Adventureland prepping to open for the season this weekend
A big new feature found at Adventureland this year — new food options. There are three new food stands, including a lemonade stand, a refreshed Iowa Smokehouse, and a new Snack Barn along the Boulevard. The Smokehouse will feature treats like brisket, jalapeno smoked sausage, and bacon on a stick.
Wednesday night yacht races take sail at Saylorville Lake
Speaking of bacon, every Friday, an event known as Bacon and Brews will be held. This summer will also feature several new stunt shows and a 'Father's Day Flop' event. Oktoberfest and Phantom Fall Fest will also be back later in the year.
The biggest new ride addition to Adventureland this year? A reimagined waterslide will open along with Adventure Bay on May 24. The slide, known as Hyperlight, will feature a sound and light show, creating a unique experience each time the waterslide is ridden.
Season Passes are on sale now. There is also a new Dining Pass that allows passholders to enjoy two meals per visit. For more details, visit Adventureland's website.
Adventureland prepping to open for the season this weekend
Iowa lawmakers end 91st General Assembly early Thursday morning
All 99 Iowa counties face increased food insecurity, survey reports
Unemployment insurance tax, other bills sent to Gov. Reynolds' desk
Bison baby boom! New stars bring visitors flocking to Neal Smith NWR
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
4 days ago
- Newsweek
All Ryan Reynolds Movies Ranked Worst to Best And Where to Watch Them in 2025
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. 🎙️ Voice is AI-generated. Inconsistencies may occur. Entertainment gossip and news from Newsweek's network of contributors Ryan Reynolds has more than 70 film credits to his name. In this article we're ranking every single one of them. Featuring the lowly likes of 2011's "Green Lantern" (26%), 2015's more positive "Mississippi Grind" (91%), his early "Van Wilder" romps, and three increasingly popular "Deadpool" films, Reynolds' filmography is nothing if not mixed. The following list only includes films in which Reynolds plays a significant role - so no minor appearances or fleeting cameos. Ryan Reynolds co-stars in Mississippi Grind Ryan Reynolds co-stars in Mississippi Grind A24 Still, it results in a huge number of films, and one or two surprise entries you might have forgotten. So scroll on to find out how the prolific actor's output rates in terms of IMDB score. 10 Best Ryan Reynolds Movies These are the 10 best Ryan Reynolds movies according to IMDB. Deadpool (2016) – IMDB: 8.0 – IMDB: 8.0 Deadpool 2 (2018) – IMDB: 7.6 – IMDB: 7.6 Deadpool & Wolverine (2024) – IMDB: 7.5 – IMDB: 7.5 Woman in Gold (2015) – IMDB: 7.3 – IMDB: 7.3 Free Guy (2021) – IMDB: 7.1 – IMDB: 7.1 The Croods (2013) – IMDB: 7.1 – IMDB: 7.1 Definitely, Maybe (2008) – IMDB: 7.1 – IMDB: 7.1 Buried (2010) – IMDB: 7.0 – IMDB: 7.0 The Hitman's Bodyguard (2017) – IMDB: 6.9 – IMDB: 6.9 The Proposal (2009) – IMDB: 6.8 Ryan Reynolds in Smokin' Aces Ryan Reynolds in Smokin' Aces Universal Every Ryan Reynolds Film Ranked Coming Soon (1999) IMDB: 4.4 Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Brendan Fehr, Kathryn Morris Where to watch: Not on major streaming platforms. DVD only. Van Wilder: The Rise of Taj (2006) IMDB: 4.8 Cast: Kal Penn, Ryan Reynolds (cameo), Jonathan Bennett Where to watch: Rent or buy on Prime Video, Apple TV. Big Monster on Campus (2000) IMDB: 4.8 Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Mackenzie Gray, Ellie Harvie Where to watch: Not on major streaming platforms. DVD only. We All Fall Down (2000) IMDB: 5.1 Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Victoria Smurfit, John Hurt Where to watch: Not on major streaming platforms. DVD only. The Alarmist (1997) IMDB: 5.2 Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Stanley Tucci, Kate Capshaw Where to watch: Not on major streaming platforms. DVD only. Green Lantern (2011) IMDB: 5.5 Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively, Mark Strong Where to watch: Rent or buy on Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, Vudu. R.I.P.D. (2013) IMDB: 