Almost 50 million Americans on alert for severe weather outbreak in Plains, Midwest

A severe weather threat is shifting back to parts of Kansas and Oklahoma on Saturday after damaging winds, hail and tornadoes impacted the region over the past week.

A level 4 of 5 "moderate risk" has been added for southeast Oklahoma, including Ada and McAlester, for the potential for very large hail (larger than baseballs), strong tornadoes, and damaging winds.

A level 3 of 5 "enhanced risk" is up for northeastern Oklahoma and far eastern Arkansas, including Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Broken Bow and Enid, in Oklahoma, and Fort Smith, Arkansas.

Damaging winds and very large hail are the primary threats with these storms, but a few tornadoes, some potentially strong, cannot be ruled out with these storms.

This will be a later day event, with storms not likely to begin firing off until after at least 3:00 p.m. CT. Once storms get going, the atmosphere will be very favorable for discrete storms to intensify across eastern Oklahoma going into the evening hours.

Storms will continue to fire off during the evening up to just after sunset and will continue through the overnight hours across eastern Oklahoma, far northeast Texas and western Arkansas.

Beginning Sunday, a potent storm system will form southeast of the Rockies and swing northeast across the Plains, bringing more severe weather to the Plains on Sunday before the severe weather threat spreads northeast and stretches into the Midwest on Monday.

Almost 50 million Americans will be on alert for severe storms on Sunday or Monday – almost 8 million for Sunday, and almost 40 million for Monday.

For Sunday, a level 3 of 5 "enhanced risk" is up for much of Kansas as well as portions of western Missouri, including Wichita and Kansas City. Tornadoes, some being strong, as well as damaging winds and large hail are all possible with storms in this area.

A level 2 of 5 "slight risk" is also up for parts of northern Texas, northwestern Arkansas, western Missouri, far southwest Iowa, southern Nebraska, most of Oklahoma and much of the remaining areas of Kansas.

Like Saturday, severe storms will likely not begin firing off until the late afternoon. When storms do get going though during the evening, the atmosphere will be favorable for discrete thunderstorms to grow and intensify, producing tornadoes (some possibly strong), damaging winds and large hail.

For Monday, the severe weather threat spreads northeast and stretches from the lower Mississippi River valley up to the Midwest for Monday. A level 3 of 5 "enhanced risk" is up for cities like St. Louis; Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Jonesboro, Arkansas; Evansville, Indiana; Paducah, Kentucky; and Rockford, Illinois.

A level 2 of 5 "slight risk" is up for cities like Memphis; Louisville, Kentucky; Chicago; South Bend, Indiana; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and Mason City, IIowa.

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While there is some uncertainty in exact timing and setup with Monday's storms, the potential for tornadoes with some being strong, as well as widespread damaging wind gusts, large hail, and spotty flash flooding is increasing for Monday for these areas.

With any discrete supercell thunderstorms that form and maintain themselves in this atmosphere, the "tornadic potential could maximize, with a few long track, particularly damaging tornadoes possible," according to the NWS Storm Prediction Center.

This will likely be a late afternoon and evening setup regardless, with discrete storms or clusters of storms tracking in a line from Milwaukee and Chicago down to St. Louis and into northern Arkansas around the evening commute on Monday.

These storms will sweep east into the overnight hours, with Indianapolis; Paducah, Kentucky; and Memphis likely seeing storms later in the evening.

This storm system will also bring heavy rain to the central U.S., with some of it possibly falling in a short time with the heaviest storms. Because of this, isolated flash flooding is possible with these storms into the new week.

Heavy rain will also come to the Great Lakes on Monday, which could reinvigorate the flood risk given how saturated the ground still is from the historic rainfall from a few weeks ago combined with rapid snowmelt.

For Tuesday, we can see the severe weather threat shift to parts of the South as this potent system continues to move east. Places like Memphis; Little Rock, Arkansas; Tyler, Texas; Shreveport, Louisiana; and Jackson, Mississippi, will have to watch for potential severe weather later in the day.

Some showers, humidity in the Southeast

The drought in the Southeast continues to worsen as two wildfires continue to burn in southeast Georgia.

Some rounds of rain and possibly isolated thunderstorms will move into the region later today and late Monday into Tuesday, with each round bringing around 0.5 to 1 inch of rain.

