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“Fast Movers” Might Be Key To Contention
For all the talk about resurgent players (Lawrence Butler, Zack Gelof, Jacob Lopez), back sliding players (Luis Morales, Jack Perkins), and a hitting core with elite talent but only decent results (Nick Kurtz/Shea Langeliers/Jacob Wilson/Tyler Soderstrom/Brent Rooker), the A’s fortunes in the near future may lie with some prospects who are fast-tracking themselves towards 2027 […]
3 Stocks Tied To Rising HSA Use Including CVS Health Stock
Health Savings Accounts are quietly becoming a core part of how Americans pay for care, with more employers auto enrolling workers and pairing HSAs with high deductible health plans. That shift channels more money through platforms that handle contributions, custody, and investments. For investors, the question is which stocks may benefit most from this structural change. This article walks through three HSA exposed stocks from our screener and what the news could mean for each. The three...
Nottingham Forest 0-0 Tottenham: What Glasner said
Nottingham Forest have failed to win their opening three matches of a campaign for the very first time in the Premier League, while it is the first time in the top-flight since 1990-91. Nottingham Forest manager Oliver Glasner is winless in his last 10 Premier League games (drawn five, lost five), with this the longest league run without a win in his managerial career since May 2023 with Eintracht Frankfurt (also 10).
Amazon's $30 solar power bank makes wall outlets obsolete for phone charging
It has two built-in LED flashlights.
How to Watch Alabama Football Without Cable in 2026
If you don’t have cable, you don’t have to miss out on watching Alabama football.Your options will vary depending on what exactly you’re looking for, but we have a complete rundown of every single way you can stream any Alabama game this season:Note: Heavy may receive a commission if you subscribe to a service on […] The post How to Watch Alabama Football Without Cable in 2026 appeared first on HEAVY.
How A24's 'Primetime' depicts 'To Catch a Predator' host Chris Hansen
A24's sweeps-ploitation drama may deflate the TV host's ego, but it's so in love with its protagonist it can't see he's the least compelling character in the movie.
Clemson's Christopher Vizzina is Under Most Pressure in the Country
Clemson Tigers quarterback Christopher Vizzina may be under more pressure than any player in the country on Saturday.
Fatherhood may actually start months before conception, experts suggest
Get your act together, wannabe dad
Apple Watch 12 & Ultra 4: Leaks Reveal a Big Hardware Change
Apple’s next smartwatches may bring the first true silicon overhaul in years alongside an expanded sensor layout. Here is what the Ultra 4 and Series 12 leaks show.
Think Mice Are Nesting Inside Your Home? Look for These Telltale Signs
Think mice may be nesting in your home? Pest control experts reveal the telltale signs of an infestation—and what to do if you spot them.
Nearly 50 years in business, The Pantry is Macomb County’s breakfast table
Joe Moceri originally opened the Sterling Heights location in May of 1978, serving up omelets, crepes, pancakes, sandwiches and the kind of hospitality that keeps generations of diners coming back.
Three reasons Wisconsin football struggles against Notre Dame
Today’s task is to analyze where the Badgers may struggle to stop the Irish this Labor Day weekend.
How Salary Floor Would Affect Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers have not needed a large payroll to win, but they may be compelled to spend more anyway.
There May Not Be an iPhone 18 This Year
Apple is expected to announce several products at its September event next week—including a folding phone—but the iPhone 18 might not be among them. It would be a first for the company.
Health care, potholes, rats: D.C.’s presumptive mayor gets an earful from her city
Lewis George’s self-styled “listening tour,” with events planned in each of D.C.’s eight wards, echoes a familiar variety of political stagecraft.
Health care, potholes, rats: D.C.’s presumptive mayor gets an earful from her city
Lewis George’s self-styled “listening tour,” with events planned in each of D.C.’s eight wards, echoes a familiar variety of political stagecraft.
How a bill about whales turned into a warning sign for Democrats
House Democrats can taste the post-midterm power. They also fear the dysfunction that may come with it.
Mayor Parker’s election put lobbyist William Dunbar at the center of Philly politics. Now he’s awaiting sentencing on tax fraud charges.
Parker let Dunbar go from her campaign in August 2024. Neither side has publicly explained what led to the separation.
The best time to buy an iPhone may be right this minute
Whatever your favorite smartphone, it’s going to cost more. Blame inflation driven by the AI boom.
Charles Barkley is ‘100 percent’ leaving Inside the NBA unless one condition is met
NBA legend Charles Barkley’s time with ESPN and Inside the NBA may come to a quick end. Last season, Inside the NBA officially moved on from TNT Sports as the show started airing on ESPN.
Neuer's farewell tour: One last emotional stop at Schalke
Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has probably been looking forward to this football match since May 2. That's when his former club Schalke secured a long-awaited return to the Bundesliga after three years in the second division.
Have scientists discovered a dark matter particle?
Dark matter is an invisible substance that is said to bind the universe; scientists may have found new signs of it.
Multiple Buccaneers Call Baker Mayfield ‘More Relatable’ than Tom Brady
While Tom Brady delivered a championship, Baker Mayfield won over the locker room by just being one of the guys.
