Television "S"hows
With its final season set to be released at the end of 2025, this drama became one of the hottest properties in all of television and became the highest-grossing Netflix original show at the time of release. Who knew fighting monsters in Hawkins, Indiana would be so fascinating.
What is Stranger Things
The first non-English-language film to win the Oscar for Best Picture, this black comedy thriller also won three more Oscars in 2019, and is considered one of the best modern stories that covers the themes of class conflict, social inequality, and wealth disparity.
What is Parasite
In the Legend of Zelda, we follow the hero Link, who must fight to save the kingdom and Princess Zelda against this villain. This also happens in every single timeline, as this villain always comes back in one form or another, while Link is always reborn each time he does come back.
Who is Ganon/Ganondorf
The young leader of the Straw Hat Pirates, this protagonist is instantly recognizable with his red jacket, blue pants, and of course; his straw hat. His anime not only is one of the most successful and recognizable animes of all time, but it also is the best-selling manga of all time.
Who is Monkey D. Luffy
In this 2014 Marvel action movie, Peter Quill is forced to work and build an uneasy alliance with four disparate misfits to save the universe from Ronan the Accuser.
What is Guardians of the Galaxy
First airing in 2022, this Apple TV show follows a team of office workers whose memories have been surgically divided between their work and personal lives. It was recently green-lit for a third season in March of 2025.
What is Severance
Who is Tom Hanks
Originally created in the Something Awful form on a thread called Create Paranormal Images, this villain is usually seen wearing a black suit with no facial features, while also being absurdly tall. He has become something of a cultural icon over the years due to the game created where he hunts you down.
Arguably the archetype of modern shonen anime lead characters, this protagonist is part of the Big 3 animes, and has been the inspiration for a variety of other anime creators, like the creator of Naruto and One Piece. He is also a cultural icon worldwide, but especially at the taco store down the street.
Who is Goku
Based on his real life, this 1990 mafia movie follows the life of Henry Hill in the mob. From the good times all the way to the collapse of the mob and his life within it, this Martin Scorsese film is considered one of the best movies put to screen.
What is Goodfellas
Despite only running for four seasons, this 1989 teen sitcom served as the launching point for several actors' careers and has also had multiple spinoffs and reboots through the years. It is also an idiom about being rescued at the last moment.
What is Saved by the Bell
Winning the 2013 Oscar for Best Picture, this biographical historical drama is based on a 1853 slave memoir of the same name. The movie tells the story of a man kidnapped in Washington D.C. by two conmen and sold into slavery, being forced to work on plantations in Louisiana for 12 years before being released.
What is 12 Years a Slave
The nemesis to Fox McCloud in the Star Fox games, this villain is believed to be involved in the death of Fox's father. Despite saving Fox's life on numerous occasions, he wishes at nothing but to be the one to actually destroy Fox on his own terms.
Who is Wolf O'Donnell
Defined by the absence of his father Ging, this protagonist uses his strong attunement to nature and animals, along with his childhood raised by his aunt in the forest, to become the best in his field. Despite being a kid, he provides a great juxtaposition of coming of age story and fantasy throughout the anime.
Who is Gon Freecss
Having an uncanny skill at cutting classes and getting away with it, the titular character to this 1986 movie intends to make one last duck-out before graduation, and as a result he embarks on a one-day journey through the streets of Chicago with his best friend and girlfriend. All while the high school's principal is determined to catch him in the act.
What is Ferris Bueller's Day Off
First airing in 1999, this top rated slice of life children's show follows a young man and his diverse group of friends as they live through the many adventures life has to offer. This show is one of the most recognizable pieces of media of all time and has had multiple movies and spinoffs; all while still being on the air today!
What is SpongeBob Squarepants
Winning the Oscar for Best Animated Feature in 2023, this movie became the first Netflix Animation movie to win the award, while being the second-ever stop-motion animated film to win. It is also the retelling of a popular children's story, one that was popularized in modern media thanks to Disney and Shrek.
What is Guillermo Del Toro's Pinocchio
Who are Electronic Arts
One of the oldest anime characters to exist, this anime protagonist first appeared on TV screens in 1963, and has been a crucial building block in Japanese television. A combination of Pinocchio with the post-war Atomic Age, he remains a prominent cultural figure today, easily recognizable to the average consumer.
Who is Astro Boy
One of the first comedy horror parody films, this 2000 American movie has a star-studded cast who re-lives every single trope found in horror movies from the past. From Scream to Nightmare On Elm Street, this parody went on to have multiple spin-offs and sequels, defining the early 2000s parody film genre.
What is Scary Movie
Starring actors like Nicholas Hoult, Dev Patel, and Daniel Kaluuya, this coming-of-age black comedy follows the lives of a group of teenagers through two years of sixth form, with the storylines of this critically acclaimed series delving into a variety of controversial subjects in our society.
What is Skins
This 2003 fantasy adventure movie not only captured the heart of nerds everywhere, but also set a record in Oscars history. It was the third movie to win 11 Oscars in a single night, but it is the only movie with over 10 Oscar nominations to have won every single category it was nominated for.
What is The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
One of the most recognizable villains in all of gaming, this villain is joined by their friends Inky, Blinky, and Pinky while they all try to hunt down and kill Pac-Man. He is most known for his orange color, and the fact that he is the ghost with the most erratic attack patterns as he doesn't actually chase Pac-Man.
Who is Clyde
Combine Bruce Lee's martial arts, a little Lupin III, a heavy dose of film noir, and a dash of cool, and you've got this anime protagonist. With recent appearances Overwatch and Fortnite as a skin, this character remains a relevant figure in modern media and is the magnum opus of VA Steve Blum's career.
Who is Spike Spiegel
Released in 2002, this movie follows Jess Bhamra, the daughter of a strict Indian couple in London who forbid her from playing organized football. But as the story goes on, she joins a semi-pro team and spends all her time showing off her immense talent while hiding a huge part of her life from her family.
What is Bend It Like Beckham