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A new “Street Fighter” movie will ‘dragon punch’ its way to the big screen in March 2026!
The hit fighting game from Sony was nabbed by Legendary Entertainment forfilm and television rights and is being co-developed and produced with Japanese game distributor Capcom, who is behind other well-known games such as “Resident Evil” and “Monster Hunter.”
Since the franchise launched in 1987, “Street Fighter” has generated several follow-up games, spin-offs, and crossovers across anime, manga, and comics. The video game saga has sold over 49 million units globally, becoming one of the highest-grossing video game franchises of all time.
Photos from azmovies.net
2026 won’t be a cinema debut for the game saga, however, as Universal previously released a live-action adaptation of the same name in 1994 starring Jean-Claude Van Damme, Kylie Minogue, Ming-Na Wen, and Raul Julia. In 2009, 20th Century Fox also released “Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li” with Kristin Kreuk. Both films garnered generally unfavorable reviews from critics and fans and were considered commercial flops.
There’s been a trend of video game-inspired adaptations in recent years, and among them were box office successes such as “Sonic the Hedgehog” and its 2022 sequel, Tom Holland’s “Uncharted,” and the “Super Mario Bros. Movie.” Television programs such as “The Last of Us” and “Fallout” were also smash hits.
Legendary—which has a distribution deal with Sony—is no stranger to live-action adaptations, having released various kinds in the genre from novels to comic books. Some of their latest hits include “Dune,” “Godzilla vs. Kong,” “Pokémon: Detective Pikachu” and Netflix’s “Enola Holmes.”
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Say it with us, Demigods… Thank the gods! “The Percy Jackson & the Olympians” series just gotrenewed for season 3.
The Disney+ Original series was first released in 2023 and was treated by its fanbase as the saving grace of the book series after the film starring Logan Lerman and directed by Chris Columbus in 2010 diverted from the original story. This time around, bestselling author Rick Riordan personally produced the film and wrote the script for the show, which resulted in a massive success as seen from its impressive ratings and accolades.
Last Mar. 14, 2025, the author shared some good news on his website alongside the official press release from Disney. Not only does it say that the series has been greenlit for another season, but it also casually dropped the release month for season 2!We haven’t heard much about it since that teaser from D23 last year, but we’re telling you now that you can return to the world of Camp Half-Blood and Greek Gods this December when it officially premieres on the streaming platform! The original cast will be returning including Walker Scobell, Leah Sava Jeffries, Aryan Simhadri, Charlie Bushnell, Dior Goodjohn, and Daniel Diemer.
The second season will also be based on the bestselling series’ sophomore title, “Sea of Monsters” while the recently confirmed season 3 will bring to life the events in the third book, “Titan’s Curse.”
“From the moment ‘Percy Jackson and the Olympians’ debuted, it was clear this series had struck a chord with fans of all ages,” said Ayo Davis, president, Disney Branded Television. “With season two set to premiere this December, we’re thrilled to announce that Percy’s journey will continue with a third season. Huge thanks to our incredible cast and creative team, our partners at 20th Television, and our visionary and talented producers who continue to bring Rick Riordan’s world to life with such depth and imagination.”
The PJO series was the most-watched show on Disney+ in 2024 with over three billion minutes viewed according to Deadline, and was able to accumulate 4.6 million followers on its social media handles.
The highly acclaimed series also earned a remarkable 16 nominations at the Children’s and Family Emmy® Awards and won Best Young Teen Series and Directing for a Single Camera Live-Action series.
“Congratulations to the cast and crew who have worked so hard on this project,” said Rick Riordan in his blog post. “Also, what a testament to you, the fans, and the enthusiasm you’ve brought to the show. We could not have done it without you. I am eternally grateful, and I’m confident that if you liked season one, you will LOVE what is to come.”
Are you ready to go on another quest, Demigods? Follow the Percy Jackson series on Instagram and TikTok for updates.
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Get your tissues ready because the 2000s classic coming-of-age romantic drama, “A Walk To Remember,” is officially getting a reboot!
Deadline reported that Monarch Media, known for producing the Netflix films “Hitman” with Glen Powell and the faith-friendly “A Week Away,” secured the rights to the 1999 romance by bestselling author Nicholas Sparks with plans to develop a reboot with the film’s original producers, Denise Di Novi and Hunt Lowry.
