When you spend your career building the very tools that automate away jobs, the irony of becoming obsolete yourself is hard to ignore. One veteran automation expert in r/careerguidance recently hit this exact wall, wondering if decades of hard-earned institutional knowledge are about to be replaced by younger colleagues who simply know how to talk to a chatbot. Here is what they shared:

I’ve spent two decades automating systems. I’m the guy who builds the tools that displace people. But lately, I’m looking at my own colleagues, people with incredible judgment, deep institutional knowledge, and real human empathy, and I see them being told to 'just learn AI' as if their entire career was just a collection of tasks.

It feels like we're being told our wisdom doesn't matter if we can't write a prompt.

Am I the only one seeing this? How are you actually handling the feeling that the ground is shifting under 20 years of work?

In the comments, redditors deliver a mix of reassurance, shared anxiety, and practical reality checks.

Experience over algorithms

A big camp of redditors believe that deep industry knowledge is exactly what makes veteran workers irreplaceable. To them, understanding the fundamental reasons behind a task is far more important than just efficiently executing operations.

Comment in r/careerguidance

Idk I feel more confident that people with 10+ years of exp will probably be okay. It's the entry level people who are getting royally screwed. Once you have experience, you have knowledge of why we do things. The younger entry level people are just given tasks to perform and expected to learn the why as you progress. AI is getting very good at doing tasks that entry level people used to start out their careers doing but it isn't good at all at understanding why things are done or making decisions based on that information.

Comment in r/careerguidance

The whole "just learn AI" thing really misses what makes someone valuable after 20 years though. Your institutional knowledge and ability to spot when something's going sideways isn't something you can just replace with prompt engineering

I get the efficiency angle but there's something unsettling about reducing decades of expertise down to babysitting algorithms

Comment in r/careerguidance

AI is only currently powerful and useful in the hands of subject matter experts. so your experience is still valuable. it’s just like th introduction of the internet you have more tools to do things faster 

The illusion of immediate replacement

Tech-savvy redditors are quick to point out that artificial intelligence isn't as foolproof as corporate leadership might think. They argue that rushing to replace human oversight is a recipe for expensive, unforced errors.

Comment in r/careerguidance

AI is not as intelligent as people are making it out to be, it requires very specific prompts in order to understand what you want and even then you should spot check the work. It should be something you can utilize to be more efficient and save time, not replace you. I truly believe any company that is replacing workers with AI and no adequate oversight is just in for a lot of mistakes and errors.

Comment in r/careerguidance

I know this isn't the point. But as an AI engineer who understands what's going on under the hood, I think corporations are placing way too much trust in AI way too fast.

Comment in r/careerguidance

Oh they absolutely are.

At my last sysadmin job I got told to run all emails through Copilot and send them out because my 'tone' wasn't appropriate; too 'casual'.

I did.

Without editing it or checking it for accuracy.

The boss that ordered me to do it ordered me to stop by the end of the day because it was sending so much inaccurate garbage even when I'd given it the correct information and just prompted it to "make this sound more professional". It would just randomly change information with no rhyme or reason.

Comment in r/careerguidance

I'm seeing this with junior developers. They can suddenly make much better code and do things they had no idea how to do last year. BUT, they have no idea if it's correct. They're really embracing AI development and upper management is impressed with their productivity. The repercussions lag behind the questionable development so there's not a clear cause-effect. 

On one hand it's great that they're embracing what is likely the future of development, but we really need a way for the to gain experience. 

I truly believe we're going to see a crash in 1-2 years of software from vibe coded start ups and companies that overly embraced the intoxicating speed of AI development. This stuff is going to become so buggy that it needs to be rebuilt. And I say this as someone who actually thinks AI software can be good when done right.

Comment in r/careerguidance

It really doesn’t require prompts that are super specific to that degree, but it definitely requires a human to double check the outputs. Totally agree that anyone who directly replaces humans with it is asking for failure. 

The reality of increasing efficiency

Despite the healthy skepticism, many acknowledge that the tools are getting undeniably good at speeding up daily workflows. Rather than widespread job destruction, they see a rapidly shrinking need for large teams to accomplish the same amount of work.

Comment in r/careerguidance

I'm a software developer. Have been for 20 years. I just⅙ started using an ai to write code. It requires a detailed prompt that only a developer could write. The process was still iterative because the prompt had to be refined. I still saved quite a bit of time on the coding. The testing takes the same amount of time.

I think experience isn't a liability but designing and writing code is the most time consuming part of development so developers will become more efficient which means there will be fewer of us.

Comment in r/careerguidance

I work in software, and it is a little unsettling how good AI is becoming. Most of the people I know who are also worried work in software and actually use the tools, they can see what we will be up against.

I still need to proof the work but it’s genuinely made me 100% more efficient, mainly the busy work and minor alterations, but to the point my boss asked if I had an assistant.

People shouting AI isn’t a threat are delusional, and it will only get more efficient/intelligent as time marches on.

No one can predict the timeline, but there will absolutely be a mass exodus due to AI.

Comment in r/careerguidance

My coaching business is 75% relaxed by aI so I am freed up to do something new… now I am leveraging AI to create a startup that I actually think may help people find more meaningful and impactful work.

I am excited about this but also already feel that in a year even if my business is wildly successful, it might somehow be replaced by AI- tools. Very wild times right now. Not sure how to feel. But love that this post is getting so may of us to share thoughts.

A blue-collar buffer

For those outside the digital realm, the anxiety takes a slightly different shape. While they don't fear a chatbot taking over physical labor anytime soon, they do worry about what happens downstream as the broader economy adapts.

Comment in r/careerguidance

AI isn't going to be physically terminating wires anytime soon. So I'm good.

But poor OP says they spent 20 years putting people out of work through technology, and now technology might put them out of work.

Comment in r/careerguidance

I work a blue collar job. Even if AI robots were out tomorrow, my job would be safe for at least the duration of my professional life.

What I worry about more than AI taking my job is AI taking everyone else’s job, and everyone else retraining to do my job, and then the value of my experience being watered down to nothing.

Comment in r/careerguidance

Also, the trades rely on people being able to pay for those services, and if a lot of people aren’t making money, they can’t afford repairs or upgrades to their home, so what are those tradespeople going to do when no one can afford their services?

Comment in r/careerguidance

Not for my sled, but I do worry about everyone else. Europe is going to be in a better position to integrate AIs than the US.

I worry we will basically lose the middle class, and left with the lower middle class, and the upper class. Really it will probably feel like the 1970s again. I am not sure the US can adapt.

The conversation shows that while artificial intelligence is reshaping the daily grind, it isn't automatically going to erase the value of genuine experience. The real challenge might just be convincing executives that a shiny new tool cannot replace human judgment.

What do you think you would do in this evolving landscape? Read the full discussion in r/careerguidance, and find more conversations like this in r/sysadmin, r/technology, and r/jobs.

This story highlights the perspectives of Reddit users, not Reddit, Inc. Some posts or comments may be lightly edited for clarity. Questions or concerns? Contact us at upvoted@reddit.com.

Navigating adult social schedules is tough enough without the exasperation of having to engage with surprise tagalong friends. No matter what the event or hangout, blending friend groups can be a total disaster — especially if the introduction is sprung on people. One poster in r/unpopularopinion expressed frustration about unapproved plus-ones in this thread:

I've been seeing this more and more recently where a group of friends make a plan then someone (or multiple people) starts inviting their other friends last minute that nobody knows.

They'll justify this by saying that we’re older we don’t have a lot of time to see people so they try to see everybody at once.

I get that but you also have to respect my time. We made this gathering with these specific people because we know our vibe matches, we have a good time, etc… It’s just weird to have outside people not understanding the dynamic.

If you like to expand your friend group or bring someone, that’s totally fine. Give advance notice and ask the group, don’t just show up with them

In the comments, redditors swap stories of hijacked plans and drained social batteries due to having to include surprise buddies.

The frustration of hijacked hangouts

Some redditors share stories of well-intentioned gatherings totally derailed by unexpected guests.

Comment in r/unpopularopinion

It's really aggravating for things like okay, we've all got a specific number of tickets for this or we're all going to do that and then your friends like oh by the way I brought a bunch of randos. Like I was going to the renfair with some of my friends, everyone had their tickets, we were good to go, and then this guy brings this horrible girl. Would not interact with anyone, did not have a ticket and insisted everyone wait in the long line with her, didn't really know how to act, whined the whole time etc

Comment in r/unpopularopinion

I have one friend who invited me to play cards (we had been playing many times before, I knew most of her closest friends etc.). When we showed up - 15 random people I had never seen in my life (so really she just mixed all of her friend groups together). The vibe was absolutely off, so we tried to play a board game but quickly left.

Comment in r/unpopularopinion

I have a friend who invited someone to our activity, then tried to cancel on us while keeping that person invited.

It all depends on the activity

Others point out that context is everything. While rolling deep to a casual public event might be acceptable, attempting to squeeze extra people into a private setting crosses a line.

Comment in r/unpopularopinion

It heavily depends on the activity for me. Skiing, backpacking, camping, etc. definitely ask and it also depends on the objective and crew. Or if you want to bring new friends to a house party always ask the host.

Something like a concert or bars or hanging out at the park? Nah, the more the merrier. This is how you make new friends and making new friends (or a fling, significant other, etc) is great.

I’ve met so many of my friends and most girls I dated through mutual friends and have a large friend group in my 30s (not as crazy as it was in my 20s- we’d have parties with like 80-100 friends). I’ve got my adventures friends, my concert friends, etc and a bunch of different friend groups I hang with. It’s fun bringing them all together

Comment in r/unpopularopinion

This depends on the group, and the activity/outing.

I don't want a bunch of randoms at my house, nor do I want a bunch of people I don't know showing up to my birthday dinner. A dinner party, or something where you would have to account for the number of people ahead of time? Don't bring a bunch of guests.

But if I'm just meeting some friends at the bar, and they bring a couple of their own friends, I don't really care about that. Unless they're completely obnoxious. I once did a Paint and Sip with some friends, a couple people invited a friend the rest of the group didn't know, and they paid for their own spot - I'm all good with stuff like that.

I think a general rule to go by is, if you're invited to something, you should ask before bringing other people.

Comment in r/unpopularopinion

I’m a serious cook. When I host a dinner party, I invite the same number of guests as I have dining room chairs, and I plate the meals before serving for maximum visual appeal.

Bringing an “extra” rarely happens, but when it does, we do our best to accommodate the surprise guest with a folding chair and a corner seat at the table… for the person who brought the extra.

The mental toll of socializing

For many commenters, the primary issue is the mental exhaustion of unexpected socializing with someone new when they had expected a relaxed and familiar environment.

Comment in r/unpopularopinion

I would say that I don’t go to about 80% of my friend’s social functions because of this exact reason.

Just the “us” group is 10+ people then you throw i. The 4-5 random people who get the invite and my social battery gets drained within an hour.

Im not driving 50 minutes round-trip to want to go home by the time I say hi to everyone.

Comment in r/unpopularopinion

It depends on the age though. I’m almost 40, and if I’m taking time away from my kids to go see friends, I don’t always want to hang out with randoms or spend the evening getting to know new people that I probably won’t see again.

Comment in r/unpopularopinion

Disagree. I'm at an age where I don't want to make 10 new friends every day. I don't have time to maintain that many friendships, so I have 4 or 5 really close friends I hang with regularly.

It drives me crazy when I'm supposed to hang out with someone, and they go "Oh, by the way, I invited 5 people from work" and then I'm like "Ugh, now instead of catching up and talking about life with a close friend, this hangout is going to be two hours of small talk with people I don't have anything in common with.

In these situations, it's far better to ask for permission than forgiveness

Ultimately, these kinds of conflicts can be avoided by simply asking permission first. A quick check-in before expanding the guest list ensures everybody arrives with matching expectations.

Comment in r/unpopularopinion

I usually just ask people when the plans are made. Is this an us thing or is this an open to everyone thing? Communication solves so many issues.

Comment in r/unpopularopinion

Seriously, half the issues that occur between people can be solved by simply communicating and being honest

Comment in r/unpopularopinion

Depends what you’re doing, but thankfully our friends ask if we mind first and we do the same.

Finding time to maintain friendships in adulthood is challenging, but hijacking established plans is rarely the best solution.

Do you tell your friends if you're bringing an "outsider" to the group hang? Read the full story in r/unpopularopinion, and find more conversations like this in r/relationships, r/TrueOffMyChest, and r/socialskills.

This story highlights the perspectives of Reddit users, not Reddit, Inc. Some posts or comments may be lightly edited for clarity. Questions or concerns? Contact us at upvoted@reddit.com.

Landing a steady job usually involves mentally preparing for a busy schedule and a never-ending to-do list. But for one remote worker in r/careerguidance, the reality is the exact opposite. After a year of finishing daily tasks in record time, the boredom and fear of layoffs are setting in. This is the workplace dilemma they shared:

A few weeks after I was first hired a year ago, I kept waiting to be given more tasks. Then, as time went by, I realised I wasn't going to get anymore. I pretty much can do everything in around an hour each day, with some exceptions. My boss could easily realise this/maybe even already knows but he doesn't say anything. There have been announcements in the company, even the week after I first joined that there would need to be cuts made to increase efficiency, so that's why I've been scared to say something. But now it's getting to the point where I'm so bored, I can't take it anymore. I work from home so I can do chores etc. But I took the job because I thought I'd be able to make a difference. Should I just look for something else? Also, is what I'm doing misconduct? I always do what's asked of me and on time

Thanks in advance for any advice

In the comments, redditors are quick to offer a mix of reality checks, professional development strategies, and advice on how to handle an oblivious manager.

Embracing the quiet life

For many professionals grinding through 40-hour weeks, the original poster’s situation sounds less like a crisis and more like winning the lottery. Several redditors point out that having minimal demands while working from home is an incredibly rare perk that should be appreciated, rather than worried over.

Comment in r/careerguidance

Lmao do you know how many people dream of this?!

You could literally travel, get a second job and make more money, etc. the possibilities are endless!

Comment in r/careerguidance

Fellow work from home'er that has a very similar thing gong on. I have the occasional busy day\week if we're in a big project, besides that my daily stuff is usually an hour or two. I'm just efficient.

I spend the rest of my time staying current in my career focus, gaming, listening to music, doing laundry, or whatever hobby, as long as I'm online on a semi frequent basis. If I was constantly away, that would be an issue.

I have a treadmill in my office and will sometimes lift weights or do yoga.

I'd say as long as you are not stagnating, enjoy it.

Comment in r/careerguidance

You work from home and you work an hour a day? That's the dream life.

Comment in r/careerguidance

At the office I'd understand, but from home it sounds like you could just use a hobby

Using the time to level up

Since prolonged boredom can eventually lead to a stagnant resume, others suggest turning the daily downtime into a training program. Getting paid to pursue personal and professional development is a solid way to remain competitive without raising red flags at the office.

Comment in r/careerguidance

Upskill. Take an online course or two that makes you better at whatever it is you do. Then move to a new company with higher pay.

You’re living the dream. Don’t blow it.

Comment in r/careerguidance

Bro you're not doing misconduct if you finish your actual work, that's just being efficient. Your boss probably knows exactly what's going on and keeping you around because layoffs cost money and having someone available is better than scrambling later

I'd start looking for something new though - being bored out of your mind for a year will kill your skills and motivation in the long run

Comment in r/careerguidance

Use the time to train the skills or get some certs so your next gig can be an even bigger step up.

