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The highspeed bullet train says Japan as much as Godzilla, sushi and Mount Fuji. And it takes center stage in Shinji Higuchi’s new film, “Bullet Train Explosion,” which premieres on Netflix Wednesday. Higuchi, the director of the 2016 “Shin Godzilla” (or “New Godzilla,") has reimagined the 1975 Japanese film “The Bullet Train," which has the same premise: A bomb will go off if the train slows down below 100 kph (62 mph.) That original movie also inspired Hollywood’s “Speed,” starring Keanu Reeves, which takes place mostly on a bus. Higuchi recalls being fascinated by the aerodynamically shaped bullet trains growing up as they roared by, almost like a violent animal. To him, as with many Japanese, the Shinkansen — as the trains are called in Japan — symbolize the nation’s efforts to become “top-rate,” superfast, precise, orderly and on time. “It’s so characteristically Japanese," Higuchi said in an interview with The Associated Press on Tuesday. “To complete your work, even if it means sacrificing your personal life, is like a samurai spirit living within all Japanese." The film's realism was achieved by a smooth combination of computer graphics and miniature train models, built to one-sixth the size of the real thing. A huge LED wall was used on the set to project visuals of passing landscapes as seen from the train window, and those shots were juxtaposed seamlessly with footage shot on a real train. Shah Rukh, Salman Khan condemn Pahalgam terror attack The explosions are strangely exhilarating, and beautifully depicted with scattering sparks and smoke. Higuchi stressed that the filmmakers were careful to make sure the criminal act, as depicted, is not physically possible today. He said “Bullet Train Explosion” marked a challenging departure from his past movies that were about heroes and monsters. “I examined the question of evil, and how we pass judgment on a person,” he said. “That’s what my predecessors did as directors before me: Try to show what happens if you commit evil," he added. "And I tried to give my answer.” One departure from the original, which starred the late Ken Takakura as the bomber, is that Higuchi chose to focus on the train workers. Tsuyoshi Kusanagi, formerly a member of boys’ band Smap who portrayed a transgender woman in Eiji Uchida’s “Midnight Swan,” is convincing as a dedicated Shinkansen worker. “I always have fun working with the director,” Kusanagi said of Higuchi at a Tokyo premiere earlier this week. “I’ve loved him for 20 years.” Kusanagi starred in “Sinking of Japan,” Higuchi’s 2006 science-fiction thriller about a natural catastrophe that threatens Japan’s very existence. East Japan Railway Co., formed after the national railway was privatized, which operates the bullet train featured in Higuchi’s reboot, gave full support to the film. It allowed the use of real trains, railway facilities and uniforms, as well as helping train the actors to simulate its workers and their mannerisms. The bullet trains have long been a symbol of Japan’s blossoming as a modern economy and peaceful culture in the decades following World War II. The first leg, connecting Tokyo with Osaka, opened with much fanfare in 1964. The system now connects much of Japan, from the northernmost main island of Hokkaido through southwestern Kyushu. The train featured in Higuchi’s work connects Tokyo with northern Aomori.

