Major changes are coming to the Magic Kingdom park at Walt Disney World, including new rides, restaurants, and shops, as well as a major demolition effort for one of the park's opening day attractions.

Following major announcements at D23 this past weekend, Disney has confirmed that the new Cars ride will be housed on the location currently held by the Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island. When Magic Kingdom first opened, the Rivers of America were home to the Mike Fink Keel Boats, an attraction that operated from 1971-2001. Disney said it will "transform" these locations into "vast and rugged terrains" for the Cars ride. The word "transform" here basically means demolish and renovate, we think.

Magic Kingdom is an iconic park at Disney World, and Imagineering boss Michael Hundgen said Disney understands the "massive responsibility" that comes with doing such a major overhaul. Hundgen said Disney's teams will do their best to "get it right and tell stories that connect with our guests."

You can't keep a good slasher IP down for long, as the Halloween film series will be returning in the form of two new games. These new projects--one of which is being developed in Unreal Engine 5--will be made with input from Halloween's original director John Carpenter, and both of them are being produced at Boss Team, the studio behind the recent Evil Dead: The Video Game.

"As a huge gamer myself, I'm thrilled to help bring Michael Myers to life again in this game, and my hope is to scare you silly," Carpenter said to IGN, adding that he'll be "intimately involved" with the development of the games. Beyond that, Boss Studios is teasing that players will be able to "relive" moments from the film and play as classic characters.

Classic horror film franchises have been the source material behind several asymmetrical horror games as of late, with notable examples being Friday the 13th, Evil Dead, and The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. Halloween's first video game was released in 1983 for Atari systems, and since then, the film franchise's iconic slasher Michael Myers has appeared as a DLC character in games like Dead by Daylight and Call of Duty: Ghosts.

It was inevitable, and now it's happened: Deadpool & Wolverine has officially crossed $1 billion at the globally box office. After another successful weekend in theaters, the Marvel movie starring Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman has earned $1.029 billion worldwide. That includes $494.3 million from North America and $535.1 million from international markets, according to Variety.

It's the second movie of 2024 to pass $1 billion, following Pixar's Inside Out 2; that film is under the Disney umbrella just like Deadpool & Wolverine.

Deadpool & Wolverine should soon pass 2019's Joker ($1.07 billion) to hold the record for highest-grossing R-rated movie of all time.

Disney has provided an update on how its partnership with Epic Games to create games and experiences for Fortnite is coming along, and it's still some time off. In a blog post, Disney said Fortnite's all new "games and entertainment universe" themed around Disney is still "a few years away."

Disney also reiterated what it's hoping to achieve with this partnership, which saw Disney invest a further $1.5 billion into Epic Games. Disney said fans can think of it like "a place where all your favorite Disney characters and worlds converge in one connected universe."

In this connected universe inside Fortnite, Disney fans can "watch, play, and even create [their] own adventures."

The Borderlands film received generally poor reviews from critics, but that doesn't always signal a lack of success at the office as many poorly rated films perform just fine. However, that wasn't the case for the Borderlands movie, which is bombing with only $8.8 million for its opening weekend in the US.

The movie earned $7.7 million from international markets for a global start of $16.5 million. Variety, which supplied the box office numbers, said that figure was "embarrassing."

The report said about 60% of the Borderlands movie's production costs have already been made back through pre-sales to international exhibitors. However, it's still a disappointing result for the film, which carried a reported production budget of $115 million and advertising and distribution costs of about $30 million.

Tango Gameworks was closed by Microsoft in May, and many lamented the loss of a studio that had operated for nearly 15 years and produced games like surprise 2023 hit Hi-Fi Rush. Seoul-based publisher Krafton Inc. has saved the day, however, as the firm announced that it has acquired both Tango Gameworks and the Hi-Fi Rush IP from Microsoft.

The agreement will allow Tango to "continue developing the Hi-Fi-Rush IP and explore future projects" according to Krafton's official announcement of the move. The statement also confirms that there will be "no impact" on other Tango projects like The Evil Within and Ghostwire: Tokyo, which will remain with Microsoft.

Krafton announced the acquisition Monday morning in Seoul--Sunday evening for North America--and said that the move "reinforces Krafton’s dedication to expanding its global footprint and enhancing its portfolio with innovative and high-quality content." Speaking with Windows Central, a Microsoft spokesperson said that the company is "working with Krafton to enable the team at Tango Gameworks to continue to build games together and we look forward to playing their next great game."