Comment in r/careerguidance

My advice is to not tell your boss you have nothing to do. It’ll just make you a target for firing.

In the meantime look into continual education you can take to increase your knowledge base. So when you do hop you can get to a higher role.

Also, look into quantifying what you do day to day so you can have metrics

Comment in r/careerguidance

Immediately: use the extra time to gain skills, knowledge. Short term: quietly interview with other companies. Long term: leverage your skills to find a better role or negotiate for job security. This is a prime and highly unique opportunity to get paid without your job controlling your time and energy. You don’t have to be stressed to be productive, you can be proactive right now.

Reframing the conversation

If the guilt of having nothing to do becomes too much, commenters agree that approaching management requires extreme tact. Flat-out declaring a lack of work is risky when efficiency cuts are looming, so redditors suggest phrasing the request as a desire for professional growth instead.

Comment in r/careerguidance

A polite way to bring this up might be to talk to your boss and ask for opportunities to sit in or help on projects as a way to gain broader exposure to the overall company. This makes you look like someone committed to the company without just flat out saying you're bored.

Comment in r/careerguidance

Rephrase your narrative for when you talk to your boss—tell them you've gotten the hang of your tasks and would like offer to take on more responsibility that will bring value to the business.

Comment in r/careerguidance

Hmm with risk of layoffs that definitely can be tricky. It’s a bit of damned if you do damned if you don’t. I tend to be pretty open with my boss when work gets slow because I too also get extremely bored. Usually she’ll give me random tasks that aren’t even related to my core job just so I have something to do and can help out somewhere in the business that needs it. But with a layoff risk you could be making yourself more vulnerable… but at the same time if your boss notices you don’t have much work and sees you not saying something then you could be viewed as being inefficient.

Maybe have a conversation about wanting to increase your workload so you can upskill / grow? Take on more challenging work etc. Don’t phrase it like your current load isn’t enough but instead focus on just asking for more work.

Comment in r/careerguidance

There are ways to address this without telling your boss directly you only do an hour of work per day. Ask to be involved in more, say you want more of a challenge.

This will also greatly increase your value at the company and set you up for promotions or at the very least more job security

Comment in r/careerguidance

A polite way to bring this up might be to talk to your boss and ask for opportunities to sit in or help on projects as a way to gain broader exposure to the overall company. This makes you look like someone committed to the company without just flat out saying you're bored. I would respond well to that if any of my direct reports handled it like that

Navigating a dangerously quiet job is a delicate balancing act. While the prospect of doing an hour of work a day seems like a fantasy for many, it carries real risks of professional stagnation and sudden layoffs. It seems like staying quiet about the lack of work is the safest bet, provided the extra time is channeled into learning new skills and proactively seeking out manageable projects.

What would you do with all that free time? Read the full thread in r/careerguidance, and find more career conversations in r/jobs, r/AskHR, and r/careeradvice.

This story highlights the perspectives of Reddit users, not Reddit, Inc. Some posts or comments may be lightly edited for clarity. Questions or concerns? Contact us at upvoted@reddit.com.

The world of work shifts rapidly, and roles that once guaranteed a luxurious lifestyle do not always reflect that reality today. In a thread on r/ask, redditors weigh in on the traditionally prestigious careers that now come with surprisingly modest paychecks.

1. Teachers

Education is often viewed as a cornerstone of society, but many feel the compensation no longer reflects the importance of the role. For many professionals in the classroom, the days of earning enough to sustain a comfortably middle-class lifestyle feel like a thing of the past.

Comment in r/ask

Teachers used to be the paragon of the middle class. They owned homes and took summer vacations.

Now they’re all working poor and have multiple roommates.

Edit: in the US, and in most states.

Comment in r/ask

My wife is Scandinavian and was a teacher. She used to earn (until last year when we emigrated) the equivalent of $100k. There’s a reason why countries who pay higher salaries to teachers tend to rank higher in educational standards.

Comment in r/ask

I’m in Indiana and was making 50K teaching, as were most of my coworkers. And our salaries were considered a little higher than most schools in surrounding areas, but we were a small charter school and actually worked more days out of the year than other schools. So when you did the math, we were actually being paid less in our area for what we were working. And they wonder why so may of us leave our schools or the profession altogether

2. Lawyers

The media often portrays attorneys as professionals driving luxury cars and closing massive cases, but the reality is much more sobering for the average law graduate. Saturation in the field, student debt and changing technology mean that a law degree is no longer a guaranteed ticket to wealth.

Comment in r/ask

Lawyer.

Too many.

Also AI.

Edit: See Also Student Loans for Law School.

Comment in r/ask

Attorney is still reasonably highly paid for the most part, but there are low level doc review attorney gigs paying $25/hr, which isn't great.

Comment in r/ask

I watched a news report about this, apparently a lot of graduates are stuck in a ever ending cycle of internships

Comment in r/ask

Public defendants can make less than teachers

3. Airline pilots

Taking to the skies used to hold an undeniable glamour. While reaching the top tier of commercial aviation still pays well, getting there involves a daunting mix of timing, immense training costs, and lower-level jobs that pay far less than travelers might expect.

Comment in r/ask

Airline pilot was someone to aspire to, now it’s just a job. 

Comment in r/ask

I’ve met a few pilots and they don’t appear to be highly paid by modern standards

Comment in r/ask

The problem, as i understand it, is they aren't gonna train someone who doesn't already have experience. You need to start off paying a lot of your own money to learn to fly a light aircraft first.

4. University professors

Higher education relies on the deep expertise of its faculty, yet stepping into the world of academia often means accepting long hours for minimal financial return. The traditional path to a comfortable, tenured life is increasingly rare.

Comment in r/ask

University professor.

If you break down the hours they work in a week and all of their other obligations, the salary is a joke.

Comment in r/ask

And the odds of a tenure track job are a million to one now. It’s all short-term lecturers now with no career path.

Comment in r/ask

If you can get a permanent job as a prof, sure.

Otherwise you are working short-term contract positions with no benefits.

5. Architects

Designing buildings sounds like an elite, highly lucrative profession. However, those working in the industry note that the compensation rarely aligns with the extensive education and grueling certification processes required to simply get a foot in the door.

Comment in r/ask

Architects will tell you architecture. Definitely should be paid as much as engineers but are not.

Comment in r/ask

It takes you 7 years to qualify just to earn £34k

6. Finance and banking professionals

The chaotic, high-stakes trading floors popularized by Hollywood have largely been replaced by automated systems and algorithms. Today, working in the financial sector often involves much less glitz and considerably more routine.

Comment in r/ask

Stockbrokers. They barely exist anymore. Which is just fine.

Comment in r/ask

Working in a bank used to be ‘prestige.’ Now it’s basically a minimum wage customer service job that requires no skills.

Comment in r/ask

Banking. People calling in with accounts in the 100s of thousands expecting a dude that makes less than 40 to care about your issues."here's the company process. If you have a complaint when you find the ceo's email let me know because I got sum to say too."

7. Farmers

Cultivating the land is an essential pillar of society with a storied, proud history. Today, the reality of agricultural economics means that running a farm often requires substantial pre-existing wealth just to stay afloat.

Comment in r/ask

Farmers. Most these days are going broke after living high on the hog for decades.

Comment in r/ask

Asset rich (thanks to inheritance), but cash poor. If daddy left you enough land and decent equipment, you got a chance. I'll never understand the math behind an acre of ground selling for $13k and only cash renting for $300/yr.

The gap between public perception and financial reality across the job market continues to widen, leaving many highly educated professionals rethinking their choices entirely. It is clear that a prestigious title does not always equal a comfortable lifestyle in the modern world.

Curious about career conversations? Check out the full thread in r/ask, and discover more career topics in r/careerguidance, r/jobs, and r/AskReddit.

This story highlights the perspectives of Reddit users, not Reddit, Inc. Some posts or comments may be lightly edited for clarity. Questions or concerns? Contact us at upvoted@reddit.com.

Buying a ticket for a 7 p.m. showing rarely means you'll start watching the film at 7 p.m. In an increasingly common cinema experience, patrons sit through a lengthy pre-show of commercials and trailers. While many people find this annoying, one moviegoer in r/unpopularopinion has a unique take, arguing that having 30 minutes of previews is perfectly acceptable because audiences can simply plan to arrive late. Here's where the thread began:

It's something I see people describe as one of the reasons movie theaters are struggling and I think it's ridiculous.

Everybody is aware that movies don't start at the posted time. If you go to the same theater they're generally pretty consistent with the amount of time, if you go to a theater you've never been to before you can safely assume at least 15 minutes.

There is no obligation to arrive at the posted time. Personally I avoid trailers because they spoil too much of the movie. I know that my theater starts movies 25 minutes after the posted time so I leave my house at the posted time and that leaves me enough time to get to the theater, park, get concessions, and get to my seat with a few minutes to spare before the movie starts.

I could see an argument for posting the actual start time of the movie instead of the time that trailers start, but since everybody is aware of it, it's not a big deal.

In the comments, fellow redditors debate whether long, pre-movie delays are a harmless part of the movie business or a frustrating practice.

Trailers are fine, but corporate ads are not

While movie previews offer a glimpse into future releases, paying for a ticket only to watch long advertisements feels like an unfair trade.

Comment in r/unpopularopinion

It isn't the trailers, it's the 20 minutes of adds I randomly get sometimes

Comment in r/unpopularopinion

Yeah, generally trailers good, ads bad. Why am I paying to watch soda, cell phone and theater ads?

Comment in r/unpopularopinion

Now it is more than trailers. I don’t mind movie trailers but ads for Coke and other brands are a definite turn off.

Comment in r/unpopularopinion

I am ok with 30 minutes of previews for upcoming movies, I am not okay with 20 minutes of ads unrelated to movies and 10 minutes of previews/trailers

The demand for accurate schedules

Many moviegoers argue that the real issue is about inaccurate listings. When purchasing a ticket for a specific time slot, folks would like the main event to begin shortly after they take their seats.

Comment in r/unpopularopinion

Previews are generally around 25 minutes at my theater. I went in 15 minutes after the posted start time to see the Odyssey, it had already started.

It's fine if they do previews before hand but just list the actual start time as well or at least the end time so people can do the math

Comment in r/unpopularopinion

You don't see a problem with you purchasing a ticket for a movie at a particular time and then either sitting through an unknown number of ads or you show up "late" and potentially have to find your seat in the dark?

The start time should be the start time, period. Having a roaming start time to make room for ads is annoying.

Comment in r/unpopularopinion

I don’t care how many ads they want to show, but there should be a “doors open” time and a “movie starts” time and the actual movie should start at the start time.

My biggest issue with previews is whether or not they are appropriate to the audience of the film. I can vet films but it’s hard to vet previews

Comment in r/unpopularopinion

The problem is that people seem to have no idea when the movie will start now. The last movie I saw was near sold out, but people were still arriving about 10 minutes into the movie. This sucks for them and is also disruptive to the people already there when they turn their phone flashlights on to find their seats.

The debate over showing up late

The original poster suggested simply delaying arrival to skip the fluff. However, arriving late creates logistical headaches and forces people to navigate dark staircases.

Comment in r/unpopularopinion

or you show up "late" and potentially have to find your seat in the dark?

Cinemark has adopted a policy, unsure how wide it is, of leaving the lights on until the last trailer or two before the film actually starts.

This does mean that the ads and many of the trailers are all shown washed out because of  the auditorium lighting 

Comment in r/unpopularopinion

Theatres are no longer so dark you can’t find your seat outside of the tiny art house ones.

And now that we have reserved seating, no issue finding it.

Comment in r/unpopularopinion

Two issues:

1. I can’t safely assume at least 15 minutes of ads/previews. I have two theaters by me that start anywhere between 5-12 minutes after the listed time, a drive-in that starts anywhere between right-on-time and 20 minutes after the listed time, and several other theatres that start 20-25 minutes after.

2. Several theaters near me have seat food-service. If I come too late into the previews, I can barely hear them (and vice versa). And they’re in the dark. And they start bringing the food during the movie. If there were no previews and just light music before the listed starting time, I could show up 15 minutes early and actually talk to the wait staff. But that’s not the case so I kind of have to get there before the previews at these places to place an order without annoyance.

Movie theaters might actually need the pre-show

Whether audiences enjoy the pre-show or not, the practice remains rooted in theater economics. Some viewers point out that without this guaranteed advertising revenue, physical theaters would likely struggle.

Comment in r/unpopularopinion

If they did that nobody would come for the previews lol. They're paid to show those for maximum viewership and wouldn't receive as much money if they gave people an opportunity to skip them via a schedule.

Comment in r/unpopularopinion

I have actually been to several showings at difficult theaters where they have cut straight to the film once the time on your ticket hits. 

Many people would rather stream and those same people that stream also probably don’t want to pay for ads, so I know exactly the type of people that are complaining about ads before a movie. 

I get it, but at the same time you can’t expect a movie theater to remain in business if there is no ad revenue and people don’t see trailers because they don’t want to watch ads

Comment in r/unpopularopinion

Then what's the point of having advertisements in the first place, if everyone knows how to avoid watching them, and the theatres are aware of this, and the advertisers are aware of this?

Audiences value their time at the cinema, but theaters need to make money to stay in business. Finding a sustainable balance between maintaining theater operations and a quality audience experience requires some finessing.

How do you plan your arrival time at the local movie theater? Dive deeper into the conversation on r/unpopularopinion and find more discussions like this in r/movies, r/entertainment, and r/CasualConversation.

This story highlights the perspectives of Reddit users, not Reddit, Inc. Some posts or comments may be lightly edited for clarity. Questions or concerns? Contact us at upvoted@reddit.com.

It's hard to know how your child will react to a live theater experience until their butt is in the seat. Will they be utterly transfixed watching The Lion King come to life onstage, or will they get bored and make everyone nearby miserable? In a thread on r/musicals, one user shared a cautionary tale from a recent showing of Hamilton:

Do you think people should be allowed to bring their young kids to broadway shows? I know a lot of theaters don’t allow kids under like 4 or something like that in, but that still leaves a lot of young children who can come. I don’t have anything against kids seeing theater, but I say this because when I saw Hamilton the kid behind us was kicking the seat and talking. ...  The musical was amazing but yeah that was kinda annoying. 

Users chimed in on whether young children belong in professional theater audiences.

Personality over age

Parents say readiness for the theater depends less on age and more on a child’s temperament and attention span. Some toddlers are captivated by live shows as early as 2, while others struggle to sit through even an 8-year-old-friendly production, making careful preparation key before buying expensive tickets.

Comment in r/musicals

It depends on the kid AND the parents. My daughter was ready at 4 to sit thru full length shows geared for children. My son wasnt ready until 6.

Comment in r/musicals

You should absolutely bring your child who can behave themself to theatre at any age.

If they’re going to be terrors, regardless of how old, absolutely not. You’re spending so much money for your kid to not care about the show and disturb others. Nobody wins.