The 2002 film was an adaptation of the enduringly popular 1999 novel about a rebellious high school boy who fell in love with the quiet and kind daughter of their local pastor after being forced to participate in a school play, realizing the transformative power of love and forgiveness, and how one should never take each day for granted. Shayne West and Mandy Moore played the roles of Landon Carter and Jamie Sullivan, respectively. They charmed audiences worldwide with their wholesome chemistry and made everyone weep with their portrayal of this heartbreaking yet hopeful love story.
The movie is still considered a fan favorite among hopeless romantics everywhere, even over two decades since its release. It continues to be Shaye and Mandy’s most beloved work, having also given us classic love songs like “Only Hope” and “Someday We’ll Know.” Although the Adam Shankman film made less than $48 million at the box office, it remains one of Warner Bros.’ most popular titles in the modern romance genre.
In fact, the actress told People during the film’s 20th anniversary in 2022 how much she would love to see a reboot, and when asked who she would like to see play Jamie’s role:
“I don't know, Olivia Rodrigo or something like that," she said. "Someone could redo this film. I would love to see it. It's been long enough that, yeah, I feel like we've earned our place in cinematic history for a reboot at this point.”
Producers for the reboot include Steve Barnett, Alan Powell, and Vicky Patel for Monarch Media; Di Novi and Margaret French-Isaac for Di Novi Pictures; and Lowry and Patty Reed for Roserock Films. Steve Barnett is a returning producer, having contributed to the original film while working for Di Novi twenty years ago.
“‘A Walk to Remember’ has endured as a beloved coming-of-age drama, captivating audiences with its heartfelt story of young love, personal growth, and the power of faith for decades,” Steve told Deadline. “We could not be more excited to bring a new version of Nicholas Sparks’ timeless story to audiences and are particularly thrilled to work alongside the original film’s producers, Denise and Hunt.”
Di Novi also added, “I am so grateful to Steve and Monarch Media for giving all of us the opportunity to bring this enduring and inspirational story of faith, hope, and love to a new generation, all qualities we need now more than ever.”
Are you looking forward to this reboot? Stay tuned on Monarch Media’s official website for updates.
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Women's History Month is a time to celebrate the resilience, achievements, and stories of women who have shaped history and continue to inspire change. One of the best ways to honor this month is through film, a powerful medium of storytelling that highlights the struggles, triumphs, and contributions of women from all walks of life.
Whether it's about the life of trailblazing leaders, documentaries shedding light on critical women's issues, or tales of strength and perseverance, these films offer insight, empowerment, and inspiration. Here’s a list of must-watch movies that capture the spirit of Women's History Month!
Erin Brockovich (2000)
"Erin Brockovich"is a biographical film directed by Steven Soderbergh that tells the true story of American paralegal, consumer advocate, and environmental activist Erin Brockovich (Julia Roberts), who uncovers a major environmental scandal involving the contamination of a California town's water supply by the Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E). Despite lacking formal legal training, her relentless pursuit of justice led to one of the largest class-action lawsuits in American history. The film also features Albert Finney as Ed Masry, Erin's employer and supportive attorney.
The film received critical acclaim, earning five Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director (for Steven Soderbergh), and Best Original Screenplay (for Susannah Grant). In addition, Julia Roberts won the Academy Award, BAFTA, Golden Globe, Critics' Choice, and Screen Actors Guild awards for Best Actress for her portrayal of Erin Brockovich.
Why you should watch it: "Erin Brockovich" showcases the power of perseverance and the impact one woman can have in advocating for environmental justice and corporate accountability and standing up for marginalized communities.
"She Said" is an American drama film directed by Maria Schrader that chronicles the investigative journalism of Megan Twohey (Carey Mulligan) and Jodi Kantor (Zoe Kazan), two reporters from The New York Times who exposed Hollywood film producer Harvey Weinstein's history of sexual misconduct and ignited the #MeToo movement.
The film received critical acclaim, with Carey Mulligan earning a Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress and a BAFTA nomination for Best Actress in a Supporting Role. Additionally, the screenplay by Rebecca Lenkiewicz was nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay at the BAFTA Awards and other awarding bodies.
Why you should watch it: "She Said" shows the courage and resilience of women who broke their silence, leading to a significant cultural shift towards accountability and justice in cases of sexual harassment and assault. It highlights the vital role of investigative journalism in amplifying women's voices and effecting systemic change.
