United News of Bangladesh

Netflix’s hit sci-fi series Stranger Things is heading toward its long-awaited finale, with fans preparing for the final episodes that promise to resolve major mysteries surrounding Hawkins and its residents. Season five opened with the town under siege, as dangerous creatures from the Upside Down spilled into the real world through massive rifts. Vecna remained a central threat, while the main characters were shown facing what appears to be their final battle. Netflix is releasing the remaining episodes in stages. Three episodes are set to stream on Boxing Day in the UK, while the feature-length final episode will be available on New Year’s Day. In the United States, the finale will stream on December 31, with special cinema screenings also planned in selected locations. The opening episodes revealed that Hawkins is under military quarantine and that Eleven, played by Millie Bobby Brown, is once again being hunted for her supernatural abilities. She and Jim Hopper were shown fighting dark forces inside a military base linked to the Upside Down, while a mysterious new scientist was introduced. One of the biggest revelations so far is that Will Byers has discovered he also has supernatural powers, deepening his long-suspected connection to Vecna. At the same time, unsettling scenes involving Max, Holly and a cave linked to Vecna’s past memories raised new questions that are yet to be answered. Music has again played a key role in resisting Vecna’s control, echoing earlier seasons where songs helped characters break free from his influence. Fans believe this theme could be central to how the people of Hawkins defend themselves in the finale. Executive producer Shawn Levy has said the final episode has been carefully crafted to meet fan expectations, stressing that the creators wanted to avoid the kind of divisive endings seen in some other major TV series. Despite the show’s huge global success, creators Matt and Ross Duffer have ruled out any sequel, saying the story of Eleven, her friends and the town of Hawkins will end with this season. As anticipation builds, fans worldwide are waiting to see whether Stranger Things can deliver a satisfying conclusion to one of Netflix’s most popular series.   With inputs from BBC

One of the world’s most beloved children’s characters, Winnie-the-Pooh, is marking 100 years since his first appearance, with celebrations planned in England’s Ashdown Forest, the real-life setting of the famous stories. Winnie-the-Pooh first appeared on December 24, 1925, in a short story titled The Wrong Sort of Bees, published in the London Evening News. The character was created by author A A Milne and inspired by the toy bear of his son, Christopher Robin. The gentle bear, along with characters such as Tigger and Piglet and the game of Pooh sticks, soon gained global popularity. The fictional “100 Aker Wood” was based on Ashdown Forest in East Sussex, where Milne owned a country home. Pooh’s enduring fame continues to bring major economic benefits to the area. Local authorities have allocated about £450,000 in public funds to support events and programmes marking the centenary. Milne published Winnie-the-Pooh as a book in 1926, followed by The House at Pooh Corner in 1928. Two poetry collections featuring the characters were also released. A key attraction in the forest is Pooh Sticks Bridge, where Milne and his son invented the game. The original bridge was replaced by a replica in the late 1990s for safety reasons. The original structure was later sold at auction in 2021. Winnie-the-Pooh’s global reach expanded further in 1961 when Disney acquired the rights to the stories, introducing the character to new generations worldwide. Pooh Corner, a gift shop and tea room near the bridge, has drawn visitors since 1978. Its owner said people travel from across the world to see the places linked to Pooh and share personal stories about why the character matters to them. Guided tours of Ashdown Forest have also grown in popularity, with organisers saying most visitors now come from outside the UK, especially North America. Planned centenary events include new installations at the forest’s visitor centre and the creation of walking trails designed to protect sensitive areas. Local organisers say the anniversary highlights how Winnie-the-Pooh helped make Ashdown Forest internationally known and continues to shape its cultural and economic life a century on.   With inputs from BBC