I’ve been taking my kiddos since age 4 and we’re pretty strict on theatre etiquette. My 2nd son has ADHD but still loves theatre so we take extra steps so ensure he’s able to enjoy the show and also not disrupt those around him. This also usually means getting seats next to an aisle, just in case, but we’ve never had to leave a show. My eldest just turned 9 and I think we’re coming up to 30 shows (including seeing the same show multiple times, 8 of those on Broadway coming from Australia), and I’ve only had to remind him not to talk once because he was audibly shocked when Audrey II moved the first time 😂

100% depends on the kid, I’d also argue it partially depends on the parent or guardian WITH the kid, but as a general rule as long as you’re able to be respectful of the performers and those around you, you’re good. That goes for the child-free adults too.

Comment in r/musicals

Depends on the child. My kids are theater kids so they started theater early and was always well behaved. First one was Aladdin I think my youngest was around 5.

Recently that one saw Moulin Rouge at age 9. Some people in the theater were surprised to see a kid there but she loved the show and was very well behaved.

Comment in r/musicals

It depends on the child. We snuck my middle child into Wicked when she was 3. Ooh, we're bad parents! She was 100% well behaved. She was actually more well behaved than the teenagers who sat in front of us. Now our third child...oh that child. She didn't see her first Broadway show until she was 8.

But I'm also a huge supporter of local shows. Take your kids to elementary and middle school performances. Find summer shows that are geared towards children. We also mske the rounds of local high school shows to support all of my kids' friends. You would be surprised at the talent level of teenagers!

Strategies for a successful first show

Other users say picking the right show is the key to a smooth first theater experience. High-energy productions with colorful costumes and familiar stories, like The Lion King or Frozen, keep kids engaged, while complex dramas like Hamilton or Les Misérables can be confusing for younger audiences. Local theater, high school productions, and children’s performances offer a low-stakes way to practice audience manners without the cost and pressure of Broadway.

Comment in r/musicals

I raised 2 theater nerds. We started out with children's theater and theater in the park(outdoor)shows when they were toddlers. By the time they were 6-7, they had learned theater etiquette through those experiences. Theater is expensive! Screaming and fidgeting children are annoying. Also, I wish folks would think about subject matter. A recent touring production of Hadestown I went to had kids running up and down stairs in the theater?!! Why is your 5 year old there?....Maybe try Frozen or Lion King.

Comment in r/musicals

I personally think the best ones to bring kids to are shows that are more kid friendly and will likely have a bigger kid audience. Stuff like The Little Mermaid and Annie and other things like that. Hamitlton is a bit of a strange one to bring a young kid to bc it’s long and the kid likely will not like the show as much as the parents of the child. For the most part it’s not too inappropriate for a kid but there are a few scenes that would make me personally not bring my kid if I had a child

Comment in r/musicals

Three things to consider: kid, parents, show.

• kids: do the kids even want to be there? Are they captivated by the show and can/do they appreciate it? What kind of attention span and temperament does the child have? That has no age limit and exposing young children to live art is important.

• parents: are the parents as invested in the show? Are they sharing a love of theatre with their child or just going through the motions? Children feed off your energy so if you’re bored, they’ll pick up on that. Also, what kind of ground rules and expectations have you gone over with your child? Do you follow through on those expectations?

• show: just like anything, reading or riding a bike, attending theatre takes attention and stamina so expecting your child to sit through Les Miserables as their first show is not going to go well. I would start with shorter, more child-friendly shows, maybe even community or regional theatre before taking them to full blown productions.

Comment in r/musicals

Yeah we took my daughter to see Joseph when she was 5 and she loved it. She’s 10 now and we just went to Come From Away. I thought she might get bored but she really loved it. She’s been to a bunch of shows and really loves theatre. I carefully pick which ones to take her to though. I’m really excited to take her to Les Mis , for example, but I don’t think she’s quite ready yet. I’d put Hamilton in that same group because of all the complex history. My son is 8 and is quite keen to see Phantom so we might give a matinee a go, but he’s less good when he’s bored so he’s not been to as many shows.

Respecting the paying customer

Strategies like choosing aisle seats for quick exits and setting clear expectations help prevent distractions from seat-kicking, whispering, or glowing screens. When a child starts to act out, removing them from the auditorium protects the experience for other patrons and models respect for the performers.

Comment in r/musicals

I don't care if people bring kids to shows -- what bothers me is when they won't excuse themselves when they start crying/acting out/making excess noise.

I get that it's not always feasible to get a sitter, especially if you're on vacation. It's also not my place to decide what's appropriate for other people's kids to watch. But seriously. It sucks having to miss out on a show you paid tickets for but don't ruin it for other people who also paid to be there!

Comment in r/musicals

This. I took my kids young. But they also started music lessons as preschoolers and learned to sit through music recitals as young toddlers. And that is what this requires - training to be a good audience. Parents should also be aware of what their kid is doing during a show too. I had a kid kicking my seat through all of Come From Away. Quiet kid otherwise, but come on.

There are plenty of adults who could use to polite audience training.

We have seen a bunch of shows recently. Saw prof small space regional Newsies. There was a young kid maybe 5 in front of us, she was rapt and at attention the whole show. Saw Moulin Rouge on tour recently. Kid about 8 or 9 next to my spouse. Kid was wiggling and whispering the entire show. Annoying.

Comment in r/musicals

I agree with this. I don’t have kids and while I do love them, there are certain places where I’d rather they be seen and not heard (don’t worry, I generally feel the same way about adults in these places). So a Broadway show, a $150/plate dinner, a wedding ceremony… If they can’t sit quietly through it, don’t bring them. Other people don’t deserve to be disturbed. A family restaurant, a Disney movie, even a high school production - still not my favorite too be disturbed by somebody else’s child, but more expected, more accepted.

So bottom line, if they are going to sit and watch the show and not play on a phone and not run up and down the aisles and not sing along or cry or talk, then by all means, bring them. If there is any chance that they are going to disturb another person who paid the money to be at the show, don’t bring them.

Some of the most memorable theater moments happen before kids turn 10, which shapes a lifelong love of the stage. Theater fans say even one positive experience can make kids eager to return, but high ticket prices and packed venues mean parents need to weigh the child’s readiness with the realities of professional theaters. Choosing age-appropriate shows and preparing children for audience etiquette can turn a first outing into a lasting passion.

Want more theater discussions? Read the full thread in r/musicals, and find more conversations like this in r/Broadway, r/Theatre, and r/Parenting.

This story highlights the perspectives of Reddit users, not Reddit, Inc. Some posts or comments may be lightly edited for clarity. Questions or concerns? Contact us at upvoted@reddit.com.

Every television fan recognizes the heartbreak of a beloved series losing its spark, yet some shows defy the odds with a spectacular second act. In a thread on r/television, redditors share the greatest comeback seasons that rescued their favorite series from a creative decline. These picks highlight the rare moments when a flailing production finally finds its footing and delivers something completely unexpected.

1. King of the Hill

Returning decades after its original run, this animated favorite manages to pull off a feat that many followers think is impossible. The successful revival thoughtfully advances its characters into adulthood, avoiding easy tropes and honoring the original legacy.

Comment in r/television

King of the Hill ending on an extreme high note, then coming back near 20 years later and giving us one of the best 10 episode runs the show had ever seen is a feat no other show had ever accomplished

Comment in r/television

It would have been SO easy to have adult Bobby just be a lazy directionless schlub living at home frustrating Hank, but instead they made him not just competent but kinda thriving professionally. And the show is so much better for it.

2. Friday Night Lights

The sophomore outing of this high school drama is often remembered for a noticeable dip in quality. Fortunately, the third and fourth seasons bring an immediate course-correction, regaining the grounded emotional reality that makes the first year a masterpiece.

Comment in r/television

Friday Night Lights season 3 after season 2 dropped in quality so hard from season 1.

Comment in r/television

Oh yeah I still think season 2 is pretty good! But season 3 was a return to form IMO

Comment in r/television

And then season 4 was a huge gamble (complete change of setting and characters) and made the show even better. Honestly FNL was sooo good, I should start watching it again. And my gf doesn't know of it so it could be something to binge with her.

3. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

While the first few years follow a standard formula, the fourth season marks a massive shift toward serialized political intrigue. The addition of a popular legacy character and higher production values transform the series into a groundbreaking space epic.

Comment in r/television

Star Trek Deep Space Nine season 4. They added Michael Dorn’s Worf to the cast coming right off the theatrical success of Star Trek Generations. They also fully embraced a serialized and long story arc format involving the galactic politics of the universe. Plus, they were now fully comfortable with using CGI to animate space ships and battles, so the season premiered with a huge and exciting battle scene.

It’s my favorite of the Star Trek series and I love all of it. But it really starts to cook in season 4.

Comment in r/television

I agree with everything you said but it's not like season 3 was a dud. When I think "comeback" I think a rebound from a low point.

Comment in r/television

Exactly. They’re trying to point to S4 for when the show locks in, rather than when it “recovers.”

I would personally say that S3 was when we started getting more good episodes than duds.

4. Parks and Recreation

Early on, this workplace comedy struggles to distance itself from being a carbon copy of similar hits. A major cast change at the end of the second season provides the necessary spark, successfully shifting focus toward its strong supporting ensemble.

Comment in r/television

Whenever Parks & Recreation lost Brandanaquits and added Chris and Ben

Comment in r/television

Season 3, but I wouldn't really call it a comeback as much of a reworking. The first two seasons are fine but it still feels like an Office copy. Once they tapped fully into the supporting cast and made Adam Scott a main actor, it took off. 

Comment in r/television

Parks and Rec season 3. Improved the show so greatly that when I do rewatch, I skip the first two seasons.

5. 24

Action thrillers often burn out quickly, and this real-time drama hits a noticeable rut during its fourth year. A significant cast overhaul eventually paves the way for a revitalized fifth season that fires on all cylinders.

Comment in r/television

24 Season 5. The 4th season wasn't really bad and had its moments, but it was definitely feeling pretty stale. Season 5 was arguably the best of the entire series.

Comment in r/television

Season 4 was the standard response for worst season for a while but I think it might have had to do with the cast overhaul, which left an almost entirely new cast from what we had been used to (until they started slowly bringing in old favorites out of nowhere). But in retrospect, the season 4 newbies (well, most of them) like Bill, Edgar, Audrey, Heller, Curtis, Logan, became the new main cast that everyone liked, so it actually doesn't seem as jarring on a rewatch.

It's also why season 6-9 feel a little odd, because most of the new people they brought on in that time, especially the CTU/FBI people, ended up lasting only 1 season, so they didn't have time to grow into a kind of 3rd-era staple.

6. Star Trek: Picard

After struggling to find its footing and failing to resonate with longtime devotees, this sci-fi sequel finally course-corrects. The third season strips away unnecessary clutter and delivers exactly what fans actually want to see.

Comment in r/television

Picard S3.

It was like one day the writers woke up and said “let’s try good for a change.”

Comment in r/television

Picard Season 3 (though the ending was a bit weak), only because it was one decent season of NuTrek in a sea of horse crap.

Comment in r/television

At least Picard S3 was Trek. All these other new "Trek" shows just don't get it.

7. Scrubs

Returning after a heavily debated late-stage dip, this beloved medical comedy miraculously recaptures its signature balance of humor and heart. The newer episodes embrace the core tone without desperately trying to modernize its winning formula.

Comment in r/television

I was a fairly passive fan of the original run, and what’s remarkable is that the new season has felt nearly identical to the original. Of course it covers modern medical issues, but the tone is similar, the cutaways haven’t changed to try to make them feel more “modern”, and it doesn’t feel the need to create season-long story arcs. I definitely haven’t learned the names of all the new med students but I’d say they’re doing a great job at fitting in.

All in all, it’s exactly what the original one was- a feel good comedy with poignant moments.

Comment in r/television

I hope writers are paying attention to the series how it demonstrates the difference between being faithful to the original series without becoming nostalgia bait. It continues the style, setting and tone of the original series without being dependant on references to it.

8. The West Wing

The middle years of this political drama were marked by a noticeable decline in energy after its original creator departed the production. Fans argue that the series regained its footing in the final season by shifting its focus back to the high-stakes world of the campaign trail.

Comment in r/television

The West Wing season 7. Its great through the 4th season, then 5 and 6 are slogs to get through and picks up again for the final season.

Comment in r/television

I had tried multiple times to get through season 5 for years. Finally powered through. I’d say the show gets its groove back when Santos shows up in season 6, then season 7 is back to meeting the quality of the early seasons (though never matching the peak). The show is just at its best when it’s on the campaign trail.

Rescuing a show from a creative slump requires a rare combination of self-awareness and bold risk. These successful returns suggest that audiences are often willing to forgive a rocky patch if the eventual payoff feels genuinely earned. It takes a dedicated production team to turn a sinking ship back into a critical darling. Which current series do you still hope finds its way back to greatness?

Want more TV discussions like this? Read the full opinions in r/television, and find similar conversations in r/movies, r/entertainment, and r/popculturechat.

This story highlights the perspectives of Reddit users, not Reddit, Inc. Some posts or comments may be lightly edited for clarity. Questions or concerns? Contact us at upvoted@reddit.com.

Hollywood loves to wrap things up with an uplifting score and smiling heroes, but reality often tells a different story. In a popular thread on r/movies, redditors point out the cheerful cinematic wrap-ups that actually leave characters in pretty bleak situations. Here's where the conversation began:

[Warning! Spoilers ahead.]

Hollywood loves to wrap things up with a nice bow, uplifting music, and smiling characters to make the audience feel good on their way out of the theater. But sometimes, if you look past the cinematic triumph of the final scene, the actual reality of what the characters are left with is an absolute nightmare.

The Truman Show is a perfect example. The movie ends on this massive, soaring high note as Truman takes a bow and steps through the door into the real world. But when you actually think about his future, it is terrifying. He is stepping into a world he knows absolutely nothing about, with zero real-life survival skills, where millions of strangers are unhealthily obsessed with him. It is a psychological tragedy disguised as a victory.

Shaun of the Dead does this too. The ending plays out like a fun, return-to-normal sitcom wrap-up where he gets his girlfriend back and plays video games. But in reality, the zombie apocalypse actually happened, most of their loved ones were brutally eaten alive, and they are keeping their zombified best friend chained up in a shed. The trauma they would be dealing with is unimaginable.

What is a movie ending that felt like a massive victory on the first watch, but completely falls apart into a tragedy once you actually analyze the characters' future?

1. The 40-Year-Old Virgin (2005)

A sweet romantic comedy concludes with true love, a joyous musical sequence, and an incredibly questionable financial decision for someone starting a fresh chapter.

Comment in r/movies

The 40 Year Old Virgin. Steve Carrell’s character liquidates all of his assets to put all of money into opening an obviously-doomed independent brick and mortar electronics store in 2005.

Comment in r/movies

And they use the money he got from selling his assets to invest in the stock market right before 2008!

2. Back to the Future (1985)

Marty McFly successfully secures his parents' romance and returns to a timeline where everything looks much better, but this new reality harbors a deeply alienating secret.

Comment in r/movies

Back to the Future. Marty goes back to the future with different memories than the rest of his family. I kind of get where Eric Stoltz was coming from.

Comment in r/movies

Even as a kid this disturbed me. That is not his family. They are not the people he grew up with and he isn’t the Marty they know either. They are going to wonder why their son suddenly turned into this white trash punk.