The rain will not tame the wildfires alone, especially if it doesn't fall directly where the fires are. If there are any isolated thunderstorms, there is the chance that lightning could ignite additional wildfires in the already dry region.

However, the increased humidities and any rain that does fall on the fires this weekend into early next week will help with controlling ongoing fires and quickly manage any new fires if any should occur.

The rain will not make much of a dent on the drought situation across the region. For example, Georgia needs between 12 and 18 inches of rainfall to end the current drought.

The two notable fires in southeast Georgia, the Pineland Road Fire and the Highway 82 Brantley County Fire, continue to burn.

Meanwhile, the fire threat will be in the southern High Plains this weekend. Parts of Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, as well as the panhandles of Texas and Oklahoma are under fire weather alerts this weekend.

byAdministrator

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April 25, 2026

Almost 50 million Americans on alert for severe weather outbreak in Plains, Midwest

A severe weather threat is shifting back to parts of Kansas and Oklahoma on Saturday after damaging winds, hail and tornadoes impacted ...

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Trump Rushed Off Stage After Shots Fired at White House Correspondents Dinner

President Donald Trump was rushed out of theWhite House Correspondents’ Association(WHCA) dinner on Saturday evening after gunshots were heard in the vicinity of the event.

Video of the incident at the Washington Hilton hotel in Washington, D.C. showed Secret Service agents running onto the stage where the president was sitting, while many of the roughly 2,600 attendees took cover under their tables.

CNN’s Wolf Blitzer witnessed a gunman fire what he described as a "very serious weapon" at least six times from a few feet away.

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Read more:'We Are Not Fake News': Journalists Toast Freedom of the Press at Dinner

A TIME journalist attending the event said Secret Service agents ran through the crowd and appeared to take Trump Administration cabinet members to safety. After a few minutes, someone came on to the stage to tell the crowd that the event would resume shortly.

Trump said onTruth Socialshortly after the shooting that the shooter had been "apprehended" and praised law enforcement.

"Quite an evening in D.C. Secret Service and Law Enforcement did a fantastic job. They acted quickly and bravely," he wrote. "The shooter has been apprehended, and I have recommended that we 'LET THE SHOW GO ON' but, will entirely be guided by Law Enforcement. They will make a decision shortly."

The WHCA dinner is an annual event for White House staff and the press, typically featuring comedy and a satirical speech from the president.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

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April 25, 2026

Trump Rushed Off Stage After Shots Fired at White House Correspondents Dinner

President Donald Trump was rushed out of theWhite House Correspondents’ Association(WHCA) dinner on Saturday evening after gunshots wer...

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Iran war drives UK inflation up to 3.3% in major blow for Reeves

UK inflation rose in March, latest figures released on Wednesday have revealed, in a clear sign ofthe impactof the economy from the Iran-US war.

The latest data is the first from the Office for National Statistics to include elevated petrol and diesel costs since the start of the conflict. Prices have gone up as result of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz shipping corridor.

The ONS figures showed Consumer Prices Index inflation rose 3.3 per cent in the year to March, up from 3 per cent in February.

The increase marks a blow for Chancellor Rachel Reeves, who made cutting the cost of living her number one priority. Research by the Resolution Foundationhas foundthe average household will be £480 worse off this year due to increased energy costs.

In response, Ms Reeves said the Iran crisis was “not our war, but it is pushing up bills for families and businesses”.

She continued: “That’s why it’s my number one priority to keep costs down.

“Our economic plan is the right one and has put us in a stronger position to support families in the face of this new crisis.”

Pointing to measures announced before the conflict she said: “We’ve taken £117 off energy bills, frozen rail fares and protected motorists with the fuel duty freeze.

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“We’re acting to protect people from unfair price rises if they occur to bring down food prices at the till, and are boosting long-term energy security — building a stronger, more secure economy.”

The rise in inflation also means the Bank of England is unlikely to cutinterest ratesany time soon. Before theIranwar, it had signalled that it might cut rates two or three times this year from the present 3.75 per cent.

That would have led to cheaper new mortgages and lower borrowing costs for businesses.

The news on inflation comes amid fears the a further escalation in the Middle East conflict could also impact government borrowing.