"Hidden Figures"is an inspiring biographical drama directed by Theodore Melfi that tells the true story of three African-American women — Dorothy Vaughan (Octavia Spencer), Katherine Johnson (Taraji P. Henson), and Mary Jackson (Janelle Monáe)— who worked as mathematicians at NASA during the 1960s Space Race. Despite facing racial and gender discrimination, their groundbreaking calculations played a crucial role in launching astronaut John Glenn into orbit.
The movie received widespread critical acclaim and was nominated for three Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Supporting Actress (for Octavia Spencer), and Best Adapted Screenplay. It also won the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture, along with many other prestigious awards.
Why you should watch it: "Hidden Figures" highlights the resilience, intelligence, and determination of women who broke barriers in a male-dominated field. It also sheds light on the often-overlooked contributions of women, particularly women of color, in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
"The Help" is a period drama directed by Tate Taylor based on Kathryn Stockett's 2009 novel of the same name. Set in Jackson, Mississippi, during the 1960s, the film follows Eugenia "Skeeter" Phelan (Emma Stone), an aspiring journalist who decides to document the experiences of African-American maids working for white families. She collaborates with Aibileen Clark (Viola Davis) and Minny Jackson (Octavia Spencer), two maids who courageously share their stories to shed light on the racial injustices of the era.
The movie received critical acclaim and was nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actress for Viola Davis. Octavia Spencer,for her portrayal of Minny Jackson, snagged the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. "The Help" also earned the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture.
Why you should watch it: "The Help" highlights the strength, resilience, and solidarity of women challenging societal norms and fighting against racial discrimination. It shows the vital role women have played in advocating for social change and equality.
"He Named Me Malala"is a documentary directed by Davis Guggenheim that provides an intimate portrait of Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani activist who, at the age of 15, was targeted and shot by the Taliban for advocating girls' education in Pakistan's Swat Valley. The film delves into Malala's life before and after the attack, showcasing her unwavering commitment to education and her rise as a global symbol of peaceful protest and the youngest-ever Nobel Peace Prize laureate.
The documentary was shortlisted for the Best Documentary Feature category at the 88th Academy Awards and received a nomination for Best Animated Special Production at the 43rd Annie Awards. It also won the Best Documentary in the Golden Trailer Awards and Phoenix Film Critics Society Awards, along with other accolades.
Why you should watch it: "He Named Me Malala" is a must-watch as it highlights the extraordinary courage and resilience of a young woman standing up against oppression. Malala's story shows the vital importance of education for girls and the impact of one's voice in advocating for women's rights.
Want a good laugh? "A League of Their Own"is a sports comedy-drama that is, well, a league of its own. Directed by Penny Marshall, the film is based on the real-life All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL)that emerged during World War II. It follows Dottie Hinson (Geena Davis) and her younger sister, Kit Keller (Lori Petty), who are recruited to play for the women's baseball team Rockford Peaches,managed by Jimmy Dugan (Tom Hanks). Along with their teammates, Hinson and Keller both navigate the challenges of proving that women also belong in professional sports. The cast also includes Madonna as "All the Way" Mae Mordabito and Rosie O'Donnell as Doris Murphy.
Why you should watch it: "A League of Their Own" highlights a pivotal moment in sports history when women proved that they could compete at a professional level. It’s a story of perseverance and sisterhood, empowering women to break barriers.
Pressed for time? "Period: End of a Sentence" is a short watch you should consider this month. Directed by Rayka Zehtabchi, this documentary film explores the stigma surrounding menstruation in rural India. It follows a group of women in Kathikhera, a village near Delhi, as they learn to operate a machine that produces low-cost, biodegradable sanitary pads. This initiative not only improves menstrual hygiene but also empowers women to achieve financial independence and challenge societal taboos.
The documentary received critical acclaim and won 13 awards, including the Academy Award for Best Documentary (Short Subject) at the 91st Academy Awards and the Audience Award for the Opening Night Films at the National Film Festival for Talented Youth (NFFTY).
Why you should watch it: "Period: End of a Sentence" features the intersection of women's health, education, and empowerment. It showcases how grassroots initiatives can challenge deep-seated taboos and drive social change, emphasizing the importance of menstrual equity in the broader context of women's rights.