3. Grease (1978)

The quintessential high school musical finishes with a carnival celebration and the central couple quite literally ascending into the sky, avoiding some seriously troublesome character implications.

Comment in r/movies

Grease - Because everybody is happy and singing as Danny and Sandy fly off into the sky in their car, but when the song is over they’ll realize that cars can’t fly and it’s actually really dangerous. They’re in grave danger.

Comment in r/movies

Grease. Even as a kid, I noted how Sandy changed herself for Danny. She changed her whole look and personality for a man. And then they get into the car and drive up into the air celebrating. That's not a happy ending to me. She will likely be miserable pretending to be someone she's not.

4. You've Got Mail (1998)

A classic enemies-to-lovers story pairs rival booksellers together, yet the final embrace completely glosses over the tragic, preventable loss of a treasured family legacy.

Comment in r/movies

You've Got Mail. She loses her mother's cozy, beloved neighborhood book store to go be a corporate cog in her boyfriend's machine. How romantic.

/s

Comment in r/movies

I love the movie and all, but she forgave him way too fast after a loss like that. I think the implication is that she actually becomes a children's book author, but still.

5. The Wizard of Oz (1939)

Dorothy finally realizes there is no place like home and wakes up safely in her bed, blissfully ignoring the very real threat waiting outside.

Comment in r/movies

The Wizard of Oz. Nothing is solved, the neighbor is still coming to take Toto away to have him put down.

Comment in r/movies

My first thought too. “I’ll never go anywhere ever again.” Uhhhh is that really the lesson? Yikes.

6. Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)

The protagonist boldly steps onto the alien mothership in an awe-inspiring moment of cosmic discovery, leaving a gargantuan earthly responsibility entirely unresolved.

Comment in r/movies

In Close Encounters of the 3rd Kind, the main character abandons his family in the end.

Comment in r/movies

Yeah, even Spielberg admits that’s a mistake. He didn’t have a family or kids when he wrote it so he didn’t understand how crazy that is that he just takes off.

7. Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)

A struggling father secures shared custody and lands his dream job hosting a children's television show, avoiding any meaningful consequences for his deeply absurd behavior.

Comment in r/movies

Mrs. Doubtfire. I mean, it’s good for Robin’s character, but over the years you really feel for Brosnan’s character, who was just trying to be a good boyfriend and step-in father.

Comment in r/movies

I've held the believe that this is far from a happy ending. Daniel never truly learns his lesson and is back in as a huge influence on his children and ex-wife who he will continue to undermine. I wrote an argumentative essay on it in college and got a B+ so I'm kinda an expert.

8. Crazy Rich Asians (2018)

Glitzy parties and extravagant romance mask a daunting future for an accomplished professor entering a family dynamic that guarantees endless hurdles.

Comment in r/movies

Crazy Rich Asians.

No way is Nick Young ever getting out from under the thumb of that tiger mother matriarch. Hope Rachel Chu signed a good pre-nup because that marriage is going to be the stuff of r/justnoMIL.

Comment in r/movies

Yup, and Rachel's career is going to basically end. They even spell it out in the movie how impossible their situation is, with Nick needing to be in Singapore to run the family business and Rachel wanting to be in New York teaching. Himbo Nick's brilliant solution? "We'll figure it out!". Translation: she'll be quitting her job which she loves and worked hard for, but she'll be filthy rich so it's okay and my needs matter more.

9. Independence Day (1996)

Humanity celebrates a triumphant victory over hostile alien invaders with fireworks and cheers, overlooking the objectively devastating state of the planet they just saved.

Comment in r/movies

The ending of Independence Day is pretty triumphant (albeit justifiably) given the fact the entire planet lies in ruins and billions dead

Comment in r/movies

New York, DC, LA, Chicago, Atlanta, Houston, and Philadelphia were seen or explicitly stated as being destroyed, with several others heavily suggested to be destroyed in the US alone by the time they do the counter strike. The world was devastated.

10. Shaun of the Dead (2004)

A slacker hero finally gets his life somewhat on track and settles into a domestic routine, completely ignoring the grisly reality of the previous two days.

Comment in r/movies

The ending of Shaun of the Dead is hilarious for that exact reason. He's just pretending that everything is ok, adapting to his best friend being a zombie. I love it.

Comment in r/movies

Cruel irony he got what he always wanted. To live with his gf and his best mate

Happy endings do not always mean the characters actually ride off into a perfect sunset. As these redditors emphasize, movie logic often demands audiences suspend their disbelief regarding logistics, long-term complications, or simple common sense to secure that feel-good finale.

What seemingly triumphant cinematic conclusions keep you awake at night? Read the full discussion in r/movies, and find more thought-provoking conversations in r/TrueFilm, r/Flicks, and r/MovieDetails.

This story highlights the perspectives of Reddit users, not Reddit, Inc. Some posts or comments may be lightly edited for clarity. Questions or concerns? Contact us at upvoted@reddit.com.

What draws people to invade your personal space even in a wide open area? In a fascinating thread on r/mildlyinfuriating, one parent shared a confusing encounter: while relaxing with their family on a nearly empty beach, two strangers walked up and stood directly in front of them. The discussion is heating up as redditors chime in with their own stories of personal space invasion, trying to understand why some people simply refuse to keep their distance in wide-open spaces.

Ruining the relaxing beach escape

It turns out that seaside clustering is a familiar frustration. Commenters recount discovering the perfect secluded stretch of sand, only to have newcomers inexplicably set up camp right on top of their personal space.

Comment in r/mildlyinfuriating

Once, in 2021 I was on a remote tiny beach on Namhae island, South Korea. My husband went to the convenience store so it was literally just me alone on the entire beach, on our blanket. Far down by the water, nowhere near any of the beach path entrances.

A local old lady came power walking onto the beach, like she was out for her exercise. She went about 1/4 mile down the shore in order to WALK ON MY BLANKET. Then immediately turned and left the beach. I'm still at a total loss about it to this day.

Comment in r/mildlyinfuriating

It’s odd and sometimes beach specific. There’s a beach near us in SoCal we’ve started going to mainly because the parking is really convenient. But for some reason people cluster right around each other.

There’s 100s of yards of virtually empty sand and yet at this particular beach people set up so near you that their feet are in our little lean-to tent and you have to step over them to go to the water. It’s happened there multiple times. I’ve never experienced anything like that here.

Comment in r/mildlyinfuriating

This just happened to me at a lake. Completely empty beach, so I chose a spot all the way on the side…. Family comes and sets up right behind me!!!! They were so loud I couldn’t even hear my audiobook with headphones in! Then they stood in front of me. EMPTY beach…. Like wtf I don’t own the beach, and I’m being a brat but I packed up and moved to the complete other end of the beach. And was glaring at them for hours lol

The empty parking lot phenomenon

This weird gravitational pull extends far beyond the shoreline. Drivers frequently note that choosing a spot far away from a store entrance somehow guarantees a neighboring vehicle upon return.

Comment in r/mildlyinfuriating

It even happens in parking lots. When I got a brand new car (not a luxury car or anything, just my first and possibly only time ever buying new) I specifically parked it near the back of the lot, away from other cars. About 8 times out of 10 I'd come back out and there'd be someone parked right next to me. Rest of the lot still mostly empty. I got my first door ding within 2 weeks of having that car. Frustrating.

Comment in r/mildlyinfuriating

The equivalent of empty bus and someone sitting right next to you

Comment in r/mildlyinfuriating

This reminds me of people who park next to the one car in a huge parking lot and then make complaints like “why do people eat lunch alone in their cars” or “isn’t it weird that people drive to the park and stay inside their cars”.

Like no, actually it’s weird that you have a vehicle full of 5 screaming children and decided to park next to the one vehicle with an adult enjoying a lunch break super far from everyone.

The psychology of the herd

Some individuals attempt to decode the reasoning behind this magnetic proximity. They point to subconscious anchoring, herd mentality, and an innate fear of choosing the wrong location.

Comment in r/mildlyinfuriating

Spatial anchoring, the paradox of choice and herd mentality are the reasons this happens frequently. It’s subconscious. Our brains do things like this on autopilot

Comment in r/mildlyinfuriating

Some people are just scared to be alone. They’re used to being constantly surrounded by humanity and they don’t know how to act in these kinds of places. Maybe they feel that if they made it to some place with nobody around they must have crossed some kind of boundary and could be breaking the rules. Getting in front of someone else? That’s a power move in their existence

Comment in r/mildlyinfuriating

I think is instinct.

"Look there, there are people. For some reason they choose that place. Maybe that place is better than other places. Better choose something near there."

This has happened to me in parks where I sit in a nice place and someone must sit right next to my place for some reason. Even when having the entire park to choose where to sit.

Comment in r/mildlyinfuriating

I had a roommate who did this in fast food restaurants all the time. Only one table would be occupied. He would sit right next to that table. When I would call him out on it he acted confused and had no idea what I was talking about. Some people are so clueless.

Fighting back for personal space

When quiet glares fail to send a message, some people take matters into their own hands. A few adventurous redditors offer their methods for reclaiming boundaries through sheer stubbornness.

Comment in r/mildlyinfuriating

That happened to me once. A whole family set up right in front of me. I was alone. So I got up and re-set up DIRECTLY in front of them. Like 3 feet lol. The parents looked confused, and then moved.

Comment in r/mildlyinfuriating

I was in Banff with my mom last year and went to go sit far from the crowd for a little rest and to enjoy the view just us. I saw a big rock, so I sat on it. My mom snapped a pic of me cuz she thought it was cute. Then we just keep chilling while looking at the mountains. People started coming over and staring at me. This couple wouldn’t go away and continued to stare so I looked at them. They’re like “we’re waiting for the rock to free up”. Like it’s literally just a random rock. We are in the Canadian Rockies, go find another damn rock. There were dozens around to sit on. Mildly infuriating. People love to follow.

Comment in r/mildlyinfuriating

I don’t get why people would do that. I might’ve casually walked over and stand in front of them for a spell, enjoying the view.

The psychology behind our need to sit right next to a stranger might never be entirely understood. Whether it is a biological drive to stick with the herd or a simple inability to read social cues, navigating personal space in public requires plenty of patience.

What would you do if someone set up camp right next to your secluded spot? The debate continues in r/mildlyinfuriating, and find more conversations like this in r/PetPeeves, r/socialskills, and r/DoesAnybodyElse.

This story highlights the perspectives of Reddit users, not Reddit, Inc. Some posts or comments may be lightly edited for clarity. Questions or concerns? Contact us at upvoted@reddit.com.

Weddings are supposed to be joyous celebrations of lifelong commitment, but sometimes the cracks in a relationship are visible before the ink on the marriage license is even dry. In a thread on r/AskReddit, redditors describe the shocking and awkward moments they witnessed as guests that made it glaringly obvious a union was doomed from the start.

1. The reluctant vows

When a partner utilizes their time at the altar to express profound resignation, wedding guests quickly realize the relationship is operating on borrowed time.

Comment in r/AskReddit

His vows included the term “sometimes you just have to bite the bullet.”

Comment in r/AskReddit

They did a top 10 list for their vows. His number 1 was, “she has the prettiest teeth I’ve ever come across….”

Comment in r/AskReddit

‘I didn’t really write any vows so I’m just gonna wing it’

and he finished it off with ‘roll tide’.

2. The physical recoil

Involuntary body language during a highly anticipated moment of the ceremony reveals anxieties that the couple should probably address.

Comment in r/AskReddit

He leaned in for the first kiss and her gut reaction was to jump backwards.  There was a collective holding of breath.

Comment in r/AskReddit

We attended a wedding where the bride was trembling so hard that the groom basically had to grab her and steady her before he could kiss her. Her body was telling her the whole thing was a bad idea, I guess, because it was over in a year. (He was one of those guys who could mask his true nature for about 6 months, so he talked her into getting married like 4 months in. Next wife, same deal.)

3. The mean-spirited punchlines

Playful banter is normal, but thinly veiled insults masquerading as humor make everyone in the room incredibly uncomfortable.

Comment in r/AskReddit

I didn't know the couple well (I was the plus one) but I knew things were doomed when the bride kept making jokes at her groom's expense and he just kind of grinned and took it. His eyes were sad but he was trying to save face.

Comment in r/AskReddit

oh I hate those kind of jokes ._. smiling as you insult someone does not a joke make

4. The cake smash without consent

The traditional cake cutting ceremony can turn into a messy spectacle, but it should only get physical if both parties are on the same page about it. When one person steamrolls over their partner's boundary just to get a cheap laugh, it exposes a troubling operational dynamic.

Comment in r/AskReddit

He shoved cake all over her face while she literally BEGGED him not to. He only stopped when his sister started screaming at him and physically intervened. It was very awkward and the bride looked so sad.

Comment in r/AskReddit

Every wedding I’ve been to where the groom shoved cake in the bride’s face … divorced.

Comment in r/AskReddit

Are there ANY brides who actually like having the cake shoved in their face? I hear nothing but horror stories about that crap.

5. The ultimate betrayal

This one is pretty cut and dry. Discovering a partner is stepping out on the day of the ceremony leaves no room for a meaningful reconciliation.

Comment in r/AskReddit

Bride was found in the act with her soon to be brother in law by the entire family. Apparently they had been in an affair for quite a while and still somehow got married that day

Comment in r/AskReddit

Ive been to that one. Got told the bride was being cheated on 4 days before the wedding.

I informed maid of honour who told the bride, we and other friends pleaded to call off the wedding at the very least.

Still went ahead, me and 5 others knew (2 of which refused to attend) no-one else was wise to it.

We kept stum through the whole extremely awkward wedding day of fake smiles.

They were caught cheating again 2 months later.

6. The fundamental mismatch

Certain life discussions remain nonnegotiable and need to happen well before rings are purchased and ceremony plans are in place.

Comment in r/AskReddit

Found out at the wedding that one person wanted kids and the other didn't. They divorced within the year.

Comment in r/AskReddit

This wasn't a real wedding, but I attended a civic partnership ceremony recently where the woman made a joke about forcing her partner to have a kid he doesn't want. She said this during the vows. 🫪

7. The alarming lack of empathy

When one spouse aggressively tunes out their partner's visible distress, it paints a rather bleak picture for navigating future hardships.

Comment in r/AskReddit

One of the guests had a medical emergency and an ambulance had to be called. The bride was distraught and worried for her friend. As her bridal party, we tried to comfort her, her new husband sat at the bar 70 feet away drinking whiskey and looking annoyed. 

Comment in r/AskReddit

When the bride told the groom at the wedding rehearsal a detail that she discovered that she was so happy about, and the groom berated her that she was surprised. More subtle than many cheating stories on here, but with that lack of perspective taking and empathy it was not going to last.

8. The misguided award ceremony

Treating a new spouse like a literal trophy defeats the purpose of maintaining an equal partnership.

Comment in r/AskReddit

The grrom tried ( and failed ) to get everyonse to toast to "him being a stud" , called her a trophy wife and had an actual trophy to give her( she refused it , it was super awkward) and I didn't see them together at all after the meal

Comment in r/AskReddit

The sad part is I can see the logic of how he got there, and why he may have even been thinking of how she would love hearing that. Mega oof though.

9. The solo celebration

A newlywed who totally abandons their spouse to party with other people sends a message regarding their true priorities.

Comment in r/AskReddit

My ex husband spent our wedding day with all of his friends instead of caring about me.

