuel West in 'All Creatures Great and Small'.

Helen Williams/Courtesy of Playground Entertainment and MASTERPIECE

What *Downton Abbey* did for British aristocracy, *All Creatures Great and Small* does for English veterinary practices. The series follows Scottish veterinary assistant James Herriot (Nicholas Ralph) operating — often literally — out of a more experienced practitioner's small business in the Yorkshire Dales. From the moment James first meets Samuel West's waspish Siegfried Farnon, the two fall into a jovial (if not always smooth) mentor-mentee humor. Nothing sells cozy like the picturesque Yorkshire countryside, charming U.K. accents, Wellies, and baby lamb down. Binge seasons 1-5 on PBS on demand or on the PBS app before season 6 premieres on Jan. 11. —*Debbie Day, Staff Editor*

When Harry Met Sally

Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan in 'When Harry Met Sally'.

There's no better time than December to revisit Rob Reiner's legendary rom-com. With delightful dialogue from Nora Ephron and electric performances from Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan, the film (streaming on Starz) culminates in a triumphant New Year's finale that can warm even the coldest of hearts. —*Wesley Stenzel, News Writer*

The secrets behind the most iconic scenes of *When Harry Met Sally***

Whistle and I'll Come to You

Michael Hordern in 'Whistle and I'll Come to You' (1968).

Forget roasting chestnuts and open fires. The ultimate Christmastime tradition ought to be repeat viewings of BBC's *A Ghost Story for Christmas* TV movie series, and its pinnacle, the haunting *Whistle and I'll Come to You* (available on AMC+ and YouTube). —*Ryan Coleman, News Writer*

It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play

Ashley Robinson and Rufus Collins in Irish Rep's 2025 production of 'It's a Wonderful Life'.

Transport back to 1946 in this radio play version of Frank Capra's classic. Such is the conceit for this, well… *wonderful* production of George Bailey's encounter with an angel lacking wings that is currently melting hearts on stage at the Irish Rep in NYC. —*Dalton Ross, Editorial Director*

Beth's Dead

'Beth's Dead' podcast.

Podcast hosts and married couple Elizabeth Laime and Andy Rosen join *Armchair Expert*'s Monica Padman for this satisfying exploration of the dangers of parasocial relationships as they track down an obsessed listener who catfished the duo years ago to seek answers to a very grim tale. —*Jillian Sederholm, News Director*

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Heated Rivalry star Hudson Williams reveals Shane's favorite movies — and a beloved rom-com takes...

&34;Lord of the Rings: Return of the King&34; and 1956 western epic &34;The Searchers&34; also make Shane's list. Heated Rivalry star Hudson Williams reveals Shane's favorite movies — and a beloved romcom takes the top spot &34;Lord of the Rings: Return of the King&34; and 1956 western epic &34;The Searchers&34; also make Shane's list. By Lauren Huff :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/PXL202501060627063092a245c0a56a194868af7b6a47af56223c.jpg) Lauren Huff Lauren Huff is an awardwinning journalist and staff writer at with over 12 years of experience covering all facets of the entertainment industry.

"Lord of the Rings: Return of the King" and 1956 western epic "The Searchers" also make Shane's list.

Heated Rivalry star Hudson Williams reveals Shane's favorite movies — and a beloved rom-com takes the top spot

"Lord of the Rings: Return of the King" and 1956 western epic "The Searchers" also make Shane's list.

By Lauren Huff

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Hudson Williams as Shane Hollander in 'Heated Rivalry'. Credit:

When it comes to his character's hypothetical favorite movies, *Heated Rivalry* star Hudson Williams says, "I'll have what she's having."

Responding to a Letterboxd Instagram query asking fans what they think the favorite movies of *Heated Rivalry*'s Shane (Williams) and Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie) would be, Williams jumped in on the conversation (he has some pretty good insight, after all). He thinks his character's top pick would be the classic romantic comedy *When Harry Met Sally*, starring Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan.

Next up was Pixar's 2008 animated film, *Wall-E*, which is also quite the romantic tale, albeit between two adorable space robots. *Lord of the Rings: Return of the King* and 1956 western epic *The* *Searchers* round out Shane's list, which also features an honorable mention for gay coming-of-age film, *Moonlight*, the reasons for which Williams claims are "Issa secret." (Storrie does not appear to have weighed in yet on Ilya's picks.)

Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal in 'When Harry Met Sally'. Columbia/Courtesy Everett Collection

This is all very fitting, of course. In the smash hit TV series, which is based on Rachel Reid's *Game* *Changers* novel series, Williams and Storrie play professional hockey rivals by day, who develop a steamy secret love by night.

The series received critical acclaim and became the Canadian streamer Crave's most-watched original series to date and HBO Max's top debut for an acquired, non-animated title since 2019 when it debuted on the platform in November. Unsurprisingly, the show was renewed for a second season earlier this month.

Series creator Jacob Tierney previously provided a timeline for new episodes to *Entertainment* *Weekly*. "It will not be the same time next year, but it'll be pretty soon after that," Tierney says. "It's not gonna be two years. It's not even gonna be 18 months, I don't think. So we're gonna go as fast as we can, while ensuring that we're doing as good a job as we possibly can."**

'Heated Rivalry' withdrawals? Connor Storrie, Hudson Williams to play fae princes in spicy romance

Inside the 'Heated Rivalry' finale: Connor Storrie, Hudson Williams go behind the scenes

When asked if any plans have been fast tracked in light of the show's success, Tierney responds, "There's only so fast a track to go down when the show is written and directed by one person. I haven't started writing yet. I'm going to. We are aware. We want to get the season out as soon as we can, as well, while also making sure that we give people a good second season."

Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie on 'Heated Rivalry'.

Season 2 will focus once more on Shane and Ilya's relationship and be presumably based on *The Long Game* book in the series, all of which excites Storrie. "I'm interested to play at the dynamic that develops in *The Long Game*, which is, now that we've established we're together and we're choosing this, what does that look like to consistently choose through new obstacles, new self-realizations?" he tells EW. "We're in the real leagues now, and it's cool to watch these people that have been in this heightened reality for so long. The other shoe drops that deepens the love, but that also tests some of their personal limits."

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All episodes of *Heated Rivalry* season 1 are now available to stream in the U.S. on HBO Max.**

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The actor behind Loki is hyping up the next big Marvel event film. Tom Hiddleston calls Avengers: Doomsday 'monumental,' 'never been done before' The actor behind Loki is hyping up the next big Marvel event film. By Nick Romano :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/NicholasRomanoauthorphotoadc9b60763e34711935cbf7b3d768d24.jpg) Nick Romano is a senior editor at with 15 years of journalism experience covering entertainment. His work previously appeared in Vanity Fair, Vulture, IGN, and more. EW's editorial guidelines December 30, 2025 10:36 a.m.

The actor behind Loki is hyping up the next big Marvel event film.

Tom Hiddleston calls Avengers: Doomsday 'monumental,' 'never been done before'

The actor behind Loki is hyping up the next big Marvel event film.

By Nick Romano

Nick Romano is a senior editor at ** with 15 years of journalism experience covering entertainment. His work previously appeared in *Vanity Fair*, Vulture, IGN, and more.

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December 30, 2025 10:36 a.m. ET

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Tom Hiddleston as Loki in 'Loki' season 2. Credit:

Courtesy of Marvel Studios

Tom Hiddleston is drumming up buzz for *Avengers: Doomsday* as his onscreen brother features in the film's latest teaser.

The star behind Loki spoke about the big Marvel event movie to the U.K. edition of *GQ*, calling it "monumental."

"The center of the story is absolutely brilliant, and was so surprising when I read it," he told the magazine. "It just has never been done before."

The last time we saw Hiddleston's Loki was in season 2 of his namesake Disney+ show, which concluded in November 2023 and hasn't been renewed to date. The actor spoke of where we left off with the character.

A scene from 'Loki' season 2, featuring Tom Hiddleston as the trickster god.

"In order to become someone different, whose story had a different ending, he had to make peace with the things he did," Hiddleston told *GQ*. "It gave him the power of authorship over his own story."

The interview arrives as Chris Hemsworth, who plays Loki's brother Thor in the MCU, headlines the second *Avengers: Doomsday* teaser — one of multiple previews first screening in theaters in front of *Avatar: Fire and Ash* before making their way online.

