logo
Just 35 Products I Would Never Dream Of Keeping From You

Just 35 Products I Would Never Dream Of Keeping From You

Buzz Feed30-03-2025

We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
Shopping
·
These things are way too good to gatekeep.
1. A colorful keyboard (and matching mouse!) in case you've seen all those TikTok desk setups and started to feel a bit jealous.
This keyboard comes with a mouse and a USB receiver (compatible with Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10, and Mac) for easy connecting.
Promising review:"I love this keyboard! It's only been a couple of weeks, but it makes me excited to write again. I ordered blue, it's lovely and easy to use, haven't had any problems with the keys being round like I thought I would. The mouse is fine, the connection hasn't had any problems yet. I feel like the price is reasonable, it's not super fancy with lighting, but it has a nice aesthetic and fluffy sounding clicky clackies." — Eric
Get it from Amazon for $28.79+ (available in 14 colors).
2. Kinfield's Golden Hour bug spray made with a unique strain of Indonesian citronella that actually smells good — think citrus and vanilla. Customers looking to avoid DEET swear up and down that it really works.
Kinfield
Heads up: As far as "natural" bug sprays go, the CDC only recommends formulas with oil of lemon eucalyptus so I don't recommend using this in super buggy areas. That said, based on the reviews, you should be covered for casual picnics and backyard hangs.
Promising review:"Mosquitoes like to eat me up and make me puff up like an itchy water balloon, but I've had absolutely ZERO bites while wearing this stuff. I love that it's not a bunch of nasty, sticky DEET chemicals. I recommend applying it outside though if you have cats or dogs, since essential oils aren't great for them to ingest or inhale. Made the mistake of applying inside one time and it was very strong so I cordoned my cats off from the area lol. A lot of people seem to complain about the scent but I personally love the smell of citronella so it doesn't bother me. I'll be using this for LIFE!" — TJ R.
3. Waterslide decal paper that will make you feel like some sort of design magician. Stick your art or photos on nails, toys, candles, planters, or whatever else you'd like.
Print out whatever design you'd like, coat it with acrylic varnish, and then dry. Next, cut out your design, soak it in water, and voila! You have a decal that can be removed from the water and stuck to anything you'd like.
Promising review: 'I wanted to buy this paper for the sole purpose of making my own water transfer nail decals. Make sure to follow the instructions with regards to dry time and sealing with a clear acrylic coat prior to submersing in water. The paper itself is transparent (I know some papers have a frosty look to it) and it transfers easily (as long as the instructions are followed). I made my first set of nail decals and was pleasantly surprised by how easy they were to get onto my nails and that I was able to manipulate them even after putting them on (with a little water on my fingertip) to get it just right. I sealed the decal with a clear top coat and it's good to go. Overall great product will purchase again!' — Kelly
Get 10 sheets from Amazon: the laser jet-appropriate paper for $10 or the inkjet-appropriate paper for $11.80.
4. An undetectable mouse jiggler for anyone with a micromanager who's a little too invested in your online status. This will make it seem like you're active while you take a much-needed break.
Promising review:"Like everyone else, I stumbled upon this product because of a TikTok I saw. Setup was extremely easy and I'm pleased to say that my Teams green light is on all the time now. Workers of the world, unite." — Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in four styles).
5. A fancy switch plate cover because HELLO everything in your home can and should be fancy as all heck.
Promising review: "I didn't know what to expect with this switch plate, but what I didn't expect was the weight of it! The quality is absolutely incredible, the polished brass is a perfect color (honestly more golden than brassy) and overall, I'm in LOVE with the design. It's exactly what I was looking for. I'll definitely be ordering more plates for my outlets!" — RHEA
Get it from Amazon for $22+ (available in seven finishes and many styles).
6. A bag of sugar-free, gluten-free, soy-free, and nut-free brownie mix for an inclusive treat everyone can enjoy at movie night.
Amazon
Good Dee's a small business founded by Deana, who wanted to create a business that sold snacks the whole family could enjoy.
