10 Fun Ideas for Grown-Up Family Time During the Holidays

Dec 26, 2017

Whether you’re heading home for the holidays from college, your first real job, or with a new S.O. in tow, there’s nothing better than some good ol’ fashioned family fun. When you were little, family time around the holidays probably involved visits with Santa and tons of animated Christmas movies. Now that you and your siblings are older, though, you can devote some time to ~grown up~ family nights. Scroll down for 10 things to try with your fam this season.

1. Try an escape room. Imagine a traditional team-building activity, except you’re immersed in a lifelike, interactive scene — and the clock is ticking. With escape rooms, you and your family can bond by working together to find clues and solve puzzles to escape before time runs out.

2. Go to a comedy show. One thing that most families have in common is a sense of humor. Now that you’re all older, celebrate that commonality by hitting up a comedy club or improv show.

3. Ooh and aah at the zoo lights. You’re never too old to appreciate the festive atmosphere at a zoo during the holidays. Remember when you and your siblings would pile into your family minivan in search of houses with amazing light displays? This is the grown-up version. Some zoos, like the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago, actually sell alcohol on their premises, so you can really embrace the merriment!

4. Host a game night. Keep Monopoly on the shelf. Adult-oriented games like The Voting Game ($10) and The Game of THINGS ($40) are hilarious twists on the age-old family game night tradition.

5. Play OpenTable roulette. If you’re a family of foodies, play a game of OpenTable roulette: Simply open the app, adjust your filters for price and distance, close your eyes, scroll, and click. Whichever restaurant you land on is your destination for the night!

6. Find a skating rink. It doesn’t get much more festive than ice skating during the holidays. Test your family’s athletic skill and head to a local ice rink to get into the seasonal spirit.

7. Try your hand at Topgolf. Topgolf is a bowling-meets-driving-range experience. Instead of aiming for distance, you and your opponents hit golf balls at targets on a driving range. In addition to being a fun activity, Topgolf venues are also known for their trendy environment and great food and cocktail menus.

8. Sing your heart out at karaoke. For a family of songbirds (or aspiring songbirds), hit up a karaoke bar in your home city. Bonus points for revisiting those childhood-road-trip faves.

9. Visit a museum. Museum visits were probably exhausting for your parents when you were younger, but now you can all appreciate a great learning experience in a beautiful museum — tantrums not included.

10. Hang out at a winery or brewery. As craft beer breweries pop up in increasing numbers, your family has more and more options for an awesome night out. If your group appreciates beer or wine, book a tour or experience at a local brewery or winery to bond over some fabulous booze.

What activities do you and your family bond over? Let us know @BritandCo!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

(Photo via Getty)

11 Fun Holiday Sweaters That Give Your Ugly Christmas Sweaters A Run For Their Money

As much as I love an ugly Christmas sweater party, a small part of me still cringes at just how wacky they can be. There's a very fine line between 'ugly Christmas sweater' and 'playful holiday get-up' – but I think these fun holiday sweaters strike the perfect balance of the two. They're all colorful, festive, and so much fun to wear to any and every holiday get-together you've got going this year.

Scroll on for our favorite fun holiday sweaters for every party!

Anthropologie

1. The Violette Short-Sleeve Tinsel Sweater by Maeve

With 'tinsel' literally in this sweater's name, you'll be making a shiny statement wherever you wear this piece. It also comes in silver, gold, navy blue, and brown to suit your personal holiday style.

Abercrombie & Fitch

2. The A&F Madeline Crew Sweater

This femme 'fit boasts a bow that's reminiscent of holiday gifts and all things merry. It only helps that this sweater is super soft to the touch!

Urban Outfitters

3. Out From Under Catching Feelings Fairisle Print Cropped Pullover

This sweet holiday sweater has an adorable reindeer design along the front, so it's instantly going to fit in for any holiday party. You can also snag the pair of matching shorts to complete the coziness if you'd rather stay in.

Urban Outfitters

4. BDG Stella Star Graphic Oversized Pullover Sweater

With this sweater, you'll literally be a star. The color palette challenges holiday tradition in the best way, though you could totally make it a better fit for a party with a black mini skirt, tights, and metallic boots.