The influential Resolution Foundation has found that a “severe but plausible scenario”, in which the conflict intensifies and delivers the largest hits to the economy, would result in Government borrowing increasing by £16 billion a year in 2029-30.

RAC data from Thursday 16 April showed that the average price of a litre of petrol at UK forecourts was 158.1p, 25p more expensive than when the war began on February 28.

The average price of a litre of diesel sits at 191.2p, up 49p compared with the start of the war.

Economists at Oxford Economics said they expect the rise in pump prices to add between 0.2 and 0.3 percentage points to the rate of inflation in March.

This is a breaking story - more to follow

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April 25, 2026

Iran war drives UK inflation up to 3.3% in major blow for Reeves

UK inflation rose in March, latest figures released on Wednesday have revealed, in a clear sign ofthe impactof the economy from the Ira...

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Brian McKnight Sues Ex-Wife and Son Over 'Damning' Claims He 'Refused' to Tell Son Niko He Loved Him Before His Death

Brian McKnight alleges his ex-wife Julie and son Brian Jr. created a "sensational but false narrative" about him in various social media posts and interviews

NEED TO KNOW

• The main allegation hinges on his reaction to the death of his son Niko, 32, last year

• McKnight is suing for defamation, emotional distress and more, citing damage to his reputation and financial losses

Brian McKnighthas filed a defamation suit against his ex-wife Julie,son Brian Jr.and more, alleging that they took advantage of hisson Niko's deathin order to create a “sensational but false narrative” that the singer was a “cruel” father who abandoned his family.

The Grammy-nominated singer, 56, filed a lawsuit in Georgia on Tuesday, April 21, claiming Julie, Brian Jr., and several news outlets and interviewers profited off a “tragic family death” and committed “malicious character assassination,” according to the documents, which were obtained by PEOPLE.

McKnight's filing focuses largely on claims made by Julie and Brian Jr. that the singer did not tell his estranged son Niko that he loved him before Niko died of cancer in May 2025 at age 32.

“Defendant Julie McKnight… asserted that their son repeatedly told Plaintiff ‘I love you' during the call while Plaintiff refused to reciprocate, thereby portraying Plaintiff as emotionally cruel and indifferent toward his terminally ill son,” the filing says.

The complaint claims that Julie sent a voice message to McKnight asking him not to initiate contact with Niko, and he respected her wishes.

Julie, Brian Jr. and additional defendants Marc Lamont Hill, Tasha K and theNew York Postdid not immediately respond to PEOPLE's requests for comment, nor did McKnight's attorney.

The “Back at One” singer married Julie in 1989 and they were divorced in 2003. According to the complaint, the two signed a settlement agreement in 2014 that bars them each from making negative comments about the other — and he claims that Julie violated that agreement when she gave interviews to Tasha K and Marc Lamont Hill, who are both named as defendants.

McKnight's filing says conflict with his family began in 2019, when Brian Jr. shared an Instagram post implying that the singer was an absentee father.

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He claims the “narrative” surrounding his treatment of his family worsened last year, when Julie published a memoir that portrayed him as “an abusive husband and neglectful father.”

In April 2025, Julie did an interview with Tasha K, and McKnight claims that the host "actively participated” in advancing a narrative against him and also accused him of getting a teenage girl pregnant, which he denies.

Then, Julie and Brian Jr. did an interview with Hill in which they claimed McKnight “refused to communicate with his son during his final illness, refused to tell him that he loved him before his death, and emotionally abandoned him during his final days — accusations that portrayed Plaintiff as a father who withheld love and compassion from his dying child.”

McKnight described the allegation as the “most emotionally charged, damning and false accusation,” and said that Hill monetized his interview with McKnight's ex-wife and son when he posted it to YouTube and Patreon.

The claims were then picked up by outlets including the New York Post, which is listed as a defendant, and McKnight says he suffered “tangible financial loss” and a hit to his reputation.

The singer, who is also a father to other childrenincluding 2-year-old son Brianwith his wife Leilani, is suing on claims of defamation and false light invasion of privacy/disclosure, intentional infliction of emotional distress and more. He's also suing Julie alleging breach of contract.

He is seeking unspecified damages.