That's when I knew

Edit: OMG this blew up so much. I am reading through all these comments and it is so sad to see, how many people get married for all the wrong reasons and leave their spouse in the ditch.

Thanks for the awards! May true love attack all of our hearts ✨♥️

Comment in r/AskReddit

I had a friend who went through something similar. After the ceremony, my friend was held back for a moment, and when he looked ahead his new husband had skedaddled away with his friends. Didn't even look back. The whole reception, barely paid attention to him. It was a 'hmm' moment

While weddings are meant to mark the promising start of a lifelong endeavor, they sometimes unexpectedly act as a magnifying glass for a fragile relationship's flaws.

What do you think is the biggest red flag to watch out for at a wedding? Check out the full thread on r/AskReddit, and find similar candid conversations in r/weddingshaming, r/relationships, and r/weddingplanning.

This story highlights the perspectives of Reddit users, not Reddit, Inc. Some posts or comments may be lightly edited for clarity. Questions or concerns? Contact us at upvoted@reddit.com.

As heat waves become practically seasonal guarantees, the age-old argument over ideal climates is heating up once again. Most people spend their lives dreaming of bright skies and palm trees, completely writing off snowy winters as a chore to bear. But in a thread on r/unpopularopinion, redditors strongly challenge the status quo. Here's where the thread began:

I live in Michigan, today it was around 87 degrees outside and it genuinely affected my mood.

I felt sweaty and irritable all day, many of the older building here don’t have AC due to the fact that we only have to deal with these temps for a month or two a year.

I have zero comprehension as to why people seek out warmer weather year round, it’s a miserable existence.

At least when it’s cold out there’s always an avenue to get warm. With the heat you just have to live with it, hate going outside, and pray that it cools down soon.

In the comments, people are fiercely defending the merits of frosty cities and frozen tundras while arguing that the constant heat is drastically overrated.

The layering limit

Defending the cold often comes down to basic physics and social acceptability. Proponents of winter weather argue that while you can perpetually add layers to combat the freezing temperatures, you eventually reach a hard limit when trying to cool down.

Comment in r/unpopularopinion

By the rules of this subreddit I am required to down vote you, but I just can't.

Cold > Hot 1000% of the time (that's 100 out of 10 times) and this comes from someone who works outdoors. You can always put more on, you can only take so much off (legally and then physically).

Comment in r/unpopularopinion

Layering is not very fun on a daily basis though. At least when it’s hot, you can move from an AC’d home, to an AC’d car, to an AC’d office. But in the winter, you’ll have to shovel out your driveway first, and now because you’ve shoveled snow in enough layers to keep you from freezing, you are a sweat factory. And then the sweat starts freezing over and you freeze even more, unless you’re in like five layers (which is not a quick dressing btw).

And I keep hearing how moisture wicking underlayers like a “helsetrøye” is so wonderful, but the sweat still ends up somewhere. So you gotta shower and change clothes before heading out again anyway.

And then there’s the fact that unless you start wearing a balaclava in public (which has its own moisture issues), your face won’t be protected. So your eyes, lips and skin will all hurt after exposure to cold. Also, if you value your hair styling, having to wear a wool hat to not ruin your hair and scalp from the cold, also sucks.

I think a lot of people haven’t actually experienced living in cold climates like Norway, so when they think cold, they probably imagine like 10 degrees Celsius (which incidentally was the mean temperature for the month of July where I live). Now I’m not saying extreme heat is good neither, people have literally been increasingly dying of it as of late. But extreme cold is not a walk in the layered-clothing park neither.

The physical pain of freezing

Not everyone agrees that layering is a perfect solution. For plenty of people, colder climates bring physical discomfort that cuts straight to the bone, making winter feel more like an endurance test than a cozy retreat.

Comment in r/unpopularopinion

As someone who lives in Florida 90+ degree weather is miserable TRUST ME

But cold weather is physically painful, when I’m freezing cold I cant function without several layers and a thick coat, which is often times just bulky and uncomfortable. Heat is the lesser of two evils even though it’s undeniable miserable.

Comment in r/unpopularopinion

Temperature affects people very differently.

Anything below 75 degrees and I am freezing. I am shivering, my body starts shutting down, closing in on itself. It’s hard to move, hard to think, and…guess what? It also affects my mood. Because it is physically painful.

I also have Renyaud’s, so no matter how many layers I’m wearing, if my core temp goes down enough or I touch or step on something cold, my fingers and toes will lose blood circulation and go numb. There’s nothing I can do other than physically warm them up again. When I worked in an office, I had a space heater underneath my desk, a blanket on my chair, and wore hats and fingerless gloves.

I lived in San Francisco for a long time, and my bare feet did not touch the ground for 15 years. My nervous system was constantly in a state of flight, wanting to go somewhere warm.

When I moved to a tropical climate I cannot begin to express how wonderful it was. At last I can relax. At last I can wear flip flops or even go barefoot. At last I don’t have to flinch away from open doors, outdoor concerts, hikes.

I say all this not because I don’t believe you. I have friends who shut down completely or even feel ill in the heat, especially the bigger ones.

I say this because you seem to think your experience applies to everyone, and I’m showing you how it does not.

Comment in r/unpopularopinion

I could bundle up with ten trillion layers and I’d still be cold in northern winters. Im a certified lizard

Comment in r/unpopularopinion

I work nights outdoors. I grew up in Michigan so I know how to dress for winter. My body, however, can't keep warm. It doesn't matter how many layers, heated vests/leggings, etc etc I put on, I'm freezing. All night. For months. Give me 90° in the sun year round over one week of cold.

The great indoor trap

Regardless of whether a thermometer swings dangerously high or low, intense weather often dictates our daily schedules. Commenters point out that extreme heat and deep freezes both ultimately turn us into prisoners of our own homes.

Comment in r/unpopularopinion

my counterpoint: summer stops mattering as soon as you're cold. one way to be cold is all you need to Not Experience Summer. winter you can be warm, but there's still ice on the roads, snowstorms knocking out power, events canceled for inclement weather, cars not starting, etc. there's nothing you personally can do to mitigate the worst parts of winter.

Comment in r/unpopularopinion

I live in central Texas. Currently it gets to 100f and 60-80% humidity every day. You have to stay inside all day with a/c except for very early morning and night or you will burn or have a heat stroke. Stepping outside midday is like stepping into an oven. If you want to drive, you better have really dark window tint or you will get sunburned in your car. Events are mostly all held indoors due to the heat, and outdoors only when the sun is going down. You are stuck moving from one location with a/c to another - you are a slave to it.

Edit: Also I hope you like being wet all the time because it only takes 2 minutes standing still outside before the sweating starts.

Comment in r/unpopularopinion

Let me know when it's sub-zero and you have to go shovel out your car.

Comment in r/unpopularopinion

Exactly this. Also not saying this is OP but a lot of the people I hear saying this don't get out much. If you enjoy spending a lot of time outside winter kind of sucks because no matter how much you bundle up it's going to start getting uncomfortable or unsurvivable once the weather hits -10 to -20 degrees

The pursuit of perfect weather

Finding an environment that sidesteps both sweltering heat waves and bitter snowstorms often comes at a high premium. While some cherish a constant state of mildness, others argue that without the harsh extremes, life gets a bit too predictable.

Comment in r/unpopularopinion

Something you don’t understand until you live in it is how nice it is to never consider the weather for planning activities. In Southern California it almost does not factor into your thinking at all. It’s nice 350+ days a year. We also have AC and Michigan is currently hotter than it is here in the summer.

Comment in r/unpopularopinion

Both suck! Thats why I live in a place that rarely gets below 30f or above 70f, no matter the season.

Comment in r/unpopularopinion

I love the seasons. That sounds like Groundhog Day to me.

Comment in r/unpopularopinion

Exactly why I enjoy living in the mountains a few hours away from the coast so we can enjoy the cold weather and still occasionally visit the coast on day trips or for camps

There is no single weather formula that guarantees happiness. Whether you find comfort curled up next to a space heater or basking in the bright sunlight, your personal tolerance shapes where you ultimately decide to put down roots. The reality is that both the blistering heat and the biting cold demand their own unique compromises to survive comfortably.

Would you rather live somewhere that's always hot or always cold? The debate continues in the thread in r/unpopularopinion, and find more conversations like this in r/CasualConversation, r/solotravel, and r/simpleliving.

This story highlights the perspectives of Reddit users, not Reddit, Inc. Some posts or comments may be lightly edited for clarity. Questions or concerns? Contact us at upvoted@reddit.com.

When investing time in a TV show, there's nothing more disappointing than a terrible finale or a dragged-out middle season with unnecessary side quests and meaningless narrative arcs. In a thread on r/AskReddit, redditors are sharing their opinions on which series deliver a perfect experience from the pilot to the closing credits. Here are a few of the top recommendations that never miss a beat.

1. Band of Brothers brings real history to life

When it comes to historical dramas, viewers praise this acclaimed miniseries for its gripping realism and incredible narrative pacing.

Comment in r/AskReddit

Band of Brothers.

It never lets up on the war drama, never has any "filler" episodes, and never stops coming across as being anything else than one person's experiences brought to life on film.

Comment in r/AskReddit

Episode 1 covers all of Curahee, Sobel's entire story arc, the court martial, England, war games, and ends with them headed to D Day. By today's standards thats half a season of content in a single episode, and it doesnt miss a beat, you get to know and like every character by the time episode 2 starts.

Comment in r/AskReddit

I love this show so much. It reminds me of my great grandfather. He was in the 101st airborne in WW2. I still have all of his stuff he sent/brought back to my grandma when she was a kid.

2. The Good Place planned its perfect ending

This philosophical comedy proves that having a definitive plan from the beginning makes all the difference. Fans appreciate how the creators prioritized a tight, concise story over dragging the premise out for extra seasons.

Comment in r/AskReddit

The Good Place is a great example of a show runner knowing exactly what they wanted from beginning to end and not letting ratings and profits get in the way of the story. They could have dragged it out but they had a clear storyline and just did it. Leaving all of us with an endlessly watchable capsule of goodness.

Comment in r/AskReddit

The good place.

It has a cool premise, its funny, genuinely wholesome, very thought provoking, it didn't over stay its welcome and has one of the most satisfying and good endings to a show I've seen.

3. The Americans keeps narrative tensions consistently high

A deep dive into the world of Cold War espionage, this drama features stellar acting and a satisfying finale that rewards viewers who stick around for it.

Comment in r/AskReddit

The Americans. It's one of the greatest shows ever--a really smart examination of what it means to be a family, and what you'll sacrifice for your country. It's about two Soviet spies living deep undercover in suburban America during the 1980s, and does a huge amount with that premise. And they absolutely stick the landing, the whole series feels like a cohesive whole and it's incredibly gripping TV right to the end. Matthew Rhys and Keri Russell do amazing work acting, too. It didn't get as much attention as it should during its run, but absolutely holds up.

Comment in r/AskReddit

Not once during The Americans did I wish I was doing anything else.

Comment in r/AskReddit

Criminally underrated with amazing acting and writing and also an amazing lens into the 1980s world of espionage

4. Derry Girls serves up Irish history, humor, and heart

A number of commenters suggest turning on the subtitles for this raunchy yet tenderhearted coming-of-age comedy set during the politically critical era of 1990s Ireland. While The Troubles dominate the news, the main characters are also navigating the thrills and injustices of ordinary teenage life.

Comment in r/AskReddit

The whole series is shorter than the LOTR trilogy and it’s basically a period piece about the Northern Irish Troubles that also happens to be the funniest show I’ve watched in a long time. It perfectly blends legitimate emotional investment with comedy. I’m struggling to put why it’s so good into words but put on the first episode and hopefully you’ll get why.

Comment in r/AskReddit

I have explained it to multiple people as an Irish cross between Schitt’s Creek and Broad City. If that sounds appealing to you give it a shot. The first episode will tell you everything you need to know and it only gets better from there.

Comment in r/AskReddit

You should definitely watch it. The character development is terrific. It’s hilarious, can be a bit raunchy, but has some very tender moments as well.

5. Dark weaves a flawlessly intricate timeline

Some shows require your full attention to untangle their complex plots, and this intricate puzzle box rewards that dedication. Viewers consider it a masterpiece of world-building.

Comment in r/AskReddit

I loved Dark. It's one of -- if not the -- best show to incorporate time into its plot. It can be a little tough to follow the web, but it's brilliant.

I really need to rewatch since it has been a few years.

Comment in r/AskReddit

Yeah, it's so unfortunate that most people overlook dark because it's perceived to be a difficult show to understand. It is a bit confusing but that's the whole point, that's why makes it eerie.

Comment in r/AskReddit

Dark is the only show in my life that I wanted to remove everything off one wall in my house and make one of those crime boards with threads in order to keep track of people and plots. Thankfully I didn't get to it until it was finished so my wife and I binged it in a week or two during Covid. I don't know how I would have managed if I had to wait for a season.

6. Cowboy Bebop sets a high standard for anime

Sometimes, an animated series achieves a level of storytelling that rivals any premium live-action production. This stylish space western continues to earn praise for its highly original initial run.

Comment in r/AskReddit

Cowboy Bebop......the anime not that live action thing Netflix tried to do.

Comment in r/AskReddit

It was the anime that convinced me that anime could compete with any other art form.

Comment in r/AskReddit

I somehow missed it my whole life and only watched it recently. I was surprised how chill of a show it was. It always seemed like it was going to be this action packed series. It definitely has its episodes of action, but most of it is just them being broke and hungry lol. Theres a whole episode of Spike and Jet trying to find an old VCR for Faye and it was great lol. I found the pace refreshing.

7. Fleabag breaks the fourth wall — and our hearts

Phoebe Waller-Bridge's singular vision made this unconventional series concise and heart-wrenching. Her main character ("Fleabag") is honest, self-deprecating, and wildly endearing, making it difficult to say goodbye to her at the end of this 12-episode series.

Comment in r/AskReddit

God the way I feel all the emotions every time I so much as THINK about this series.

Comment in r/AskReddit

I'm a sucker for forth wall breaking and this show does it perfectly. Absolutely love this show.

one of my favorite lines: bye Claire, bye Klare, bye Claire.

Comment in r/AskReddit

Meaningful, profound, yet positively hilarious throughout.

You don't get that very often.

It's rare to find a television series that manages to maintain its momentum from the first episode all the way to a satisfying conclusion. When you're looking for your next binge watch, picking one of these titles pretty much guarantees a solid investment.

What are qualities you think makes a show completely flawless? Discover more top-tier recommendations in the full thread on r/AskReddit, and explore more community opinions in r/television, r/televisionsuggestions, and r/series.

This story highlights the perspectives of Reddit users, not Reddit, Inc. Some posts or comments may be lightly edited for clarity. Questions or concerns? Contact us at upvoted@reddit.com.

The United States is a huge country, and while a few recognizable chain stores might look the same from New York to California, the everyday culture often feels worlds apart. In a thread on r/IWantToAskAnAmerican, people from all over the country are explaining the biggest lifestyle divides between the eastern and western sides of the nation, including how people communicate, dress, and drive.

The pace of everyday life and getting dressed up

According to many commenters, the East Coast operates on a more urgent schedule that also comes with a more formal approach to fashion, while the West Coast embraces a noticeably more relaxed attitude toward both time and attire.