Anthropologie

5. Maeve Faux-Fur Collar Cropped Cardigan Sweater

Oh, so fancy! This cardi's collar is lined with faux fur to make it feel ultra-luxe. Layer it over your best party dress, and voila!

Nordstrom

6. ASTR the Label Velvet Bow Cardigan

Bring on more bows, please! This tie-up cardigan secures with two oversized velvet bows that speak to the holiday season flawlessly.

Gap Factory

7. Gap Factory Peanuts Relaxed Gap Logo Sweatshirt

Snoopy is truly a holiday icon, especially in his dramatic puffer jacket. Don the famous dog on this cozy sweatshirt – it's so much cuter than an ugly Christmas sweater, plus you'll earn mega compliments (everyone loves Snoop!) wearing it.

Free People

8. Free People Festive Frost Sweater

This fuzzy sweater is downright festive, thanks to the traditional stripes across the top half. We love it because it still leans very 'holiday,' but isn't explicitly so, since the color palette isn't just reds and greens.

Nordstrom

9. Vinyl Icons Martini Embellished Off The Shoulder Graphic Fleece Sweatshirt

Espresso martinis are a hallmark of the holiday season, and you simply can't change our minds on that. Get playful with your holiday sweater selection with this design that evokes a happy hour at any time of day, especially on a holiday break away from school or work!

Free People

10. We The Free Flower Patch Sweater

You'll be able to get a lot of wear out of this sweet red sweater around the holidays! The slouchy fit is ideal for pairing with even more winter layers to stay warm.

American Eagle

11. American Eagle Whoa So Soft Oversized Grinch Holiday Sweater

With Christmas' favorite villain on it, this super-soft sweater will always be in style around the holidays.

Subscribe to our newsletter for more holiday outfit ideas!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

Hold Up, Did Rebecca Yarros' First 'Onxy Storm' Excerpt Just Tease Violet Sorrengail's True Identity?

Fans of Fourth Wing are on pins and needles because Rebecca Yarros just announced she's finished writing the third book in the Empyrean series! It's us, we're fans — along with over half of BookTok.

We can't believe we're getting closer to reading more about Violet Sorrengail's journey, but we know you have a ton of burning questions about the release date for Book No. 3.

We may not have all the answers, but we've done a little digging to share as much as we can because who doesn't want to know what Rebecca Yarros has been up to?

I'm new to the Empyrean series. Are "Fourth Wing" and "Iron Flame" really worth reading?

Amazon

I'm not going to lie to you. The editorial team, including myself, are extremely biased about Fourth Wingand Iron Flame. From my perspective, I think these are great books for anyone who had the pleasure of growing up during the great Harry Potter era and moved on to watchingGame of Thrones and House of Dragons.

Did she announce the name of book no. 3?

Rebecca Yarros/Instagram

YES! Book No. 3 is titled Oynx Storm.

Knowing what we do about the manifestation of Violet's powers, I think this could hint she's going to play an even larger role in the series. According to a fan theory shared on TikTok(via Empyrean Riders), it's believed that Violet and Xaden Riorson are actually gods. Stay with me here.

Empyrean Riders noted that Violet's last name means heavenly and that she's able to control time thanks to her connection to the young dragon Andarna (I love her so much!). That sounds pretty god-like to me.

And when asked which two Taylor Swift songs describe Onyx Storm, Rebecca Yarros chose "Who's Afraid of Little Old Me?" from The Tortured Poets Department and "So It Goes..." from Reputation. "Who's Afraid of Little Old Me?" is one of Taylor's most powerful songs and definitely translates the idea that Violet's powers are going to be stronger than ever, while "So It Goes..." is equal parts suspense and seduction, and is TOTALLY about "all the pieces fall right into place" to get together with the right person.

There's so much more to unpack so I suggest grabbing a yummy snack while you fall down the rabbit hole. All I'm sure of is that Onyx Storm is going to leave our emotions in shambles just like Fourth Wing and Iron Flame did.

