‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ Just Did Something No Spider-Man Movie Ever Has Done

At some point, “friendly neighborhood Spider-Man” has to stop being the line you lead with on your resume. The neighborhood part suggests someone who keeps the peace on the block, the corner store, the stoop, and every once in a while shows up to the cookout and makes a plate without anyone asking, who invited him?  It does not suggest someone quietly out-earning the GDP of a small nation.

But here we are.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day has officially crossed $2 billion at the worldwide box office, making Tom Holland’s Peter Parker the first web-slinger ever to reach the milestone. Seventeen days and three weekends in, Sony and Marvel’s latest money machine has pulled an estimated $2.022 billion. That’s roughly $785 million in North America and $1.23 billion internationally. Somewhere, Peter has finally stopped asking Mr. Stark to let him hold something.

Related: Robert Downey Jr. Returns as Iron Man—Just Not in the Movie

That puts Holland’s fourth solo outing a rare achievement. Only eight films have ever cracked $2 billion worldwide: Avatar, Titanic, Avengers: Endgame, Avatar: The Way of Water, Ne Zha 2, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and Avengers: Infinity War. It’s really good company for a guy who still lives with his aunt.

Brand New Day also blew past 2021’s No Way Home, which stalled just shy of the mark at roughly $1.9 billion. And now it is the second-fastest film ever to $2 billion, trailing only Endgame, which got there in 11 days.

And it’s still printing money.

Brand New Day added another $70 million domestically in its third weekend, holding at No. 1. Its $785 million North American haul has made a once-ridiculous question worth asking outside of the group chat: Can Spider-Man catch The Force Awakens’ $936 million domestic record?

Reports suggest the movie is starting to slip off the pace for a billion-dollar domestic finish. However, a final tally somewhere around $960 million, which would be enough to unseat Star Wars: The Force Awakens, is still on the table, making it a close race worth watching.

Yes, this recent Spider-Man movie has already made history, so the only question left is how many more records it wants to web in on its way out.

Somewhere, J. Jonah Jameson must be losing his mind.

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20 Years Ago Today, Square Enix Released One of 'Final Fantasy’s Most Unexpected Spin-Offs

Square Enix’s popularity has wavered in recent years, despite its legendary status as a JRPG leader in the video game industry in the 90s and early 2000s. However, with the upcoming 2027 releases of Final Fantasy 14: Evercold, Kingdom Hearts 4, and the final part of the Final Fantasy 7 Remake Trilogy, Final Fantasy 7 Revelation, the future of the company seems bright.

However, it has officially been 20 years since Square Enix released one of the most notorious spin-off Final Fantasy titles in history, and its still an incredibly divisive game all these years later.

Today, August 15, 2026, marks the 20th anniversary of the North American release of Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy 7 on the PlayStation 2. The game put fan-favorite Vincent Valentine in the starring role, and pivoted gameplay from Active Time Turn-Based combat to a full-blown third-person shooter with some RPG elements.

Dirge of Cerberus takes place during and after the ending events of Final Fantasy 7. Vincent and Yuffie, who were both optional party members in the original game, help Midgar citizens escape while Sephiroth is trying to bring Meteor down to crush the planet. The game then jumps three years forward and revolves around Vincent fighting an organization called Deepground, which seeks to create super-soldiers.

The gameplay is focused primarily on third-person shooting mechanics, emphasizing Vincent’s skills with guns. The game is played from an over-the-shoulder perspective and does retain some RPG elements, like health, magic, and experience points.

According to Metacritic, Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy 7 is sitting at a poor 57 metascore. Critics widely panned the game’s combat mechanics, camera system, art style, and narrative. Some critics found enjoyment in the game’s implementation of RPG mechanics into the shooter action.

Since its release, Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy 7 has been widely forgotten by many fans, but at the time of its release, the game surprised many Final Fantasy 7 fans with both its generally poor quality and its insistence on providing action set pieces over tactical Final Fantasy gameplay that the series was known for at the time.

Vincent Valentine will finally be playable once again in Final Fantasy 7 Revelation, which releases in spring 2027.