When it comes to innovation and diversity in English-language visual content, Netflix stands as the ultimate binge-watch destination for audiences worldwide. Its May 2025 lineup unveils a vibrant mix of series, movies, animation, documentaries, and TV specials. Each title adds a unique flavor to the streaming platter, with genres spanning comedy, romance, horror, crime, and sports. Let’s dive into the best 10 Netflix English originals premiering in May 2025. 10 Must-Watch English Language Netflix Films and Series for This May . The Four Seasons | Romantic Comedy | May 1, 2025 Adapted from Alan Alda’s 1981 film of the same title, this miniseries boasts Tracey Wigfield, Tina Fey, and Lang Fisher as its writers, creators, and executive producers. The executive producing team also includes David Miner, Eric Gurian, and Jeff Richmond. The production credit goes to Alda and Marissa Bregman. This feel-good romantic series trails three suburban couples who reunite for seasonal getaways. Their harmony unravels when one husband, newly single, arrives with a much younger partner, sparking tension. Read more: Panchayat Season 4 to premiere on July 2 The cast comprises Steve Carell, Tina Fey, Colman Domingo, Erika Henningsen, Kerri Kenney-Silver, Will Forte, and Marco Calvani. Forever | Romantic Drama | May 8, 2025 Inspired by Judy Blume’s book of the same name, this drama series thrives with Mara Brock Akil as its showrunner and Regina King as the director. Set against the vibrant backdrop of 2018 Los Angeles, this tender romance follows two rising young athletes. They experience first love while navigating the weight of social expectations and familial demands. Lovie Simone and Michael Cooper Jr. assume protagonist characters. The supporting cast includes Wood Harris, Karen Pittman, Xosha Roquemore, Paigion Walker, Barry Shabaka Henley, Ali Gallo, E'myri Crutchfield, and Niles Fitch. Read more: April 2025 K-Drama Lineup: Top 10 Binge-worthy Premieres Blume and King are also executive producers of the series with Erika Harrison, Susie Fitzgerald, Sara White, Anthony Hemingway, and Shana C. Waterman. Nonnas | Comedy | May 9, 2025 Penned by Liz Maccie, this comedic film draws inspiration from the life of Joe Scaravella, the visionary behind Staten Island’s Enoteca Maria. This intimate eatery welcomes grandmothers from around the world as chefs. Production studios Madison Wells and Matador Content acquired the rights to Scaravella’s life story. The plot unfolds with Scaravella’s realisation that his solitary life and unfulfilling job no longer serve him. He opens a restaurant where the warmth and wisdom of grandmother chefs redefine his world. The ensemble cast members are Vince Vaughn, Susan Sarandon, Linda Cardellini, Lorraine Bracco, Talia Shire, Brenda Vaccaro, Joe Manganiello, and Campbell Scott. Read more: Pakistani Dramas Taking Over 2025: 10 Top Picks for Your Watchlist Stephen Chbosky steers the movie with his directing prowess, and Gigi Pritzker, Rachel Shane, and Jack Turner take the reins as producers. Backlash 2025 | Sports | May 10, 2025 WWE’s 20th edition of Backlash is set to deliver high-stakes drama and iconic showdowns as it heads to the Enterprise Centre in St. Louis, Missouri. This milestone event will bring together top superstars from both the Raw and SmackDown divisions. The production is made on heated storylines and rivalries ignited during WrestleMania 41. Adding historic weight to the evening, John Cena will make a much-anticipated return to the Backlash stage—his first appearance at the event since 2009. More poignantly, this outing will mark his final Backlash performance as Cena prepares to retire from professional wrestling at the end of 2025. This will also be the first Backlash to livestream on Netflix, following the platform’s acquisition of WWE Network content earlier this year. Read more: April 2025 Hindi Films Lineup: Top 10 Most Hyped Bollywood Releases Bad Thoughts | Dark Comedy | May 13, 2025 A sequence of sharp, unsettling vignettes unravels with comedic bite, turning everyday absurdities into hilariously twisted tales. Besides screenwriting the comedy series with Jeremy Konner, Tom Segura also serves as its director along with Konner and Rami Hachache. Segura even embodies the lead role with Christina Pazsitzky. The executive producing team includes Craig Gerara, Ryan Hall, Molly Mandel, Matthew Zinman, Segura, and Konner.