Promising review:"When I visited my parents my mom started RAVING about these brownies because she's on a keto diet and has a huge sweet tooth, well....I ate three huge portions and she was mad but I'm already making more upstairs as I type this! Delicious!" — meh
Get it from Amazon for $13.99.
7. A cleansing jelly ball that smells like watermelon and cloudberry, because liquid cleanser is sooo last year.
Amazon
Dallas & James Skincare Co. is a mom-owned small business that sells skincare products.
Promising review: "I am on my third purchase of the Watermelon Dream line. I am someone who has struggled with skincare lines for years. I have severely sensitive skin that in my 30s still also likes to act up like a teenager. I had used it over the summer and at the time felt like I hadn't noticed a difference. So when I ran out, switched to something else I had lying around and boy did my skin feel BLAH. After like a week I went online and bought the whole line again plus the mask. My skin is soooo much happier and now I am all in. The smell is light, not overpowering but still there and very good." — Stephanie
Get it from Amazon for $28.
8. A pair of paperclip necklaces made for layers. One is a simple chain while the other comes with the initial of your choice.
Amazon
Promising review:"This was the perfect gift for a beloved niece. Personalized, gorgeous, and incredibly affordable. This necklace is two-in-one. I love the layered look, and she can wear them together or separate, as the two pieces are not physically connected to each other. I loved it so much, I want to get one for myself!" — J.McKenna
Get them from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in three finishes and 26 letters).
9. A candle that looks like tinned fish. Trendy! The soy wax candle even comes with adorable paper packaging.
Get it from dashaflowerhead on Etsy for $26.
10. A tulle skirt, because who doesn't want to re-create Carrie Bradshaw's iconic tutu and pumps look???
Promising review:"I read tons of reviews for this skirt and I felt confident in the sizing that I chose. It fits wonderfully as a high-waisted skirt. It is very full and it has a slip attached to it. I ordered this skirt in white. It is so pretty. I know I will receive compliments on it. I plan to order another. I definitely give this skirt two thumbs up. And you really can't beat the price!" — tanisha
Get it from Amazon for $25.49+ (available in sizes XS–5X and 45 colors).
11. A pet brush with thin, long teeth capable of getting to the undercoat. A good brushing means a silkier coat — and best of all, less shedding.
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"This brush is awesome!! I highly recommend it. I even bought another one to have just in case something happened to the first one. I have 3 Shiba Inu dogs. Every spring they shed their 'second coat.' I have tried six different brushes over the past 3-4 years, including the Furminator and they have hated them all. They either pull and cause pain or they don't work. This brush is not expensive, not painful, removes gobs of hair easily, and I think it may help my dogs shed less. I wish I had found it first. I could have saved money and spared my dogs painful experiences trying all the other brushes." — Becky
Get it from Amazon for $9.39.
12. A pair of baby feet masks for getting the peeling snake feet of your dreams. JK! After the peeling stops, you get nice, soft tootsies.
www.amazon.com
Just pop on the booties for an hour, wash your feet, and marvel as your feet start shedding layers of dead skin.
Promising review:"My feet have never felt softer! I do recommend wearing socks often, otherwise your couch and blankets will be covered in sloughed off skin! No pain or discomfort. I love it!" — Nicole C
Get two pairs from Amazon for $15.09.
13. A pack of cleaning pads that work just as well as the real Magic Eraser deal at zapping away smudges and stains. Save your dirty sneaks AND save some money.
Read more about these impressive pads.
Promising review:"A 20-pack? For this price? Yes please! It's basically an exact replica of the name-brand product for a fraction of the cost. I have a toddler who has at one time or another accosted our walls with pens, pencils, and markers and a mechanic husband who comes home each day manhandling our white front door with greasy grubby hands each day. Wait, our door is white? OH WAIT thanks to these yes our door is indeed a sparkling, clean white color. My walls are marker-free without rubbing off all of the cheap white paint. I used this to scrub pollon off of sticky window sills and caked on spilled laundry detergent off of the washer/dryer unit. Scuffs of all nature, be gone. In all seriousness, these do their job well, just add water and a little elbow grease. They disintegrate quite quickly if you're scrubbing a more abrasive surface, but that's to be expected and for the price it's so worth it." — hannah
