Avatar
When it was released in 2009, few could have predicted that a movie about blue aliens would become a cultural phenomenon. James Cameron’s groundbreaking Avatar has spawned two sweeping sequels (with more to come), and the saga has become one of cinema’s most ambitious sci-fi epics.

Set on the lush alien moon of Pandora, the story begins with former Marine Jake Sully (Sam Worthington), who enters the Avatar programme and finds himself torn between humanity and the Na’vi people he was sent to infiltrate. After falling in love with Neytiri (Zoe Saldaña), Jake ultimately chooses Pandora as his home and finds himself entangled in a fierce conflict between the two species.

The trilogy follows Jake and Neytiri as they build a family and fight to protect their world from returning human forces determined to exploit Pandora’s resources. Expanding from the rainforests to the oceans and beyond, the movies feature dazzling visual effects and explosive action, all while exploring environmental themes and pushing the boundaries of blockbuster filmmaking.

Star Wars
What began as a single film in 1977 about a farm boy, a princess, and a rebellion fighting against an empire has since become one of the most sprawling franchises in film and television history. Part space opera, part political thriller, and part family drama, the Star Wars series continues to captivate audiences with its vivid, imaginative world and lore.

The original trilogy laid out the heart of the films with Luke Skywalker, the prequels gave our favourite villain his own backstory and traced the fall of the Jedi, and the sequels brought it all together. George Lucas’ classic sci-fi series has since vastly expanded.

Since The Force Awakens relaunched the franchise in 2015, four more films (with a fifth on the way in 2026), seven live-action series, and over a dozen animated projects have followed. With an entire universe to discover, there’s never been a better time to get lost in a galaxy far, far away.

Planet of the Apes
At its core, the Planet of the Apes saga is one ape’s story. Through Caesar (Andy Serkis), we witness the fall of humanity and the rise of a new civilisation.

First introduced in Rise of the Planet of the Apes, Caesar is a genetically enhanced chimpanzee raised by scientist Will Rodman (James Franco). What begins as a story of curiosity and connection soon evolves into something far bigger, as Caesar learns to navigate the human world, discovers his voice, and sparks an awakening among his kind.

From there, the series charts a gripping shift in power: humanity declines, apes rise, and the balance between the two species grows increasingly fragile. Eventually, the narrative echoes the original films, where humans have all but lost the ability to speak.

But beyond the spectacle, the films ask deeper questions. What does it really take to build a civilisation? Can two intelligent species truly coexist? And if apes were to inherit the world, would they avoid humanity’s mistakes or repeat them?

Epic in scale yet deeply personal, the Planet of the Apes collection is as thought-provoking as it is thrilling.

Now You See Me
A great heist is all about teamwork, timing, and a little misdirection — and the Now You See Me films take that philosophy to show-stopping extremes. Blending slick capers with grand illusion, the franchise turns stage magic into a series of dizzying spectacles. In these movies, every trick is a setup, and nothing is quite what it seems.

The 2013 breakout hit introduced us to The Four Horsemen — Daniel (Jesse Eisenberg), Merritt (Woody Harrelson), Henley (Isla Fisher), and Jack (Dave Franco) — a quartet of elite illusionists who pull off jaw-dropping robberies in front of live audiences. But they aren’t ordinary thieves: their stunts often carry a Robin Hood twist, with them redistributing ill-gotten gains to ordinary folk. Of course, these feats often leave both victims and spectators reeling.

The exploits escalate with each instalment. While the first film sees the Horsemen dodging global law enforcement, 2016’s Now You See Me 2 ups the ante with corporate conspiracies, surprise alliances, and even more audacious sleight of hand. The saga continues with 2025’s Now You See Me: Now You Don’t, which welcomes a new generation of illusionists into the fold as the world once again needs a little magic and mischief.

Beyond the ingenious heists, the series entertains thanks to the effortless chemistry between its leads and a revolving door of A-list scene-stealers. With its mix of clever twists, star power, and crowd-pleasing appeal, the Now You See Me franchise proves that the greatest trick of all is keeping audiences guessing.

Fantastic Beasts
Return to the Wizarding World with this magical prequel trilogy that expands the mythology that Harry Potter fans adore. In Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016), shy magizoologist Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) arrives in 1920s New York with a suitcase full of curious creatures … and stumbles into a brewing conspiracy that pits wizards, No-Majs (non-magical beings), and dark forces against one another.

As the series unfolds, the stakes soar. The Crimes of Grindelwald (2018) introduces the rise of the infamous dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald (Johnny Depp), whose clash with a young Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law) reshapes wizarding history. The saga reaches its emotional climax in The Secrets of Dumbledore (2022), where Mads Mikkelsen, taking over Depp as Grindelwald, brings the conflict to a riveting close with his chilling performance.

With dazzling creatures, spell-binding special effects, and rich backstories that deepen the Hogwarts legacy, this is a binge-worthy journey into the Wizarding World’s untold past.

Text: Jedd Jong, Georgia Ho, Daniel Peters
Images: © 2026 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved., © 2026 & TM Lucasfilm Ltd., © Lionsgate., © 2026 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.