Comment in r/IWantToAskAnAmerican

Casual vs not casual. I don’t mean clothing. As born and bred nutmegger, folks on the west coas, in my experience, have a more casual vibe to life than we do on the east coast (north east, really). There’s no sense or urgency on the West Coast and it’s seems way more laid back.

Comment in r/IWantToAskAnAmerican

I live in DC but I visit LA pretty regularly and dated a few people from the West Coast. 

People move much more slowly on the WC. Not a complaint, it’s just people im DC move with a sense of urgency and time efficiency. It usually takes me a day to slow down and enjoy the vibes. 

WC people are, in general, really good looking. It seems like everyone takes care of themselves. Probably the weather and access to fresh produce year round. 

That said, I find EC people to be much funnier and sarcastic. Sometimes I feel like my humor doesn’t hit on the WC the same. 

Also the fashion is slightly different, EC tends to be less colorful and more sleek.  I know everyone is saying fashion is more relaxed, which is true to an extent, but the clothes are just as expensive. 

And less adults play volleyball regularly on the EC. 

Comment in r/IWantToAskAnAmerican

My cousins gf from an eastern state was very surprised that no one on the west coast ever dresses up and none of my adult friends own a suit or tie or nice shoes. There is a level of formality and tradition in the east that doesn’t exist at all in the west.

Comment in r/IWantToAskAnAmerican

I noticed it immediately in teaching. Middle of the country teachers dressed professionally, at least a polo shirt. On the west coast teachers can wear very relaxed outfits.

Sarcasm versus earnestness

Beyond the clothes and the clocks, the way people communicate shifts depending on the time zone.

Comment in r/IWantToAskAnAmerican

Something I noticed is that West-Coasters seemed more serious/earnest/humorless compared to East-Coasters who struck me as having a more sarcastic or dark humor, could laugh at themselves and ball-bust others. Could have just been the specific people I was around, though.

Comment in r/IWantToAskAnAmerican

Sarcasm doesn’t translate well on the west coast

Comment in r/IWantToAskAnAmerican

As someone who has lived in the west and east, people in the east are kind but not nice, and people in the west are nice but not kind.

Comment in r/IWantToAskAnAmerican

As a generalization, they say that people in the East aren’t friendly, but they are nice.

People in the West are friendly, but they aren’t nice

The unwritten rules of the road

Locals from different parts of the country have totally different expectations for how drivers and pedestrians interact on the streets.

Comment in r/IWantToAskAnAmerican

On the west coast people will wait at crosswalks if there are no cars coming, on the east coast people just go

Comment in r/IWantToAskAnAmerican

I’m a lifelong resident of the Boston area. I remember years ago visiting friends in Portland Oregon. They were driving me somewhere and stopped at a red light coming out of a side street and we waited and waited and WAITED for the light to turn green. Several minutes actually. While waiting I remarked that it seemed like a long wait for the light and my hosts didn’t know what I was talking about. I said, while we continued to wait for that light to change, that a typical Boston driver would have long ago assumed the light was broken and gone anyway, because the cross traffic was clear. Then it finally turned green. They didn’t understand at all that there anything unusual about waiting five minutes at a traffic light. Life moves at a different pace in the West I guess.

Comment in r/IWantToAskAnAmerican

As someone from Northern Virginia, waiting at a stoplight for 5 minutes when there is no cross traffic is absolute agony.

The sheer size of the country guarantees that regional quirks will always exist. Whether you prefer the blunt efficiency of eastern cities or the laid-back philosophy out west, each coast has its own distinct rhythm.

What do you think is the most striking difference when traveling state to state? Read the full discussion in r/IWantToAskAnAmerican, and find more conversations like this in r/travel, r/SameGrassButGreener, and r/geography.

This story highlights the perspectives of Reddit users, not Reddit, Inc. Some posts or comments may be lightly edited for clarity. Questions or concerns? Contact us at upvoted@reddit.com.

Preparing for a new school year is stressful enough without the sticker shock of brand-new clothes. As the summer winds down, many parents are finding that last year's school clothes no longer fit their rapidly growing children. Looking for a way to manage the mounting costs, one parent turned to r/Parenting to ask how others handle the seasonal shopping scramble:

I'm starting back to school shopping prep, and I am already stressed out. My oldest is in the middle school, and my youngest is in the 3rd grade, and they both managed to grow like two full sizes over the summer. Looking at the prices of sneakers and clothes at the mall right now... not happening. How are you all surviving this? Do you buy everything in batches, or are there specific spots with actual decent sales that aren't just 5% off?

In the comments, redditors offer their tried-and-true strategies for keeping kids clothed and budgets intact.

Embrace the secondhand clothing market

Instead of paying full price for items that children will quickly outgrow, many parents recommend checking both local thrift stores and online secondhand marketplaces to find gently used clothing at a fraction of the retail cost.

Comment in r/Parenting

Personally, I never shop new, malls are outrageous and most of the clothes are made out if plastic. Shop second hand! Thrifts, like goodwill or salvation army. Im sure your area has a couple privately owned thrifts too! Online like depop, mercari, vinted, poshmark, etc. Better for the Earth and better for your wallet.

Comment in r/Parenting

Once Upon a Child & Facebook marketplace. We buy almost nothing new.

Comment in r/Parenting

my sister almost exclusively buys from once upon a child, she gets the kids (a 5, 7, and 11 year old) tons of clothes for less than $200. the grandparents will buy the kids clothes as well.

Comment in r/Parenting

Thrift. Honestly. Especially for big items like jeans and coats. Yard sales.

You can buy a couple special outfits new, but I thrift most of it. And when I buy things new, I buy to last. Sturdy items that are not disposable after one season.

Lean on big box stores and seasonal sales

When buying brand-new items is necessary, timing is everything. Redditors advise holding off until major retail chains drop their seasonal clearance events with substantial discounts on everyday staples like jeans and sneakers.

Comment in r/Parenting

Thrift shopping was great. There was a 2 year period in which “thifting” was “cool” so that helped.

That said; I buy most back to school stuff during Targets circle week which is their version of prime week. All the clothing shoes and accessories was like 40% off.

Comment in r/Parenting

At that age, we still bought a lot of clothes from Walmart, target, discount stores.

Comment in r/Parenting

I wait until places have sales.

Target routinely has 30-40% off. Actually right now they have up to 40% on clothes online so I’d start there. Actually glad I looked my own kids need clothes😄

Khols also does a lot of sales and coupons too.

Old navy is pretty cheap when you get sales.

Many shoe stores do buy one get one sales.

Comment in r/Parenting

Monitor old navy for sales - they often have 60% or more even on their high demand stuff. Sometimes I can get their stuff for cheaper than secondhand stores, I just buy a few sizes and seasons up.

Space out your purchases

Experienced parents suggest buying only a few essential pieces to start the year, allowing the rest of the wardrobe to be updated gradually as the weather changes.

Comment in r/Parenting

What are your kids currently wearing right now??

I understand getting a new outfit or shoes… but kids do not need an entire new wardrobe to start school. Your kids are still wearing clothes everyday now during the summer, right?? They can still wear those same clothes to start school. Buy them one outfit, some shoes … and then space the rest of the purchases out

Comment in r/Parenting

Marshall's & Goodwill. Sales when I come across them. I also have a less is more mentality. And yes I buy in batches. I usually use their birthdays to get new clothes for 1 kid. Don't necessarily need new clothes for the school year. Might buy new shoes & a couple shirts to kick it off but they hardly need a whole new wardrobe.
I want to add if a child needs something specific, like pants, I will focus get that one item. And I buy up. I don't waste money on clothes that fit them perfectly unless it's dress clothes. I buy the size they are growing into.

Comment in r/Parenting

This doesn't really help you right now, but I usually shop out of season sales and buy a size or two bigger. I bought uniforms for my son in February when uniforms were on clearance at the big box stores.

Comment in r/Parenting

This is what we do. My kid goes back to school in the middle of August and it's still super hot so she just wears summer clothes and sandals to start school. Around late Sept/early Oct we go out and buy some new pants and shoes and she usually gets a few outfits for Xmas from her grandparents and that gets her through until the warm weather months.

Finding the right balance between budget constraints and a child's rapid growth is an ongoing challenge for families everywhere, but there are plenty of ways to avoid the dreaded retail markups.

What are your go-to strategies for back-to-school shopping? Read the full discussion in r/Parenting, and find more conversations like this in r/Frugal, r/Mommit, and r/Daddit.

This story highlights the perspectives of Reddit users, not Reddit, Inc. Some posts or comments may be lightly edited for clarity. Questions or concerns? Contact us at upvoted@reddit.com.

Moving in together is frequently seen as the ultimate relationship milestone. But for some couples, keeping separate homes is the real secret to happily ever after. One redditor in r/LivingAlone jokingly proposed an unconventional housing arrangement to her spouse — only to find he was on the same page. That's where this post began:

I know this probably sounds a little unconventional. I'm married, but before we got together I lived alone for years. My husband did too. We both really enjoy having our own space. We like our own routines and having somewhere that's completely ours to decompress.

A few days ago I asked him jokingly what he'd think if one day we built two small houses on the same property instead of one big house. I was fully expecting him to say no. Instead he got excited and started talking about how much he'd love it too. 😂 We'd still see each other every day, have dinner together, hang out whenever we wanted, but we'd each have our own little house to retreat to when we wanted some quiet. When I told my parents, they thought it was the weirdest idea ever. They said married couples should live in the same house, but honestly that didn't change how excited I am about it. I'm mostly posting because I can't stop thinking about how fun it sounds. It feels like those little playhouses kids used to have... except we're adults now and the playhouses are actual houses.

Please tell me we're not the only couple who thinks this would be amazing. 😂

In the comments, redditors are enthusiastically supportive, sharing their own living arrangements and arguing that separate spaces might just be the key to lasting romance.

Embracing the "living apart together" concept

Many commenters point out that this nontraditional arrangement already has a name. The "living apart together" movement (or "LAT") is gaining traction among couples who are committed to each other but also attached to their independence.

Comment in r/LivingAlone

My aunt and uncle were married +40 years. She had her flat in the city, he had his home in the country. They would visit each other for a few days or a week (side note : they were always a guest in each other's house and treated as such) then spend some time apart doing their own things (seeing friends, having different hobbies, even travelling solo since he loved the beach and she preferred visiting museums) before getting back spending time together.

It worked wonderfully for them and that's what I want for myself!

Comment in r/LivingAlone

i love this so much. i first learned of the “living apart, together” thing back in my 20s but a staggering number of men balked at the idea. i know the reason for that now, but LAT is a non-negotiable for me.

Comment in r/LivingAlone

I live a couple blocks away from my guy. We've been together 7 years. I love my little apartment and I wouldn't change a thing. We can see each other anytime. Sleepovers anytime. Dinner at yours or mine? Cool. Might be considered unconventional but it works. CBC did an article on folks like this. "Apartners."

Comment in r/LivingAlone

I got my own apartment after 45 years of marriage. My husband and I are an hour's drive or train ride apart, basically a 'commute' around here. Ironically, after 3 years of retirement, getting more apart was the only hope of staying together! And it's great!! We each feel so much free-er, to do what we want, set things up as we like, make the decisions that affect ourselves etc, without the million little compromises and dependencies that living together requires. Let's face it, in many marriages one party is more dominant, and the other has to go along to make it work. But both sometimes feel compromised. We see each other like a series of dates, sometimes lasting weeks, but always knowing when it stops feeling good, there's somewhere else to be. When I tell people about it, most just say they're jealous. My husband and I are better friends than we've been for years. I'm just sorry it took me 45 years to think of it!

Duplexes, tiny homes, and side-by-side solutions

Translating this romantic dream into reality requires some logistical creativity. For those who want proximity without fully cohabitating, redditors suggest utilizing duplexes or adjacent small homes, which allow couples to enjoy daily companionship while maintaining a boundary for independence.

Comment in r/LivingAlone

You’re not - my wife and I talk about it all the time! There’s nothing wrong with wanting your own space while still being married. Our dream is to buy the house next door to ours, renovate it and add a walkway between the two (they’re SUPER close together, like not even enough space to fully spread my arms). One would be mine, the other, hers.

Comment in r/LivingAlone

When my darling husband and I were finally ready to buy a house and move in together, we'd both been living alone for years and liked it that way.

But, besides the obvious financial benefits of homeownership, we really really wanted a puppy.

So we bought a two family home, and live separately together. We don't share living spaces and it's bliss.

We're both serious introverts and need alone time to feel grounded.

And we need different things from our living spaces. He's tidy, and loves to cook and entertain, whereas my space is entirely converted to (messy) studio space. I don't own a couch.

Our puppy just had her tenth birthday and she's the light of our lives.

Comment in r/LivingAlone

Had a musician friend whose wife was a banking executive, they lived happily in a duplex. Find a duplex.

Rejecting the traditional relationship escalator

Redditors argue that forcing two incompatible lifestyles under one roof just to fulfill an external expectation often leads to ruined relationships, whereas prioritizing personal peace allows couples to bring their best selves to the partnership.

Comment in r/LivingAlone

I think probably there are many relationships that would last longer or be happier overall, if the people in the relationships are comfortable acting on what they want, even when it goes against society’s expectations. There’s this expectation that you have to lose your own space when entering a relationship, but life doesn’t actually have any rules about that.

Comment in r/LivingAlone

Listen, I’ve been with my bf for 9 years, we’re mid 40’s. We don’t even do sleepovers. He makes more noise asleep than awake. We see each other about 3x a week. Neither of us has been married, we each have 1 adult child. Only time we’re sleeping in bed together is on vacations 🤣 i love him but I will never like anyone as much as I like my alone time. Life is too short to be doing what is considered normal.

Comment in r/LivingAlone

This would truly be the only way I could date again. I need my own space. I think more folks would like this too ../ but maybe they worry they’ll be judged as not caring about their person as much. Frankly, it’s bc I DO care that I want to live alone. I’m more likely to be a balanced and healthy person when I’m allowed to flourish in my own space.

Finding a lifelong partner does not necessarily mean giving up the comfort of one's own company. The healthiest and most vibrant relationships are often built on mutual understanding, even if that means waving goodnight from across the yard.

What do you think about living apart together? Read the full discussion in r/LivingAlone, and find more unique relationship conversations in r/relationships, r/marriage, and r/dating.

This story highlights the perspectives of Reddit users, not Reddit, Inc. Some posts or comments may be lightly edited for clarity. Questions or concerns? Contact us at upvoted@reddit.com.

The first impression is crucial in any significant interaction, but in the early days of dating someone, it's crucial not to make the wrong impression. In a thread on r/NoStupidQuestions, a college student asked if displaying their high school bowling prowess by bringing their own ball and shoes on a date with a woman at a bowling alley would ruin the vibe. The dating newbie wanted to know if showing up with gear in hand was a strike — or maybe kind of cool. Redditors weigh in on the delicate balance between sharing a hobby and accidentally turning a casual night out into a ruthless, one-on-one competition.

The "talent showcase" trap

Setting up a competitive atmosphere on an early date often backfires, redditors note. When one person brings personal sporting gear to a casual hangout, it can immediately alter the dynamic and make a relaxed evening feel like a nerve-rattling tournament.