Get a pack of 20 from Amazon for $14.95.
14. A pleated tennis skirt because tennis-chic is in. We may not be able to serve quite like Zendaya, but we can try!
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"I LOVE this skirt. I found it off a review on TikTok. The skirt fits like a glove, with room to stretch (not tight or ill-fitting). I'm really happy with this product because it's hard to find a product that accommodates my size and comes in good quality. If you were hesitant, I would suggest checking your measurements. I might buy more colors!" — Nick
Get it from Amazon for $17.84+ (available in sizes 0–12 and 41 colors and patterns).
15. A live, self-sustaining Venus fly trap lightbulb you can watch flourish, no matter what color your thumb is. You can remove and replant when it gets too big!
amazon.com, amazon.com
The plant comes in a gel that has all the nutrients it needs to survive. It should outgrow its home in about 4–6 months.
Promising review:"I was pretty sure I'd love this, but had no idea how much! I'm the 'mom' to three full-sized Venus fly traps, and it's so fascinating to see this baby in its beginning growth stage. Sort of like marveling at the tiny fingernails on a new born infant, I'm captivated by the tiny but perfectly formed traps. Looking forward to watching it grow!" — Siri Jeffrey
Get it from Amazon for $8.99.
16. A tote organizer that has two vital functions: 1. brings order to your chaotic bag that weirdly has no pockets and 2. lets you transport all your stuff with one fluid motion.
Measure your bag to make sure it's a good fit!
Promising review:"This thing is great! I have a large bag I use as a carry-on when I fly by plane. Unfortunately it has very few pockets and is just like a bottomless pit. This fit in perfectly. I was able to organize all my items quite well. They were easy to retrieve in flight and in the airport. I didn't use the zipper compartment at all, but did put that piece in to use it as a divider. It is well-made and sturdy. Be sure to measure your inner bag space first!" — Susan
Get it from Amazon for $9.47+ (available in seven sizes and 17 colors).
17. A set of thick velvet slip covers to instantly transform your drab couch into something new and fabulous. Goodbye, stain-covered gray couch and HELLO new couch of my HGTV dreams.
www.amazon.com
This set even comes with nonslip straps to ensure your new seats stay in place. See more colors here.
Promising review:"I have never been so excited about a slipcover. Total transformation of our couch and loveseat. I was worried about it not working on our leather couch, but it stays on really well due to the straps and the separate cushion covers. LOVE." — Brian/Liz
Get it from Amazon for $27.61+ (available in five sizes and 15 colors).
18. A budget-friendly waterproof eyebrow wax to give your brows a little love. Just swipe on the clear, organic formula to shape, then add your favorite eyebrow gel or pencil on top for color if needed.
Promising review:"I absolutely love this and am amazed at how fuller my brows look! Application is also super easy and quick! I took three pictures. Top picture is before I applied it. Middle picture is after application. Third picture is after I've drawn a line under my brow to clean up the look and filled in some sparse areas." — P.A.
Get it from Amazon for $4.99+ (available in two colors and in a brow gel/brow soap duo).
19. A Sauberkugel, or a cleaning ball that picks up crumbs, lint, and debris as it rolls around your bag.
Amazon
Promising review: "This little ball is genius!! Rolls around in my purse; which I live out of. It picks up a lot lint, debris, or even crumbs. Easy to find with the bright pink. Just remove and wash, and it's ready to go again. The price was great and something I can use for years. If you live out of your purse this a must-have!!" — dj3biggs
Get it from Amazon for $10.99 (available in six colors and in a multi-pack option).
20. A satin-lined Hairbrella to keep your hair protected from rain, humidity, and anything else that's out to ruin your perfect hairdo.
Hairbrella/YouTube
Hairbrella is a Black-owned small business established in 2016 that specializes in hats combining fashion and function to protect against all types of weather.
Promising review:"I never carry an umbrella cause they're too bulky, so when I saw the Hairbrella I was so excited. It keeps my hair dry and my curls nicely quaffed, rather than me looking like I stuck my fingers I a light socket. I'm telling everyone I know about it, it's an amazing alternative to those wide-brimmed hats or a briefcase LOL! Truly it's never going Read more about review stating Love it!!to leave my side from now on! I definitely recommend it." — Gina C.