Williams sisters fall in thrilling return to US Open doubles
Serena and Venus Williams electrified Arthur Ashe Stadium but fell to Chan Hao-ching and Maya Joint in three thrilling sets in their return to the US Open women's doubles on Friday.Venus, 46, and Serena, 44, hadn't played Grand Slam doubles since the 2022 US Open and last won a title together at Roland Garros in 2018.
Central Health considers raising Travis County taxes for mental health resources
New revenue may benefit care for those in crisis, but some local leaders worry about an impact on taxpayers.
Tomatoes Contain an Invisible Ingredient With Surprising Effects on Liver Health
A tomato contains a hidden ingredient that the eye cannot see, and it may be just as important to liver health as the red pigment that made the fruit famous.
Dianna Russini’s Next NFL Move Takes Shape as Barstool Sports Emerges as Favorite
Dianna Russini may not be away from the NFL spotlight much longer.Five months after leaving The Athletic, Russini is “absolutely” planning a return to sports media and has been discussing several potential opportunities, according to a new report from Front Office Sports.And one possible landing spot has quickly separated itself from the pack.Front Office Sports’ […] The post Dianna Russini’s Next NFL Move Takes Shape as Barstool Sports Emerges as Favorite appeared first on HEAVY.
Pixel 7 and Pixel 8 owners are reporting a surprising new feature
Google may bring AirDrop over Quick Share to older Pixel phones after all.
Vikings rookie defender challenging veteran for key role
The Vikings may have a surprise Day 3 contributor who can step into the defensive backfield immediately.
Israeli scientists find ‘multitasking’ gene controls mood and metabolism in mice
Weizmann Institute researchers find Orthopedia gene plays critical role throughout life after aiding in-utero brain development; study may help treatment of anxiety and metabolic disorders
Browns QB Shedeur Sanders Gets Grim Reality Check
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders may have some more ground to make up. The post Browns QB Shedeur Sanders Gets Grim Reality Check appeared first on HEAVY.
Mamdani defends admin's use of Signal app, says City Hall is in compliance
Mamdani isn't the first to use Signal; both Mayors Eric Adams and Bill de Blasio used the application during their tenures.
Game 142 Game Day Thread – Tampa Bay Rays @ Texas Rangers
Maybe Nick Martinez will do us a big solid
Gainesville’s The Streatery enters soft opening mode with new businesses opening
$4.5-million construction started in April.
Maui Chamber reminds community to submit nominations for the Mayor’s Small Business Awards
The Maui Chamber of Commerce is reminding community members that nominations are open for the 2026 Mayor’s Small Business Awards, with nominations due Friday, Sept. 18, 2026. Nominations are being accepted for businesses, nonprofits, or individuals who are making a difference in Maui County.
How to Watch Oklahoma Football Without Cable in 2026
Even if you don’t have cable, that doesn’t mean you need to miss out on watching Oklahoma football games.Your options will vary depending on what exactly you’re looking for, but we have a complete rundown of every single way you can stream any Oklahoma game this season:Note: Heavy may receive a commission if you subscribe […] The post How to Watch Oklahoma Football Without Cable in 2026 appeared first on HEAVY.
FDIC Deposit Rule Gives Banks More Room for Business Cash
For banks seeking a larger share of their commercial customers’ operating cash, new federal deposit rules may help those efforts. The Federal Deposit
15 discouraging hours with Onimusha: Way of the Sword, and 10 brilliant ones with He Who Watches
In the last few weeks, while playing some video games that I might review, I emailed two cries for help. I sent the first to a rep for Capcom, confessing that the company’s samurai game Onimusha Way of the Sword (out today for PC and console) was crushing me. “Feels like I’m playing ‘hard’ mode, not ‘normal,’” I wrote. “And I don’t want to have to knock it down to “story”. I’m exploring, trying to level my gear, but these two-phase boss fights with no mid-fight checkpoints are brutal.” I wagered I was only about halfway through the game, if that. I wasn’t sure I could keep up with the steepening difficulty curve. Was I missing something? Then, on Monday, I took some photos of some puzzles that were baffling me in the mind-bending He Who Watches (out now on PC), wrote out lengthy descriptions of how I’d been trying to solve them and asked Bobby Vanden, the game’s solo developer, for a nudge in the right direction. I told Vanden I’d spent hours on these puzzles. “I’m stuck in triplicate,” I told him. Could he tell me if the solutions I was attempting were even on the right track? I didn’t mention that the puzzles—coupled with major time pressures from other work—were stressing me out so much that playing the game was giving me headaches. This double dose of panic was unusual. I’m used to managing a workload full of reporting and reviewing, used to a crowded schedule and the need to stay calm amid the bustle. But I was stressed about these games. No one was forcing me to review them, nor even play them. I’d simply found them interesting enough to start, hoped they’d be interesting enough to write about and I’d sunk hours into them assuming I’d made the right call. Suddenly, however, I felt trapped. I was emailing for a way out. Above: This guy took me about an hour to beat. The feedback I got from Capcom confirmed my fears. They didn’t say it, but I will: Onimusha Way of the Sword is not for me. It’s a brutally hard game in need of a normal difficulty level. It’s a game that spikes so severely during its abundant boss fights—yet offers such flawed ways to improve when outside of them—that it feels like a bait-and-switch. In the new Onimusha, you play as famed samurai Musashi Miyamoto, aided by a magical soul-absorbing gauntlet that is possessed by a lady who offers advice. (Way of the Sword is a continuation of Capcom’s long-dormant Onimusha series, but that set-up had me wondering if the company was cribbing from their ill-fated Bionic Commando reboot; read about “wife-arm” when you get a chance). Way of the Sword is partially set in 17th century Kyoto, an explorable city where Miyamoto can fight demons, help civilians and