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The United States has Coachella, Burning Man, and Lollapalooza, while Europe also boasts Barcelona’s Primavera Sound, England’s Glastonbury, Belgium’s Tomorrowland, and Budapest’s Sziget Festival. Asia’s music festivals, however, are not to be missed. Just within the last two months of 2024, Hong Kong’s Clockenflap and Rolling Loud in Pattaya, Thailand rocked music lovers and festivalgoers alike.
No matter which festival, everyone can agree that one of the most important parts that make – or break – a festival is its lineup of artists. And for emerging artists and bands, landing a spot at a major music festival can feel like catching lightning in a bottle.
But what exactly are festival organizers looking for?
Instagram/ASIYA Festival
The Beat Asia got the lowdown from leading Asian festival organizers themselves. The panel discussion, moderated by Jim Bacarro of Puddy Rock, brought together powerhouses in the Asian music festival scene: Cora Chan of Clockenflap, Johnnie Moylett of Fuji Rock Festival, Dewi Gontha of Java Jazz Festival, and Sarun “Top” Pinyarat of Maho Rasop Festival. They shared insider tips on how up-and-coming artists can increase their chances of making it to the festival stage.
Thanks to ASIYA Festival, these industry leaders got together and shared their insights for bands and artists looking to entertain tens – even hundreds – of thousands of festivalgoers. Take notes, everyone!
It’s All About the Live Performance
While streaming numbers and social media followings might seem important, festival organizers unanimously agree – nothing beats a compelling live performance. “It’s all about live performance, if they can entertain the audience,” Johnnie revealed. He added that when they evaluate artists, they weigh performance capability (60%) more heavily than musical content (40%).
For artists looking to catch their attention, the Fuji Rock organizer emphasized the importance of video content: “[Send us a] YouTube video of your live performance; [we’re looking for] something about the band that can grab attention.”
Well, what makes a performance stand out then? Johnnie noted that there are a lot of key factors, but he graciously provided two: “Are they good songwriters? Does the lead singer have charisma?”
Instagram/ASIYA Festival
Do Your Homework
One common mistake that emerging artists make is submitting applications without understanding the festival’s identity. “We get these submissions that feel like they don’t know our festival at all,” Top revealed. “Do your research, go through the past lineups [of the festivals].”
Cora of Clockenflap echoed this sentiment, adding that while they receive submissions from artists who are talented, sometimes “Clockenflap is just not the right home for them, but they’re really good.” Understanding a festival’s programming, ethos, and brand helps artists target the right opportunities and tailor their submissions accordingly.
No, it’s not just for business opportunities. Organizers receive hundreds of pitches each week and while it might be tempting to compile everything you’ve got and send it to them in an attempt to show them your entire career, the experts say otherwise. Less is more.
“Sending 10 emails with the same material will not get you anywhere,” Dewi warned. Cora put it succinctly: “If Bill Gates could fit his whole career in one page, then so can you.”
Here are some key tips for crafting your submission:
Keep it concise and focused
“Pick your best performance video, just pick one,” advised Top.
Cora suggested including footage of audience reactions
Demonstrate your understanding of the festival
Highlight any relevant experience or recommendations
Start Small, Think Big
For artists without management or significant streaming numbers, the path to festival stages starts closer to home. “Conquer your own turf first, get club shows, start small, even just a 50 to 100 pax gig,” Top recommended.
Dewi emphasized the importance of professional representation: “Get a representative. If you think it’s an instant business, then you’re totally wrong.”
Cora, however, encouraged persistence, “The worst response you can get is ‘No’ or no reply.” So why not try anyway, right?
Still, the organizers agreed that getting representation can open a lot of doors. As with most industries, ‘what’ you know is just one part, and more often than not, it’s about ‘who’ you know that counts. Having people who can promote and make connections for you helps a lot, especially since it allows you to focus on your craft.
Making the Most of Festival Opportunities
Festivals, if you don’t already know, have dedicated spaces for up-and-coming talent. “We have ‘Showcase,’ for the newer artists, not the ‘money-makers,’ as they call it,” Top shared, which Dewi echoed as she said Java Jazz features “smaller stages for new talents.”