Get it from Amazon for $34+ (available in 13 colors) or Hairbrella for $39+ (available in nine colors).
21. An eyeliner with a wing-shaped stamp so you can just stamp on your cat's eye liner and go. No more erasing and retrying one million times!
You get two dual-sided pens: one each with the left and right wings. The other sides have straight eyeliner.
Promising review:"I've tried the taping method, tried normal liquid liner, plastic winged stamping devices, stencils, all of it! So when I saw this I thought, meh, why not give it a shot...It's not like my hopes were high since nothing else has been efficient or worked as it should. But to my surprise I put the left cat eye on first and it was perfect aside from needing to connect it to my current liner. I thought this was a fluke and did the right eye...again, it came out clean and perfect! I HAVE NEVER IN MY LIFE BEEN ABLE TO DO A CAT EYE IN UNDER 10 MINUTES...LET ALONE THE 2 MINUTES THIS TOOK TO DO! There was no sloppy streaks that I had to touch up or anything you would expect. Just a clean crisp line." — LadyMeow
Get a set from Amazon for $14.98+ (available in three styles).
22. A magnetic-mounted torch you can take off the wall and bring with you when it's time to go to the bathroom or groggily find some coffee without turning on the lights.
Promising review:"We wanted to light the steps going up to the bathroom and came across this excellent product. We have no electrical outlets in the hall, so a plug in nightlight was not an option for us. I read other reviews that mention the sticky back rips paint off the wall, so I went ahead and drilled a hole through the middle of the back plate, and used a screw to secure it instead; this way if I ever want to move the light I can do so. We will definitely recommend to friends and family." — biallasamantha
Get it from Amazon for $16.84+ (available in four styles).
23. A pair of LED stained glass bulbs to bathe your home in a kaleidoscope of colors.
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"I love these bulbs. They make any room all warm and cozy. Also a fantastic nightlight for the little ones. :)" — Amazon Customer
Get them from Amazon for $16.99.
24. A JW Pei abacus bag that comes in a variety of fun colors and materials. Whether you opt for the Barbie-approved pink faux leather or the Muppet-approved red faux fur, you're sure to look amazing.
JW Pei is a small fashion brand founded by husband and wife duo Yang Pei and Stephanie Li.
Promising review: "This bag is very different, but in a good way. It's pretty small, especially in the handle part. It can feel a little awkward, but a perfect addition to my bag collection!" — Chanelle
Get it from Amazon for $67.15+ (available in several styles).
25. Little heart-shaped grippers to help with glasses that keep falling down your nose.
Amazon
Promising review: "I bought these for my Ray-Ban sunglasses, and they work perfectly! ❤️" — BMosqueda
Get a pack of 15 from Amazon for $6.99 (available in six colors).
26. A long desert sticker that wraps around bottles and mugs, creating a layered landscape unique to the size of your vessel.
Get it from HydrascapeStickers on Etsy for $17.95.
27. Iridescent pimple patches in fun shapes because zapping zits might as well feel like an art project. I wish all problems could be solved with a sticker.
Promising review: "I've used a lot of different hydrocolloid acne patches with varying results, but so far these are the only ones that seem to actually resolve the zit in a day or two. Others have irritated my skin, or are difficult to remove and pull at my skin; these don't do any of that. They stick quite well, but come off without a problem when I'm ready. They are cute too, and I like that I can't see the gunk it pulls from the outside of the sticker." — ML
Get a pack of 72 from Amazon for $13.98.
28. A set of drill brushes so effective, you'll be shocked to discover how clean your home used to be.
The set comes with a 2-inch flat brush, a 4-inch flat brush, and a round brush. The drill isn't included, but you can grab a basic Black and Decker one ($27.83 on Amazon) that'll do the trick.
Promising review:"I thought my hard water stains would never come off my shower doors, but I bought this awesome brush set, and it's amazing! I've tried all the hacks — drier sheets, clean erasers, lemon, vinegar — nothing works like this brush! I used Zep shower cleaner with it! In the picture, the side on the right is the part of the door I cleaned, and I still have to clean the left side." — Traci D.