Read the original article onPeople

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April 24, 2026

Brian McKnight Sues Ex-Wife and Son Over 'Damning' Claims He 'Refused' to Tell Son Niko He Loved Him Before His Death

Brian McKnight alleges his ex-wife Julie and son Brian Jr. created a "sensational but false narrative" about him in various s...

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Elizabeth Smart posts bodybuilding photo, urges others to 'try new things'

Elizabeth Smart shared an image of herself competing in abodybuildingcompetition this week, saying she is proud of her accomplishments and encouraging others to try new things.

On Tuesday, the child safetyactivistand author shared a photo of herself on Instagram from a recent bodybuilding competition, explaining that it was her fourth competition and saying the experience "pushed me, challenged me not to give up."

See her transformationhere.

Elizabeth Smart recalls her abduction 2 decades ago: 'It couldn't actually be real'

"I am so proud of myself for doing this. I am so proud of my body, and I want to celebrate it," she wrote. "My body has carried me through every worst day, every hellish grueling experience, it's created and nurtured three beautiful children, my body has risen to every single challenge life has presented it with, and carried me through so I refuse to be ashamed of it."

Smart wrote that she had been "too afraid" to post the photo before, saying she was "worried that I would be judged, not taken seriously, somehow perceived as less than or now unworthy to continue work as an advocate for all survivors."

"Then this past weekend it struck me how eerily familiar these feelings and thoughts are for too many survivors," she wrote. "I think it's easy to be labeled as one thing, and honestly, that's not me nor do I think it's any of us."

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"We are more than just one topic, one idea, one label," she added.

Smart wrote that as she has grown older, she has learned "how important it is to make the most of today," and that "we don't know what tomorrow brings."

"I refuse to feel embarrassed about trying something new and am embracing my chance at life to the absolute fullest I can," she wrote. "I only hope that we all find the courage to chase new experiences, goals, bettering ourselves, and most importantly happiness."

Elizabeth Smart brings together abduction survivors in hopes of helping Jayme Closs

Smart was 14 when she waskidnappedfrom her Salt Lake City home in 2002 and held captive for nine months by Brian David Mitchell and his spouse Wanda Barzee, before ultimately being rescued in 2003. Her story drew national attention, and she has since become an advocate for child safety and survivors.

Mitchell was convicted of interstate kidnapping and unlawful transportation of a minor and is currently serving life in prison. Barzee pleaded guilty to kidnapping Smart andserved six yearsof a 15-year sentence in federal prison before being released in 2018.

Today, Smart is married and a mom of three. She is also the co-founder of the Elizabeth Smart Foundation, which advocates for sexual assault survivors, providing self-defense training and financial support, among other things.

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April 24, 2026

Elizabeth Smart posts bodybuilding photo, urges others to 'try new things'

Elizabeth Smart shared an image of herself competing in abodybuildingcompetition this week, saying she is proud of her accomplishments ...

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Reese Witherspoon Addresses Backlash to Her Support of AI: 'I Don't Believe Computers Should Replace Humanity'

Reese Witherspoon addressed the backlash she received after encouraging women to embrace AI in her Monday, April 20, Instagram Stories

NEED TO KNOW

• Witherspoon said on April 16 that she believes women should start implementing AI tools into their lives

• She later addressed public concern over her comments, highlighting the environmental and employment concerns related to the use of AI

Reese Witherspoonis responding to the criticism over her stance on artificial intelligence.

On April 16, the Oscar winner posted an Instagram video in which she said she believes women should use AI in their daily lives. “The AI revolution has begun, and I need to learn as much as I possibly can about AI and share it with all of you,” her Instagram caption read.

Witherspoon, 50, received backlash, prompting her to address the critiques in her Instagram Stories on Monday, April 20.

“Well, I guess my Al post got people talking,” she wrote atop a selfie.  “To be clear, no one is paying me to talk about this. I'm just a curious human.”

She remarked that her children “are learning about AI tools.” She shares daughterAva Phillippe, 26, and sonDeacon Phillippe, 22, with her ex-husband,,Ryan Phillippe, as well as son Tennessee Toth, 13, with her ex Jim Toth.

“I know a lot of founders who are vibe coding, and I hear about people using Al in EVERY sector of business,” she wrote.