When did Rebecca Yarros announce she's done writing book no. 3 in the series?

Rebecca Yarros/Instagram

On June 17, Rebecca Yarros shared this image of her laptop to indicate she'd finished the third book in the Empyrean series.

She wrote, "(Pic from one of the very many locations in which this book was written)," towards the end of the caption before adding a few relevant hashtags to it.

When will Onxy Storm be available for purchase?

Rebecca Yarros/Instagram

Rebecca Yarros exclusively told Good Morning America that fans can expect the book to hit shelves January 21, 2025! That gives us a little over six months to prepare our emotions for what's sure to be a storm of a book.

She said, "There will be politics, new adventures, old enemies and of course, dragons." There's no way she could forget the dragons because I'd willingly riot over them. They deserve to have their stories told forever.

As luck would have it, Cosmopolitan received an exciting first look at what's to come in Onyx Storm. The excerpt begins with Violet realizing the Venin have found their way into Basgiath War College and are wreaking havoc. Alongside Rhiannon, Sawyer, and Ridoc, she races to stop the Venin from releasing Jack Barlowe from his prison cell.

However, Violet's shocked when she discovered one of the "dark wielders" has a long silver braid that closely resembles her own. Before she can fully react, the woman disappears. According to Screen Rant, there are possible theories about why Violet saw her and what this means for her growing power.

Towards the end of the excerpt, Violet discovers the Venin want to capture her too. Also, Xaden makes his long-awaited appearance and it's clear their playful banter in the face of danger hasn't changed. That he hasn't fully changed into the Venin Violet's used to seeing.

I officially can't wait to read the rest of the book in January!

Has Rebecca Yarros revealed the cover for Onyx Storm?

Today/Bree Archer, Elizabeth Turner Stokes for Entangled Publishing

Onyx Storm

Yes!

TODAY received an exclusive look at the cover for Onyx Storm and it doesn't disappoint! Unlike its predecessors, it appears Rebecca Yarros is hinting that darker events will take place.

Fans of the Empyrean series aren't the only ones who are excited to see what fate has in store for our favorite characters though. In a statement to TODAY, Rebecca revealed how elated she is to be working on the series again. "It's amazing to be back with these characters again. She also said, ""I can't wait for readers to see what Violet, Xaden, and the rest of the quadrant have in store for them in Onyx Storm!"

Are you excited for the release of Onyx Storm? Follow us on Facebook for more entertainment news!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

This post has been updated.

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42 Early Black Friday Deals You Can Start Shopping Now

Black Friday will be here before you know it, with thousands of retailers flaunting their best deals of the year. We're shoppers at heart, so you know we're already scoping out 2024's offerings! Given that the list of stores and brands hosting Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales this year is essentially endless, we're weeding out only the best deals from the places you love to spend (and save).

From beauty faves like Dieux and Kiehl's to home goods from Amazon and Walmart, these are the Black Friday deals you simply can't miss.

What is Black Friday?

Kaboompics / PEXELS

Black Friday is the Friday after Thanksgiving that typically signifies the start of holiday shopping season, though many retailers have started to launch their Black Friday deals earlier year over year. A lot of the deals that stores and brands offer during Black Friday outpace their other sales events (such as Memorial Day and Labor Day) in terms of savings.

When is Black Friday 2024?

Gustavo Fring / PEXELS

Black Friday will land on November 29, 2024.

What is Cyber Monday?

Cottonbro Studio / PEXELS

Cyber Monday is the Monday after Thanksgiving that highlights savings and deals online as opposed to in-store offers. It's one of the busiest times of year for online shopping.

When is Cyber Monday 2024?

Anna Shvets / PEXELS

Cyber Monday will land on December 2, 2024.

When's the best time to shop for holiday gifts?

Vlada Karpovich / PEXELS

We're big believers that it's never too early to start shopping for holiday gifts. The sooner you shop, the better, so you can check everyone off your list ahead of the busy holiday season and have some peace of mind once the real festivities start! Plus, if you're shopping online, starting early gives you ample time to wait for items to be shipped and delivered to your door. If deals and savings are what you're looking for, Black Friday and Cyber Monday offer some really great opportunities.