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Filson's Cabincore Flannel Work Shirts Are Nearly 60% Off Ahead of Fall

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In This Story

Filson Vintage Flannel Work Shirt, $72 (was $169)

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Why We Love This Deal

Filson got started outfitting loggers and railroad workers in the Pacific Northwest more than a century ago, and the brand still designs around those same high-quality standards. That history can be found in the Vintage Flannel Work Shirt. Released in 2015, this flannel encompasses all the features that made living and working in crazy PNW weather easier. Although these shirts, like all Filson gear, command a premium price, the brand’s outlet offers a way to grab certain pieces, including this flannel, at more affordable prices. Now, you can score one for nearly 60% off. 

The $169 Filson Vintage Flannel Work Shirt was already discounted to $85, but if you use the code OUTLET15 at checkout, it drops to $72, which is a 57% discount in total. This flannel is on sale in four colors, but three are nearly or entirely out of stock. However, the Tan/Orange/Multi-Plaid is still available in all sizes, and in no way is that a bad thing—it’s a great color scheme for fall and winter. If you’re looking for something in a darker color, check out the Vintage Wash Alaskan Guide Shirt, which is also on sale for $89. 

Filson Vintage Flannel Work Shirt, $72 (was $169) at Filson

Courtesy of Filson

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What Shoppers Should Know

• Material: 8.1-oz cotton twill flannel, brushed interior, 100% cotton
• Fit: Button-down front closure, button-adjustable cuffs, dual shoulder pleats
• Pockets: Two button flap-chest pockets
• Care: Machine washable
• Best For: Fall layering, fieldwork, hunting, fishing, everyday cold-weather wear

The heavily brushed cotton twill is made to trap heat without adding weight, and the double-needle construction and flat-felled seams mean it’ll actually hold up to fieldwork and repeated wearing. The shoulder pleats on the back yoke also make it so the shirt doesn’t bind up when you’re reaching overhead or casting a fly rod. And even the buttons are “virtually unbreakable,” according to Filson. 

This is one of the best Filson flannel deals right now. Even the classic Alaskan Guide Shirt is going for almost $90 on sale (including the extra 15% off), making it a more affordable pick that’s slightly heavier and comes with double-needle stitching.

Related: Filson’s Ultra-Tough Waxed Shirt Jacket Is Over 40% Off and Built to Last

What Shoppers Are Saying

Sitting with a nearly-perfect 4.9-star rating, this has been a fan-favorite since it dropped over 10 years ago, and reviewers love the classic look and feel: “Classic vintage look at a solid price. Can’t go wrong with a Filson button-down.”

A second shopper wrote that it has “fantastic fabric and fit,” and a third one commented on the care: “Came out of the wash in great shape, too, no flipped-up pockets that need ironing.”

Fall isn’t too far away, and if you’ve never had a high-quality flannel (or are due for an update), Filson’s Vintage Flannel Work Shirt is an excellent choice for $72, and it’s something you’ll own for years. 

Also Check Out

• Lightweight Alaskan Guide Shirt, From $71 (was $139) at Filson
• Field Flannel Shirt, From $51 (was $119) at Filson
• Vintage Wash Alaskan Guide Shirt, From $89 (was $149) at Filson

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Coffee May Be Healthier Than You Think, but One Brewing Method Comes With a Catch

Coffee’s reputation keeps improving, but the healthiest cup may depend on more than how much you drink. The brewing method, caffeine dose, and ingredients added afterward can turn the same morning ritual into very different beverages.

An American Heart Association scientific statement concluded that up to 400 milligrams of caffeine—roughly three to five 8-ounce cups of coffee—is generally safe for most adults. The statement’s lead author, Gregory Marcus, MD, said that amount “is safe and does not increase cardiovascular risk” when coffee is consumed without added sugars or fillers.

That’s welcome news for habitual drinkers. But before ordering another syrup-loaded cold brew, there are important catches.

Related: What Happens Before Lunch Could Raise Your Heart Attack Risk

The Sweet Spot Appears to Be Three to Four Cups

As The New York Times previously reported, moderate coffee intake has been associated with longer life and a lower risk of several chronic diseases.

“The evidence is pretty consistent that coffee is associated with a lower risk of mortality,” National Cancer Institute researcher Erikka Loftfield told the newspaper.

A major umbrella review published in The BMJ reached a similar conclusion after analyzing more than 200 earlier reviews. Researchers found coffee was “more often associated with benefit than harm,” with the strongest risk reductions generally appearing around three to four cups daily.

Coffee consumption was also associated with lower rates of cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, and several liver conditions. However, these findings do not prove coffee caused the benefits.