As she continued, she shared how she wants to “acknowledge” people's concerns around AI use, which she said were "valid."

“I'm aware of the impact this could have on jobs across so many industries. I understand environmental concerns,” she wrote. The data centers used to power AI systems “drive high energy, water, and e-waste demands,” which critics argue will have a serious environmental impact, according toMIT News.

Witherspoon continued, “I care deeply about local communities. And I have concerns about impending AGI [Artificial General Intelligence].”

“I don't believe computers should replace humanity,” she added.

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TheMorning Showstar then concluded by sharing her intention to learn “as much as possible” and to be “educated about this technological revolution.”

“If you want to learn with me, great, let's do this! If you don't, that's okay too,” her post read.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Her April 20 sentiments about learning about technological advancements echoed her April 16 video.

"The thing I've learned about technology is if you don't get a little bit of understanding from the very beginning, it just speeds past you,” she said in the video. “So you have to have little bits of learning just to keep up."

She wrote in her caption thatwomen are three times more likely to work in jobs automated by AI, “yet women are using AI at a rate 25% lower than men on average,” she said.

Witherspoon's recent comments follow her emphasis on the importance of women learning AI.

“It's so, so important that women are involved in AI because it will be the future of filmmaking,” she said in a September interview withGlamour, sharing she uses Perplexity, Vetted AI and Simple AI.

“And you can be sad and lament it all you want, but the change is here. It will never be a lack of creativity and ingenuity and actual physical manual building of things,” she said. “It might diminish, but it's always going to be the highest importance in art and in expression of self.”

Read the original article onPeople

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April 23, 2026

Reese Witherspoon Addresses Backlash to Her Support of AI: 'I Don't Believe Computers Should Replace Humanity'

Reese Witherspoon addressed the backlash she received after encouraging women to embrace AI in her Monday, April 20, Instagram Stories ...

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The 25 most underrated Disney movies of the 2000s, ranked

The 2000s were a magical time to be aDisney fan. That's due in part to inspired remakes likeFreaky Friday(2003) and Pixar classics such asRatatouille(2007), but not every Disney film from this era gets the recognition it deserves.

Some of these Disney releases were unfairly dismissed by critics (see:Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen) while others, includingTreasure Planet, flew under the radar entirely. If you dust off that ancient pile of DVDs, you’re bound to discover somehidden gems.

With the House of Mouse currently celebrating the successes ofZootopia 2 and Hoppers(and the imminent arrival ofToy Story 5), it’s the perfect time to revisit some of the studio’s most overlooked films.

Below, check outEntertainment Weekly’s ranked selection of the 25 most underrated 2000s Disney movies.

Chicken Little(2005)

Zach Braff stars as the chicken who cried wolf in this adaptation of the European fable “Henny Penny.” Directed by Mark Dindal (The Emperor’s New Groove), the story centers on a young rooster who becomes the town laughingstock after falsely claiming the sky is falling.

While the film wasn’t a critical darling, it’s worth revisiting for the absolutelybonkersplot. A chicken and his friends travel to space to thwart an alien invasion? Count us in! There’s also a sweet father-son dynamic that’s surprisingly touching.

Bonus:Joan Cusackvoices Chicken Little’s BFF Abby.

Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch(2005)

Set smack in between the events ofLilo & Stitch(2002) andStitch! The Movie(2003), this direct-to-video release follows Lilo (Dakota Fanning, replacing Daveigh Chase) and everyone’s favorite blue menace (Chris Sanders) as they prepare for a hula competition. Unfortunately for the duo, Stitch has technical difficulties to deal with.

Even if it can’t completely recreate the magic of the original, it strikes a nice balance between heartwarming drama and fun, zany antics. The emotional whiplash of the third act turns us into blubbering messes to this day.

Teacher’s Pet(2004)

Can you still recite the lyrics to “I Wanna Be a Boy” or are you normal? Leonard and his pup Spot (Nathan Lane) get the big-screen treatment in this zany musical in which, yes, Spot gets transformed into a human boy.

The movie, which serves as the capstone to the early-2000s TV series, is light and fun. It’s got cartoon dogs, and its humor will appeal to your inner fourth-grader — what more could you want?