South Korean actor O Yeong-su, widely recognized for playing Oh Il-nam (Player 001) in Netflix’s Squid Game, has been sentenced to one year in prison after being convicted of indecent assault. The 80-year-old was initially handed an eight-month prison term with a two-year probation period. However, a more recent court ruling has increased the sentence to one year of imprisonment. The charges stem from incidents in which O Yeong-su was accused of forcibly molesting a woman on two separate occasions — allegations he has consistently denied. During a hearing on Thursday, April 3, prosecutors described O as a seasoned theatre actor with nearly 50 years of experience who had “sexually harassed a junior colleague lacking power within the troupe.” Local media reported that prosecutors claimed the victim had lived in fear both professionally and personally since the events took place. They also criticized O’s response, alleging he caused further harm by stating, “I did it with the heart of a father” instead of offering an apology. Prosecutors highlighted the consistency in the actor’s statements since the allegations first emerged, using this to argue for a one-year sentence aimed at supporting the victim’s healing and discouraging similar offenses. In contrast, O Yeong-su’s legal team denied all charges, arguing the case relied solely on the victim’s testimony, which they said lacked clarity, consistency, and logical detail. They also noted that the actor had only formally responded to the accusations to avoid controversy that could negatively impact Squid Game, which had recently brought him international recognition at the time. Addressing the court, O expressed deep regret over his situation. “It’s humiliating to stand trial at this age,” he said. “If I said or did anything inappropriate, I’ll accept the judgment. But I don’t believe my actions amounted to assault.” He added, “If, during a brief interaction, my careless words or actions caused pain, I’m sorry. In an instant, everything I built in 80 years has crumbled. I feel empty. I just want to return to where I belong.” The accusations date back to 2017, when the actor allegedly hugged and kissed the victim against her will near his home — an incident he has repeatedly denied. The final verdict in the appeal trial is scheduled to be delivered on June 3.

In a case that has sent shockwaves through Hollywood and the global entertainment industry, director Carl Erik Rinsch has been arrested on charges of swindling Netflix out of $11 million (approximately Tk 121 crore) for a sci-fi series that never aired. Rinsch, who is best known for directing the 2013 film 47 Ronin, is facing charges of wire fraud and money laundering after allegedly misusing the funds meant for his unfinished show White Horse. The Allegations According to U.S. federal prosecutors, Netflix had initially paid around $44 million (Tk 484 crore) for the project. However, Rinsch later requested an additional $11 million (Tk 121 crore), claiming he needed the funds to complete the series. Instead of using the money for production, prosecutors allege that Rinsch diverted the funds into high-risk investments and luxury spending. Court documents reveal that Rinsch transferred a significant portion of the money into a personal brokerage account, where he made a series of unsuccessful investments, losing about half of the funds within two months. He then shifted the remaining amount into cryptocurrency investments, which turned out to be lucrative. However, rather than reinvesting in the production, Rinsch allegedly transferred the earnings into a personal bank account and embarked on an extravagant spending spree. Lavish Spending Spree The indictment details Rinsch’s alleged misuse of funds, including: ·         Tk 19.8 crore ($1.8 million) in credit card payments, ·         Tk 11 crore ($1 million) on legal fees to sue Netflix for more money, ·         Tk 40.7 crore ($3.7 million) on luxury furniture and antiques, ·         Tk 26.4 crore ($2.4 million) on a fleet of Rolls-Royces and a Ferrari, ·         Tk 7.2 crore ($652,000) on designer watches and clothing. Authorities arrested the 47-year-old filmmaker in West Hollywood on Tuesday. He is expected to appear in a federal court in California, while his indictment was filed in New York. Netflix’s Response Netflix has declined to comment on the allegations. However, the case has raised concerns over financial oversight and due diligence in Hollywood’s high-stakes entertainment industry.  