Get it from Amazon for $18.95 (available in six colors and stiffness levels).
29. A roll of peel-and-stick fake marble to jazz up all your dull surfaces.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"Used a little more than one roll for a quick makeover for an ugly fireplace in a rental apartment. It was easy to cover the tiles with the film, and I could stretch the film out about 1 mm if I had cut the strip too short. It makes a huge difference for minimal effort/price. I don't think anyone would be squinting down at the floor to notice the slightly pixelated pattern." — zhen
Get a single roll from Amazon for $18.30.
30. Squiggly Camper sandals that can be seen EVERYWHERE in Brooklyn. It's easy to see why — they're fun, but subtle enough to match any mood or event.
Camper is a shoe brand from Mallorca, Spain that has been making footwear since 1975.
Get them from Camper for $150+ (available in sizes 6–11 and four colors).
31. A four-slice retro toaster in a lovely mint color to complete your vintage kitchen look. The extra-wide slots ensure even your extra-thick bagels can fit.
Promising review:"This toaster fit right in my farmhouse-style kitchen with its cool mint-green color and retro vibes. Pros: four slots, and they are the wide-and-long type, meaning those fancier breads fit without squishing the sides of your slice. It has a bagel setting, as well as a nifty reheat button so your toast doesn't get burnt or overly crispy if you aren't hovering over it and miss it pop up and have to retoast it. It is fairly easy to clean, just dump the tray, so no worries about crumbs or bits of bread burning in the bottom and ruining the perfect taste of your slice. The knobs have a neat texture and are adjustable so you can time it just right for Pop Tarts, toast, or toasted sandwich bread. Cons: My husband is a little jealous of how much I love this toaster, and has been asking me if it is better than him. What could I say? I mean it makes TOAST, all he makes is methane gas so... Maybe consider ordering a couples therapy workbook to go with this toaster when purchasing." — Alice R.
Get it from Amazon for $59.99+ (available in two sizes and eight colors).
32. Soot sprite dryer balls that'll look sooo cute bouncing around in your dryer. Besides being adorable, they reduce drying time, prevent wrinkles, and soften clothes, all without coating your stuff in a waxy residue like dryer sheets do.
www.amazon.com
Dryer balls are eco-friendly *and* budget friendly because you can use them over and over. Friendsheep is a small business that sells dryer balls handmade by women in Kathmandu, Nepal.
Promising review: "These are so incredibly cute! I love that they look like soot sprites! I used them today and noticed a significant decrease in drying time. No static, and able to be scented with essential oils. A great alternative to polyester, single use dryer sheets." — Daria
Get a pack of three from Amazon for $18+ (available in ten styles).
34. A ribbed tank top dress with fun cutouts for when you want to look and stay cool.
amazon.com
Promising review:"This dress made me feel super comfortable and confident. The slit is [the] perfect length. I wore this in Hawaii. Was worried I would get too hot because of the material, but it worked out perfectly because of the slit. I love this dress and highly recommend." — Tarakaye
Get it from Amazon for $31.19+ (available in sizes XS – XL and 31 colors).
35. A Marshmallow Whip Maker loved by TikTokers thanks to its ability to turn your hum-drum cleanser into light frothy foam. Foam = easier to apply and less friction bothering your skin.
Amazon, www.amazon.com
To use this, all you have to do is put a pearl-sized drop of your favorite cleanser at the bottom, fill with water up to the dotted line, and pump it until it creates foam.
Promising review:"This thing is the bomb. Does exactly what it advertises — makes a thick whipped cream/foam out of washes, making it economical as well as fun. It can 'soften' harsh washes to make the concoction gentler on skin. It's also great for mixing washes if you have two or more you'd like to combine for different effects. And of course, a little goes a long, long way with this puppy. For the price, it's a steal — if you're into this kind of thing. Definitely give it a try if you're not sure. It's a really cool device." — KnockKnockMe
Get it from Amazon for $7.
Some reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Co Antrim woman's passion for posting traditional cookery skills a hit on TikTok
Co Antrim woman's passion for posting traditional cookery skills a hit on TikTok