If you do land a festival gig, however, maximizing the opportunity is crucial. Johnnie advised: “Get good at the performance, play as often as you can everywhere. Get on social media, social networking [during the festival]. The main thing is to be a good live performer.”
Top stressed the networking potential of festivals: “If you get a chance to go to these international festivals, you’ll be in the bill with all these artists [from] all over the world, try to connect [with them].” He also underscored the importance of “learning from other artists, see the show, see the vibe.”
Understanding the Business
Festival programming involves multiple considerations. For Fuji Rock, the top two factors are financial viability and musical taste, with an emphasis on stylistic variety. Clockenflap’s planning strategy starts with securing headliners before filling out the rest of the lineup.
For newer artists, understanding this business aspect is crucial. Cora noted, “It’s a big investment for a band that’s starting out.” This reality check helps artists approach festivals with realistic expectations and proper preparation. As these organizers take a chance on you, so should you deliver. After all, thousands will be watching and listening – you better be ready!
The Festival Philosophy
At their core, music festivals are about creating memorable experiences. As one panelist noted, “Festivals [are] an entertainment business, success is based on the audience’s happiness. Best ambassadors are the players, the audience.”
This understanding should guide artists in their festival journey. Remember: it’s not just about getting on stage and performing your heart out – it’s also about contributing to the festival’s overall mission of delivering exceptional entertainment and fostering a music-loving community.
Perfect Your Live Show: Focus on putting on a compelling live performance with strong audience engagement. Haven’t you noticed how artists often have scripted sentences that “seemingly” transition them seamlessly from one song to another while also engaging the audience? Yeah, it’s scripted, but hey, it works! Don’t people scream their lungs out when they say this crowd’s the loudest they’ve heard in the entire tour?
Document Everything: Capture high-quality videos of your best performances, and don’t forget to include audience reactions.
Research Thoroughly: Study the festival’s past lineups, philosophy, branding, and identity before submitting your pitch. And make sure your pitches are concise!
Start Local: Build your following through small venues and local shows before targeting major festivals. Everyone’s got to start somewhere, right?
Network Effectively: Make meaningful connections within the industry and with fellow artists. It’s a tough industry to break into, like they said it’s not an instant business, but you might just make friends along the way.
Be Professional: Present yourself professionally in all communications with festival organizers.
Stay Persistent: Don’t be discouraged by rejections – use them as learning opportunities.
For budding artists, the path to festival stages is an uphill climb. It requires patience, preparation, and persistence. By understanding what festival organizers are looking for and approaching the opportunity professionally, bands can increase their chances of finally making it into the lineup.
But keep in mind that making it to the stage is just the start – how well you do from there may just determine the trajectory of your career.
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ICYMI: Jisoo and Seo In-guk were spotted filming something in Cebu earlier this February!
Netflix officially announced the production of upcoming romantic comedy series, “Boyfriend on Demand” (Working Title) on Feb. 20, 2025. BLACKPINK’s Jisoo and Seo In-guk will star in the drama together, which will be directed by Kim Jung-sik, who is known for his dramas “Work Later, Drink Now (2021),” “Strong Girl Namsoon (2023),” and “No Gain No Love (2024).”
“Boyfriend on Demand” is set in a virtual reality, where people go through a subscription-based virtual dating simulation program, which continues in real life.
Jisoo is set to play exhausted webtoon producer SeoMi-rae, who longs for a second chance at love and suddenly receives a “Monthly Boyfriend” device that allows her to enter a virtual reality. There, she meets the boyfriends of her dreams and shakes up her world.
Seo In-guk will play the role of Park Kyeong-nam, Mi-rae’s co-worker and rival. He’s capable and competent at work, but Mi-rae feels uneasy around him. He’s a character with surprising secrets, where despite his indifferent and cold demeanor, is sure to stir up emotions in Mi-rae.
“Boyfriend on Demand” is set to stream on Netflix. More details about the drama will be revealed in the future.
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WNBA star and Nike signature athlete Sabrina Ionescu is about to make history with her first-ever Asia tour, bringing her message of empowerment and strength to the next generation of basketball players.
The New York Liberty Guard will be visiting the Philippines, Guangzhou,and Hong Kong starting Mar. 10, 2025, to connect with young hoopers and expand her influence within the global basketball community.