“We don’t know for sure if coffee is the cause of the health benefits,” review co-author Jonathan Fallowfield told The Times. Other lifestyle differences among coffee drinkers may help explain the associations.

Related: The Way You Brew Your Morning Coffee Could Be Raising Your LDL Cholesterol

Your Brewing Method May Matter More Than the Roast

Unfiltered coffee—including French press, Turkish, Greek, and Scandinavian-style boiled coffee—retains oily compounds called cafestol and kahweol. Research published in the American Heart Association journal Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology identified these diterpenes as responsible for boiled coffee’s cholesterol-raising effect.

“If you filter the coffee, then it’s no issue at all,” nutrition researcher Rob van Dam told The Times. A paper filter traps much of these compounds, making filtered drip or pour-over coffee a smarter choice for people monitoring LDL cholesterol.

Next: Researchers Found the Highest Microplastic Levels in a Drink Millions of Men Have Every Morning

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Craftsman Makes a $15 Ratchet Set Complete With 9 of the Most Essential Sockets

Why We Love This Deal

Sears used to be the place to get Craftsman tools (the retailer actually created the brand back in the 1920s). But when Sears sold the brand to Stanley Black & Decker in 2017, that all changed. Craftsman would then be placed in Lowe’s, which was a big deal, but it also began its Amazon journey. Now, Amazon is one of the best places to score a deal on Craftsman tools, including basic tool sets like this one that’s now over half off and selling for less than $20.

The Craftsman 10-Piece Metric Mechanics Tool Set is just $15 on Amazon right now, a 51% discount from its normal $30 price tag. This set is great for stashing in the car or inside the house for quick access, but it would also make a great gift for a new homeowner, amateur mechanic, and anyone else who finds themselves working with nuts and bolts from time to time.

Craftsman 10-Piece Metric Mechanics Tool Set, $15 (was $30) on Amazon

Courtesy of Amazon

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What Shoppers Should Know

• Handle: 3/8-inch 72-tooth low-profile ratchet
• Attachments: 9 3/8-inch sockets (10-18 mm)
• Material: Corrosion-resistant full polish chrome alloy steel
• Storage: Blow-molded case

The ratchet itself has a 25% thinner head than previous Craftsman models and an arc swing of just 5 degrees (the handle only needs to move 5 degrees to move the socket), so it’s easier to fit and use in tight spaces. 

All of the pieces are made of alloy steel with full polish chrome, and they all fit into the spots dedicated to them in the included blow-molded case—a system that makes it easy to ensure you’re never missing your 10mm socket. It’s far from a comprehensive kit, but for those with non-demanding needs or who want to keep a tool set in the car, it’s a worthwhile pickup.

Related: Craftsman Makes a $50 Ratchet Set Complete With 40 of the Most Essential Metric and SAE Sockets

What Reviewers Are Saying

This set has earned nearly 650 five-star ratings out of 746 total. Reviewers agree that it’s a high-quality set that’s super-handy to have around. “This is a perfect set to keep in the car or just to have around the house for basic automotive repairs,” one wrote. The ratchet is “surprisingly high quality” and “for under $20, I can’t say enough good things about this set.”

Another satisfied customer wrote that this “sturdy and compact” metric set “had all the sizes I needed to replace the alternator on my Z.” That’s not a tiny job, but it’s not a huge one, and it’s indicative of the kind of work you can get done with this tool set, often the kind of work a mechanic or handyman will charge you hundreds for.

Those who need to do basic repairs or keep some tools stowed in their car probably don’t need much more than a Craftsman 10-Piece Metric Mechanics Tool Set. Grab one now for over half off, and you can enjoy the well-designed ratchet and sockets for years to come.

Shop More Craftsman Tools

• Craftsman 10-Piece Precision Screwdriver Set, $25 at Amazon
• Craftsman 230-Piece Mechanics Tool Set, $129 (was $199) at Amazon
• Craftsman 8 & 10-Inch Pliers Set, $17 (was $23) at Amazon

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Matthew McConaughey Recalls How Jennifer Lopez “Helped” Him Out of Bind with Police

J. Lo to the rescue? Well, kind of, if you ask her The Wedding Planner co-star, Matthew McConaughey. He recently served as a guest on the Happy Sad Confused podcast with host Josh Horowitz, and the Academy Award winner shared how Jennifer Lopez, in a way, helped get him out of a “major mess-up” in Mexico with the police. Lopez didn’t put on a cape or even really lift a finger, but helped spare him a ticket or worse, South of the Border. Here’s what happened. 