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

Co Antrim woman's passion for posting traditional cookery skills a hit on TikTok

A Co Antrim grandmother with more than three million likes on TikTok has spoken about her passion for keeping traditional cooking alive for the next generation. While the social media platform was initially best known for showcasing dance moves, Cheryl Smyth has amassed millions of views from across the world whipping up local favourites in her kitchen in Carrickfergus. Some of the 58-year-old's most popular videos include stew, roast dinners, braised steak, 'marry me' chicken and sausage rolls, and attract viewers from Canada, Australia, New Zealand and France as well as Northern Ireland. Her bakes also include a chocolate cake inspired by the Roald Dahl book Matilda as well as traybakes, pineapple creams, scones, sticky toffee pudding, wheaten farls and treacle farls as well as old-school jam and coconut sponge and meringues. Her channel Cheryl Bakes Cakes is growing by around 10,000 followers a month since she started in January 2024, going on to hit 100,000 by December, and now at almost 170,000. One of her first videos was surviving a gale during Storm Isla in January 2024, but soon expanded to cooking with the encouragement of her children. Cheryl told the PA news agency she is incredibly touched by and motivated by followers who tell her she has taught them things their own parents were not able to. 'I'm just a person next door type, but I do things they can all relate to, and I'm teaching them how to cook, and how to cook good traditional meals on a budget,' she said. 'You'll see my life going on in the background, my dogs, people walking in while I'm baking, my husband, it's just a real person in a real kitchen making real food. 'I actually had a message recently from a girl who said her mum had passed suddenly, how she missed her and that actually I was teaching her things her mum never got the chance to do. 'I've had lots of those comments, that I'm the mummy someone didn't have or the great aunt, and for me, that's my measure of success when someone says that to me. 'I'm so grateful that just being me seems to connect with people.' Cheryl, originally from Larne, also lived in Zambia and Canada as a child before her family returned to Northern Ireland. She worked as a personal assistant before becoming a full-time mother when her first son was born, and has since also raised her birth children and foster children for the last 31 years. While many creators with growing followings on social media aim to make it their full-time job, Cheryl said she is focused on helping people develop their cooking skills. She said she has also turned down scores of opportunities to collaborate with companies and sell products, which she says she has no plans to do. 'If you see me promoting a nice Chinese takeaway, I bought it. If I eat a nice Chinese takeaway I'll talk about it, but I stay away from the paid promotion,' she said. 'I am not doing this for money, it's just for enjoyment. 'Eating out is becoming a treat these days, so for me it's about showing people how to easily feed their family well with really nice food that's good for them, and saving your money to have a takeaway as a treat. 'That's just how I was brought up and now I do it too. 'I'm always being asked about doing a cook book, but I just say this is my living cookbook, and you get to ask me questions and I can reply to you. I'm just not financially motivated at all.' She has recently started a new series focused on being able to feed your family for a fiver, and has even teamed up with a butcher in Ballymena to create a £25 meat pack to help people cook on a budget. Cheryl also said she is adapting to being recognised when she goes out, from people asking for pictures with her to telling her that they cooked her various recipes with great success. 'Nobody wants a smashed avocado any more, and a hundred ways to do it, they want a piece of soda bread and nice slice of ham,' she said. 'Our breads are so easy to make, it's one bowl, no rising, no yeast, stirred with a knife, put in the oven or the griddle, and they're incredible. But she stressed: 'I don't want anybody to think I am something that I'm not – I'm just a normal girl in a house who knows how to cook, who was taught by my granny and my mum, and now I do it too. 'For me, it's just good fun and I love what I'm doing.'

Why YouTube is trying to replace your favorite TV shows
Why YouTube is trying to replace your favorite TV shows