Bringing stories to life with boundless creativity, Netflix continues to enchant audiences through its ever-expanding slate of exclusive releases. April 2025 brings an exciting lineup, spanning feature films, series, animation, and documentaries. The premieres explore a variety of genres, including fantasy, thriller, adventure, romance, and action. Let’s dive into the most talked-about Netflix English Originals set to define entertainment in April 2025! 10 Must-watch Netflix English Originals Streaming this April . Instant Karma / Comedy Special / April 1, 2025 Through the lens of a first-generation Indian American, this comedy special offers a heartfelt and humorous exploration of family dynamics and personal evolution. The narrative delves into his experiences growing up under his traditional parents, and the mischievous moments that shaped his childhood. It reflects on his journey of self-discovery and the academic milestones he achieved at New York University. Produced by Netflix Studios, this TV special bears the writing and starring mark of Nimesh Patel. Mookie Thompson takes the director’s seat for the show. Read more: March 2025 K-Drama Fever: 10 Most-hyped Shows Worth Binge-Watching Pulse / Medical Drama / April 3, 2025 Helmed by Kate Dennis, this TV series is created by Zoe Robyn who also serves as its showrunner along with Carlton Cuse. Set against the backdrop of Miami’s busiest Level 1 Trauma Center, this gripping drama series follows doctors and staff as they balance personal struggles with professional demands. Their resilience is put to the ultimate test when an impending hurricane threatens to upend the world. The ensemble cast includes Willa Fitzgerald, Colin Woodell, Justina Machado, Jack Bannon, Jessie T. Usher, Daniela Nieves, Chelsea Muirhead, and Jessy Yates. Besides Robyn, Dennis, and Cuse, the executive production team consists of Bradley Gardner, Emma Forman, and Michael Klick. Read more: 12 Most Anticipated South Indian Movies Releasing in March 2025 Devil May Cry / Dark Fantasy Animation / April 3, 2025 Inspired by Capcom’s Japanese video game series of the same title, this urban animated series flourishes with Adi Shankar as its creator. The action series follows Dante, a demon hunter, as he embarks on a supernatural journey driven by an unyielding determination to avenge the tragic loss of his family. Backed by Studio Mir, the supernatural anime series boasts Johnny Yong Bosch as Dante, the main voice cast. Adi Shankar, Lee Seung-wook, and Hideaki Itsuno lead the executive production unit. Read more: March 2025 Bollywood Movie Releases: Top 10 Most-Anticipated Hindi Films to Watch Jurassic World: Chaos Theory (Season 3) / Animated Adventure / April 3, 2025 Expanding the legacy of the Jurassic Park franchise, this animated production stands as its second series. As a direct sequel to Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous (2020-2022), it seamlessly bridges the narrative gap between Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018) and Jurassic World Dominion (2022). Scott Kreamer and Aaron Hammersley serve as showrunners, and executive produce the series along with Colin Trevorrow, Frank Marshall, and Steven Spielberg. Season 3 thrusts the Nublar Five into an unrelenting adventure as they navigate treacherous encounters, rekindle bonds with familiar faces, and confront even deadlier prehistoric threats. The emotional fallout of Brooklynn’s shocking rejection lingers, amplifying tensions within the group. Meanwhile, Brooklynn finds herself spiraling deeper into the Broker’s sinister network of espionage and dinosaur trafficking. Returning this season are Paul-Mikel Williams, Darren Barnet, Sean Giambrone, Raini Rodriguez, Kausar Mohammed, Kiersten Kelly, and Dichen Lachman. Read more: Top Amazon Prime Originals to Binge-Watch in March 2025 The Clubhouse: A Year with the Red Sox / Sports Documentary / April 8, 2025 A defining pillar of baseball history, the Boston Red Sox, one of the sport’s most legendary franchises, is set to get an immersive documentary. Helmed by Emmy-winning filmmaker Greg Whiteley, this documentary marks a historic first for Netflix. It offers an all-access pass to an MLB team over the course of an entire season. With an unfiltered lens, the eight-episode docuseries captures the triumphs and tribulations of the players, shedding light on their professional and personal struggles. Spanning eight episodes, this docuseries grants unprecedented access to the Boston Red Sox during the 2024 MLB season with intimate coverage of executives, players, and coaches. Read more: 10 Must-Watch Netflix English Originals Arriving in March 2025 The production credit goes to One Potato Productions, Boardwalk Pictures Inc., and Major League Baseball.