What's the best thing to shop for during Black Friday and Cyber Monday?

Kaboompics / PEXELS

The best thing to shop for during Black Friday deals and Cyber Monday promotions really depends on what your needs are as well as the items you're scoping out to treat yourself (or the people you're gifting for the holidays). Typically, big-ticket items like home appliances, tech products like earbuds, laptops, TVs, and tablets, and luxury self-care tools are heavily discounted during this time.

Beauty Sales

Amazon

Bliss Bright Idea Vitamin C + Tri-Peptide Collagen Brightening Serum

Bliss

When: November 20-December 17

What: 20-30% off select products

Ulta

Perricone MD High Potency Hyaluronic Intensive Hydrating Serum

Ulta

When: Now-November 23

What: Weekly deals on skincare, makeup, hair care, and fragrance.

IT Cosmetics

IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream Full-Coverage Foundation with SPF 50+

IT Cosmetics

When: November 23-December 3

What: 30% off sitewide (loyalty members get 35% off)

Amazon

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream

Kiehl's

When: November 21-December 2

What: 30% off site-wide and 50% off select items on November 26 only

Amazon

Lanolips Baby Baby Balms Set

Lanolips

When: November 29-December 2

What: 30% off at Ulta and 20% off on Amazon

Moroccanoil

Moroccanoil Original Treatment

Moroccanoil

When: November 25-December 3 (rewards members will have early access to the sale on December 2)

What: 25% off sitewide

NOYZ

NOYZ Love Club Eau De Parfum

NOYZ

When: November 28-30 and December 1-2

What: 25% off sitewide and a free baseball cap on purchases over $55 on November 28-30, 25% off sitewide and a free candle on purchases over $55 on December 1-2

dpHUE

dpHUE Gloss+

dpHUE

When: November 3-15

What: 25% off sitewide

Dieux

Dieux Baptism Gel Cleanser

Dieux

When: November 29-December 2

What: 30% off original price items, 20% off single items, and a free Mini Slugging Kit on orders over $30

ILIA

ILIA Skin Rewind Complexion Stick

ILIA

When: November 25-December 2, VIP members get early access November 24

What: 20% off sitewide, 25% off orders over $125, and 25% off plus a free full-size product for orders over $150

Ogee

Ogee Tinted Lip Set

Ogee

When: November 1-December 3

What: 20% off sitewide with code 'GIFTGLOW20' and receive free deluxe samples with purchases over $200 (November 28-December 3 only)

Amazon

Youth To The People Superfood Facial Cleanser

Youth To The People

When: November 23-December 3 on YTTP.com, November 21-December 2 on Amazon, and December 2 at Sephora

What:

YTTP: 30% off sitewide plus a free 3-piece gift with purchases over $85
Amazon: 20% off select products through November 27, 30% off select products starting November 28
Sephora: 30% off all products in-store and online

Hero

Hero Blemish Bestsellers Kit

Hero

When: November 25-December 2

What: 20% off sitewide

Amazon

Briogeo Don't Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask

Briogeo

When: November 20-December 2 on Briogeo's site, November 28 at Sephora and Kohl's, November 28-December 2 on Amazon, and December 2 at Ulta and Target

What: up to 30% off products

Ulta

Origins GinZing SPF 40 Energy-Boosting Tinted Moisturizer

Origins

When: November 24-30 at Ulta

What: 40% off moisturizers and 30% off cleansers

Fashion Sales

Amazon

Dream Pairs Genuine Suede Classic Platform Boots

Dream Pairs

When: November 21-December 2

What: 20-40% off select styles on the Dream Pairs site and Amazon

Madewell

Madewell The Essential Bucket Tote

Madewell

When: November 21-27

What: 30% off your purchase, including new arrivals

H&M

H&M Brushed-Finish Jacket

H&M

When: November 28-December 1

What: 30% off online only (November 28), 30% off online and in-store (November 29-30), and up to 50% off (November 30-December 1)

Old Navy

Old Navy '94 Half Zip

Old Navy

When: November 1-December 2

What: 50% off select products online and in-store (November 1-6), 50% off everything online and in-store (November 7-10), and 50% off everything online only and 50% off select products in-store (November 27-December 2)

Land's End

Land's End Medium Canvas Tote Bag

Land's End

When: November 29-December 3

What: 50% off, including customizable canvas totes, sheets, towels, accessories and more.