Watch the first look at Chris Evans' return as Steve Rogers in 'Avengers: Doomsday'

Hugh Jackman says his time playing Wolverine in the Marvel Cinematic Universe isn't over

The footage depicts Hemsworth's thunder god reciting an ominous prayer before the battle begins. It involves the return of the actor's real-life daughter, India Rose, as Thor's adopted child Love, first seen in 2022's *Thor: Love and Thunder*.

"Father, all my life I've answered every call, to honor, duty, to war," Thor said in the footage. "But now fate has given me something I never sought: a child, a life untouched by the storm. Lend me the strength of the All Fathers so that I may fight once more, defeat one more enemy, and return home to her — and not as a warrior but as warmth, to teach her not battle but stillness, the kind I never knew."

Chris Hemsworth as Thor in new 'Avengers: Doomsday' teaser.

Marvel Entertainment/Youtube

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We haven't seen Loki and Thor together on screen in a hot minute, but the two are confirmed for appearances in *Avengers: Doomsday* alongside a heaping pile of Marvel actors past and present. To name them all is a herculean effort in itself, but the short version is that primary stars from *The Fantastic Four: First Steps*, *Thunderbolts**/*The New Avengers*, *Captain America: Brave New World*, *Black Panther: Wakanda Forever*, *Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings*, and the past era of *X-Men* movies are assembling — plus Channing Tatum as Gambit.

Robert Downey Jr., who retired the role of Iron Man with *Avengers: Endgame*, returns to the MCU as Victor Von Doom/Doctor Doom, the new Thanos-level threat.

*Avengers: Doomsday* will open in theaters Dec. 18, 2026. The story will then continue in *Avengers: Secret Wars*, which hits Dec. 17, 2027.**

- Film Worlds & Fandoms

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The actor behind Loki is hyping up the next big Marvel event film. Tom Hiddleston calls Avengers: Doomsday 'monumental,...

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Miriam Margolyes shared that she offered a &34;helping hand&34; to three men. Harry Potter star reveals jawdropping story about her past: 'Nobody would believe me' Miriam Margolyes shared that she offered a &34;helping hand&34; to three men. By Daysia Tolentino :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/DaysiaTolentinoauthorphotob1c9bf2343cf4cf7b77759eeb9f69e8d.jpg) Daysia Tolentino Daysia Tolentino is a writer at . She has written for since 2025. Her work has appeared in NBC News, Vulture, GQ, and InStyle. EW's editorial guidelines December 30, 2025 1:00 p.m.

Miriam Margolyes shared that she offered a "helping hand" to three men.

Harry Potter star reveals jaw-dropping story about her past: 'Nobody would believe me'

Miriam Margolyes shared that she offered a "helping hand" to three men.

By Daysia Tolentino

Daysia Tolentino

Daysia Tolentino is a writer at *. *She has written for * *since 2025. Her work has appeared in NBC News, Vulture, GQ, and InStyle.

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Miriam Margolyes as Professor Sprout in 'Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets'. Credit:

Warner Brothers/courtesy Everett

Miriam Margolyes made the likes of will.i.am and Adam Lambert blush after sharing a raunchy story on *The Graham Norton Show* over a decade ago. The actress later revealed that there was more to the memory than she previously admitted to.

Most *Harry Potter* fans know Margolyes as the sweet, affable Professor Pomona Sprout in *Chamber of Secrets* and *Deathly Hallows Pt. 2*; however, Margolyes is just as notorious for her unfiltered, off-the-cuff humor.**

Maggie Smith, Miriam Margolyes, and Richard Harris in 'Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets'.

Warner Brothers/courtesy Everett Collection

During an appearance on *The Graham Norton Show* in 2012, the *Age of Innocence* actress shared that she had given a soldier a "helping hand" after catching him touching himself in a tree. She returned to the talk show recently to promote her new book *The Little Book of Miriam* and revealed more details about that cheeky night.

There were more gentlemen that asked for her assistance that evening, Margolyes divulged. After servicing the troop, a "very nicely dressed gentleman" came up to her and requested she help him too.

"I didn't tell it on television because I felt nobody would believe me," she said.

Miriam Margolyes attends the Oxford Literary Festival 2025 on March 29, 2025.

David Levenson/Getty

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With a captivated audience that included Glenn Close, Alexander Skarsgård, and Nicola Coughlan, the actress recounted how she had "finished him off." As wild as the tale is, the story doesn't stop there.