Business Insider

time2 hours ago

  • Business Insider

Why YouTube is trying to replace your favorite TV shows

A new golf comedy called "Shanked," which follows the hijinks at a country club where employees clash with pampered members, made its debut this month. The first episode runs about 20 minutes and resembles a low-budget comedy you might have once seen on Comedy Central. But it's not on cable. It's on YouTube. Welcome to 2025, when the big question in Hollywood isn't whether YouTube can work in the living room, but rather, how much of the entertainment landscape can it conquer. "Shanked" isn't the only scripted show on YouTube, with top creators like Dhar Mann and Alan Chikin Chow making TV-like series for the platform. Meanwhile, streamers like Netflix and Amazon's Prime Video are also updating their strategies, both by taking cues from cable TV — with ads and costly live sports — and seeing how they can mine social media for creator talent. For the creators of "Shanked," YouTube was a no-brainer. Ryan Horrigan of production company London Alley said he saw a lack of low-budget comedies on TV at the same time YouTube was increasingly favoring 20-minute episodic series. Why not a comedy, he thought. James Lynch, a comedian who co-created and stars in the show, said he felt the lines between entertainment platforms were increasingly blurring. "We love shows like 'Severance,' but every time I go to a friend's house, there's always something on YouTube," he said. Google-owned YouTube has nurtured a creator economy that Goldman Sachs estimated would grow to about $480 billion by 2027. Many in the entertainment and advertising world dismissed YouTube as a repository for amateur videos and movie trailers until it became the No. 1 viewed platform on TVs, per Nielsen, ahead of the "real TV" companies Netflix, Disney, and Prime Video. As YouTube and TV begin to converge, it looks like the Hollywood system as we know it will never be the same. But how the ecosystem will look when the dust settles is much more difficult to parse. YouTube is encouraging episodic series Lately, YouTube has been rolling out tools and features to encourage creators to make shows for the living room. It's also doing more to match advertisers to creators to support the kinds of shows you're used to seeing on TV. At Brandcast, YouTube's big annual presentation to the advertising community, it underlined the point by showing off top creators like IShowSpeed and Michelle Khare, who are making episodic series. And it's making a big push to win an Emmy to prove it can support quality TV. Viewership is one thing, but advertising, the lifeblood of entertainment, is another. Many major brands still want to be associated with buzzy scripted shows and movies that drive the mainstream conversation, like "The White Lotus," and most creators aren't close to that yet. Only a handful, like MrBeast and Dude Perfect, are making Hollywood-style productions. AI tools could reduce that friction, though, by cutting time and costs from video production. "Creator content is dominating TV watch time — not just on phones, but on the biggest screens in the house, replacing what used to be traditional television. Yet brands are still spending like it's 2015, chasing impressions over impact," said Nick Cicero, founder of Mondo Metrics, a media measurement company. Advertisers are closing the gap, though. Ad holding company giant WPP recently estimated that creators would earn $185 billion between direct brand deals and platform revenue share, surpassing ad spending on TV companies like Disney and Paramount. Top ad spender Unilever also said it would move to spend 50% of its advertising on social media platforms, up from about 30%, and work with 20 times more influencers. Can Hollywood adapt? YouTube's growth could be a problem for Hollywood, which is built on direct ownership of IP and entertainment that moves the culture but costs a ton. Studios and streamers aren't spending like they were when everyone was trying to catch Netflix, but they still need new stuff to keep viewers coming back and capture younger audiences. Creator-led shows offer one way forward. But can they pull it off? There are promising signs. Amazon is the most prominent example of a company betting huge on a creator. It spent more than $100 million to make MrBeast's "Beast Games," which became its most-watched unscripted show, and just renewed it for two more seasons. Netflix has done deals with The Sidemen, kids' educator Ms. Rachel, and more. Warner Bros. Discovery's HBO Max has a new reality show starring Jake Paul and his brother, Logan, "Paul American." And Disney's Hulu has a hit in "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives." Entertainment companies have gotten more sophisticated about how they work with creators. They're tapping them for their ideas rather than simply looking for a piece of their audience, in contrast with some past flopped creator experiments. Netflix is looking at YouTubers as producers as well as on-screen talent, an unscripted agent told Business Insider. NBCUniversal's Peacock just announced a slate of shows developed by creators via an accelerator program. Tubi has an initiative called Stubios to nurture up-and-coming filmmakers. Media and entertainment companies are also looking at other forms of low-cost content, like soapy mini-dramas and video podcasts. There are challenges, however. Creators like YouTube because there's no gatekeeper. It gives them a lot of data, lets them own their content, and gives them a relatively generous 55% cut of the ad revenue. Creator talent reps told BI some of their clients had walked away from potential Netflix deals because the streamer wouldn't budge from the Hollywood playbook, in which it owns ancillary rights to things like e-commerce revenue. Scott Purdy, a media consultant at KPMG, said entertainment companies would likely start to look at YouTube and other social platforms as potential places to actually launch shows, starting with low-budget fare. "For most companies, most options are on the table," he said. Meanwhile, producers like Horrigan are blue-skying other creator-led formats to put on YouTube. "Talent is still going to want to play in both sandboxes, but we're moving up the stack," he said. "What's next — is horror going to be a thing on YouTube, teen romance? I think that's going to be a thing as well."

7 best Scarlett Johansson movies to stream right now
7 best Scarlett Johansson movies to stream right now