Fun fact: It’s also aCheersreunion! Kelsey Grammer voices Dr. Ivan Krank, while the script was penned by two of the sitcom’s regulars, Bill and Cheri Steinkellner.

Recess: School’s Out(2001)

Chuck Sheetz’s sequel to the popular Disney series follows T.J. (Andrew Lawrence) and theRecessgang on the last day of school. But summer gets off to a rotten start when T.J. uncovers the unthinkable: a plot to get rid of summer vacation. The horror, the horror!

The movie is light and breezy, coupling ridiculous hijinks with snappy dialogue that’s refreshingly witty for a kids’ flick. Short and sweet, it rounds out to 83 minutes of pure fun.

Lady and the Tramp II: Scamp's Adventure(2001)

Scamp’s Adventurecenters on Lady and Tramp’s troublemaker son Scamp (Scott Wolf), who yearns to become a wild dog.

In a good ol’ act of teenage rebellion, he runs away from home, tries to join a tough pack of strays, and falls for a girl from the wrong side of the tracks (Alyssa Milano).

There’s just something undeniablyfunabout these “OG couple’s kid grows up and rebels” direct-to-video sequels, and this is one of Disney’s strongest. Plus, there’s plenty of nods to the original; there’s even a recreation of theiconic spaghetti and meatballs scene.

Peter Pan: Return to Never Land(2002)

This belated sequel toPeter Pan(1953) centers on Wendy’s daughter, Jane (Harriet Owen), a cynical tween who doesn’t believe in Peter Pan. When Jane is kidnapped and forcibly taken to Neverland in a case of mistaken identity, she must learn to truly believe in the magic in order to get home.

Atadextreme, but it makes for high stakes. The story finds the right equilibrium between paying homage to beloved characters and developing the next-gen protagonist in her own right. Extra credit for its apt use of BBMak’s “Do You Believe in Magic?”

The Tigger Movie(2000)

Tiggers are wonderful things! ThisWinnie the Poohtale follows everyone’s favorite bouncy friend as he sets out to find other tiggers like him.

Sidekickspinoffsare pretty hit-or-miss, butThe Tigger Movieproves that Pooh’s buddy is more than capable of handling the spotlight on his own. While the film is silly and fun, its universal themes about identity, family, and belonging also have us reaching for tissues.

This is one of those Disney movies that hits harder as an adult. Just like stripes, stories about found family will simply never go out of style.

The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea(2000)

Little Mermaid IIcenters on Ariel and Eric’s daughter Melody (Tara Charendoff), who’s unaware of her mermaid heritage. Wanting to keep Melody safe, Ariel forbids her from going to sea and… you can probably guess where this is going.

OG cast members Jodi Benson, Kenneth Mars, Samuel E. Wright, and Buddy Hackett all reprise their roles from the original, a rare treat for a sequel made so many years later.

What really makes this one a standout in a sea of Disney direct-to-video sequels is Benson and Charendoff, who have magical mother-daughter chemistry. “For a Moment” is abop.

The Game Plan(2007)

Before he was thevoice of MauiinMoana(2016), Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson brought his A-game toThe Game Plan, where he plays a star quarterback who unexpectedly discovers he has an 8-year-old daughter (Madison Pettis).

The film is a win-win for kids and sports fans alike, full of laugh-out-loud and nail-biter moments on and off the field. The Rock and Pettis make for a charming father-daughter duo, playing off each other in a way that feels organic.

Plus, there are several fun cameos by pro athletes and broadcasters that football fans will dig.

Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen(2004)

With theLindsay Lohan renaissanceupon us, it’s the perfect time to revisitConfessions of a Teenage Drama Queen.

The musical comedy stars Lohan as 15-year-old Lola, an aspiring Broadway actress and compulsive liar stuck in the suburbs. While the film was panned at the time, it’s since been embraced as an appealing depiction of teenage girlhood.

The story works on multiple levels, both as a fun girls’ night flick and as a clever satire of the ridiculous way pop culture depicts young women.

The Lion King 1½(2004)

There are prequels, there are sequels, and then there’s whateverThe Lion King 1½is. The quirky film centers on Timon and Pumbaa (Nathan Lane and Ernie Sabella, reprising their roles) as they retell the events ofTheLion King(1994) through their eyes.