Showpo

Showpo Jondra Blouse

Showpo

When: November 22-December 3

What:

Black Friday early access (November 22-24): 25% off sitewide
Black Friday (November 27-29): 25% off sitewide
Cyber Weekend (November 30-December 1): 25% off almost everything and 40% off bestsellers
Cyber Monday (December 2-3): 25% off almost everything and 40% off bestsellers

Franco Sarto

Franco Sarto Jaxon Mid Calf Boot

Franco Sarto

When: November 23-December 3

What: Up to 70% off + free shipping

Oomiay

Oomiay Havasu Earrings

Oomiay

When: November 28-December 2

What: Free exclusive jewelry pieces (up to 5) with every item purchased on November 28-December 1 and up to 50% off your entire order on December 2 only

Barefoot Dreams

Barefoot Dreams CozyChic Solid Robe

Barefoot Dreams

When: November 27-December 1 (Black Friday VIP access starts November 25) and December 2-3 (for Cyber Monday)

What: 20% off 2 items, 25% off 3 items, and 30% off 4 or more items for Black Friday. The CozyChic Checks & Stripes Sock Set will be just $9.98 (was $45) on Cyber Monday only.

Local Eclectic

Local Eclectic Whimsical Charm Necklace

Local Eclectic

When: November 25-December 2

What: 20% off sitewide

Quince

Quince Italian Wool Classic Single-Breasted Coat

Quince

When: November 27-December 2

What: 40% off select products

Athleta

Athleta Aire Puffer Jacket

Athleta

When: November 27-December 1

What: 30% off sitewide

Home Sales

Revival Rugs

Revival Rugs Gambit Rug

Revival Rugs

When: November 14-December 2

What: Scaled discounts automatically applied at checkout:

15% off $250-500
20% off $500-999
25% off $1,000-1,999
30% off $2000+

Walmart

Samsung 55” Crystal UHD 4K Smart TV

Walmart

When: November 11-December 1

What: Walmart is breaking up their Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals into two events.

Event 1 deals begin online on November 11 at 12 p.m. ET exclusively for paid Walmart+ members and 5 p.m. ET for all customers.
Event 1 deals begin in stores on November 15 at 6 a.m. local time.
Event 2 deals begin online on November 25 at 12 p.m. ET exclusively for paid Walmart+ members and 5 p.m. ET for all customers.
Event 2 deals begin in stores November 29 at 6 a.m. local time.
Cyber Monday deals start online on December 1 at 5 p.m. ET exclusively for paid Walmart+ members and 8 p.m. ET for all customers.

Amazon

TheraGun Sense Percussion Massage Gun

Amazon

When: November 29 and December 2 (tentative)

What: Amazon will feature "tons of great deals across all different categories."

Brookstone

Loftie Sunrise Lamp

Brookstone

When: November 25-December 4

What: Up to 76% off select items

Ruggable

Morris & Co. Strawberry Thief Sage & Rose Tufted Rug

Ruggable

When: Starting November 26

What: 25% off sitewide (exclusions apply) with code 'BF24'

Brümate

Brümate Era 40-Ounce Tumbler

Brümate

When: November 26-December 2

What: 20% off coolers and 25% off drinkware with code 'HOLIDAY25'

sproos!

sproos! Lookin Good Handheld Shower System

sproos!