eventually rescue ghostly dogs. The city evolves over time, with new mini adventures and obtainable loot on offer, all feeding into systems that promise to upgrade your gear and sword-fighting skills. Upgrades, however, are so incremental as to be imperceptible, causing the exploration of Kyoto to feel like inconsequential busywork. From that hub, players can go on linear missions into forests and old temples, where they will encounter many of the game’s tough bosses. Combat in Way of the Sword is akin to many modern melee games. Players are asked to mix attacks with dodges and parries. They’re encouraged to deplete an enemy’s stamina bar in order to do greater damage to its health bar. The old Onimusha games’ signature move was the issen, a counter-attack so sudden it’s all but pre-emptive. You strike just as they begin to strike toward you, beating them to the cut. By definition, the issen is a high risk move, leaving you wide open to pain. It feels risky in the game, especially against bosses, who can maul you in just a few blows. A game might train you to perform an issen well by offering a variety of lesser enemies who are not as tough as the boss but get close. Or it might offer a toehold against bosses by saving or checkpointing the player’s progress when a boss’ first health bar has been destroyed and before the second health bar appears. It might offer the less skilled player a chance to over-level their character, should the player simply commit to playing through its optional sidequests. Way of the Sword does none of this. Fighting its trivially easy grunt enemies and then its ferociously adept bosses is like playing a game of chess where I’ve got a rook, while the opposing side is all pawns and five queens. Bosses simply don’t checkpoint. You may be able to clear a boss’ first phase without taking much damage. Good for you. Do it again, every time you fail the second phase. As for the the central Kyoto hub, I kept pace with all of its added side activities and never felt like I was overpowered. Bosses could still easily buckle me. The new Onimusha, I concluded, is just too discouraging to keep playing. The advice I got from Capcom had been well-intentioned. They reminded me of the game’s various systems. They alerted me to an optional assist that flashes recommended button inputs (basically: counter this move; dodge that move). It was a little helpful. So was dropping down to “story mode,” which I tried last night. Story mode turns on those button prompts by default. It makes countering and dodging way too easy, nearly automatic. I don’t consider myself a master of action games like these, but I’ve cleared the likes of God of War, Stellar Blade, Star Wars Jedi and others of sub-Sekiro difficulty and had a fun time doing so. Not here. Not yet. Unless they patch Onimusha: Way of the Sword and add a middle difficulty or just checkpoint the damn bosses when they’re between health bars, my streak of loving Capcom games released in 2026 will likely end at two. It’s a shame, because I was having a good time finding those ghostly dogs. And then there’s He Who Watches, a phenomenal first person puzzle game with Portal vibes, except instead of a portal gun you’ve got a magical bow that shoots one arrow that can activate switches or be used to drag blocks. The twist is an actual twist: you can also walk on walls and the ceiling, reorienting gravity as you do, thereby placing blocks onto those other surfaces. Walking on walls and ceilings to solve problems is really the best thing. Would that I could in reality. He Who Watches consists of locked-room challenges, each brief enough to only require about a minute to actually solving, though it will take five, 10, eventually 30 minutes to figure out said solutions. They are not obvious! It’s a game of layered mechanics and shocking solutions. For example, see if you can follow this: You can drag a block to a wall. Then you can walk on the wall, which now feels like the floor, and drag that block across the wall. Later, back on the floor, you might realize you can look up. The block is still on the wall, stuck to it. You can shoot your magic arrow to its underside. Doing so creates a tether, so that you can yank the block off the wall and carry it, as if it were a balloon, into the spot where you need it to be to solve the puzzle. Here, watch Vanden explain some of the game’s basics in this launch trailer: As with any great puzzle game, the solutions to He Who Watches’ puzzles elicit relief and amazement. Oh my god, that worked! I didn’t even think that could be possible! Learning to solve the game’s puzzles feels like learning magic. But, oh, does the game get hard. Its Steam reviews, mostly glowing, are full of players remarking how quickly He Who Watches made them sweat. Wrote one: “loving this one already although my brain is hurting!” Wrote another: “As you get further in the game it feels like you need an IQ level of at least 120+.” Vanden has shown some mercy. Each locked room puzzle includes an optional junior version of the puzzle, meant to teach you. Difficulty nevertheless ramps severely. By the time I was emailing Vanden for help, I was struggling to even clear one of the hint puzzles. When I messaged him, my stress was exacerbated by strange things I’d found in the game’s various hubs: suspicious passageways, odd blocks and some intriguing locked doors. These were hints of secrets, I realized, yet I sensed I needed to play further into the game to understand them. I was stuck, but I wanted to see the rest. Vanden offered to give me the exact solutions, to solve those three puzzles for me, but first he gave four nudges. Three were for the specific puzzles, but his best hint was for all and ultimately proved to be a terrific life lesson: go back a bit, he suggested. Do the puzzles right before those. They were teaching you something. Focus on what their lesson was. Don’t rush, in other words. Recognize what you’ve accomplished. Build off of that. I did so. I absorbed the lessons. I saw those three tough puzzles in a new light. I solved one the night after he wrote back, another the morning after. I left a third for another time. I didn’t need it and I wanted to plunge deeper into the game, closer to the moment when I was sure I could start unlocking those secret doors. My head stopped hurting, too. He Who Watches feels special. It’s got more challenges, and I’m undeterred. It’s also nice that its puzzles don’t have a surprise second health bar. Game File is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Subscribe Item 2: In brief… 🎮 Ilari Kuittinen, co-founder of Helsinki-based Housemarque (Super Stardust HD, Resogun, Returnal) has stepped down from his studio, after a 31-year run, saying he’s “ taking a rare and well-deserved breather.” Sony purchased Housemarque in 2021, and the studio released its newest game, Saros, earlier this year. Trend-watch: Sony-owned Insomniac saw its founder Ted Price retire in early 2025, after a 30-year run. Sony-owned Sucker Punch saw its co-founder Brian Fleming step down in late 2025, after a 28-year run. 