Disney took a risk here by diverting from its usual sequel formula, and it largely pays off by rehashing the source material in a way that feels clever and fresh rather than cash-grabby. The duo’s meta commentary isn’t just amusing, but worth listening to. We’d put their narration on par with theMystery Science Theater 3000crew’s banter.

Brother Bear(2003)

If “a Disney movie everyone watched as a child and then totally forgot about” was aJeopardyclue,Brother Bearwould be the clear answer. The story revolves around Kenai (Joaquin Phoenix), an Alaskan Native boy who, after killing a grizzly bear as revenge for his brother’s death, is transformed into a bear himself.

The film’s message about the true meaning of brotherhood is timeless, but it’s also surprisingly mature for a kids’ movie, tackling heavy themes of grief, justice, and forgiveness with sensitivity and care.

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Ice Princess(2005)

Michelle Trachtenbergwill forever be remembered for her roles inBuffyandGossip Girl, but her performance inIce Princessshouldn’t be overlooked. She headlines this dramedy as Casey, a teen torn between chasing a Harvard scholarship or pursuing her passion for ice skating.

Ice Princessgives its teenage protagonist a level of depth that’s rare for movies released in the early 2000s, making Casey a character we understand and root for. The complex mother-daughter dynamic between Trachtenberg and Joan Cusack is also a standout. Raise your hand if it made you want to learn how to ice skate!

The Lizzie McGuire Movie(2003)

Not every Disney Channel show translates well to the big screen, butThe Lizzie McGuire Movieis what dreams are made of. Hilary Duff stars as the eponymous Lizzie, who embarks on an eventful school trip to Rome with her pals, including BFF Gordo (Adam Lamberg).

The movie has rightfully cemented itself as a cult classic in recent years, with zoomers everywhere appreciating its quotable dialogue (“You’re an outfit rememberer!”), fun escapism, and accurate portrayal of middle-school friendships.

Let’s be honest, though: It set the expectations for eighth-grade field tripswaytoo high.

Sky High(2005)

Before the MCU, there wasSky High.

Mike Mitchell’s witty genre hybrid follows Will (Michael Angarano), who starts school at his parents’ prestigious alma mater, an airborne academy for teen superheroes. There’s just one tiny problem: He doesn’t have any powers.Youtry living up to the pressure of having a super-powered Kurt Russell as your dad.

The movie is a delightful mix of candy-colored action and teen angst, the latter of which centers on Will’s ill-fated crush on a senior, Gwen (Mary Elizabeth Winstead). Not only is it a blast to watch, but it’s also a clever homage to classic superhero tropes.

Dinosaur(2000)

Step aside,Jurassic Park. Ralph Zondag and Eric Leighton’s live-action/animated hybrid follows a young Iguanodon named Aladar who’s raised by lemurs. When a meteor destroys their island home, the family is forced to flee to the mainland, where they cross paths with a herd of dinos.

Dinosauris visually stunning, seamlessly blending computer-generated prehistoric creatures with live-action backgrounds. The animation is incredibly realistic and detailed, right down to the scales on the dinosaurs’ backs, making for an immersive adventure that commands the audience’s attention every (giant) step of the way.

National Treasure(2004)

Of all Nicolas Cage movies, nothing gets zillennials yapping quite likeNational Treasure.

Jon Turteltaub’s action-adventure stars Cage as Benjamin Franklin (yes, really) Gates, a historian and amateur cryptographer on a mission to unearth a legendary stash of lost treasure. In order to find the goods, he’s got to, er… steal the Declaration of Independence (thatescalated quickly).

The film is a blast from start to finish, packed with high-stakes action, humor, plenty of memeable Cage moments, and a supporting cast that includes Harvey Keitel, Diane Kruger, and Christopher Plummer. Plus, it makes for the perfect Fourth of July watch.

Fantasia 2000(2000)

Some sequels are worth waiting for — even if the wait lasts six decades.

Following in the footsteps of its 1940 predecessor,Fantasia 2000serves us a melting pot of lively animated segments set to pieces of classical music (think: Beethoven, Stravinsky).

At just over an hour in length, the bite-sized flick makes for a perfect Disney appetizer. Its combination of traditional animation and CGI is striking, paying homage to Disney’s past while offering a taste of what’s to come — a perfect note on which to end the Disney Renaissance era.