Janhvi Kapoor won the Female Actor of the Year award at the NDTV Indian of the Year ceremony held in New Delhi on Friday. Accepting the honour, Janhvi delivered an emotional and thoughtful speech, reflecting on her career journey, the influence of her film Homebound, and the growing sense of responsibility that comes with recognition and success. While acknowledging the film’s measurable achievements—such as awards, global attention and international exposure—Janhvi said its deeper impact on her personal and artistic growth mattered most to her. “There are visible milestones like awards, recognition and the incredible journey the film has taken,” she said. “But more importantly, it has helped me understand the kind of person and artist I want to be, and made me more aware of the fractures within our society.” “Extremely grateful,” says Janhvi She explained that working on the film sharpened her sensitivity to human emotions and contrasts. “It opened my eyes to the hope, goodness, beauty, fear, division and also the unity that exists in the world. For all these reasons, I feel deeply grateful to be part of this journey. I’m truly honoured,” she added. Praise for director Neeraj Ghaywan Janhvi expressed heartfelt appreciation for filmmaker Neeraj Ghaywan, thanking him for believing in her abilities. “I’m incredibly thankful to Neeraj sir for seeing potential in me that I often struggle to see in myself,” she said. According to her, the heart of the film lies in empathy and acknowledgment. “The film is about truly seeing people and feeling seen. That’s what we hope audiences take away from it—and that’s what it gave me as well,” she shared. On success and responsibility Speaking about the pressure that comes with being named Indian of the Year, Janhvi admitted that nervousness never really fades. “My hand is shaking while holding this mic because I’m surrounded by such inspiring people. The pressure never really goes away,” she said honestly. However, she noted that success has reshaped that pressure. “It’s turned into a sense of responsibility, and I’m much more aware of it now.” Lessons from her parents Janhvi also spoke about how her parents’ relationship influenced her values, emphasising respect, trust and personal freedom. “More than anything, it’s about respecting each other’s opinions, space and individuality—allowing people around you to grow without restricting them,” she said. She added that compassion plays a key role in personal growth. “When you’re surrounded by people who genuinely love and support you, you’re free to become your best self instead of being defined by others’ perceptions.” A lighter moment Bringing humour into the conversation, Janhvi joked about her lack of singing talent. “I was told everyone here has been singing—but that’s one thing I absolutely shouldn’t do. If I start singing, the hall will empty in seconds,” she quipped, drawing laughter. Reflecting on her childhood in a film family, she shared that performing came naturally to her. “I was very enterprising—I’d direct, act and organise little shows. People even had to pay to watch me perform,” she said with a grin, adding that they jokingly had to “pay to leave” as well. NDTV launched the Indian of the Year awards in 2003 to honour individuals who represent India’s progress and spirit. Through a rigorous selection process, the platform recognises excellence across 14 categories, including business, innovation, philanthropy, governance, sports, entertainment, culture and science.

Netflix is planning to buy Warner Bros, not to end traditional TV, but to adopt its proven practices and library of popular shows, industry experts say. The streaming giant excluded Discovery’s cable channels from the deal, showing it wants to avoid owning traditional broadcast, cable, and satellite infrastructure. The move reflects the growing shift of audiences from linear TV to online streaming. Netflix has long been seen as a disruptor, launching shows like House of Cards in 2013. But analysts say the company has often copied the structure and strategies of traditional television rather than replacing them. The acquisition of Warner Bros, including HBO, would give Netflix access to a large back catalogue of popular series like Friends, helping the platform attract subscribers with familiar content. Experts note this mirrors Amazon’s 2022 purchase of MGM, where the studio library became a key asset for streaming. This deal could also allow Netflix to bundle content and brands similar to the traditional cable model, offering a combined subscription experience. Examples include Disney’s integration of Hulu with Disney+ in the U.S. Netflix has already adopted several TV-style strategies, including live events, sports, and an ad-supported tier introduced in 2022. The company also produces local content for national audiences, mimicking the practices of traditional broadcasters. If the Warner Bros deal succeeds, it will accelerate Netflix’s adoption of conventional TV approaches while keeping its streaming platform at the center, blending innovation with the legacy of network and cable storytelling.   With inputs from NDTV

