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Happy Monday! Few fantasy shows have divided fans quite like The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. Some love its stunning depiction of Middle-earth, while others aren’t so thrilled with its departures from Tolkien’s original works. With Season 3 arriving this week, I’m curious to see whether it can win over some of its biggest critics.
But Middle-earth isn’t the only fictional world we’re returning to this month! From futuristic dystopias to exciting new fantasy adventures, we’ve got plenty to look forward to. Let’s get into it!
Every pick is independently selected by our editors. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission.
Next in the Queue-niverse: Upcoming Releases
Looking for something new to add to your watchlist or reading list? From highly anticipated science fiction series to thrilling new fantasy novels, here's a sneak peek at some of the biggest releases coming your way!
Blade Runner 2099
Streaming Nov. 25 on Prime Video
Fifty years after the events of Blade Runner 2049, humanity has lost control of Los Angeles. Hunter Schafer stars as a fugitive forced to partner with a dying Replicant (Michelle Yeoh) to uncover a dangerous secret. With Ridley Scott returning as executive producer, this visually stunning limited series has our attention.
See the full list:
Defy the Dusk
by Danielle L. Jensen
Out now
In a world where deadly creatures rule the night, humanity's only hope for survival is a high-speed rig that races toward the dawn. But when the woman whose magic shattered the world is kidnapped by a mysterious king, she discovers that everything she thought she knew about survival may be a lie. From the bestselling author of The Bridge Kingdom comes this new post-apocalyptic fantasy.
See the full list:
The Spotlight
Together with Blackstone Publishing
Action packed and laced with dark humor, Reapers is an exciting tale of survival and redemption from the New York Times bestselling author of The Pariah. Five years after a catastrophic glitch turned millions of people with brain implants into zombie-like drifters or murderous killers, a convicted criminal is sent into an abandoned city to collect enough implants to earn his freedom. But when the infected begin behaving strangely, he uncovers a terrifying secret that could threaten what’s left of humanity.
Trivia Gauntlet: Hunger Games Edition
The countdown to The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping is on! Before we return to Panem on November 20, let’s see if you have what it takes to survive the Hunger Games with three trivia questions that get progressively harder. May the odds be ever in your favor!
1. Casual Fan: What district does Katniss Everdeen come from?
2. Committed Follower: What is the name of the poisonous berries Katniss and Peeta threaten to eat at the end of the 74th Hunger Games?
3. Cosmic-Level Nerd: In the original Hunger Games novel, who gives Katniss her iconic mockingjay pin before she leaves for the Capitol?
Keep scrolling for the reveal.
Hidden Gem Spotlight: AI Edition
After Yang
In a near future, a family reckons with questions of love, connection, and loss after their AI helper unexpectedly breaks down. Read my recent edition of Worth the Watch, 5 modern masterpieces that flew under the radar, to learn why this hidden gem was ahead of its time.
Echoes Through the Portal
Love it, loathe it, or ascend into another dimension over it — here's how the latest sci-fi and fantasy picks landed with critics:
Stands head and shoulders better than any big budget film you will see this year.
—AwardsWatch
The dark western epic you didn't know you needed.
—Collider
It will eventually fulfill its role as streaming babysitter. But it could and should have been a whole lot more.
—The Hollywood Reporter
Incoming Transmissions
👽 Legendary sci-fi magazine Starlog is returning to print after decades away!
🪐 Kevin J. Anderson’s Nether Station and Nether Vortex are becoming movies.
🎬 The first two Dune films are re-releasing in IMAX—with a Dune 3 sneak peek.
Trivia Gauntlet: Answers Revealed
1. District 12
2. Nightlock
3. Madge Undersee, the mayor's daughter. In the movie, Katniss gets the pin from the Hob instead.