New look at Ana de Armas in the ‘John Wick’ spin-off ‘BALLERINA’

Welcome back to What's Popular Now!

Another week, another edition of What's Popular Now! Get ready for a weekly deep dive into the world of pop culture, trending topics, and lifestyle essentials.

TRENDING THIS WEEK

In the Spotlight: Must-Read This Week

‘Shrek 5’ and ‘Ice Age 6’ Both Set for December 2026

Get ready for a festive double feature! Shrek 5 is scheduled to release on December 23, 2026, bringing back Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, and Cameron Diaz. Meanwhile, Ice Age 6 will hit theaters earlier that month, on December 18, continuing the beloved prehistoric adventures of Manny, Sid, and Diego. Fans of both franchises can expect a holiday season packed with animated fun!

First Trailer for The King of Kings Released, Starring Oscar Isaac as Jesus Christ

The first trailer for The King of Kings, an animated film featuring Oscar Isaac as Jesus Christ, has been unveiled. Directed by Seong-ho Jang, the movie reimagines the life of Jesus through the lens of Charles Dickens, voiced by Kenneth Branagh. Set to release on April 11, 2025, just in time for Easter, the film boasts an impressive voice cast, including Uma Thurman, Mark Hamill, and Pierce Brosnan. This unique take promises to captivate audiences with its blend of faith and storytelling.

First Trailer for the Live-Action ‘Until Dawn’ Movie Rated and Ready for Release

The highly anticipated live-action Until Dawn movie, directed by David F. Sandberg (Lights Out, Shazam!), is set to hit theaters on April 25, 2025. Produced by Screen Gems and PlayStation Productions, the film introduces a fresh storyline in the Until Dawn universe, featuring new characters while retaining the chilling essence of the original game. The ensemble cast includes Ella Rubin, Michael Cimino, and Peter Stormare, reprising his role as Dr. Alan J. Hill. Fans are eagerly awaiting the trailer, which is rated and ready for release.

POP CULTURE HIGHLIGHTS

Music

• ‘SOUR’ by Olivia Rodrigo becomes the first female album in history to surpass 14 BILLION streams on Spotify. [Listen to the album]

• ‘Blinding Lights’ by The Weeknd is the biggest Hot 100 song of the 21st century so far, according to Billboard.

Entertainment

• New clip from a musical sequence in ‘BETTER MAN’, a biopic starring a CGI monkey as Robbie Williams.

  Directed by ‘The Greatest Showman’ director Michael Gracey.

• Christopher Nolan’s ‘THE ODYSSEY’ will have a $250M budget, one of his most expensive films ever.

• New look at Ana de Armas in the ‘John Wick’ spin-off ‘BALLERINA’

  

Sports

• Machenzie Dern becomes the first to submit Amanda Ribas

  

  Gif by ufc on Giphy

• WatchMojo ranks the Top 20 greatest WWE entrance songs ever:

  #1. Stone Cold Steve Austin — ‘I Won’t Do What You Tell Me’

  #2. Hulk Hogan — ‘Real American’

  #3. The Rock — ‘Electrifying’

  #4. John Cena — ‘The Time Is Now’

  #5. Shawn Michaels — ‘Sexy Boy’

  #6. D-Generation X — ‘Are You Ready?’

  #7. Randy Orton — ‘Voices’

  #8. Chris Jericho — ‘Break The Walls Down’

  #9. Batista — ‘I Walk Alone’

  #10. Triple H — ‘The Game’

  #11. Kurt Angle — ‘Medal’

  #12. Edge — ‘Metalingus’

  #13. Cody Rhodes — ‘Kingdom’

  #14. The Undertaker — ‘Rest In Peace’

  #15. Kane — ‘Burned’

  #16. Roman Reigns — ‘Head of the Table’

  #17. CM Punk — ‘Cult of Personality’

  #18. Seth Rollins — ‘Visionary’

  #19. Evolution — ‘Line in the Sand’

  #20. Rey Mysterio — ‘Booyaka 619’

Gaming

• ‘MARVEL RIVALS’ has reached a new all-time high player count of almost 550K on Steam.

  

  Gif by xbox on Giphy

QUICK QUIZ

What’s the name of Peter Quill’s ship in Guardians of the Galaxy?
A) The Milano
B) The Benatar
C) The Starblaster
D) The Ravager

(Scroll down for the answer!)

LIFESTYLE

The Science of Smiling: How it Impacts Your Mental Health

Ever wonder why a simple smile can brighten your day? Science reveals that smiling isn't just a reflection of happiness—it can actively improve your mental health and overall well-being.

When you smile, your brain releases a cocktail of feel-good chemicals like dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins. These natural mood boosters help reduce stress, combat anxiety, and even alleviate mild pain. What’s more, studies show that the act of smiling, even when you’re not feeling particularly happy, can trick your brain into a more positive state. This is called the "facial feedback hypothesis," proving that your facial muscles can influence your emotions.

Smiling is also contagious! When you smile at someone, they’re likely to smile back, creating a ripple effect of positivity. It strengthens social bonds, builds trust, and fosters a sense of connection—key ingredients for mental well-being.

Here’s a fun challenge: Try smiling more during your day, even when you’re alone. Whether it’s watching a funny video or simply recalling a happy memory, let your smile work its magic. After all, it’s the easiest and most accessible way to give your mental health a quick lift. 😊

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"Do not wait for the perfect moment. Take the moment and make it perfect." 

Life is full of opportunities, but waiting for everything to align perfectly often leads to missed chances. This quote reminds us to embrace the present, take action, and make the most of what we have right now. Perfection isn’t about timing—it’s about what we create with the time we have.