👀 Savvy Games Group chief Brian Ward is stepping down from the Saudi-government-backed games conglomerate, Bloomberg reports. No word on a long-term successor yet, nor if this augurs any closer integration between Savvy and Electronic Arts. EA was purchased by a consortium led by Saudi’s sovereign wealth fund, in early August. 💿 Square Enix has denied a Japanese media report that the company was planning to go private. In very different Square Enix news, the company revealed that the physical version of Final Fantasy VII: Revelation, the April 2027 finale of its radical remakes of FFVII, will include just one disc in its case, requiring a download for the rest. The first two FFVII remakes in the trilogy shipped on two discs apiece. While Square hasn’t commented on the reason why, a feature here in Game File last month broke down the processes and costs for physical games. The expense of a second disc comes out of the game publisher’s cut of each copy. Square could be saving in excess of a dollar a copy with this move. 🟥 Grand Theft Auto IV’s 26-minute ’‘extended look” gameplay showcase that premiered on Netflix last week—and was exclusive to the platform for six hours—drew 31.1 million views in its first four days, the streamer announced. (Netflix calculates views as total viewed hours divided by runtime; excludes replays). Compared to YouTube: The version that later premiered on Rockstar Games’ YouTube channel is sitting at 22.6 million views after seven days (YouTube’s more liberal counting system tallies anyone who viewed even just the first few second.) Compared to other Netflix mega-events: Last year, Stranger Things season 5’s first four episodes, which debuted together, drew a record 59.6 million views in their first few days on Netflix. For more of a live event type of comparison, in 2024, the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson boxing match drew 65 million concurrent streams as it happened; Netflix didn’t release live numbers for the GTA premiere. ☁️ Microsoft is changing the way it charges for cloud gaming, from an all-you-can-play offer for Xbox Game Pass subscribers, to caps for the subscription’s tiers (15 hours per month at the Ultimate tier), with the option to buy more hours in bulk beyond that. The company also said it will sell batches of cloud gaming time to non-Game Pass subscribers, details TBA. Microsoft does not release figures for cloud game usage, but said its changes would impact 4% of Game Pass subscribers. That implies a small portion of its subscribers exceed the 15-hour monthly mark. Cloud gaming offers the promise of playing games without the need for console or PC hardware, as the graphics, sound and controls are all transmitted via a streaming connection. Microsoft notes that its cloud gaming service can be used for a range of things, including Xbox One players using it to play newer-gen Xbox Series games via streaming; and people playing games via streaming, sans any console, “in markets where consoles are less available or affordable.” (That latter use case could even be relevant in Xbox’s home market soon, as console prices keep rising.) Take Two Interactive chairman Strauss Zelnick recently told investors he expects game-streaming tech, which has been only lightly adopted by gamers for over a decade, to be widely used within three years. 🇺🇸 The Trump administration has published multiple agenda-driven web video games to the White House’s website. One called Build The Wall partially clones Tetris as it asks players to build a wall to stop a “zombie border siege.” While actual Tetris involves clearing lines and basically not building a wall, the Trump-backed game omits the line-clearing aspect (and omits the fun as well). On Instagram, Tetris’ official license holders reacted by stating: “At Tetris we believe in the power of connection and bringing people together, not dividing them. To our fans everywhere: we love you, we see you, and we’re grateful to have you in our community. P.S. The Tetris Company was not involved in the creation of ‘Build the Wall.’ P.P.S.: We take copyright infringement very seriously.” Item 3: The week ahead: Tuesday, September 8 Game releases: Mewgenics (consoles; already out on PC) is an engrossing tactical combat game (with cats). It is getting its console port right after the release of a Star Wars tactics game and ahead of the late September launch of a Fire Emblem–a bumper crop for the genre. Wanderburg (PC) is an auto-shooting game like Vampire Survivors, but you’re a castle on wheels Event: Nintendo airs a 30-minute Nintendo Direct (10am ET) focused on The Legend of Zelda’s 40th Anniversary. A full unveiling of the upcoming remake of The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time is expected. Will they also show footage from next year’s live action movie? Tease the next big 3D Zelda? Add Link to Mario Kart World? Shadow-drop a new Tingle game? Wednesday, September 9 Event: Nintendo again! On this day, they’re planning to air a 45-minute Nintendo Direct (10am ET) focused on games heading to Switch 2 this winter. Followed by about an hour of gameplay demoed by the company’s Treehouse team. The September Nintendo Directs are always some of the year’s biggest. The 2025 edition included announcements of several major 2026 Switch/Switch 2 games: Pokémon Pokopia, Mario Tennis Fever, Yoshi and the Mysterious Book, Fire Emblem Fortune’s Weave. Plus the return of the Virtual Boy. Friday, September 11 Game release: EA Sports NHL 27 (PlayStation, Xbox) is a hockey game. There are so few that an indie studio that had been making wacky sci-fi first-person shooters just announced that, hey, we’re going to fill a void and make a hockey game for PC.