The first part of the final season of Netflix’s hit series Stranger Things has drawn strong reactions from critics, with many praising its emotion and excitement while others say the show has lost some of its spark. Several reviewers described the first four episodes of season five as highly entertaining. The Times said the new instalments are filled with “proper jeopardy and bags of emotion,” while the Guardian wrote that the series’ “luxurious final run” delivers moments that will thrill long-time fans. Not all critics agreed. USA Today said the show shifts between “thrilling and annoying,” and The Atlantic described much of the new content as “largely joyless and grim.” Netflix briefly crashed after the episodes were released in the United States on Wednesday and in the United Kingdom early Thursday. Three more episodes will arrive at Christmas, followed by the series finale around New Year. The show is nearing its final showdown as the now-grown heroes of Hawkins, Indiana prepare to face Vecna in what could be their last battle. Some fans woke up early to watch the new episodes as soon as they dropped. One viewer told BBC Radio 1’s Newsbeat that she was “gripped” throughout and glad she made time to binge-watch at dawn. Many critics praised the series for staying true to its 1980s adventure style. The Standard called it classic entertainment filled with humour and heart. Empire wrote that the show “knows exactly what it is” and has not lost its sense of fun. BBC Culture said the fourth episode is “Stranger Things at its best,” predicting a strong finish if the rest of the season follows the same direction. The Telegraph said the show continues to deliver “top-rank comfort viewing” and could still offer a satisfying ending. Some reviewers, however, noted that the cast has aged while the story has struggled to grow with them. Slate wrote that the show feels stuck in place, and the Hollywood Reporter said it may be time for the teenage characters to “grow up and move on.” Others argued that the new season packs in too many characters and plotlines. IndieWire and Nerdist both said the episodes are overly long, with too much happening at once to maintain focus. Three additional episodes are set for release on Christmas Day in the United States and Boxing Day in the United Kingdom. The final episode will stream on New Year’s Eve in the US and New Year’s Day in the UK.   Source: BBC

Fans of Friends are getting a wave of nostalgia as the long-lost final episodes of its spin-off Joey have finally been released nearly 20 years after the show went off air. According to Variety, the last eight episodes of the 2004 NBC sitcom — starring Matt LeBlanc as the lovable Joey Tribbiani — are now available on the show’s official YouTube channel. These episodes never aired in the United States before the series was cancelled in 2006. The series also featured actors Drea de Matteo, Paulo Costanzo, Jennifer Coolidge and Andrea Anders. Joey followed the character’s move from New York to Hollywood to pursue his acting dreams, where he reconnects with his sister Gina and her 20-year-old son Michael. Created by Shana Goldberg-Meehan and Scott Silveri, the series opened strong with 18.6 million viewers, but interest faded over the first two seasons. Although NBC brought the show back briefly in March 2006, it was pulled again after only one episode aired. Looking back on the spin-off’s struggles, Friends executive producer and director Kevin S Bright told Variety that Joey’s character shifted too far from what made him a fan favourite. “On Friends, Joey was a womaniser, but he was also loyal and dependable. In Joey, he became someone who couldn’t get a job or ask a girl out. He became a mopey character moving in the wrong direction,” he said.   Source: NDTV