When: November 27-December 2

What: 30% off of the Lookin' Good Bundle on sproos.co and Amazon

Great Jones

Great Jones x Fellow Kettle

Great Jones

When: November 4-December 2 on Great Jones site and November 21-December on Amazon

What: up to 50% off sitewide and 20-33% off select items on Amazon

Amazon

Contigo x Ally Love Stainless Steel Vacuum-Insulated Tumbler

Contigo

When: November 21-December 2

What: 25% off the Contigo x Ally Love Collection

Parachute Home

Parachute Home Percale Sheet Bundle

Parachute Home

When: November 23-December 3

What: 30% off sitewide

Anecdote Candles

Anecdote Candles Holiday Host Bundle

Anecdote Candles

When: November 20-24 and November 29-December 2

What: 25% off everything from November 20-24 and up to 40% off (20% off any order, 25% off orders over $100, 30% off orders over $150, up to 40% off bundles) plus a free wick trimmer with purchases over $90 on November 29-December 2

Fracture

Fracture Large Rectangle Glass Print

Fracture

When: November 14- December 1 and December 2-3

What: 30% off sitewide plus free shipping for orders over $150 on November 14- December 1 and 30% off sitewide plus free shipping for orders over $150 and 35% off orders over $275 on December 2-3

Food + Supplement Sales

Cure

Cure Electrolyte Drink Mix Starter Kit

Cure

When: November 26-December 3

What: 25% off sitewide on all Electrolyte Drink Mixes, Cure Kids, Energy Teas and merch with code 'HELPYOURSELF25'

Ritual

Ritual Essential, Gut & Skin Trio for Women

Ritual

When: November 13-December 2

What: 40% off all products for new customers and 40% off all new subscriptions only

More Sales

Petco

Native Pet Omega 3 Fish Oil For Dog Skin & Coat

Petco

When: November 23-30

What: 50% off select items

Subscribe to our newsletter to shop even more Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

This post has been updated.

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WHICH Movie Had Kate Winslet "Sh—ing" Herself?!

Kate Winslet is THE Hollywood actress to me. Not only has she starred in box office smashes like Titanic and Avatar: Way of Water, but she's proven her acting chops in breakout indie flicks and provided mothers and daughters everywhere with eternal Christmas movie nights thanks to The Holiday. But the actress' consistently viral kindness, her dedication to embracing her natural beauty, and her sophistication don't mean she always feels confident. Kate Winslet just spilled on the one movie from her career that had her "sh—ing" herself, and I just had to dive in.

Here's what Kate Winslet had to say about her scariest movie experience ever.

Kate Winslet made a name for herself with Titanic, Sense & Sensibility, and The Holiday.
However those movies aren't the film she wants fans to ask about!
The actress spills on the movies she's proud of, and the one job that had her "sh—ing myself."

Talking to Vanity Fair for her newest film Lee, Kate Winslet revealed one project she wishes fans asked about more is Iris. The 2001 film stars Kate as a young Iris Murdoch against Judi Dench's older counterpart. And for Kate, nothing was more terrifying than working with such a wonderful actress.

"People don’t really ask me about Iris. It’s such a delicate film," she says. "It was the first thing I had done after having my daughter. Going to work with a baby, I’m playing Iris Murdoch, looking to Judi Dench’s older Iris Murdoch — I was sh—ting myself."

Considering how nervous I get when I meet my heroes, I can only imagine what it was like to meet Dame Judi Dench. Talk about a dream! Another film Kate loves is Revolutionary Road, and not just because she got to reunite with Leonardo DiCaprio.

"The thing that people say is, 'You got to work with Leo again.' Then they go off on the whole Leo tangent, which I totally understand," she says of the film, which follows an ambitious couple who find themselves trapped in the reality of 1950s suburbia. "But Revolutionary Road — f—king hell, it just knocked us all sideways. Unbelievably difficult material. I was very proud of that film and what Leo and I were able to create as Frank and April. It was so brutal."

The process for getting Lee into the world sounds equally brutal, considering Kate started working on it over a decade ago. As producer, Kate tells Vanity Fair she doesn't mind the fact she's done more for the film than if she only had an acting credit. "That has felt very necessary for this film. But it’s also just really important to me," she says. "It’s important to me that people know that it’s out there and might feel compelled to go and see it."