Netflix has released the trailer for ‘Havoc’, an intense crime thriller starring Tom Hardy. The film, directed and written by Gareth Evans, is set to premiere on April 25. The star-studded cast includes Forest Whitaker, Timothy Olyphant, Justin Cornwell, Jessie Mei Li, and Luis Guzmán, reports The Hollywood Reporter.  The story follows Walker (Hardy), a weary detective who must confront his past while searching for a politician’s estranged son, who vanished after a failed drug deal. The trailer teases tense moments, including a confrontation between Hardy’s character and an authority figure played by Whitaker. “Don’t forget, I know what you did,” Whitaker’s character warns, to which Hardy’s Walker replies, “You have no idea what I did.”  Evans not only directed but also penned the script for ‘Havoc’, with Hardy, Evans, Ed Talfan, and Aram Tertzakian producing.  Robert Pattinson reminds audiences that accents are a signature of his performances in 'Mickey 17' Hardy recently starred in The Bikeriders (2024) alongside Austin Butler and Jodie Comer, as well as Venom: The Last Dance, the final installment in Sony’s Venom trilogy. He is also set to appear in the Paramount+ series MobLand, produced by Guy Ritchie.  Evans, known for The Raid franchise and Netflix’s Apostle (2018), previously shared his enthusiasm for the action-packed Havoc. In a 2020 interview, he described the project as an opportunity to channel years of pent-up energy into large-scale action sequences.

Netflix is kicking off March 2025 with a fresh slate of English-language originals, offering something for every kind of viewer. From gripping crime dramas and mind-bending sci-fi to laugh-out-loud comedies and compelling documentaries, the coming month’s lineup is packed with must-watch content. Whether you’re in the mood for a thrilling mystery, an animated adventure, or a dose of reality TV, here are the top new releases you won’t want to miss. 10 Netflix English Originals Premiering This March . Hot Wheels Let’s Race (Season 3) | Pre-school Animation | March 3, 2025 Based on the toy brand Hot Wheels of toy manufacturing company Mattel, Inc., this animated film boasts production by Mattel Television Studios. Under the collaborative animation efforts of OLM Digital and Sprite Animation Studios, the adventure comedy flourishes with Collette Sunderman (voice director) and Moto Sakakibara as its directors. The storyline revolves around six young hopefuls at the Hot Wheels Ultimate Garage Racing Camp, where they master essential skills to become the next generation of exceptional racers. Read more: The Biggest Superhero Movies of 2025: Marvel, DC, and Beyond Similar to its predecessor, Season 3 will maintain the five-episode structure. It will see Coop and friends facing Cruise and Professor Rearview in a final race to reclaim the Ultimate Garage and stop his monsters for good. Lending their voices are Jakari Fraser, Amari McCoy, Griffen Campbell, Risa Mei, Josh Keaton, Charlie Schlatter, and Grey DeLisle-Griffin. Developed by Rob David, Melanie Shannon, and Jordan Gershowitz, the sports series thrives with Rob David, Christopher Keenan, and Fred Soulie as executive producers. With Love, Meghan | Lifestyle Show | March 4, 2025 This lifestyle TV series, directed by Michael Steed, highlights Meghan, Duchess of Sussex as host and executive producer. The executive production team includes Aaron Saidman, Eli Holzman, and Leah Hariton. Read more: Top 10 most-anticipated Korean dramas releasing in February 2025 This uplifting series explores practical how-tos and open-hearted conversations with both old and new friends. Meghan offers personal tips and tricks, celebrating creativity through playful imperfection. Together with her guests, she ventures into the kitchen, the garden, and beyond, proving how effortless and joyful creating beauty in unexpected moments can be. Notable guests are Korean-American chef Roy Choi, American chef Alice Waters, and American actresses- Mindy Kaling and Abigail Spencer. The show also features Meghan's husband, the Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry as an honorable guest. Tyler Perry’s Beauty in Black (Season 1 – Part 2) | Soap Opera | March 6, 2025 Starring Taylor Polidore Williams and Crystle Stewart, the drama series follows the life of a young woman whose world takes a shocking turn after crossing paths with a wealthy yet deeply dysfunctional family. Behind their glamorous cosmetic empire lies a dark underbelly of deceit