A trailblazer in her own right, Ionescu has redefined what’s possible for female athletes, becoming a role model and paving the way for young girls to follow their dreams in sports, and creating spaces where future stars can thrive, on and off the court.
Courtesy of NIKE
In Manila, Sabrina’s tour kicks off with two youth basketball clinics, where she will share her expertise and inspire the next wave of Filipino players. She will also host a Nike retail takeover and debut her latest collaboration, the Nike Sabrina 2.
The event culminates with an exciting evening of hoops at the iconic Araneta Coliseum, bringing basketball fans together for an unforgettable celebration of the sport.
Next, Sabrina will head to Guangzhou,China, where she will meet local athletes, visit some of the city’s most revered courts, host a community basketball camp for girls, and advise athletes on finding the right products at a Nike Rise retail store.
Her tour will close in Hong Kong on Mar. 16, where she will immerse herself in the vibrant street basketball culture, visit schools, and motivate young female players at the Nike All Hong Kong Schools Jing Ying Basketball Tournament, a key event for aspiring athletes in the region.
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In case you haven’t heard already, music icon Taylor Swift is re-recording her first six albums to own her masters. In other words, to own the original recordings of her beloved creations.
When fans first heard about this in 2019, they expected to get an updated version of the albums with some minor changes. But the artist gifted us with an explosive B-side by including several unreleased tracks that didn’t make the final cut during its original recording sessions. These so-called songs “From The Vault” gave us further insight into her mindset while she was recording these albums all the while taking us down memory lane as we revisit the songs we grew up with — from her country days with “Fearless” down to her 80’s influenced pop record “1989.”
Additionally, Taylor invited collaborators on these revamped albums, featuring pop and country artists like Keith Urban on “Fearless,” Ed Sheeran on “Red,” and Fall Out Boy and Paramore’s Hayley Williams on “SpeakNow.” These tracks gave the albums new life, catapulting Taylor to the top of the music industry and proving that her music is timeless and will always have a place in everyone’s hearts and playlists.
With four Taylor’s Version albums already released, we’re listing down some of the standout vault tracks that rounded out the stories of each of these albums and showcased the icon’s impressive songwriting talent. Although we believe every vault track deserves to be pored over, here are ten of our favorites ranked:
#10 “Foolish One” (Speak Now)
We’re calling this track the rational sister of “Sparks Fly” and “Enchanted” because while the latter tracks sing about falling in love with reckless abandon and painting love as this wonderous, magical thing, “Foolish One” is that friend who tells you to wake up and face reality because the man you want doesn’t want you back. Ouch!
“I’ll get your longing glances, but she’ll get your ring” really hits hard for a country track written by a 19-year-old. Might even be more scathing than “Dear John.”
#9 “Message In A Bottle” (Red)
It was reported that this was one of the first songs Taylor wrote for the “Red” album which proves that she was ready to crossover to pop since the early beginnings of this era.
It’s a love song with a catchy chorus and vocal shifts and rifts. It’s giving “Starlight” and “22” vibes, and we think it would’ve perfectly fit in the original record. But oh well, at least we have it now. Better late than never, right?
#8 “Now That We Don’t Talk” (1989)
This electro-pop bop truly embodies the “1989” sound. In the song, Taylor calls out an ex-boyfriend after their split, and how he seems to have changed so much she barely recognizes him anymore.
This track would’ve been ranked higher on this list if it was longer. It’s pretty short, just under two and a half minutes. And just when you’re getting into it, the song abruptly ends, leaving you wanting more!
#7 “Is It Over Now?” (1989)
This track was co-written with Jack Antonoff who is known to have worked the magic on some of the best Taylor Swift songs ever like “Getaway Car,” “Cruel Summer,” and “Out of The Woods.”
Taylor recalls a messy split on this track — rumored to be from Harry Styles. There are quite a few references on this song that confirm that rumor such as “blue dress on a boat,” which refers to that viral boat photo of her in the British Virgin Islands, and “your new girl is my clone,” which may be referencing Kimberly Stewart, who has quite the resemblance with the pop star and whom Harry dated shortly after their split. The tea is definitely piping hot with this one, but more importantly, it’s a fantastic pop track!
#6 “I Bet You Think About Me feat. Chris Stapleton” (Red)
We always thought “Red” was a transition album where Taylor began to experiment with genres and slowly brought out a more pop sound which eventually gave birth to “1989” two years later. But “I Bet You Think About Me” is as country as country gets!