Comment in r/NoStupidQuestions

I'd say do not bring your own ball. Early dates are supposed to be fun. Not super competitive. For the same reason, if she's not a good bowler, don't play hard - no crazy hook shots. It's no fun when your date is bowling a 250 and you're struggling to keep it out if the gutter. 

Another problem with bowling on early dates is that one of you is always up bowling while the other is sitting. Then you just swap places. So there's no time where you're both in one place and can have a conversation.  For this reason, bowling is much better for a double date.

Comment in r/NoStupidQuestions

I once witnessed a second or a third date of a couple with a guy who brought his own hockey skates and a woman who hadn’t probably skated much since she was a kid.

She was trying her best but he’s naturally outclassing her the whole time and you could tell early on she got the ick because he was out there kicking her ass and the date was less them doing something together, but him doing a talent showcase.

Take that under advisement however it lands.

Comment in r/NoStupidQuestions

Don't take this girl bowling just to kick her ass. That's not sporting and she won't have fun. Do something else. Go hiking or bouldering maybe if you want to do something physical and she's into that. I don't know. She's just not going to be impressed with your bowling and her losing to an ace.

Where the focus should be

Bringing personal equipment also might send an unintentional message about the focus of the outing. Folks are quick to point out that the date might assume they're essentially just a background character in someone else's hobby.

Comment in r/NoStupidQuestions

It would make me feel like you are way more interested in having a great bowling experience than spending time with me. Like are we going there because it's a fun idea for a date or are we going there because you want to play?

Comment in r/NoStupidQuestions

It says “this is what I want to do.”  Not “hey, let’s do something together.”

Comment in r/NoStupidQuestions

IMO, it kinda makes it look like you are "too into" it, as if it's your hobby and you are wanting this date to be mostly about your hobby. Rather than a generic fun thing people sometimes spend time together doing.

Comment in r/NoStupidQuestions

Exactly. It sends the message that you are there to BOWL, not to date. And maybe in some circumstances that would work, like if she is also a really intense bowler and this is going to be a thing you guys do together competitively. But for most girls? The date should be the focus, and spending time together getting to know each other. The bowling is just the background you happen to be in for the date. 

The element of surprise

For those who appreciate a heavy dose of dating comedy, a few commenters suggest leaning into the absurdity. Even if it goes wrong, bringing a custom ball and shoes opens the door for a potentially spectacular visual gag.

Comment in r/NoStupidQuestions

Show up with your own ball all decked out but then bowl like you’ve never bowled before in your life.

Comment in r/NoStupidQuestions

I saw this happen two weeks ago. It was hilarious. Dude brought 3 balls and the whole shebang. The gal was dressed casually and really seemed like she was just there for the company and date night. This guy starts warming up his super duper hard ass spinny throws… gutter, gutter, gutter. They play and she wins like 148 to 102 against this guy. It was one of the most spectacular fails I’ve ever seen.

Comment in r/NoStupidQuestions

Years ago, I went on a first date and brought my own bowling shoes. Let's just say I'm never doing that again.

We've been married almost 5 years now

Ultimately, bringing your own special bowling gear, along with your contest-minded high school spirit, to a casual hangout risks turning a fun night into a one-sided display of skill. Unless both partners are passionate about the sport, and somewhat equally matched, it's safer to rely on the neon-colored house balls and slippery rental shoes. Or just go for dinner.

Do you bringing your own shoes when you go bowling? Read the full discussion in r/NoStupidQuestions, and find more conversations like this in r/dating_advice, r/AskMen, and r/relationships.

This story highlights the perspectives of Reddit users, not Reddit, Inc. Some posts or comments may be lightly edited for clarity. Questions or concerns? Contact us at upvoted@reddit.com.

Whether it's a tiny indie film that becomes a juggernaut or a highly anticipated sequel that crashes and burns, the movie theatrical market is notoriously unpredictable. In a thread on r/boxoffice, redditors share the cinematic successes and failures that completely defied expectations. These are the box office results that left audiences stunned — in ways both joyous and bleak.

1. The Greatest Showman (2017)

Word of mouth transformed early lukewarm numbers into a long-lasting theatrical stint, keeping this Hugh Jackman-starring musical around far past a standard release window. (And its tuneful soundtrack continues to blast around the world.)

Comment in r/boxoffice

The Greatest Showman just went on and on and on and on.

$174m DOM off of an $8m opening. Crazy stuff. One of my favorite box office stories.

Comment in r/boxoffice

As mentioned, The Greatest Showman. I remember how everybody was saying it was a flop on its opening weekend and weeks and weeks and weeks, it was getting money. I liked that movie and I so wanted to succeed and I am glad it did

2. Titanic (1997)

Early rumors of a gargantuan production disaster gave way to unparalleled chart dominance — not to mention 14 Oscar nominations and a record 11 wins — establishing a new bar for blockbuster longevity.

Comment in r/boxoffice

Titanic. There was talk of it being the biggest box office bomb ever. It had a modest opening then the absolute most insane legs ever. It had its highest grossing day about 2 months into its run. It felt like the film was in theatres forever. And it was everywhere. Don’t think I’ve ever experienced a film dominate pop culture as much as Titanic.

Comment in r/boxoffice

Titanic. From a certified flop to a very good opening of 30M to a 20x multi to 600M domestic and 1.2 BILLION overseas and becoming the first movie to cross the billion mark worldwide AND the first to cross the billion mark overseas AND the first to cross 600M domestic AND becoming the king of the (box office) world for 12 years until Avatar. All that in 1997. An epic romance drama did that.

3. Frozen (2013)

A holiday release expected to perform adequately soon surpassed established franchises, taking over radio stations and childhood memories everywhere.

Comment in r/boxoffice

Another one for me is Frozen.

If you were there in 2013 you would know that Frozen wasn't one of those Super hyped up Animated movies like Pixar sequels or Super Mario Bros. 

It looked like a pretty standard Disney Princess movie. And they didn't usually make a lot of money. 

It also coming out against the second Hobbit movie which didn't bode well for it. 

But then it just kept making money and more money. 

It outgrossed The Hobbit 2. It outgrossed Toy Story 3. It outgrossed LotR:RotK. It outgrossed freaking Iron Man 3.

If anyone today tells you with a straight face that they totally expected a Disney Princess movie in 2013 to beat a Hobbit movie and to become the 5th Highest Grossing film of All time they are lying through their teeth. 

No one expected Frozen to be that big. It was EVERYWHERE. 

Comment in r/boxoffice

Frozen was a cultural phenomenon. You couldn’t escape it. That’s the only time I can recall hearing Disney songs being played on the radio regularly.

4. My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002)

A tiny rollout for this independent production distributed by IFC Films — and made for just $5 million — quickly captured the hearts of audiences across the U.S., quietly racking up enormous profits despite never securing the No. 1 weekend spot.

Comment in r/boxoffice

My big fat Greek wedding.

One of the rare times in box office history where a movie’s grosses increased each week following its initial release instead of seeing a ~50% drop after the first week of release as we are used to.

5. Top Gun: Maverick (2022)

Defying decades of delayed-sequel fatigue, this high-flying return of Tom Cruise as everyone's favorite Navy pilot solidified the star yet again as a top-tier draw and outperformed a multitude of safe superhero bets.

Comment in r/boxoffice

Top Gun: Maverick without any shred of doubt.

Impeccable word of mouth, a 5x multiplier coming off of a $126M 3-Day, $1.5B worldwide and #5 on the all time domestic chart.

Comment in r/boxoffice

This. As a huge Cruise fan I was disappointed that when box office is discussed his lack of a billion would hurt his impeccable record. If Fallout could not even crack 1b no Cruise film could. Even an original film like Edge of Tomorrow did not make 400m. I was certain Cruise would never get a billy.

Even when TGM trailers came out I was thinking around 700m.

So for it to make 1.4b blew my mind. Crazy how that movie performed and cemented Cruise's status right at the top, of all time.

It was like Messi lacking a WC and got it right towards the beginning of the end of his career.

6. The Blair Witch Project (1999)

Leveraging the early days of what was then sincerely referred to as the "World Wide Web" and its marketing potential, the micro-budget horror film also intrigued audiences by intentionally blurring the line between reality and fiction. The result: giant numbers and the birth of the now-commonplace found-footage horror subgenre.

Comment in r/boxoffice

The Blair Witch Project - tiny budget, viral marketing (to the point where people were actually calling the actors’ parents to see if they’d died), and a massive box office performance

Comment in r/boxoffice

yes. perfect timing, in the dawning of internet. 1999 was an insane year for the cinema

7. Joker: Folie à Deux (2024)

Early tracking predicted a hit sequel, but an unconventional genre shift toward musical romance between supervillains in prison (?!) led to a certified bomb that shocked the global entertainment industry. And not in a nice way.

Comment in r/boxoffice

Joker 2 flopping. Not that it flopped just to the degree it did and how quick. Thought a worst case scenario would look like $350-$400M. Just an absolute embarrassment for everyone involved.

5 weeks out it was tracking to $115M - $145M (similar to Superman today!) ended up with a $37M OW. I can’t think of another movie that had such a fall off.

Comment in r/boxoffice

This was such an interesting scenario. The trailer was actually very well done, and I think created hype. But in the end this was one of those big budget films that was in fact not review-proof. Once reviews came out and word spread quickly, it sank like a rock. Didn’t help that it was a musical, and that the trailers were trying to hide that. Now I kind of wonder what would have happened to it if they really leaned into the musical aspect and just went for broke.

8. Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017)

Pitted against one of the largest franchises in cinematic history in Star Wars: The Last Jedi, a modernized reboot carried by Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Jack Black, and Kevin Hart found an incredible foothold and refused to be overshadowed.

Comment in r/boxoffice

For me it always be Jumanji Welcome To The Jungle.

I thought who wanted this? It's just another Rock action extravaganza. It will make like 300 - 400 Million at best like an average Rock Action and then dissappear. 

It was also coming out against The Last Jedi and I was sure it was going to get curb stomped by The Last Jedi. 

I didn't even bother tracking it. Checked it out a year later for reasons I can't remember and it was at 960 Million. 

I just could not understand how that happened. I honestly still don't understand how that happened. 

Comment in r/boxoffice

As a fan of the original movie, I hate the idea of switching into video game and abandoned the board game. But affer watching the movie, I kinda like it and have a very good time.But I still think it shouldn't be called Jumanji.

9. Inside Out 2 (2024)

Strong nostalgia combined with broad family appeal propelled an emotional journey into completely uncharted territory for animated features, easily outshining the first film.

Comment in r/boxoffice

Inside Out 2 becoming the highest grossing animated film of all time.

That legitimately shocked me.

Don't get me wrong, it's a good watch, but as somebody without kids, it wasn't even on my radar until it came out. To see it make that much damn money was just jaw-dropping to me.

Comment in r/boxoffice

Agreed there. Watched it and enjoyed it, never would’ve expected it to be the one to become the highest grossing animated film. Inflation helped, Pixar sequel certainly, but after the pandemic had weakened Pixar as a moneymaker, it was a definite shock

10. Elemental (2023)

Despite a soft opening weekend that caused concern for the Pixar release, strong audience enthusiasm ultimately drove the film to outlast highly publicized summer blockbusters.

Comment in r/boxoffice

Honestly Elementals legs were unreal

Today's movie theatrical market proves that no amount of industry tracking or expert analysis can account for the sheer whims of moviegoing audiences. Sometimes, a film that looks mediocre on paper ends up captivating millions, while a surefire bet vanishes without a trace.

What theatrical run surprised you the most? Read the full thread in r/boxoffice for more cinematic surprises, and find further conversations like this in r/MovieSuggestions, r/movies, and r/TrueFilm.

This story highlights the perspectives of Reddit users, not Reddit, Inc. Some posts or comments may be lightly edited for clarity. Questions or concerns? Contact us at upvoted@reddit.com.

When a new (human) baby arrives, pet owners often wonder how their furry friends will react. Do dogs realize this constantly crying creature is a tiny, helpless human lacking in adult intelligence or do they just see the baby as an unpredictable roommate? In a thread on r/NoStupidQuestions, one redditor asked if dogs truly comprehend the mental and physical fragility of a newborn.

Here's where the conversation began:

Idk how to phrase this but, do dogs understand that when their human owners have a baby, that baby does not have the same mental acuity and/or general cognition as the parents?

Like, do they just see babies as just another bipedal hairless monkey thing that sometimes will give it treats? Instead of the adorably helpless poop factory that the baby really is?

Pet owners are leaping into the comments to share stories of extreme gentleness, fierce loyalty, and the hilarious ways their dogs try to interact with infants.

Dogs recognize youth

Many people note that their dogs seem to instinctively recognize a baby as a vulnerable member of the pack. Between superior scent-tracking capabilities and an innate understanding of familial bonds, these pets quickly identify infants as little humans that require a gentler approach.

Comment in r/NoStupidQuestions

Dogs understand that those are human puppies, yes.

Comment in r/NoStupidQuestions

My experience is that dogs understand what a human baby is extremely well and probably on some pheromone level we could not understand as humans. It seems clear that my dog knows my daughter is like me but more impulsive and she generally acts like she's putting the kid gloves on her paws.

Comment in r/NoStupidQuestions

Not pheromones, but hormones. Dogs has a very good sense of smell, so they can easily distinguish between men and women, and prepubescent children and adults based on how we smell.

Checking their own strength

Even the most rowdy dogs seem to have an internal switch when it comes to playtime around babies and toddlers. Owners frequently observe their hyperactive pets completely changing their behavior, becoming delicate playmates who deliberately lose games to keep the little ones safe.

Comment in r/NoStupidQuestions

Yes. My dog calibrates her strength around children in an understanding “this is a smaller weaker human it’s time to be gentle”

Comment in r/NoStupidQuestions

My dog’s favorite game is tug-o-war and she will absolutely go easy and gentle with little kids and then in the next minute will tug and growl and fight and give it her all with me and my teenage boys.

Comment in r/NoStupidQuestions

My dog loves bringing me her toy so I can play "pull it from her mouth" game and she's playing really hard. Sometimes, she does the same to my 2yo daughter, but she's so gentle she almost doesn't pull at all and just let my girl have fun.

So yeah, I believe they know they are tiny, fragile humans.

Comment in r/NoStupidQuestions

Dogs get it. My lab immediately took on the job of protecting the newborn. Always slept right next to him and followed him around once he started walking.

I saw them having a tug of war over a toy. This is an 80 lb lab and he acted like it was all he could do to hold on to the toy and he always let the child win the contest.

The shift to protector mode

Aside from being gentle, dogs often take their self-appointed jobs as family guardians very seriously once a baby enters the home. Fast movements and chaotic jumping are sometimes replaced by slow, deliberate patrols and a watchful eye over bassinet naps.

Comment deleted

Comment in r/NoStupidQuestions

Dogs also know when a person is older and frail.

My in laws live with me and I have a newborn.

My dogs generally ignore the baby. Maybe they’ll sniff around babies bassinet and one licked my babies head in an affectionate way. But otherwise they ignore the baby.

My dogs also never jump on older people that live with us.

But as soon as they see me though - they run at full speed and slam into me to greet me.

Comment in r/NoStupidQuestions

My Boxer loves babies!

When a parent and baby come into my office she is so excited to meet the baby.