Apple’s Foldable iPhone Ultra Launch May Be Days Away, if You Can Get One
The iPhone 18 Pro could be upstaged by Apple's first foldable this year, though the iPhone Ultra might be hard to get at launch.
First the league then the cup
Against the second-tier side on SundayLet's think back to 18 May 2014 – when our boys were the newly crowned cup champions after a 4-2 win over SKN St. Pölten in the final. This coming Sunday, twel...
‘Wheel of Fortune’ announcer Jim Thornton fired after suspension
‘Wheel of Fortune’ announcer Jim Thornton fired after suspension, following a May incident on an airplane.
‘Wheel of Fortune’ announcer fired after airline laptop incident
Sony Pictures Television has fired Wheel of Fortune announcer Jim Thornton over an incident on a Los Angeles-bound flight involving his participation in an online chatroom, TMZ reported Friday. “Following a thorough investigation, Jim Thornton’s employment with Wheel of Fortune has been terminated, effective immediately,” a studio spokesperson told TMZ. The incident unfolded in May […]
The Fierce Battle For Kids’ Eyeballs...Plus Two “Devils” Face Off
(Welcome to my weekly streaming ratings report, the single best guide to what’s popular in streaming TV and what isn’t. I’m the Entertainment Strategy Guy, a former streaming executive who now analyzes business strategy in the entertainment industry. If you were forwarded this email, please subscribe to get these insights each week.) During the week of this report, Spider-Man: Brand New Day hit theaters and went on to become one of the biggest films of all time. So, you know what that means! It’s time for a poll! Recently, Project Hail Mary came to Prime Video and became a top five film for them, but didn’t smash streaming records, a feat I cautiously thought it could accomplish. Can Spider-Man 4 do better? To set the stakes, some of the biggest films of all time do just okay on streaming. Wicked, Top Gun: Maverick, and Barbie come to mind... But unlike those films, Spider-Man: Brand New Day is a Sony film which means it’s headed to Netflix, the world’s largest streamer. Now, per friend of the newsletter and my go-to Netflix expert, Kasey Moore of What’s on Netflix, Sony films usually appear on Netflix 120 days after they premiere, which means Spidey 4 would land on Netflix on, checks notes, 28-November, one of the two biggest streaming weekends of the year! But Sony occasionally delays its biggest hits for a bit longer, to give them more time to make money on PVOD, so Spider-Man: Brand New Day might not swing onto Netflix until late December or even February 2027. Loading... Okay, on to this week’s issue. Since The Super Mario Galaxy Movie made its way to Peacock, I’m looking at the true workhorse of streaming viewership: kids films. And the surprising film that bested most Netflix animated movies. All that, plus Hulu has a new show that might be a hit (for them…?), two “Devils” square off on streaming, Zendaya tries to find some streaming magic, Netflix’s I Will Find You continues to do well, House of the Dragon tries to break into the season three top ten, some big NBC sports and summer programs, what friendly neighborhood Spider-Man character actually generates the most viewership on streaming, all the flops, bombs and misses, and a whole lot more. Let’s dive right in! (Reminder: The streaming ratings report focuses on the U.S. market and compiles data from Nielsen’s weekly top ten viewership ranks, Luminate’s Top Ten Data, JustWatch and Reelgood interest data, Samba TV household viewership, company datecdotes, Netflix hours viewed data, Google Trends, and IMDb to determine the most popular content. While most data points are current, Nielsen’s data covers the weeks of July 27th to August 2nd, 2026. You can find a link to my terminology here.) Subscribe Film - As The Super Mario Galaxy Movie Hits Peacock, How Have Kids Films Fared in 2026? Like Mario hopping on a Koopa, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie landed on Peacock on 30-July. (Yeah, I kinda forced that Mario reference.) How did it do? Great, just like the first film. It got 13.0 million hours on its opening, and that’s good enough to take second place among Peacock films on the Nielsen charts all time: As I mention all the time, Peacock just isn’t the world’s biggest streamer—in fact, nowhere close—so its films struggle to put up numbers like Netflix (or even Prime Video and Disney+). So this is a solid debut for that streamer. And as we saw last time, The Super Mario Bros. Movie had a HUGE second life on Netflix when it moved streamers. This chart doesn’t even show how long the first Mario lasted on Netflix: a whopping, KPop-esque 31 weeks. For NBCUniversal, though, the big win was the second Mario movie grossing $429 million in America and over $1 billion globally. But yeah, to add a very strong streaming performance only makes its success even greater. Illumination pretty clearly has another hit franchise on their hands. This is a good time, though, to check in on kids films so far in 2026. We’ve had a few big, big titles, a rare Netflix success, and some disappointments. Let’s start with the top animated films since November of 2025, over their first four weeks on the charts, along with a few of the “best all time” animated films: (As a reminder, if a film doesn’t make the Nielsen top ten lists, I don’t have data for