Matthew McConaughey Got Pulled Over and Name-Dropped J.Lo

Matthew McConaughey flirts with Jennifer Lopez in a scene from the film 'The Wedding Planner', 2001. (Photo by Columbia Pictures/Getty Images)

Photo by Columbia Pictures/Getty Images

On the episode of Happy Sad Confused released on August 13, McConaughey talks about a number of things with Horowitz, but a brief story about a night in Mexico quickly stood out. McConaughey shares: 

“Wedding Planner got me out of a major mess-up in Mexico one time. I pull in one late night, and I’m crossing the border going way down south, and I get pulled over. And it’s one of those pull-overs where they noticed me, the gringo in a truck, a nice truck, this is that dressed down. And I’m like, ‘Ah geez, get the wallet out. Here we go.’ It was going down, and then I brought up, ‘You guys know Jennifer Lopez?’ And I was like, uh, I was like, ‘Ever see Wedding Planner?’”

McConaughey then proceeds to point to himself as he continues to recount the story, and then notes that the police who pulled him over eventually recognized him from the movie. He then took pics with the officers before they just let him go. So again, Lopez didn’t exactly make any calls or do much of anything besides do an impressive job in The Wedding Planner and being the recognizable star that she is to help prevent McConaughey from going to the slammer. 

Matthew McConaughey says name-dropping Jennifer Lopez got him out of a police stop at the Mexican border.

“I brought up, ‘You guys know Jennifer Lopez?’ And I was like, ‘Ever see Wedding Planner?’ And I was like, ‘Yeah, yeah, it was me.’” pic.twitter.com/843ACWIZOx

— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) August 13, 2026

‘The Wedding Planner’ Celebrates 25 Years

Funny enough, The Wedding Planner actually celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, having been released in theaters on January 26, 2001. It follows Lopez’s Mary as she plans a wedding for a wealthy client and her soon-to-be husband, Dr. Steve Edison (McConaughey), only to inadvertently fall in love with Steve by mistake. While Rotten Tomatoes makes it clear that critics panned the film (it has a 17% Tomatometer score), it’s available to watch on Netflix in case you want to see if critics were wrong.

Related: 10 Years Ago Today: One of the Greatest Westerns of All Time Was Released

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Travis Kelce Finally Breaks His Silence on Taylor Swift Wedding

Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift have been understandably away from the public eye in the aftermath of their wedding in New York City's Madison Square Garden back in July. But now, as Kelce enters preseason camp to prepare for what could be his final season with the Kansas City Chiefs, he has broken his silence on the nuptials.

During a rather candid interview with reporters, Kelce opened up a bit about the wedding, which he called "the best night of my life" and a "dream come true" for a surprising reason.

'A Dream Come True'

While the wedding was undoubtedly a dream come true for Kelce as he married his beloved bride, Taylor Swift, it was also a dream come true for a different reason: the venue.

While the night was magical for a lot of reasons, Kelce said that one of those reasons was the fact that he got to tie the knot in Madison Square Garden, which he called "the mecca of all sports venues."

"I always told myself I'd go for a playoff game when the [New York] Knicks are rocking, and my wife went when I was stuck in a minicamp, so I didn't get my opportunity to go there," Kelce said, via Yahoo Sports.

"It's kind of cool to be able to live out my childhood dream of being in that venue, the mecca of all sports venues, being able to get married there," he said. "Gotta thank the owners of MSG for allowing us to get the opportunity to do that, knowing that we wanted a private event and everything, so it was perfect. And the AC was cookin', baby, that was the best part."

'Best Night of My Life'

While Kelce certainly enjoyed the venue, it's safe to say he enjoyed the actual wedding, as well.

"It was a fun offseason. The wedding was the best night of my life," he said. "I appreciate everybody who came out and celebrated and, you know, had fun with us. And that's all I really got from that night. It was a crazy night. It was full of a lot of celebration, but it's football, baby."

After mulling retirement this offseason, Kelce is back with the Chiefs for at least one more season as he tries to help bring them back to the Super Bowl after missing the playoffs entirely last year.

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