"I was wiping my hand in the grass over there and lo and behold, this is the bit nobody believes, but it is true, a voice from the same place said, 'Hey, Miriam,'" she said. "And it was someone I knew. He was a young student that I had known in Oxford."

Margolyes did one last favor for her old friend, joking that she did "three for the price of one." Check out Margolyes on *The Graham Norton Show* below.

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Miriam Margolyes shared that she offered a &34;helping hand&34; to three men. Harry Potter star reveals jawdroppin...

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The filmmaker had a very James Cameron comment about the third movie, directed by David Fincher. James Cameron still hates that Alien 3 twist: 'That was the stupidest fing thing' The filmmaker had a very James Cameron comment about the third movie, directed by David Fincher. By Nick Romano :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/NicholasRomanoauthorphotoadc9b60763e34711935cbf7b3d768d24.jpg) Nick Romano is a senior editor at with 15 years of journalism experience covering entertainment. His work previously appeared in Vanity Fair, Vulture, IGN, and more. EW's editorial guidelines December 30, 2025 2:06 p.

The filmmaker had a very James Cameron comment about the third movie, directed by David Fincher.

James Cameron still hates that Alien 3 twist: 'That was the stupidest f---ing thing'

The filmmaker had a very James Cameron comment about the third movie, directed by David Fincher.

By Nick Romano

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James Cameron calls 'Alien 3' twist the 'stupidest f---ing thing'. Credit:

Victoria Sirakova/Getty; 20th Century Fox

Don't get James Cameron started on *Alien 3*. The filmmaker, who followed Ridley Scott's 1979 *Alien* movie by directing 1986's *Aliens*, didn't hold back in sharing his unfiltered thoughts on the third installment's big twist.

At the start of Cameron's entry, Sigourney Weaver's Ellen Ripley has been asleep in stasis for 57 years since the events of the first movie. A new team of Weyland-Yutani employees find her, wake her up, and bring her on a mission back to the moon where she first encountered a xenomorph.

Now the site of a human colony that lost contact with the company, the only survivor is a young girl named Newt (Carrie Henn).

In *Alien 3*, helmed by David Fincher, Newt is promptly killed off in the opening minutes, along with characters Hicks (Michael Biehn) and Bishop (Lance Henriksen). Cameron has long expressed his disdain for this "twist," but he hasn't spoken about it so bluntly until now.

Sigourney Weaver in 'Alien 3'.

20th Century Fox Licensing/Everett

Appearing on Biehn's *Just Foolin About* podcast, Cameron said, "I thought that was the stupidest f---ing thing.... You build a lot of goodwill around the characters of Hicks and Newt and Bishop, and then the first thing they do in the in the next film is kill them all off, right? Really smart, guys. And replace them with a bunch of f---ing convicts that you hate and want to see die. Really clever."

Cameron, who's still bringing *Avatar: Fire and Ash* on the road with media appearances, clarifies he's "a big fan of Fincher and his work." He referenced the difficult production of *Alien 3*, which is now the stuff of Hollywood history. "That was his first feature film and he was getting vectored around by a lot of other voices and all that, so I give him a free pass on that one," Cameron said.

'Alien: Earth' star Cameron Brown on being a 'vegan xenomorph' and working 'essentially blind'

'Alien' star Sigourney Weaver is too scared of the creatures in 'Alien: Earth' to watch it alone

Biehn agreed, but emphasized, "He was given a bowl of s---. He had to overcome that problem."

Biehn has his own issues with *Alien 3*. He shared how the studio planned to use his likeness to create the image of "Hicks with his f---ing chest blown out" without his knowledge or consent. "We called them up and said, 'This can't happen.' And they started throwing money at me," the actor recalled.

Sigourney Weaver and Michael Biehn in James Cameron's 'Aliens'.

20th Century Fox Film Corp/Courtesy Everett

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He's also just as upset over the death of Hicks as Cameron. "You put so much effort into that f---ing character and so much [of] who he was, and so did I," he commented to the director. "And the fact that you're going to dismiss him like this, no, that's not going to happen. We ended up negotiating, and Fincher called me on the phone. I was like, 'Go f--- yourself.'"

They ended up reaching an agreement to use an archived photo of Hicks for that scene.