it, so it gets a “zero” in terms of viewership. Now, it had some viewership, but I don’t know what it is, so it gets a zero.) I added a few titles to get an idea of what the best of the best looks like in terms of animation. And you can see, through four weeks, Zootopia 2 can now claim “one of the biggest streaming films of all time” titles. GOAT too did surprisingly well, besting Netflix’s biggest films (Swapped and In Your Dreams) through four weeks. When I’ve talked about how films can have varying performances on streaming compared to their box office, this is what I mean. Goat just managed to gross even $103 million at the box office—so it’s popular, but just barely—but did very well on streaming. Of course, what set Encanto and KPop Demon Hunters apart from the rest was their absolutely insane longevity. Here are the kids film charts through eight weeks to show that: And really KPop Demon Hunters just kept going, and no 2025 or 2026 kids films have had that sort of longevity. I can’t wait to see the sequel in theaters. Film - Two Devils and a Drama As I wrote last week, in the past, theatrical-first film flops weren’t eligible for “Miss of the Week” or “Miss of the Year” honors/dishonors, but since so many more films go to theaters first these days, I’ve made them eligible now! But it’s complicated. You see, this is a Streaming Ratings Report, emphasis on streaming, which makes analyzing this week’s two biggest streaming misses—The Drama on HBO Max (A24’s dramedy starring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson) and Prime Video’s The Devil Mouth (a killer shark movie starring young attractive people)—somewhat tricky. The Drama isn’t eligible for Luminate, but The Devil’s Mouth only had 1.5 million hours in its first week: The Devil’s Mouth notched 5.2 million hours according to Nielsen. Meanwhile, The Drama missed the charts entirely. Not great! But Prime Video is a much bigger streamer than HBO Max. That said, HBO Max titles are on Prime Video, but I think Prime Video prioritizes their original/exclusive titles, which helps boost their viewership. Complicating this further, The Drama made $48 million in the US—while A24 sells foreign distribution; the $57 million of overseas grosses helps A24 sell overseas rights for money in the future—off of a $28 million budget (which seems low for Zendaya and Pattinson, so they might have backend). The Devil’s Mouth, though, had zero dollars at the box office. The other stats for The Devil’s Mouth are bleak, and by “bleak”, I mean horrendous: a 4.7 on 15K reviews on IMDb (yikes) and a 46 on Metacritic (double yikes). The Drama, though buzzy online, only has a solid (but far from elite) 7.1 IMDb score on 121K reviews and a 59 on Metacritic (which is far, far lower than I’d have guessed). So which film is the “Miss of the Week”? I’m giving it to The Devil’s Mouth for one simple reason: it’s a horror film. And almost all horror films, even poorly reviewed horror films, should get a shot in theaters to at least try to recoup some of their budgets. The Drama made money at the box office and The Devil’s Mouth didn’t. It’s just like the situation last issue with Obsession and Masters of the Universe. Sure, Obsession didn’t pop on the streaming charts, but at least it already made it money at the box office. And as we’ve been seeing for years now and we’ll see all fall, theatrical films just do better on streaming. After all, the big “devil” winner this week was actually The Devil Wears Prada 2 with 14.8 million hours according to Nielsen. That’s right, The Devil Wears Prada 2—one of the box office success stories of May—came to streaming and parlayed its $220 million box office into 14.8 million Nielsen hours. Disney also put out a datecdote that it had 15.2 million “views” globally in five days, but again we don’t have a lot of great context for what that means. Here’s how it stacks up to other Hulu films, since I’m categorizing this mainly as a Hulu title (though it was also on Disney+): Share Quick Notes on Film We’re just getting started with this issue, but the rest is for paid subscribers of the Entertainment Strategy Guy, so if you’d like to find out… Whether Hulu has a new hit show on its hands... The top first and third seasons of all time and which shows are climbing those charts… What version of Spidey is the most popular... What sport and TV show are performing better on NBC than the NBA... All the flops, bombs and misses... ...please subscribe! We can only keep doing this great work with your support. Coming Soon! Next week, wow, things stay so busy. One of streaming’s biggest shows of all time, Ted Lasso, returns along with new YA-ish shows from Hulu (The Shards, from Ryan Murphy) and Prime Video (Sterling Point). The Challenge moves to Paramount+, plus My Life with the Walter Boys returns to Netflix and Futurama returns to Hulu. And Netflix has a new horror film, The Last House. Lots to talk about! All month, things stay busy. We’re talking Reacher on Prime Video! Outer Banks and Tires on Netflix! Lanterns on HBO Max! UFC 330 on Paramount+ and the MLB Field of Dreams game on Netflix. And a ton of smaller films come to streaming. Long term, the VMAs are back on 27-Sep! I feel like I haven’t heard much about this show in past years, but I’m seeing more news coverage and buzz for this show than in past years. I’m curious to see how it does.