It’s not surprising that it got left in the vault, most likely to make room for her more experimental tracks like “State of Grace” and “I Knew You Were Trouble” but this brutally honest and biting song calling out a former flame for letting go of the best thing that has ever happened to him is honestly so good it’s impossible to leave it out of this list.
The music video marked the directorial debut of actress Blake Lively, who is a close friend of the singer, and featured “Whiplash” actor Miles Teller. The MV is a comical interpretation of the song as Taylor tries to sabotage the wedding of her ex-boyfriend.
#5 “Timeless” (Speak Now)
This “Speak Now” vault track concluded the re-recorded album where Taylor sings about the type of constant love everyone hopes for. It’s a little reminiscent of “Mary’s Song Oh My My My” from her debut album, which narrates the story of childhood lovers and features that melancholic sound of country guitars and horns that was a signature in her songs during her country days.
In “Timeless,” Taylor was inspired by her late grandparents’ story and yearned for the same kind of love — the love that never ages and only grows deeper as the years go by. It’s a hopeful track that beautifully concludes the album, and we dare say, a good counterpart to “Long Live,” which was the last track on the original record.
#4 “Better Man” (Red)
“Better Man” is undoubtedly one of the best breakup tracks she has ever written, but it was a song sung from the perspective of someone much older than her age back when she was recording “Red,” which made sense as to why she gave the song to the country band “Little Big Town.” The song was unsurprisingly a hit, even winning Best Country Dup/Group Performance at the Grammy Awards in 2018.
Taylor’s vocals and lyrical talent shine through in this, highlighting her emotional intelligence and how wise she was beyond her years. Taylor collaborated with Aaron Dessner on this track, whom she also worked with on “Cardigan.” Aaron added some strings into the song that elevated that classic country music storytelling.
#3 “Slut!” (1989)
Taylor has been infamous for writing songs about her exes and turning them into mega hits. The media loved following and criticizing her relationships which she made fun of with her “1989” single “Blank Space” — a satirical take on her public image as a so-called “serial dater.”
When she announced “Slut!” as one of the “1989” vault tracks, Swifties expected a revenge song for critics who slut-shamed her back in that era, but instead, we got a vulnerable, synthy slow jam that took Instagram and TikTok reels by storm.
“In a world of boys, he’s a gentleman” is practically every girl’s theme song now.
#2 “Mr. Perfectly Fine” (Fearless)
We’re not sure why this was cut from the album in the first place when it would’ve been a sure radio pop hit following her sophomore album’s successful singles “Love Story” and “You Belong with Me.” It’s almost criminal how she kept this song from us for this long. Not to mention, how iconic it would’ve been if she had released this song while the wounds were still fresh from her controversial breakup with singer Joe Jonas — who, rumor has it, is “Mr. Perfectly Fine.”
This song embodies Taylor’s signature witty lyrics and country-pop sound and checks all the marks on what makes her songs so catchy and popular.It’s also honestly brutal as Tayor drags her former flame for acting superior after the split and always wanting to come out on top to maintain his image. We love it so much and we can’t stop singing it!
#1 “All Too Well (10 Minute Version)” (Red)
It may not have been a single on the album, but it had been a favorite among fans even before the ten-minute version was released. The original recording was already longer than most of her tracks, but since Taylor mentioned that she had to cut down half of the song in an earlier interview, fans have been clamoring for the full version, which she generously gave them in the re-recording of “Red.”
And safe to say, nobody was prepared for this mammoth of a heartbreak song that expanded a heartbreaking story of love and betrayal. Taylor used her songwriting skills to tell a reckoning tale through heartfelt lyrics that put you in the moment these scenes happened. We especially loved the vivid variations of the chorus, which took listeners on a journey and tangled them inside the emotional turmoil Taylor was feeling at the time she penned the track.
Lyrics like “You kept me like a secret, but I kept you like an oath” and “So casually cruel in the name of being honest” really put Taylor’s feelings into perspective and how that almost cathartic fade-out ending told us a lot about how she felt in the aftermath: how broken and lost she had been. Taylor even wrote and directed a short film about it, which starred Sadie Sink and Dylan O'Brien.
Although many may argue, we believe this version is the artist’s best song yet.
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