You know what Biehn and Cameron do like, though? FX's *Alien: Earth* drama series, which takes place before the events of Scott's *Alien*. The director calls that show "pretty good" with "a lot of the DNA" from the original movies. Season 2 is currently in the works.

Still, Cameron notes, "You couldn't pay me enough money to go back to that franchise there. It's sort of almost become fan-driven at this point."

Listen to Cameron and Biehn's comments in the video above or wherever you listen to podcasts.

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Jacob Elordi, Michael B. Jordan, Amy Madigan, Cynthia Erivo, and more — every 2026 Oscars episode...

Jacob Elordi, Michael B. Jordan, Amy Madigan, Cynthia Erivo, and more — every 2026 Oscars episode of The Awardist podcast Plus, interviews with Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt, jesse Plemons and Yorgos Lanthimos, Rose Byrne, &34;KPop Demon Hunters&34; stars Arden Cho and May Hong, and more — and awards season analysis. By Gerrad Hall :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/Gerrad413fcf02541834f43bb26c0de8fe66f66.jpg) Gerrad Hall is an editorial director at , overseeing movie, awards, and music coverage.

Jacob Elordi, Michael B. Jordan, Amy Madigan, Cynthia Erivo, and more — every 2026 Oscars episode of The Awardist podcast

Plus, interviews with Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt, jesse Plemons and Yorgos Lanthimos, Rose Byrne, "KPop Demon Hunters" stars Arden Cho and May Hong, and more — and awards season analysis.

By Gerrad Hall

Gerrad Hall is an editorial director at **, overseeing movie, awards, and music coverage. He is also host of *The Awardist* podcast, and has cohosted EW's live Oscars, Emmys, SAG, and Grammys red carpet shows. He has appeared on *Good Morning America*, *The Talk*, *Access Hollywood*, *Extra!*, and other talk shows, delivering the latest news on pop culture and entertainment.

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Amy Madigan; Michael B. Jordan; Jacob Elordi. Credit:

Eric Charbonneau/Warner Bros via Getty; Brianna Bryson/WireImage; Kristina Bumphrey/WWD via Getty

After a Fall Festival circuit that launched the campaigns for *Hamnet*, *Bugonia*, *Frankenstein*, *The Smashing Machine*, *The Testament of Ann Lee*, *The Secret Agent*, and more, we were off to the races. But *Sinners* emerged as the year's first true Oscar contender in April, both a box office and critical success. From the Cannes Film Festival, *Sentimental Value* emerged as a favorite, and it continued to build momentum during the fall. And then there was this summer's surprise hit, *Weapons*. Then came *One Battle After Another* and *Marty Supreme*.

The 2026 Oscars race has given us no shortage of topics to analyze, and the acting categories have been more in flux than in past years — we've been breaking it all down on *The Awardist* podcast. Plus, stars and directors of this year's contenders have joined me to discuss their films and look back on their careers, including *KPop Demon Hunters* voice stars Arden Cho and May Hong; *Weapons* star Amy Madigan; *Frankenstein*'s Creature, Jacob Elordi; *Sinners* writer-director Ryan Coogler and star Michael B. Jordan; *Wicked: For Good* star Cynthia Erivo, and *One Battle After Another* stars Chase Infiniti and Regina Hall.

Below, you can listen to each episode of the 2026 Oscars season of *The Awardist* podcast. And be sure to check back as new episodes go live every Thursday.*******Check out more from EW's *The Awardist*, featuring exclusive interviews, analysis, and our podcast diving into all the highlights from the year's best in TV, movies, and more.***

Sizing up One Battle After Another, Hamnet, and other early 2026 Oscar frontrunners — and can KPop Demon Hunters get a Best Picture nomination?

A new season of *The Awardist* kicks off with host Gerrad Hall, EW Sr. Writer Joey Nolfi, and Sr. Editor Joyce Eng breaking down all of the early action on the road to the 2026 Oscars. We're talking about early frontrunners — including Paul Thomas Anderson's *One Battle After Another*, led by Leonardo DiCaprio, to Chloé Zhao's *Hamnet* starring the one-to-beat Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal — the movies that gained the most out of the fall festival circuit, the big contenders still to come, and who might be a dark horse, including *KPop Demon Hunters*.**

*The Lost Bus *star America Ferrera, Timothée Chalamet's big boost for Marty Supreme