Tom's Guide

time2 hours ago

  • Tom's Guide

7 best Scarlett Johansson movies to stream right now

Scarlett Johansson has been appearing in movies since she was 10 years old, and it sometimes seems like she has never not been a star. She's the rare performer who made a smooth, quick transition from child actor to adult actor, and she's remained prolific and acclaimed for the past 30-plus years. Those three decades have included two Oscar nominations (for 'Marriage Story' and 'Jojo Rabbit'), performances across multiple genres, and an ongoing presence as superhero Natasha Romanoff (aka Black Widow) in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In just a few months in 2025, she's appeared in Wes Anderson's typically offbeat 'The Phoenician Scheme,' hosted 'Saturday Night Live' (where she got to work with her husband, Colin Jost) and prepared to carry yet another blockbuster franchise as the star of 'Jurassic World Rebirth,' opening in theaters July 2. Here are my picks for the best of Johansson's many excellent film performances. After several years as a child actor, Johansson had her breakthrough role in this satisfyingly cynical adaptation of the graphic novel by Daniel Clowes. Thora Birch stars as acerbic teenager Enid, with Johansson as her more sensible best friend Rebecca. Although they begin the movie as partners in snark, hurling insults at classmates during their high school graduation, their paths diverge as Rebecca gets a job and sets out on a path to mainstream adulthood. While Enid strikes up a disingenuous friendship with an oddball older record collector named Seymour (Steve Buscemi) and continues to reject societal expectations, Rebecca sees a life beyond Enid's empty nihilism. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Johansson's deadpan delivery gives Rebecca the right sense of ironic detachment, while also offering glimpses into the maturity that begins to set her apart from the entitled, condescending Enid. Watch on Prime Video Johansson received her first Golden Globe nomination for her adult debut, playing the disaffected wife of a rock photographer spending an aimless week in Tokyo. Johansson's Charlotte has a chance meeting with movie star Bob Harris (Bill Murray), a fellow American staying in her hotel, who's in town to shoot a commercial for a Japanese whisky company. The two of them form an unlikely bond as they wander the city, feeling disconnected from their surroundings and questioning their life choices. Johansson and Murray have sweet, understated chemistry that is almost entirely platonic, and writer-director Sofia Coppola captures the sense of isolation that can come from an unfamiliar environment. Like the movie, Johansson's performance is a mix of bitter melancholy and wry humor, hinting at deeper longings often left unsaid. Rent/buy at Apple or Amazon The third of Johansson's three collaborations with writer-director Woody Allen is the strongest, both as a film and as a showcase for her talents. Johansson and Rebecca Hall star as best friends spending a summer in Barcelona. Hall's Vicky is a pragmatic grad student set to marry a dull businessman (Chris Messina), while Johansson's Cristina is a more free-spirited seeker who fancies herself some kind of artist. They're both drawn to passionate Spanish painter Juan Antonio (Javier Bardem), although it's Cristina who ends up in a relationship with him — as well as with his volatile ex-wife Maria Elena (Penelope Cruz). 'Vicky Cristina Barcelona' is one of Allen's most sensual films, in both its intimate relationships and its depiction of Spain, and Johansson fits in perfectly as a woman who never quite knows what she wants, but isn't afraid of going after it anyway. Watch on Peacock Director Jonathan Glazer pares down the source novel for this eerie sci-fi movie to its bare minimum, and Johansson does the same in her performance, playing an alien who assumes human form to seduce and consume unsuspecting men. At least that's what appears to be going on, although Glazer's minimalist approach invites the audience to fill in numerous narrative gaps. The unanswered questions only make 'Under the Skin' more unsettling, as Johansson's unnamed character travels across Scotland, chatting up men and bringing them back to a blank void, where they're trapped and devoured by an unknown force. Johansson uses her movie-star image as a sort of costume, allowing this creature to lay on the charm just as easily as she turns cold and detached — at least until her burgeoning connection with humanity becomes too much to bear. Rent/buy at Apple or Amazon It's sort of astounding that Johansson never actually appears onscreen in Spike Jonze's prescient sci-fi movie about a lonely man falling in love with an AI operating system. Johansson wasn't even originally cast in the movie, and was only brought in during post-production to replace the original actress as the voice of Samantha, the AI assistant who makes a romantic connection with depressed writer Theodore Twombly (Joaquin Phoenix). Johansson's performance is so key to the movie's success that it's hard to imagine it without her. She makes Samantha sound alluring and relatable as Theodore gets to know her, and later conveys the AI's expanding consciousness as Samantha rebels against the constraints of a single human connection. 'Her' has only become more relevant in the current age of AI, and it provides a bittersweet counterpoint to common dystopian perspectives. Watch on Prime Video One of the best things about Noah Baumbach's equally harrowing and humane drama about a couple's acrimonious divorce is that it's easy to argue that either party is in the right. That's thanks to Baumbach's deft writing and direction, as well as the brilliant lead performances from Johansson and Adam Driver. Baumbach takes the time to let viewers understand why these people were in love and seemed ideally matched before he shows their relationship falling apart. The villain here isn't the husband or the wife, but the grueling divorce industry that turns an initially amicable split into a ferocious battle, culminating in a devastating central fight between the estranged spouses. Johansson and Driver are just as genuinely moving in that moment of intense anger as they are in the lighthearted scenes, portraying the full spectrum of emotion in such a life-changing process. Watch on Netflix Johansson appeared as former Russian spy Natasha Romanoff in nine Marvel Cinematic Universe movies, but this is the only one that places her front and center, and it came after her character had already been killed off. That makes it somewhat underappreciated in the MCU, but Johansson demonstrates why Natasha became so popular with superhero fans, who advocated for years for her to get her own movie. Set before and during the events of previous MCU movies, 'Black Widow' introduces Natasha's dysfunctional adopted family of fellow covert agents, played by David Harbour, Rachel Weisz and Florence Pugh. Their fractured dynamic is the best part of the movie, which delves into Natasha's brutal upbringing in the sadistic training facility known as the Red Room, and finally gives her a chance to take her revenge. Watch on Disney Plus

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store