And then she stands guard over "her baby"

Comment in r/NoStupidQuestions

My old dog was a jerk to my wife until she got pregnant with our first. As soon as she got pregnant, my dog stayed by her side and stopped being such an asshole. Female, black lab and we found each other when we both needed family and before I met my now wife. She would chew up all her shoes, steal her spot on the couch and not move and also peed on her side of the bed a couple times. I belonged to the dog just as much as she belonged to me. She didn't want to share me with anyone else.

The limits of canine comprehension

Despite their undeniable connection to people of all sorts, dogs do not have a great grasp of human development. They clearly sense that infants are fragile, but they still operate on a dog's logic, potentially leading to amusing moments where they expect too much athleticism from a newborn.

Comment in r/NoStupidQuestions

Yea they get they are like their puppies....

Not fully since they want infants to throw the ball immediately.... But enough to know that they are helpless and should be protected if something is going on, just like they would with their babies

I have a farm and most animals can understand babies... Even the jerk geese don't chase the baby goats only the big ones

Comment in r/NoStupidQuestions

I just saw a video this week of a dog bringing his Frisbee to an almost newborn baby, setting it down gently, and then running back looking at the baby like, "okay now throw it to me!"

Comment in r/NoStupidQuestions

Completely agree. I have a video of my collie repeatedly dropping a ball on the blanket in front of my month old daughter and then moving back, waiting for her to throw it.

Super gentle and respectful and understanding of her vulnerability but clear that in her world ‘human thing’ = ball throws

Comment in r/NoStupidQuestions

My theory, based on the dogs I’ve known, is that half of dogs think that human children are weird goblins that you should be wary of, and the other half thinks they’re puppies. They behave accordingly. 

While it's essential to supervise interactions between animals and children as a basic safety rule, the stories shared by pet owners highlight an incredible, unspoken bond. Dogs might not understand the nuances of raising a child — OK, they definitely don't, because they are are dogs after all — but their instincts and capacity for softness around a baby speak volumes about their role in families. They know just enough to treat fragile additions with care.

What do you think of the storied relationship between dogs and babies? Read the thread in r/NoStupidQuestions, and find more conversations like this in r/dogs, r/Pets, and r/daddit.

This story highlights the perspectives of Reddit users, not Reddit, Inc. Some posts or comments may be lightly edited for clarity. Questions or concerns? Contact us at upvoted@reddit.com.

For many, the workweek can feel like a never-ending loop of alarms, commutes, and counting down to Friday. In a thread on r/Adulting, redditors weigh in on the seemingly eternal cycle of the weekday routine. The question at hand is simple but strikes a chord with anyone who has ever stared at the ceiling on a Sunday night, anxiously awaiting the ping that tells them it's time to move into high gear: Does anyone actually look forward to heading into work?

While a large contingent intensely dislike their morning alarms and wish they could stay home basically forever, others have found surprising ways to embrace their clock-in times. The answers shed light on what makes a career bearable — even energizing — and why the weekend always feels too short.

The unsettling "Sunday scaries"

For a large portion of the workforce, the weekend officially ends long before Sunday night is over. Just the thought of alarms and responsibilities is enough to trigger a wave of dread that casts a shadow over their day off.

Comment in r/Adulting

There has never been a moment in my entire life where I looked forward to going to work. I’d never work a day in my life again if it were up to me.

Comment in r/Adulting

I don’t look forward to work (even though I do like my job) but it’s more about the routine for me. 

Comment in r/Adulting

35 now and have never looked forward to work even if I didn't mind the job.

My desire to have the entire day to myself doing exactly what I want to do will always be higher than the desire to go to work, even if I loved the job.

Comment in r/Adulting

I don’t hate my job but I’d rather be at home or on vacation. My Sunday scaries are intense. I need a better routine, actually. Sometimes I try to forget it’s Sunday through various self medicating techniques and that just makes it worse! Mondays are second most terrible. After Wednesday is half way over I’m okay with my life again. Until Sunday…..

The morning barrier

Some employees actually enjoy the tasks they perform and the people they see at their desks. The real hurdle is simply dragging themselves out of their comfy beds and navigating the commute.

Comment in r/Adulting

I don't mind being at work. But I LOATHE getting up and going...

Comment in r/Adulting

I don’t like the process of going to work (getting to bed on time, waking up early, hustling through the morning routine, commuting). But I enjoy the work I do once I’m there. And a busy week makes fun time on the weekend way more satisfying.

Comment in r/Adulting

Go to the gym before work. As soon as I made my mornings doing something for myself it made it a lot easier getting out of bed.

Finding the bright spots

Not everyone spends their week counting down the minutes until Friday. A handful of professionals manage to cultivate real excitement for their shifts by focusing on fun, positive, or enriching aspects of the workweek.

Comment in r/Adulting

Tomorrow, I'm starting a new job that I'm excited about. First day. So yes, I'm actually very excited to wake up and get started. 

Comment in r/Adulting

Technically I work for myself. I think im a 12th generation carpenter. My dad has been in business for himself for 42 years and when mom passed I inherited her share of the business. I wouldn't say im excited to go to work, but I love the guys I work with and I love being with my dad every day. We didnt get a lot of time together when I was a kid, so I feel like we are making up for it now.

Comment in r/Adulting

I work a 4 day on, 4 off shift on a tug boat. Usually after 4 days at home I am ready to go back and enjoy routine and getting to drive a multi million dollar machine. I also really enjoy working on the water. I get to fish at work and we live in a place with lots of dolphins.

I wouldn't say I'm excited and it's not like I look forward to it all weekend. But I do go to bed with zero stress and get up at 3am without any drama. And I really do love the 3am coffee and drive to work on empty roads with my music on.

Working for the perks

Even certain folks who tolerate their professional lives admit they would rather spend their time elsewhere. They may not live to work exactly, but they work to live well — making the most of their time off and what their paycheck affords them.

Comment in r/Adulting

I just turn up, do my job well, switch off as soon as I leave. Focus on payday and annual leave which means I can do the things I love … travel, hanging out with friends, being with family. Work is just a means to the end

Comment in r/Adulting

I've had the last week off with my kids since their summer program ended. I do not want to work. Life can be so nice, wake up cook a decent meal for the family. Got the kids to workout with me. Shower and clean the house. Afternoon we picked projects to work on. Dinner, and movie before bed. I'd love to not have to work and just spend time with wonderful humans and take care of my body. I eat better, sleep better, and am more physically active.

Comment in r/Adulting

I’m just glad I have a job and am able to keep roof over my kids heads

Ultimately, everyone navigates the workweek differently. Sometimes, personal perseverance just comes down to appreciating the workplace air conditioning or pouring a good cup of coffee. Finding small things to look forward to can make even the longest workdays feel more manageable.

How do you feel about going to work every day? The debate continues in r/Adulting. Find more conversations like this in r/careerguidance, r/jobs, and r/Workspaces.

This story highlights the perspectives of Reddit users, not Reddit, Inc. Some posts or comments may be lightly edited for clarity. Questions or concerns? Contact us at upvoted@reddit.com.

We all have that one piece of advice that permanently lodges itself in our brain. Sometimes it comes from an ancient philosopher, other times it's just a passing remark from a sharp-tongued relative. In a fascinating thread in r/AskReddit, people are sharing the idioms, proverbs, and one-liners that actually hold up in the real world.

If you need a gentle nudge or a swift reality check, redditors have a stockpile of wisdom ready for you to borrow.

The art of protecting your peace

Setting boundaries is a constant struggle, especially when other people try to drag you into their drama. Fortunately, a few well-chosen words can act as a conceptual shield against chaos and unwanted opinions.

Comment in r/AskReddit

Don't take hate from someone you wouldn't ask advice from.

Comment in r/AskReddit

Slightly different but it reminds me a lot of the Christian Bale quote that Tom Holland likes talking about. “If you have a problem with me, text or call. If you don’t know my number then you don’t know me well enough to have a problem with me.” Both basically meaning ignore the hate unless it’s coming from someone whose opinion you trust.

Comment in r/AskReddit

What you permit, is what you promote.

Comment in r/AskReddit

The quote, "What you aren't changing, you're choosing" is in the same vein, but I've gotten flack for it - obviously we're talking about things you could change, not things you cannot..

Navigating conflict and letting go of grudges

Holding a grudge can feel like a protective measure, but it usually inflicts more damage on the person harboring the resentment. Focusing on personal joy is almost always the better route to take.

Comment in r/AskReddit

Comparison is the theft of joy.

It's such a good saying, my neighbour has it tattooed on his chest. I'm actually thinking of doing the same, but just a little bit bigger than his one.

Comment in r/AskReddit

Holding on to anger is like holding on to a hot coal. You are the one getting burned.

Comment in r/AskReddit

This is a great one! I've also heard it in a different version: 'Holding resentment/hatred is like drinking poison and hoping it kills the other person'

Comment in r/AskReddit

“Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them.”

Understanding human behavior

A handful of classic maxims cut right to the core of human nature, reminding us to reign in our paranoia and think twice before volunteering an uninformed opinion.

Comment in r/AskReddit

I heard something the other day that stick with me.

Everything is a conspiracy theory when someone doesn't understand how anything works.

Comment in r/AskReddit

Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.

Comment in r/AskReddit

It's better to be thought of a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.

Comment in r/AskReddit

My scottish grandpa worded it quite eloquently, "just shut up and nabdy will Ken you're stupit"

Taking action and finding perspective

Waiting for the perfect moment to improve your circumstances is a guaranteed path to stagnation. When it comes to tackling daunting goals or trying to find happiness in everyday routines, a shift in attitude is the first step forward.

Comment in r/AskReddit

You can’t change the wind, so adjust your sails

Comment in r/AskReddit

"The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails." -- William A. Ward

Comment in r/AskReddit

Best time to plant a tree was 10 years ago. The second best time to plant a tree is today.

Never too late

Comment in r/AskReddit

When I was considering going to uni as a mature age student, the years it would take to complete my degree part time (along with work, kid etc) seemed daunting. "I won't be finished until I'm nearly 40!"

Someone replied "you're going to be 40 anyway."

And I was. The degree took 6 years to get, but it was got.

Comment in r/AskReddit

"You can't wait until life isn't hard anymore before you decide to be happy "

Sometimes, the most life-altering insights are the ones brief enough to fit on a bumper sticker. Keeping a few of these sayings in your back pocket makes it just a little bit easier to stay grounded in the present.

What's a saying that resonated deeply with you? Read the full discussion in the thread in r/AskReddit, and find more conversations like this in r/CasualConversation, r/LifeProTips, and r/Quotes.

This story highlights the perspectives of Reddit users, not Reddit, Inc. Some posts or comments may be lightly edited for clarity. Questions or concerns? Contact us at upvoted@reddit.com.

When preparing a classic side dish for a neighborhood barbecue, one home cook realized their family's potato salad recipe might be missing a popular ingredient: mustard. The chef's post in r/Cooking included their go-to mustard-free recipe for potato salad:

POTATO SALAD
6 medium potatoes
25 mL chopped fresh parsley
175 mL diced celery
2mL salt
125 mL mayonnaise
2mL celery seeds
75mL chopped shallots
1 mL pepper
For dryer and tastier potatoes, bake in the oven, wrapped in aluminum foil. Cool in refrigerator.
Peel and dice. Add celery. Combine mayonnaise, shallots, parsley, salt, celery seeds and pepper together. Add to potatoes. Check seasoning. Chill and keep in refrigerator until ready to serve.

The resulting conversation on Reddit opens up a culinary discussion about flavor balance, regional traditions, and the absolute best way to prepare potatoes before they even hit the bowl.

The regional roots of yellow mustard in potato salad

For many home cooks, leaving mustard out of the mix is practically unthinkable. This preference often ties back to specific regions of the U.S. and cultural influences, particularly in the Midwest and South, where bright and tangy flavors dominate the picnic table.

Comment in r/Cooking

Grew up in Wisconsin. A small amount of regular yellow mustard and lots of eggs was always in our families potato salad. Plus onion, not shallot and no celery seed. I usually sprinkle some red wine vinegar on the diced but still warm potatoes before I combine with the onion and celery and mayo/mustard to give it a little twang.

Comment in r/Cooking

Mustard in potato salad is a german influence thing, so you see it a lot in the midwest.

Personally I like it but I'm kinda a mustard and horseradish fiend in general.

Comment in r/Cooking

I'm from the south. All I grew up with was mustard potato salad and it's the only kind I like. Mayonnaise potato salad tastes cloying to me.

My mustard potato salad is also healthier because it has way less fat.

The absolute necessity of acid

Because mayonnaise-heavy dishes benefit from a bright acidic contrast to balance their richness, redditors recommend adding at least a touch of mustard or experimenting with vinegars and pickle juices.

Comment in r/Cooking

You need something acidic to cut all the fat from the mayo. Mustard has a strong flavor though, so I wouldn't make it the only acid. I regularly put a dollop into mayo-based salads (potato, pasta, coleslaw). Usually Dijon. About a teaspoon to a tablespoon. But then I put another acid in as well; usually vinegar (apple cider, red wine, white, whatever) or lemon juice.

Comment in r/Cooking

Potato salad is not correct without a bit of acid, so mustard adds acid plus a bite of earthiness. The bland macaroni salads only used mayo as well.

Comment in r/Cooking

I grew up without mustard in potato salad. Some potato salads with mustard are way too overpowering for me, but if it's balanced right, it's terrific. Definitely needs just a little acid to cut through that creamy fat. I like it now with a little mustard, dill pickles, and paprika added to what you wrote here.

The great potato preparation debate

The OP's recipe called for baking the potatoes first, which surprised quite a few seasoned home cooks. Many commenters insist that boiling the potatoes and hitting them with flavor while they're still steaming hot is the true secret to success.

Comment in r/Cooking

The problem with baking the potatoes is that you can’t infuse them with seasoning before you even begin the salad process. I enhance my water with bullion and plenty of salt. Once the cubed potatoes are done and drained, I immediately toss them in a mixture of non sweet pickle juice and Dijon mustard. The potatoes will immediately absorb all the flavors. Then I put them in the fridge to cool. Once cold I will add the rest of my ingredients.

Comment in r/Cooking

I prefer vinegar when the potatoes are hot so it soaks in. Then I sometimes use mustard but the tang is already there.

Comment in r/Cooking

Firmly in camp mustard as an ingredient. Lean more toward good ol' yellow mustard; wouldn't kick potato salad made with Dijon or whole grain mustard out of bed.

Baked potato? Big nope. Think potato salad may be more mush than chunky. My preference: boiled red potatoes tossed, while still warm, with a bit of apple cider vinegar.

Preferences for potato salad (and may other food) prep/ingredients can be quite diverse. Hope you land on a recipe that fits what you like. Good luck and happy eating!

There are seemingly endless ways to customize this classic dish. The perfect potato salad ultimately comes down to whatever balances the richness of the mayo and keeps your neighborhood barbecue guests coming back for seconds.

What do you think is the ultimate secret ingredient in potato salad? The discussion continues in r/Cooking. Want more culinary inspiration? Find more conversations like this in r/cookingforbeginners, r/food, and r/AskBaking.

This story highlights the perspectives of Reddit users, not Reddit, Inc. Some posts or comments may be lightly edited for clarity. Questions or concerns? Contact us at upvoted@reddit.com.