There’s something magical when winter pairs perfectly with Netflix, as the entertaining content line-up warms up the cold days and nights. The December 2025 slate of Netflix Originals brings a rush of fresh movies, series, and animations, as well as a bunch of long-awaited sequels. With genres spanning action, fantasy, thriller, adventure, comedy, romance, horror, and drama, Netflix aims to cherish audiences of every taste in the last month of the year. So let’s unwrap the Netflix Originals lineup that turns December 2025 into pure cinematic comfort. 10 Must-watch Netflix Originals Premiering This December . Troll 2 | Fantasy Adventure | December 1, 2025 A Norwegian mountain rumbles again in ‘Troll 2’, penned by Espen Aukan, with Roar Uthaug directing. The Motion Blur production, known as the largest production in Nordic film history, returns to the mythology that first stirred audiences in 2022. Read more: Upcoming South Indian Movies in November 2025: Top 12 Releases The fantasy movie centres on Nora, Andreas, and Captain Kris who are thrust back into chaos when another ancient troll awakens. As cities brace for ruin, the trio finds help in unexpected corners, piecing together courage as vast as the landscapes they protect. Ine Marie Wilmann, Jon Ketil Johnsen, Mads Sjogard Pettersen, Kim S. Falck-Jorgensen, Sara Khorami, Aksel Almaas, Trond Magnum, and Gard B. Eidsvold portray the pivotal roles. The Abandons | Western Action | December 4, 2025 In the rugged stillness of the 1850s American frontier, ‘The Abandons’, a creation of Kurt Sutter under the Sutter Ink production. The western TV series focuses on Fiona Nolan, an Irish immigrant haunted by loss, believes she can heal her emptiness by adopting four orphans. Her dream of building a family, however, collides with a darker reality. Aristocrats from across the ocean lay claim to her Oregon land, dragging her into a moral and physical war she never sought. Read more: New Bollywood Movie List for November 2025: 10 Best Hindi Films The ensemble includes Lena Headey, Gillian Anderson, Lucas Till, Aisling Franciosi, Nick Robinson, Diana Silvers, and Lamar Johnson. Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft (Final Season) | Animated Action | December 11, 2025 The popular animated series ‘Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft’, inspired by the iconic video game, approaches its end with Season 2. Lara’s journey spirals deeper into the lost histories of Orisha, uncovering relics that whisper of power and peril. A shadowy billionaire pursues the same secrets, forcing Lara into a race where every clue could destroy her or the world around her. Hayley Atwell returns as the voice of Croft, joined by Karen Fukuhara, Earl Baylon, Allen Maldonado, O-T Fagbenle, and Richard Armitage. Behind the project stand Crystal Dynamics, Legendary Television, DJ2 Entertainment, Powerhouse Animation Studios, and Panda Burrow. Man vs Baby | Comedy Family | December 11, 2025 Some disasters arrive quietly, wrapped in charm and chaos. That’s exactly the case for ‘Man vs. Baby’, the latest quirky comedy from Rowan Atkinson, who once again finds trouble in the most ordinary places. Following the events of ‘Man vs. Bee’ (2022), Trevor Bingley is back, this time housesitting a lavish London penthouse. But instead of an insect, he’s left to manage a far more unpredictable companion: a baby. Read more: New Korean Drama Lineup for October 2025: The 10 Biggest Releases Alanah Bloor joins the cast as Trevor’s daughter Maddy, a role previously played by India Fowler. Under the writing of Atkinson and William Davies, the slapstick show boasts David Kerr as its director. Had I Not Seen the Sun (Part 2) | Romantic Thriller | December 11, 2025 What begins as a prison interview spirals into something far more haunting in ‘Had I Not Seen The Sun’, a two-part Taiwanese series from Make a Deal International Production. A documentarian’s meeting with a serial killer ignites strange dreams and eerie encounters with the ghost of a dead student. Read more: South Indian Films Releasing in October 2025: 12 Must-watch Pan-Indian Lineup Directors Chiang Chi-Cheng and Chien Chi-Feng, with Chi-Feng co-writing alongside Lin Hsin-huei, shape the narrative into a slow descent between memory and madness. The cast, Moon Lee, Tseng Jing-hua, Lyan Chen, Umin Boya, Chiang Chi, Yao Chun-yao, and Shih Chih-tian, grounds the story with unnerving realism.