‘Maybe we should call it egalitarianism, or even humanism’
Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
Clemson officials notify LSU it may be breaching contract if it plays former pro players Saturday
‘I can’t be bought,’ Nige tells Reform’s faithful – however different it may look
Just as the party leader had hoped to change the narrative, along came Channel 4 to spoil his conference fun
Mamdani to modernize NYC emergency planning, designate Sept. 11 day of service
Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced Friday that his administration plans to modernize New York City's nearly two-decade-old framework for keeping government
'Unsafe levels' of fecal bacteria found at 3 beaches in this state
Visitors should not swim, surf, dive or kayak at the beaches, activities where they may swallow water, according to health officials.
This Hiking Exoskeleton May Actually Help Your Bad Knees, Finally
Hypershell Halo is doing a lot more than lifting your legs for you.
Your older Pixel phone may finally be getting Quick Share AirDrop support
Your Pixel 7 or Pixel 8 looks like it's about to get AirDrop/Quick Share support, just like all the newer Pixel phones.
3,200-year-old inscription may point to a long-lost ancient Egyptian city from the time of Ramesses II
An inscription written in the time of Ramesses II may indicate the location of a lost ancient Egyptian city.
Gloria Steinem’s ‘Turtle Test’ Is a Business Lesson Every Founder Needs to Learn
If you’re wondering why your product isn't gaining traction, maybe you’re providing solutions nobody needs.
How Fan Headcanon Turned Fern Mayo Trans in the ‘Jawbreaker’ Musical
A chance DM from a trans actress ended up transforming the character in the stage adaptation of the beloved 1999 comedy.
Don't sleep on Seahawks RB George Holani in 2026
George Holani may surprise in 2026 as the Seahawks’ backup running back to begin the year.
Aging doesn't look the same for everyone at the molecular level
People's bodies may reflect their ages very differently at the molecular level, even when they are the same chronological age, according to a new study.
Miami Sheriff Opposes Plans To Transform The City Into GTA-Land
The 'GTA x MDC' marketing event proposed by Miami-Dade’s mayor has been criticized by both Miami-Dade's sheriff and its commissioner
Letter: America is bigger than political parties
I believe Donald Trump has changed American politics in ways that will be felt for years. Some of those changes may have been necessary. Many Americans felt ignored by Washington and believed Trump was willing to challenge a political establishment that had stopped listening to them.
Kentucky Sues Mayday Health Over Abortion Pill Advertising
Kentucky is the latest state to take action against the nonprofit Mayday Health for advertising that points people to a website providing information about abortion-inducing drugs.
TN Politics: Will Memphis leaders take tougher stance against federal agencies?
The National Guard and ICE are operating in legal gray areas with little to no accountability. Otis Sanford says its time for mayors to speak out.
Tanoa Togiai Adds Athleticism to Commanders Interior OL Depth
Maybe the biggest addition to the Washington Commanders 53-man roster was offensive lineman Tanoa Togiai, who can add athleticism to the unit's depth
Has Chelsea's transfer strategy finally started to pay off?
Chelsea have had a few remarkable transfer summers since their forced sale from Roman Abramovich's control in May 2022. Once again they were big spenders, outlaying £349m on 11 signings such as Morgan Rogers, Maxence Lacroix and Emiliano Martinez. Chelsea actually made a trading profit after selling 17 players.
Guest Commentary: Screen time isn’t to blame for youth mental-health issues
The narrative tying youth depression to smartphone use and screen time may not be accurate — the passing of the school year or other factors are shown to be more of an indicator.
Ursinus to Launch First Graduate Program in College’s History
Ursinus College will launch its first graduate program, an online M.S. in Exercise and Sport Science, beginning May 2027.
Ursinus to Launch First Graduate Program in College’s History
Ursinus College will launch its first graduate program, an online M.S. in Exercise and Sport Science, beginning May 2027.
Flock Donations to Local Politicians’ Groups Skyrocket as Protests Against AI Cameras Mount
As fed-up activists target Flock, the surveillance camera company is increasing donations to associations for mayors and other local officials.
Water damage at Nehalem Bay Health Center and Pharmacy fully repaired
The failure of a plumbing connection at the Nehalem Bay Health Center & Pharmacy (NBHCP) on May 12, 2026. resulted in considerable damage to flooring, dry wall and some equipment,
2,000-year-old Roman concrete may offer clues on how Pyramid of Giza was built
Insights into how the ancient concrete grows denser could help create a low-carbon modern version and explain how the Great Pyramid endured.
Prednisone may impair bone health in children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy
In a new study published in Scientific Reports, an international and multidisciplinary research team including Binghamton University researchers identified a set of blood proteins that may explain why the corticosteroid prednisone, although beneficial in treating Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), can interfere with childhood growth and bone health.
What smart people are saying about Mamdani's AI ban for schools
The tech world has split opinions on how they feel about the NYC Mayor banning AI use in schools.