and a sinister trafficking scheme. Read more: February 2025 South Indian Movie Releases: Top 12 Must-Watch Films Part 1 concludes with Killing Karma, where she confronts her sister’s kidnapper, striking him with a speeding car. Yet it leaves the audience questioning whether he survived or met his end. Besides creating and directing, Tyler Perry executive produced the soap opera along with Angi Bones and Tony Strickland. The supporting cast includes Julian Horton, Steven G. Norfleet, Richard Lawson, Charles Malik Whitfield, and Debbi Morgan. Plankton: The Movie | Musical Animation | March 7, 2025 Inspired by the beloved TV series SpongeBob SquarePants, this animated movie, produced by Nickelodeon Movies, excels with the creator Stephen Hillenburg. Mr. Lawrence teamed up with Kaz and Chris Viscardi to turn his own story into a screenplay, which made it into a movie thanks to director Dave Needham. Read more: 10 Most-Anticipated Bollywood Movies to Watch in February 2025 Led by Lawrence as the Plankton, the voice cast includes Jill Talley, Tom Kenny, Bill Fagerbakke, Carolyn Lawrence, Clancy Brown, and Rodger Bumpass. The story follows Plankton, whose plans for world domination are put to a halt when his computer wife, Karen, decides to take charge. American Manhunt: Osama bin Laden | Crime Documentary | March 10, 2025 This docuseries offers a comprehensive exploration of how the world united to track down Osama bin Laden after the 9/11 incident in the United States in 2001. Mor Loushy and Daniel Sivan’s directing brings the three-part series to life. Read more: February 2025 Amazon Prime Originals Streaming Lineup: Exclusive Films and Web Series This historical series features exclusive interviews with key U.S. government figures involved in the global manhunt. It reimagines the decade-long mission to capture one of history’s most infamous terrorists.

Meghan Markle, wife of Britain's Prince Harry, is making a grand return to the entertainment industry. With plans to re-enter television through her upcoming cookery show, she is reportedly investing heavily in her appearance. According to InTouch Weekly, Meghan has spent a significant amount upgrading her wardrobe as she prepares to step back into the public eye. A source revealed that she has always had a taste for luxury fashion but is now adapting to the extravagant standards of Montecito’s elite. “The social circle she’s in consists of ultra-wealthy individuals who regularly wear jewellery worth hundreds of thousands, sometimes even millions, on a daily basis,” the source added. Since moving to Los Angeles in 2020, Meghan and Harry have settled into a $14.65 million mansion in one of the city's most upscale areas. To blend in with the high society, Meghan is reportedly focused on maintaining an impeccable image. Breakout Sundance films and key takeaways from this year's festival “She believes looking the part is essential, which is why she has hired an A-list stylist to ensure she embodies quiet luxury at all times. Creating an aspirational brand requires effort and significant investment, but for Meghan, it is necessary,” the source claimed. Before marrying Harry in 2018, Meghan gained fame through her role in Suits. After stepping back from royal duties in 2020, she and Harry produced Harry & Meghan, a Netflix documentary released in 2022. Now, Meghan is gearing up for her next venture—With Love, Meghan, a lifestyle series under her Netflix deal. The show, which blends practical advice with candid conversations, was announced last month. She also returned to Instagram to promote it. With Love, Meghan is expected to premiere later this year. Source: with inputs from wires

The hit South Korean series Squid Game took the world by storm when it debuted in 2021, redefining the survival-thriller genre with its high-stakes, win-or-die competitions. With the release of its much-anticipated second season, the franchise continues to captivate audiences with its intense, suspenseful storytelling. Inspired by the show’s gripping challenges and ruthless survival format, game developers have brought similar high-stakes gameplay to mobile platforms. Whether you're looking for a battle royale-style showdown or a strategic survival test, these Squid Game-inspired Android and iOS games in 2025 will keep you on edge. Android and iOS Games for Squid Game Lovers . Squid Game: Unleashed Netflix, the producer and publishing company of the Squid Game, has developed the official gaming iteration of