Timothée Chalamet's *Marty Supreme* has a surprise world premiere this week at the New York Film Festival — is the reaction what he needed to boost his lead in the Best Actor race? *Awardist* host Gerrad Hall, EW Sr. Writer Joey Nolfi, and Sr. Editor Joyce Eng break down early chatter about his performance and what it'll mean for his chances. Plus, thoughts on *One Battle After Another* star Chase Infiniti leaping into the Best Actress category, and we dive into the Golden Globes' short list for Best Podcast, which includes some controversial political voices. And Gerrad chats with *The Lost Bus* star America Ferrera about the harrowing true story, about the bus driver and teacher who were trapped with 22 students during California's devastating 2018 Camp Fire.**

KPop Demon Hunters stars Arden Cho & May Hong, and remembering Diane Keaton

After becoming the biggest pop culture phenomenon of the year, breaking records on Netflix, and taking the Billboard charts by storm with the soundtrack, including the No. 1 hit "Golden," *KPop Demon Hunters* stars Arden Cho ('Rumi') and May Hong ('Mira') are looking back on their very first auditions for the movie, how they related to their demon-hunting/KPop girl-group characters, the movie's enormous success, what they hope to see from a sequel, and more. Plus, *Awardist* host Gerrad Hall and EW. Sr. Editor Joyce Eng chat about the shift in categories for *One Battle After Another* star Chase Infiniti, and we're celebrating the legacy of Hollywood legend Diane Keaton.**

Weapons star Amy Madigan on bringing Aunt Gladys to life, Miley Cyrus gets in the Oscar race

Could Amy Madigan go back to the Oscars 40 years after her first nomination, this time for playing the mysterious and kooky Aunt Gladys in the horror mystery *Weapons*? It's very possible! The actress joins *Awardist* host Gerrad Hall to look back on her experience in Zach Cregger's latest thriller and her career. Plus, Gerrad and EW Sr. Editor Joyce Eng chat about the Best Song race, including new contender Miley Cyrus, who has co-written and will perform the end credits song for *Avatar: Fire and Ash*.**

First Wicked: For Good reactions, If I Had Legs I'd Kick You star Rose Byrne

Rose Byrne plays a mother on the verge of a breakdown in *If I Had Legs I'd Kick You* — she breaks down her performance in the psychological dramedy, which is already picking up a lot of honors this awards season. Plus, *Awardist* host Gerrad Hall and EW senior editor Joyce Eng break down the Gotham Awards nominations, where *One Battle After Another* leads all nominees with six; we also analyze that movie's switch to the comedy/musical category at the Golden Globes and what it means for movies including *Wicked: For Good*. And Gerrad shares his reaction to that movie and whether stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande can go the distance at the Oscars.**

Frankenstein star Jacob Elordi, sizing up the Supporting Actor race

He's unrecognizable in *Frankenstein*, covered in prosthetics to play the Creature, but Jacob Elordi steals the show with his heartbreaking performance. He joins *Awardist* host Gerrad Hall to discuss what he considers his most personal work yet, teases *Euphoria* season 3, and looks back on the *Kissing Booth* movies and *Saltburn*. Plus, Gerrad shares a portion of his Q&A with *Frankenstein* star Oscar Isaac at the SCAD Savannah Film Festival. Elsewhere, Gerrad, EW Sr. Writer Joey Nolfi, and Sr. Editor Joyce Eng analyze the Supporting Actor category.**

*Die My Love *stars Jennifer Lawrence & Robert Pattinson, why Sydney Sweeney's Christy flopped

After starring in their own huge franchises — *The Hunger Games* and *Twilight* — Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson now join forces to play a couple in the drama *Die My Love*. The two chat with *Awardist* host Gerrad Hall about the movie's love story and dark elements, and look back on those early blockbusters. Plus, Gerrad, EW Sr. Writer Joey Nolfi, and Sr. Editor Joyce Eng break down the poor box office performance of Sydney Sweeney's *Christy*, and discuss Tom Cruise's career and potential future Oscar chances ahead of receiving an honorary Oscar at the Governors Awards.**

The Smashing Machine stars Dwayne Johnson & Emily Blunt, inside the Governors Awards

Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt do a deep dive with *Awardist* host Gerrad Hall on their new drama, *The Smashing Machine*, from his transformation into UFC pioneer Mark Kerr and his concerns about still being seen as the Rock to his character realizing he needed to go to rehab for his drug addiction and the personal place Johnson went for that scene, and Blunt's character Dawn trying to escape torment and their toxic relationship. The lively conversation also includes a look back at their first movie together, *Jungle Cruise*, Johnson revealing who he wanted to play in *The Devil Wears Prada 2*, and more. Plus, Gerrad, EW Sr. Writer Joey Nolfi, and Sr. Editor Joyce Eng discuss the new name for the SAG Awards, the Actor Awards, and Gerrad debriefs on the Governors Awards.**

Bugonia star Jesse Plemons and director Yorgos Lanthimos, Wicked: For Good dominates box office

*Bugonia* star Jesse Plemons does a deep dive on his conspiracy-theorist character and going toe-to-toe with Emma Stone, and director Yorgos Lanthimos explains what made this movie more complicated than his other recent projects. Plus, *Awardist* host Gerrad Hall and EW Sr. Editor Joyce Eng break down the huge opening weekend for *Wicked: For Good* and discuss the career of Eddie Murphy, who will be AFI's latest Life Achievement Award winner.**

Sinners star Michael B. Jordan and director Ryan Coogler, first reaction to Avatar: Fire and Ash

It was the first Oscar hopeful to debut in 2025 — *Sinners* is still a favorite and a strong contender for Best Picture, Director, and Actor nominations. Ryan Coogler and star Michael B. Jordan join *Awardist* host Gerrad Hall to chat about their fifth movie together, how Jordan playing twins complicated their process, what Coogler discovered about the movie by filming the end-credits scene on day one, and more. Plus, Gerrad and EW Sr. Editor Joyce Eng break down all of the latest awards action, from the Gothams and National Board of Review winners to the Spirit Award nominations. Plus, they reveal their thoughts on *Avatar: Fire and Ash*, and Miley Cyrus shares insight into how she wrote her original song for the movie.**

One Battle After Another stars Chase Infiniti & Regina Hall, Golden Globes snubs and surprises

Golden Globes voters have spoken — and now, so are we, breaking down the top film nominations, and especially the biggest snubs and surprises, from *Wicked: For Good* to Jacob Elordi. Plus, *One Battle After Another* star Chase Infiniti joins *Awardist* host Gerrad Hall to discuss her long audition process and having to shave Leonardo DiCaprio to help win the role, that scene with Sean Penn, and more, and then Gerrad chats with her costar Regina Hall about her incredible career and role in Paul Thomas Anderson's latest movie. **

Wicked: For Good star Cynthia Erivo, Oscar shortlists, remembering Rob Reiner

Golden Globe nominee Cynthia Erivo joins *Awardist* host Gerrad Hall to chat about her *Wicked: For Good *journey, whether she was really prepared for everything required of her physically for the role, filming the number "For Good" last-minute with Ariana Grande, the 'sex cardigan,' and more. Plus, Gerrad and EW Sr. Editor Joyce Eng analyze some of the Oscar shortlists, and we remember filmmaker and actor Rob Reiner, who died tragically over the weekend.**

Marty Supreme star Gwyneth Paltrow, thoughts on Oscars moving to YouTube

Gwyneth Paltrow hasn't made a movie in seven years, but she's back on the big screen in *Marty Supreme* — she tells *Awardist* host Gerrad Hall about how "petrified" she was, about building her character's backstory, what she loved about working with Timothée Chalamet, and more. Plus, we look back on her Oscar win for *Shakespeare in Love* and why it took her 25 years to come to terms with it, as well as *Glee*, and what she thinks Pepper Potts has been up to. And Gerrad and EW Sr. Editor Joyce Eng share their thoughts on the Academy's decision to move the Oscars from broadcast TV to YouTube starting in 2029, as well as Harrison Ford being announced as SAG-AFTRA's next Life Achievement Honoree.**

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Published: January 01, 2026 at 09:38AM on Source: MORNING MAG

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January 01, 2026

Jacob Elordi, Michael B. Jordan, Amy Madigan, Cynthia Erivo, and more — every 2026 Oscars episode...

Jacob Elordi, Michael B. Jordan, Amy Madigan, Cynthia Erivo, and more — every 2026 Oscars episode of The Awardist podca...

Read More