The fourth and final season of The Umbrella Academy just released on Netflix on August 8, but if you've already streamed all six episodes and want more, you should check out the original comic book series the series is based on. Amazon has some great deals on The Umbrella Academy books right now, including The Umbrella Academy Box Set--a one-stop shop for the mainline series--for $32 (was $56). You can also save big on the hardcover editions of each volume, including the Deluxe editions that are bound in leatherette and come with exclusive artwork. The Deluxe edition of Volume 1 on sale for 75% off. Meanwhile, the Library editions of all three volumes--hardcovers without the collectibles--are on sale for about 50% off.

Umbrella Academy Graphic Novel Deals at Amazon

• The Umbrella Academy Box Set -- $32.07 ($56)
• The Umbrella Academy: Apocalypse Suite (Deluxe Edition) -- $20.72 ($80) with coupon
• The Umbrella Academy: Dallas (Deluxe Edition) -- $41.52 ($80)
• The Umbrella Academy: Hotel Oblivion (Deluxe Edition) -- $50.82 ($80)
• Tales from the Umbrella Academy: You Look Like Death (Deluxe Edition) -- $40.75 ($80) with coupon
• The Umbrella Academy: Apocalypse Suite (Library Edition) -- $19 ($40) with coupon
• The Umbrella Academy: Dallas (Library Edition) -- $21.69 ($40) with coupon
• The Umbrella Academy: Hotel Oblivion (Library Edition) -- $22.49 ($40)

The Deluxe edition of Apocalypse Suite is on sale for $20.72 (was $80). It's listed as "temporarily out of stock" on Amazon, but you can still place an order. Bound in leatherette, this premium hardcover edition comes with a satin ribbon bookmark, foil stamping, a This hardcover edition comes with a leatherette binding, satin ribbon bookmark, a slipcase with eye-catching art, and a lithograph by Umbrella Academy illustrator Gabriel Bá. The lithograph is stored in a leatherette portfolio.

Volumes 2 and 3 in Deluxe edition format are markedly more expensive than Volume 1, but the hardcover Library editions are all available for around 20 bucks each. The Umbrella Academy: Apocalypse Suite is on sale for $19; The Umbrella Academy: Dallas is on sale for $21.69; and The Umbrella Academy: Hotel Oblivion is on sale for $22.49. All three have $40 list prices.

At long last, Ganondorf is getting the Figma figure treatment. For anyone looking to pit Link against the franchise's big bad, Amazon has opened preorders for a Ganondorf figure ($97) based on the character's--very swole--appearance in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Like the Tears of the Kingdom Link Figma, you'll have to wait until next year for Ganondorf.

Updated on August 11, 2024: Walmart has discounted the Halo Warthog ride-on vehicle to $279, roughly $100 off its current $373 retail price. The Warthog originally launched in 2022 as a Walmart exclusive for a whopping $498.

The current discounted price is more in line with other "premium" ride-ons--but yes, it's still pricey. Nevertheless, we can't imagine this deal will stick around for long.

You can read our original story from 2022 below. I once again asked my son, who is now 3.5 years old if he wanted to play Halo Infinite with me. "I don't like Halo," he said. In other words, he still doesn't know what Halo is. And my wife has once again informed me that our son "doesn't need that" when I showed her the Warthog. How disappointing for my son, the huge Halo fan in the house.

If you've already exhausted Elden Ring's Shadow of the Erdtree DLC but aren't ready to leave the Lands Between behind yet, you should check out the official Elden Ring manga, The Road to the Erdtree. Three volumes of the ongoing series have dropped since it first premiered in 2023, and the next chapter of the story is set to release on October 15 with Elden Ring: The Road to the Erdtree Volume 4, and right now you can preorder the paperback for just $11.70 (was $13) at Amazon.

Elden Ring Manga

• Elden Ring: The Road to the Erdtree, Vol. 1 -- $11.70 ($13)
• Elden Ring: The Road to the Erdtree, Vol. 2 -- $11.70 ($13)
• Elden Ring: The Road to the Erdtree, Vol. 3 -- $12.16 ($13)
• Elden Ring: The Road to the Erdtree, Vol. 4 -- $11.70 ($13) | Preorder, releases October 15

A sequel to Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice doesn't seem likely, but at least you can make your own follow-up to the brilliant From Software action game with a pair of cute Nendoroid figures. Available to preorder now at Amazon, these two figures of Wolf ($46) and Genichiro Ashina ($52) will begin shipping out May 2025.

• Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice Wolf Nendoroid -- $46 | May 14, 2025
• Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice Genichiro Ashina Nendoroid -- $52 | May 14, 2025

The hero of Sekiro, Wolf has been given a cute makeover for this semi-poseable collectible figure. He still has his signature scar, tattered clothing, and flowing scarf, and you can switch face-plates between a default expression and a more serious glaring one. For the optional parts, you're getting the katana Kusabimaru, a sheath for the weapon, and a "Death" effect sheet.

Genichiro's Nendoroid figure is more regal, and comes equipped with flowing robes and ornate armor. He also comes with a katana, bow, and a dynamic display stand, so you can set up a pretty cool diaroma piece if you grab Wolf as well. He looks significantly less imposing as a Nendoroid figure, but if you make these two battle, you'll want to make sure you have Genichiro win the first few dozen battles for authenticity.

It's been two years since Disney announced a new Marvel attraction at California Adventure's Avengers Campus featuring King Thanos as the villain. Earlier this week at D23, Disney shared a look at the vehicle that guests will be riding across the multiverse in. Now, the name of the attraction has been revealed as well. It's going to be called Avengers: Infinity Defense.

The story behind the attraction is that Tony Stark has developed new portal technology that can take riders to different worlds. But that's also attracted the attention of King Thanos, a version of the Mad Titan who won the Infinity War in an alternate reality. Since Avengers Campus is set in alternate MCU where Thanos never snapped half the universe out of existence, the heroes don't know what to expect from him. Unfortunately for them, King Thanos is coming to rectify that.

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Image credits: Disney

D23 came and went without any word about a brand new Star Wars attraction at the Disney parks. But there's one currently existing ride at Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge in Disneyland and Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom that's going to get a few familiar faces. The Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run ride will feature a new mission that incorporates The Mandalorian and Grogu.

Lucasfilm creative executive Dave Filoni came on stage at D23's Disney Experiences panel to make the announcement. Filoni noted that Epic Games' Unreal Engine--which already helped Lucasfilm produce The Mandalorian through the virtual set known as The Volume--will be used to incorporate Din Djarin and his adoptive son, Grogu, into Smuggler's Run.

Image credit: Disney

We were promised some major Fortnite reveals at Disney's D23 event on Saturday--what else would warrant a livestream inside the game itself?--and major reveals is exactly what we got. The biggest was that Fortnite Chapter 5 Season 4, which begins August 16, will be a new Marvel-focused season, dubbed Absolute Doom--with a battle pass filled with Marvel skins, such as a new Peely called Peelverine.

What we have here in this trailer is the full battle pass reveal, plus looks at some of the new gameplay goodies we're going to get to play with. The battle pass lineup will consist of Gwenpool (the instant unlock), War Machine, Emma Frost, Shuri, Mysterio, Peelverine and Captain Jonesy as the skins you'll unlock by leveling up, and Doctor Doom will be the mid-season unlock, a la Magneto this season.

We also got a glimpse at the new Marvel powers, which appear to include Shuri's claws, War Machine's weapon rig, Iron Man's energy blasts and flight, Captain America's Shield, and Doctor Doom's gauntlets.

One of the best things to come out of the Cyberpunk 2077 universe was the Edgerunners anime series, and if you're looking to bring some of those characters home in an adorable form, there are some delightful plushies to preorder. Made by Good Smile--the company behind the cute Nendoroid figures--pricing starts at $26 for these huggable dolls and Amazon expects to ship preorders in June 2025 (yes, it's a long wait).

• Cyberpunk Edgerunners: David Martinez plushie -- $26
• Cyberpunk Edgerunners: David Martinez absolute unit plushie -- $37
• Cyberpunk Edgerunners: Lucy plushie -- $27
• Cyberpunk Edgerunners: Rebecca plushie -- $27

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First up, there are plushies of the main characters of Edgerunners, David Martinez and Lucy. David is dressed in his signature jacket and is sporting his default scowl, while other cool details include embroidered cyberware, chains, and a set of abs that kind of resemble an Evangelion unit's face.