Citi Sees a New Catalyst for Baidu as Its AI Infrastructure Business Grows
Baidu, Inc. (NASDAQ:BIDU) may have a new near-term catalyst on the horizon, with Citi opening a 30-Day Upside Catalyst Watch on the stock. On September 2, analyst Alicia Yap reiterated a Buy rating and a $166.00 price target on Baidu, Inc. (NASDAQ:BIDU), according to a press release statement. The rating affirmation follows the firm’s 2026 […]
Before you sign: What imaging joint venture contracts leave out
In this Radiology Business opinion piece, radiologist Mayur Virarkar, MD, MBA, discusses some of the key lessons learned from reviewing 30 years of literature on JV deals.
Window business at center of investigation files for bankruptcy
Window Depot of the Gulf Coast has filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. This business is one of two at the center of a FOX10 Investigation since late May.
GOP mayor rejects Trump renaming Lake Ontario, speaks to OutFront: It’s ‘part of our identity’
West Monroe Establishes Downtown ‘Entertainment District’ Allowing Open Containers
West Monroe establishes a new downtown "Entertainment District" allowing open containers on Antique Alley starting Sept. 15. Mayor Mitchell and residents react to the new rules.
Packers ‘Made Mistake’ With Recent QB Move Behind Jordan Love
The Green Bay Packers may have made a meaningful error at quarterback this offseason. The post Packers ‘Made Mistake’ With Recent QB Move Behind Jordan Love appeared first on HEAVY.
West Palm Beach mayor gets ethics clearance for private business venture
West Palm Beach Mayor Keith James has been approved by the Palm Beach County Commission on Ethics to start a private business venture while in office, with restrictions to prevent conflicts of interest.
Rams Could be Without Multiple Key Players for Week 1
The Los Angeles Rams may be without several key players for Week 1, with a few different pieces of news yet to be finalized.
Onyeka Okongwu Tabbed As ‘Biggest X Factor’ for Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks may have to lean heavily on big man Onyeka Okongwu in the frontcourt this season.
Texans may have to pinch themselves with NFL analyst's prediction
You're not dreaming. This is really an option for Houston.
NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani says 9/11 memorial service should be about remembrance, not politics
Psilocybin may protect against a common, debilitating side effect of chemotherapy, early study finds
A psychedelic best known for its effects on the brain may also protect peripheral nerves from chemotherapy damage, early research suggests.
Even second graders can reason like scientists—if we ask them the right way
When a child asks "Why does a blowfish puff up?" we often jump in with facts. But what if we paused and suggested that they ask instead, "How does a blowfish puff up?" It may seem like splitting hairs, ...
9/11 memorial service should be about remembrance, not politics, Mayor Mamdani says
Scientists Expose Unexpected Driver of the May 2024 Superstorm
Even though the solar wind was unusually dense during the May 2024 superstorm, ions from the solar wind contributed very little to the ring current, marking the first time both were observed simultaneously during a storm of this magnitude.
Beyond the 'Great Divide': What we really know about political polarization
Americans are deeply divided. At least that's what we've been told for years. But how divided are we really? A new review suggests the answer may depend on how researchers ask the question.
Kevin O'Leary Says Zohran Mamdani's Biggest Advantage Comes Down to This 1 Hire
While the 'Shark Tank' star may disagree with the New York City mayor's politics, he says he supports one part of his strategy.
Leandro Paredes may quit Argentina duty after suspension, Messi retirement
Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes has admitted his international career could be over due to his 10-game ban and the retirement of Lionel Messi.
Football: Alienated Faithful
Ticket prices for Oregon Football may well be hurting the Autzen Experience
BBC Audio | BBC Inside Science | The quest for dark matter
Researchers may have discovered the signature of a bit of dark matter.
Extended Heat Could Increase Health Risks Across Eastern Nebraska
Football season may be getting underway, but the weather in Lincoln this weekend will feel more like the middl...
Reading Palestinian Polls—and Misreading Palestinian Politics
While the polling data may be eye-catching, interpreting the numbers requires reading Palestinian public sentiment correctly at an unprecedented moment. Misreading that sentiment risks drawing the wrong conclusion from the PCPSR poll.
Landspout or Dust Devil in Georgetown? Breaking Down the Science
If you were driving around Round Rock and Georgetown Wednesday, you may have had some crazy sights to see. A large swirling vortex was spotted picking up dust a
Pittsburgh will use Highmark Health donation to buy 13 new fire trucks
The Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire is getting 13 new fire trucks, Mayor Corey O’Connor announced Thursday — just over two months after the mayor...
Fake firewood listings use real Maine business’s name, reviews to target buyers
Paula Fleming of the Better Business Bureau said the reported scam may be unusual in Maine’s firewood market, but the underlying tactic is familiar.
A NASA Spacecraft Is Nearing The Edge Of The Solar System. Its Instruments May Be Shut Off Due To Lack Of Funding
New Horizons' instruments may be shut off before it reaches the Solar System's "termination shock", despite it being fully functional likely into the 2050s.
A Grand Theft Auto marketing deal with Miami-Dade has a real-life foe: the sheriff
The mayor thinks a GTA deal could be a way to generate some money for Miami-Dade. Sheriff Cordero-Stutz: Not worth it.
Mass. R&D Tax change hits small businesses with big bills
Potentially thousands of Massachusetts businesses may be facing large tax bills as a result of the state’s decision to “decouple” from the R&D deduction provision in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.