the series, the Squid Game: Unleashed. Released on Dec. 13, 2024, on both Android and iOS platforms, the game is an immersive win-or-die tournament that vibes with dark, suspenseful, and gripping gameplay. Read more: February 2025 Video Game Releases: Top Titles You Can’t Miss Players will choose a character and jump into the arena to survive until the last of a session. Each session challenges the players, even with a deadlier game, to test their survival instincts. Squid Game: Unleashed is a real-time battle royal multiplayer that sets the perfect ground for an exciting gaming experience with friends while reminiscing the sequences from the series. The game boasts a 4.0-star rating on Google PlayStore and a 4.8-star rating on the App Store. It runs on a minimum of Android 8.0 and iOS 16.0 versions and requires around 2GB of internal storage to be downloaded. Squid Game 2 Squid Game 2, developed by Acacia Games, is among the few mobile games that live up to fans’ expectations for a realistic Squid Game experience. The developers have done a tremendous job in setting a 3D world illuminated by oversaturated neon-focused colors that reflects the source’s thematic tone. Read more: How To Make Money Playing Video Games The gameplay, including different levels and rules, feels like a direct nod to the TV series. Gamers grapple with making the right decisions and the right moves while overcoming unexpected challenges and reaching the finish lines. The high-octane multiplayer game is available on the App Store with a 4.5-star rating. Players must have 436.6MP of free space in their Apple devices running on iOS 12.0 or later versions. Crab Squid Game WhyMe brought the Crab Squid Game, also known as Crabbie Minigames, on Mar 15, 2024, to immerse players in a thrill-punched fun multiplayer gaming experience. Packed with diverse interactive minigames, the Crab Squid Game allows gamers to compete virtually for the top spot. The excitement even heightens with the capacity to communicate with other gamers while fighting them to death. Each minigame takes place in a distinct, exhilarating environment full of challenges to overcome and requires players to survive as the last person in the arena. Players can download the game from PlayStore to an Android device with 139MB of internal storage and Android 7 or higher versions. Read more: Top 8 Free High Graphics Winter Games for Android and iOS in 2025 K-Sniper Challenge 3D The world setting in Homa Games’ K-Sniper Challenge 3D resembles the one in Squid Game, but it sets players on a rather different track. Gamers play from the perspective of the sniper who shoots contestants the moment they fail to cope with the game’s rules. As a part of the contest management team, gamers’ only goal is to ensure zero winning chances for the contestants. It takes them to be super agile with their moves and controls to shoot a contestant precisely and instantly. The chilling game is available on the App Store with a 4.6-star rating and can be downloaded on Apple devices with 225.6 MB internal storage and 12.5 or higher iOS versions. It received its latest update on October 15, 2024. Squid Challenge Run 3D Now, let’s hop on the ultimate test of survival in the pixelated world of the Squid Challenge Run 3D. Infused with a blood-raging contest similar to Squid Game’s, Squid Challenge Run is an action-packed, fast-paced number that maintains a rather simple gameplay without turning back on the real thrill. Gamers will run for their lives while avoiding tricky traps only to get on a tougher challenge. Read more: 10 Best-Selling Video Games of 2024 First appearing on PlayStore on December 17, 2024, the Squid Challenge Run 3D requires 54MB of storage and a minimum Android 7 version.  Conclusion Squid Game redefines the traditional concept of a thriller and places it in a more modern setting. The sentiment of the series cuts deep into the contemporary social challenges and people’s desire to make quick money. It will be hard for the fans to overcome the impact of the invigorating latest season. Indulging in these fun-to-play and exciting Squid Game-like Android and iOS games may help them pass the hangover while injecting metered doses of the same thrill. Read more: 7 Most Hyped Virtual Action Games Releasing in 2025