Bolt(2008)

ForgetPulp FictionandGrease, it’sBoltfor whichJohn Travoltadeserves all the accolades.

Directed by Chris Williams and Byron Howard, this gem centers on lovable pup Bolt (Travolta), who stars in a hit action series alongside his owner, Penny (Miley Cyrus), and becomes convinced he has superpowers in real life.

The Oscar-nominated film feels reminiscent of classic Disney, packed with cartoon fun, fast-paced action, and “reach for your tissues” moments that feel earned. AlthoughBoltoften gets lost in the shuffle of the studio’s animated features, it paved the way for future successes likeTangled(2010).

Tuck Everlasting(2002)

Gilmore GirlsandGeneral Hospitalcollide in this romantasy starring Alexis Bledel and Jonathan Jackson.

Based on the 1975 novel of the same name, it follows teenage Winnie (Bledel) as she falls in love with a boy named Jesse Tuck (Jackson), who has become immortal after drinking water from a magical spring.

Instead of coming across like a corny Lifetime movie,Tuck Everlastingmanages to tackle mature topics like death and morality without devolving into preachiness, which is no small feat.

Let’s be real here: We all cried over this movie at a sleepover atleastonce.

The Rookie(2002)

Not to be confused withthe cop show starring Nathan Fillion,The Rookieis a must-see for baseball fans. Dennis Quaid steps into the cleats of real-life former Tampa Bay Devil Rays pitcher Jim Morris, who (finally!) made it to the major leagues at the age of 35.

What really setsThe Rookieapart from being just another run-of-the-mill sports flick is Quaid’s emotionally layered performance, portraying the character not just as an athlete but as a complicated person on and off the field. If that doesn’t sell you, how about Brian Cox playing Jim’s old man?

Atlantis: The Lost Empire(2001)

Atlantisis truly the definition of a lost treasure. Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise’s unjustly overlooked sci-fi action film centers on a young linguist named Milo (Michael J. Fox) who gets his hands on an ancient book with directions to the famed lost city of Atlantis. The film’s bright and bouncy animation style feels like it was ripped straight out of a comic book, making this a visual stunner.

It’s arguably one of Disney’s most mature animated features; instead of being just another formulaic fairy tale, it uses its story to critique capitalism and imperialism. Groovy!

Treasure Planet(2002)

John Musker and Ron Clements’underratedTreasure Planet, featuring Joseph Gordon-Levitt as the voice of teen adventurer Jim Hawkins, is basically a sci-fi fanfic of the 1883 novelTreasure Island. Instead of sailboats and pirates, we get spaceships andspacepirates. Sounds awesome, right?

Although the movie bombed at the box office, it was nominated for an Oscar for Best Animated Feature and has since become a cult classic. Transplanting classic lit, be it Stevenson or Shakespeare, into completely new settings is common enough by now, but few merge their disparate milieus with as much imagination and wit asTreasure Planet.

Meet the Robinsons(2007)

Stephen Anderson’s wacky and wonderful animated adventure follows 12-year-old orphan Lewis (voiced by Jordan Fry and Daniel Hansen), a science whiz on a mission to track down his birth mother. When he crosses paths with an eccentric time traveler (Wesley Singerman), he suddenly finds himself in the year 2037.

This undeniably fun film may be one of Disney’s most unique, packed with twists and turns that even a time traveler couldn’t predict. The characters feel like real people, and they tug at your heartstrings so much that you'll want to reach into the screen and give them a hug.

The Emperor’s New Groove(2000)

Of all the underrated Disney films this century, nothing can compare to the masterpiece that isThe Emperor’s New Groove.

At the center of the tale is the spoiled Emperor Kuzco (David Spade), who has to learn compassion after a potion mishap with his diabolical ex-advisor (Eartha Kitt) transforms him into a llama.

This one simply has it all: absurdist gags, catchy tunes (“My Funny Friend and Me” never gets old), delightful puns and in-jokes, narrative architecture that quite self-awarely makes no sense… shall we go on?

Grooveremains endlessly rewatchable, its message about the importance of empathy being more relevant than ever.

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April 23, 2026

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