HBO is developing a television series based on the 2005 dystopian thriller V for Vendetta, with Pete Jackson set to write the adaptation, according to a report by Variety. The franchise originated as a comic serial written by Alan Moore and illustrated by David Lloyd. It first appeared in the British anthology Warrior in 1982 before DC Comics took over its publication in 1988. Set in a dystopian Britain ruled by the fascist Norsefire party, V for Vendetta follows an anarchist known as V, who seeks to spark a revolution against the regime with the help of Evey Hammond, a young woman he rescues from the secret police. The story was previously adapted into a 2005 film directed by James McTeigue, starring Hugo Weaving, Natalie Portman, Stephen Rea and others. The new HBO series will be executive produced by James Gunn and Peter Safran of DC Studios, along with Ben Stephenson of Poison Pen and Leanne Klein of Wall to Wall Media, part of Warner Bros Television Studios UK. Warner Bros Television will produce the project.   Source: NDTV

Stranger Things stars Millie Bobby Brown and David Harbour drew major attention as they laughed and hugged on the red carpet during the Stranger Things 5 premiere in Los Angeles, even as reports surfaced alleging Brown had filed a harassment complaint against Harbour. Netflix shared a clip of the two actors, both dressed in black, exchanging smiles and laughter while posing for photos. The caption read, “David Harbour and Millie Bobby Brown arrive together for one last Stranger Things premiere.” The Daily Mail earlier reported that Brown had lodged a complaint accusing Harbour of harassment and bullying before filming began for the final season. The report claimed that the complaint included extensive documentation and prompted an internal investigation lasting several months. Neither Brown nor Harbour has publicly commented on the allegations. Netflix also declined to issue a statement but sources told the outlet the company remains focused on the show’s upcoming release. “It will be a theatrical event. Nothing is going to overshadow this—not even the leading man’s private life,” a Netflix source was quoted as saying. Brown and Harbour have worked together since 2015, when she was just 11 years old. Reflecting on their bond, Harbour once said, “Millie and I have always had a special relationship because I knew her when she was so young.” Brown has described their dynamic as deeply emotional, saying in a 2018 interview, “We go through so many emotions; we get angry, we reconcile—we’re like father and daughter. It’s raw and real.”   Source: NDTV

Super Sentai, the Japanese superhero series that gave birth to the world-famous Power Rangers franchise, is reportedly coming to an end after 50 years, local media said on Thursday. According to reports, the show’s broadcaster TV Asahi is discontinuing the long-running series as income from merchandise sales and events can no longer cover its high production costs. However, the channel declined to comment on its “future programming,” the Asahi Shimbun reported. First launched in 1975, Super Sentai featured five young heroes who transform into colour-coded fighters to save the world from alien invaders — a concept that later inspired the US adaptation Mighty Morphin Power Rangers in the 1990s. Over the decades, the show became deeply rooted in Japan’s pop culture, helping launch the careers of numerous actors and fueling a massive toy and merchandise industry. For audiences abroad, Super Sentai served as a gateway to Japan’s vibrant superhero and comic culture, with similar shows such as Choudenshi Bioman and Hikari Sentai Maskman gaining cult followings in countries like the Philippines. Each season of Super Sentai introduced a new team — three men and two women — led by a red-suited fighter, with the others dressed in green or black, blue, yellow, and pink. Every episode followed an action-packed sequence, often ending with the heroes’ robot clashing with a giant alien. The original Power Rangers series, adapted by producer Haim Saban, aired from 1993 to 1996 and spawned numerous spin-offs. Speaking to the Los Angeles Times in 2017, Saban recalled that the idea was initially rejected by TV networks. “Every selling season, I would go out and offer it to the networks — and would get kicked out of the room. They told me how crazy I was,” he said. News of Super Sentai’s possible conclusion has saddened fans and celebrities alike. Popular actress Keiko Kitagawa shared an article about the show’s cancellation on X (formerly Twitter), captioning it “despair,” which quickly went viral with more than 15 million views. Yasuhisa Furuhara, who played one of the Super Sentai fighters, said he felt proud to be part of its long history. “I’m proud to be part of history,” he wrote. Fans across generations expressed their sorrow online. “My parents watched Super Sentai when they were kids, and now I do too. I’ll miss it,” one user wrote. Another commented, “If Super Sentai ends, what will the next generation of boys watch?”   Source: BBC