There's also an absolute unit version of David based on his appearance in the Edgerunners finale, which has been designed to replicate the bleeding-edge military hardware that the character plugs into for his legendary battle against Adam Smasher in Night City.

Most people who buy Pez candy probably aren't thinking about the flavor of the little brick tablets much at all (none taste very good). Pez is all about the iconic plastic dispensers featuring characters from popular media franchises. Pez Dispensers have become collectibles since first debuting in the US in the 1950s (the candy itself is nearly 100 years old). There aren't very many Pez Dispensers themed around video game franchises, but if you're an Animal Crossing fan, Amazon has a limited-time deal on a 12-pack featuring Tom Nook, K.K. Slider, and Isabelle Pez Dispensers. So if you need party favors for an Animal Crossing-themed birthday party, check out this Amazon deal before it's gone.

Animal Crossing Pez Dispensers (12-Pack)

$17 (was $24)

This 12-pack includes a random mix of Animal Crossing Pez dispensers. They're all individually wrapped, so you can pass them out as gifts or horde them all for yourself. Each one also comes with two candy refills, just in case you actually like the taste of Pez.

See at Amazon

Once you're done snacking, the dispensers make a nice addition to your home office or game room. You might also consider keeping a few duplicates wrapped and tucked away, as you never know when items like this will become a collector's item.

Addams Family Values on 4K Blu-ray

$26

Preorder at Amazon

There are many, many holiday-themed movies to choose from, but not a whole ton that are specifically oriented around the US's Thanksgiving holiday. One particular perennial Thanksgiving favorite, though, is the darkly hilarious Addams Family Values, the second movie adaptation of the old Addams Family sitcom from the 1960s, and the progenitor to Netflix's Wednesday. And this fall, Addams Family Values is getting a 4K Blu-ray release for the very first time, 31 years after it was originally released in 1993. You could watch it on Thanksgiving and then jump right into the Christmas season with How the Grinch Stole Christmas, which is also releasing on 4K Blu-ray for the first time the same day.

Addams Family Values on 4K Blu-ray

$26

Addams Family Values lands on 4K Blu-ray on October 29, and the release will include a digital copy code.

In this story, the spooky Addams Family--Gomez, Morticia, Uncle Fester, Wednesday, Pugsley and Grandmama--welcome a new member of the family, Gomez and Morticia's new baby Pubert. They hire a nanny named Debbie to take care of Pubert, but it turns out she's a serial killer who plans to seduce, marry and then murder Uncle Fester. One part of her plan involves sending Wednesday and Pugsley to a sleepaway camp, where they have to put on a Thanksgiving play--it's one to remember, and a big part of the reason Addams Family Values is a cult classic to this day.

Another major contributor is the way that Addams Family Values balances out its extremely dark sense of humor with a light tone--it's a balance that many films have attempted, but few have actually achieved, with Addams Family Values being a rare example of one that pulled it off.

Preorder at Amazon

The Addams Family franchise has been around for a very long time--the titular family first appeared in a comic strip in The New Yorker in 1938, and then was adapted into a sitcom that ran for two seasons starting in 1964, followed by animated series in 1973 and 1992, two live-action movies and a live-action TV series in the 1990s, a pair of animated films in 2019 and 2021, and also the 2022 Wednesday series on Netflix, which could very well be the most popular iteration of the franchise

At this point, there seems to be hundreds of different editions of J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, including numerous versions that double as collectible display pieces. But the upcoming Lord of the Rings Deluxe Illustrated Box Set might be the most premium version to receive a wide release yet. The three-volume set includes hardcover editions bound in cloth and leather. All three books are illustrated by Alan Lee, a popular artist who has contributed to numerous Tolkien books as well as Peter Jackson's LOTR and Hobbit adaptations.

Speaking of the movies, the 4K limited-edition steelbook collection of The Lord of the Rings received a reprinting that launched. on August 9. Unfortunately, Amazon is currently sold out of the $170 set, but if you really want it, you can buy the set from a third-party seller for $200 and it'll ship directly from Amazon (eligible for Prime).

But back to the books: The Deluxe Illustrated Box Set is very expensive at $325, but there is another new Lord of the Rings collectible book set releasing this year that you can preorder for less than a third of the price. Amazon won't charge for your preorder(s) until your books ship, and any discounts offered between the time you order and release will automatically be applied.