Because it turns out, commercial success or stardom on its own doesn't actually help your movie get made! "It doesn’t matter who you are," she says. "No one’s going to go, 'Oh, I’ll just back that pony because she was in Titanic.' It doesn’t happen that way, and I never expected that. That’s really important to say."

"I've gotten older and I’ve learned more and felt more confident in myself about whether or not I could actually do it," she adds. "It’s not something I would’ve done had I not felt so passionately about the subject, and Lee was just—she wouldn’t let me go."

Let us know your favorite Kate Winslet movies in the comments, and since we've officially entered cozy season, check out Why The Holiday Movie Ending Is The Most Important Scene while you're at it!

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Here's A New Look At Florence Pugh's Return As Yelena Belova

Marvel movies are known for their heroes and their hopeful outlook on the world. But in 2025, we're getting a brand new team: the Thunderbolts. This team is made up of antiheroes and former villains, and it's sure to be the wackiest and strangest, as well as one of the most memorable, superhero movies we've seen in recent years.

Keep reading for the latest news on Thunderbolts* before it hits theaters in 2025.

Marvel Studios/YouTube

Thunderbolts* comes out this May, and the cast just showed off some brand new footage at the D23 convention — and thanks to the new 'Celebrating 85 Years' spot, we have the first look too!

We get a look at Bucky Barnes, The Red Guardian, John Walker, and Ghost. Plus, Yelena Belova, of course. This heartbreaking detail about Yelena's new look connects Florence Pugh's Yelena to Scarlett Johansson's Natashaand I'm WEEPING.

Marvel Studios/Walt Disney Studios

And at D23 Brazil, we got a brand new look at my new favorite team. "There’s something in this film, in terms of superpowers and superheroes, that shows that our superpowers lie in how ‘broken’ we are," David Harbour said at the event. "As if our superpowers came from our relationships.”

What is the plot of Thunderbolts?

Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney

Thunderbolts* Plot

Consider Thunderbolts* to be The Avengers' edgy younger sibling. The movie follows Yelena Belova (who we know off the bat is a "depressed assassin" thanks to a Marvel Studios press release). She's joined by Bucky Barnes, The Red Guardian, and John Walker. Based on a leak, it looks like we'll see this group of misfits team up against Valentina Allegra de Fontaine after she sends them on a deadly mission.

Thunderbolts* Release Date

Jesse Grant/Disney

Thunderbolts* Release Date

Thunderbolts* hits theaters May 2, 2025.

Who's on the Thunderbolts team?

Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney

Thunderbolts* Cast

Thunderbolts* stars Florence Pugh, Geraldine Viswanathan, Lewis Pullman, Hannah John-Kamen, Wyatt Russell, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Sebastian Stan, and David Harbour.

This is a huge cast, and Viswanathan just revealed how crazy the first day of filming was. “My first day didn’t feel real," she tells Vanity Fair. "I felt this extra pressure of, ‘Know your lines, babe. You can’t really play around like you usually do.’"

Historically, sci-fi fans haven't been kind to actresses in their favorite projects (remember when Star Wars fans bullied Kelly Marie Tran off social media?). But Viswanathan is already thinking ahead. “If it’s overwhelming, I’ll log off. But I like discourse around pop culture,” she says. “[Thunderbolts*] felt a little bit edgier and fresher, more existential and dark.”

Jesse Grant/Disney

The rest of the cast also enjoyed working together. “Everyone is going to f—kin’ love me! It’s really, really, really fun to be with a group of actors that you have a good time with," Wyatt Russell says at Comic Con (via Variety), while David Harbour adds, “Florence Pugh [is] just electric to work with. There’s warmth and humor, but there’s also a lot of pathos.”

“This is why we can't stop laughing together, because we genuinely just had such a wonderful time with each other and we've loved working with one another," Pugh tells People. “I feel like this is something that we've never seen before from Marvel...it's a very open and honest and truthful idea. And I'm just really excited for people to watch it.”

Are you excited for this brand new chapter in the MCU? I really feel like Thunderbolts* will usher in a whole new generation of fans and I, for one, CANNOT WAIT! Let us know your thoughts on Facebook.

Lead images via Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney

This post has been updated.

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