Netflix added nearly 19 million subscribers during the holiday-season quarter to help propel its earnings beyond analysts’ projections, capping the video streaming service's best year yet in a sign that its expansion into live programming is paying off. The numbers released Tuesday covered a October-December period highlighted by Netflix’s streaming of a widely watched fight between YouTube sensation Jake Paul and former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson in addition to two National Football League games on Christmas Day. Those marquee events helped Netflix to easily surpass the 13 million subscribers that picked up in the same quarter during 2023. Although Netflix’s interest in live programming is primarily tied to its efforts to sell more commercials, it also appears to be giving current subscribers another reason to stick with the service while also reeling in more viewers to pay for the service. Netflix ended last year with more than 300 million worldwide subscribers, an increase of 41 million from 2023. That eclipsed its previous best year of growth during 2020 when its service added more 36.6 million subscribers amid pandemic lockdowns that kept people corralled at home and desperate for entertainment. Forrester Research analyst Mike Proulx thinks live programming is quickly becoming Netflix's “secret ingredient” that is helping to widen its lead over its streaming rivals. “With more choice in programming than ever before, streaming services need to differentiate,” Proulx said. “FOMO (fear of missing out) is a powerful tool in piquing interest and creating stickiness.” The October-December breakdown marked the last time Netflix plans to provide a quarterly count on its total subscribers as management tries to get investors to intensify their focus on the Los Gatos, California company’s financial performance. And those figures were robust in the most recent quarter, with Netflix earning $1.9 billion, or $4.27 per share, nearly doubling from the same time in 2023. Revenue climbed 16% from the same 2023 period to $10.2 billion. Read: Top 10 Netflix English Originals to Watch in February 2025: Movies, Series, and Shows To juice its finances even more this year, Netflix announced in its shareholder letter that it will be raising its prices in the U.S., Canada, Portugal and Argentina in the upcoming weeks. Netflix didn't spell out its new prices in those markets, but the company increases the costs of its plans in increments of a $1 to $2 per month. Signaling that Netflix is confident the price increases won't trigger a backlash resulting in mass cancellations, Netflix slightly raised its revenue outlook for this year to a mid-range of $44 billion, which would translate into a roughly 13% increase from last year. “When you’re going to ask for a price increase, you better make sure you have the goods and the engagement to back it up,” Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos said during a conference call with analysts. Netflix’s shares surged by 14% in extended trading after the report came out. If the shares behave similarly in Wednesday's regular trading session, it will mark a new high for the stock. The shares soared by 83% last year to create nearly $200 billion in additional shareholder wealth as Netflix continued to extend its lead over the rest of the video streaming pack. Besides asking subscribers to pay more, Netflix is trying to sell more advertising as part of an initiative that began in late 2022 with the introduction of a low-priced version of its service that included periodic commercial interruptions for the first time. The commercials are shown to all subscribers during live programming, one of the reasons Netflix is focusing more on the segment, leading to high-priced deals with the NFL, World Wrestling Entertainment and the Women’s World Cup. Netflix co-CEO Greg Peters told investors during the conference call that the ad-supported service accounted for more than half of Netflix's new subscribers during the last quarter, Netflix's advertising evolution has "transitioned from crawl to walk” Peters said. Read more: January 2025 Netflix English Originals Lineup Netflix still isn’t revealing how much advertising revenue that it’s bringing in, with management saying the amount will remain relatively small for at least another year or two. But Netflix’s main drawing card remains scripted TV series and movies – an entertainment pipeline that this year will include new seasons of popular shows such as “Stranger Things,” “Squid Games,” and “You.” Netflix plans to increase its programming budget to $18 billion this year, an increase of about $1 billion, to keep its video pantry well stocked.