5.6 Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Jeff Bridges, Mary-Louise Parker Where to watch: Rent or buy on Prime Video, Apple TV, Vudu. The In-Laws (2003) IMDB: 5.7 Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Michael Douglas, Albert Brooks Where to watch: Rent or buy on Prime Video, Apple TV. Blade: Trinity (2004) IMDB: 5.8 Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Wesley Snipes, Jessica Biel Where to watch: Rent or buy on Prime Video, Apple TV, Vudu. Buying the Cow (2002) IMDB: 5.8 Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Alyssa Milano, Jerry O'Connell Where to watch: Limited; DVD only. The Captive (2014) IMDB: 5.9 Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Scott Speedman, Rosario Dawson Where to watch: Rent or buy on Prime Video, Apple TV, Vudu; streaming on Starz. The Amityville Horror (2005) IMDB: 5.9 Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Melissa George, Jesse James Where to watch: Rent or buy on Prime Video, Apple TV. Ordinary Magic (1993) IMDB: 6.0 Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Glenne Headly, David Fox Where to watch: Limited; DVD only. The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard (2021) IMDB: 6.1 Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Samuel L. Jackson, Salma Hayek Where to watch: Rent or buy on Prime Video, Apple TV. 6 Underground (2019) IMDB: 6.1 Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Mélanie Laurent, Corey Hawkins Where to watch: Streaming on Netflix. Finder's Fee (2001) IMDB: 6.2 Cast: Ryan Reynolds, James Earl Jones, Matthew Lillard Where to watch: Limited; DVD only. Dick (1999) IMDB: 6.2 Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Kirsten Dunst, Michelle Williams Where to watch: Rent or buy on Prime Video, Apple TV. Just Friends (2005) IMDB: 6.2 Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Amy Smart, Anna Faris Where to watch: Rent or buy on Prime Video, Apple TV. The Nines (2007) IMDB: 6.2 Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Hope Davis, Melissa McCarthy Where to watch: Rent or buy on Prime Video, Apple TV. Red Notice (2021) IMDB: 6.3 Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Dwayne Johnson, Gal Gadot Where to watch: Streaming on Netflix. Criminal (2016) IMDB: 6.3 Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Kevin Costner, Gal Gadot Where to watch: Rent or buy on Prime Video, Apple TV. The Voices (2014) IMDB: 6.3 Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Gemma Arterton, Anna Kendrick Where to watch: Rent or buy on Prime Video, Apple TV. The Change-Up (2011) IMDB: 6.3 Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Jason Bateman, Olivia Wilde Where to watch: Rent or buy on Prime Video, Apple TV. IF (2024) IMDB: 6.4 Cast: Ryan Reynolds, John Krasinski, Cailey Fleming Where to watch: In theaters; streaming TBD. Mississippi Grind (2015) IMDB: 6.4 Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Ben Mendelsohn, Sienna Miller Where to watch: Rent or buy on Prime Video, Apple TV. Turbo (2013) IMDB: 6.4 Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Paul Giamatti, Maya Rudolph Where to watch: Rent or buy on Prime Video, Apple TV. Fireflies in the Garden (2008) IMDB: 6.4 Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Julia Roberts, Willem Dafoe Where to watch: Rent or buy on Prime Video, Apple TV. Foolproof (2003) IMDB: 6.4 Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Kristin Booth, Joris Jarsky Where to watch: Limited; DVD only. Van Wilder: Party Liaison (2002) IMDB: 6.4 Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Tara Reid, Kal Penn Where to watch: Rent or buy on Prime Video, Apple TV. Pokémon: Detective Pikachu (2019) IMDB: 6.5 Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Justice Smith, Kathryn Newton Where to watch: Rent or buy on Prime Video, Apple TV, Vudu. Self/less (2015) IMDB: 6.5 Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Ben Kingsley, Natalie Martinez Where to watch: Rent or buy on Prime Video, Apple TV. X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009) IMDB: 6.5 Cast: Hugh Jackman, Ryan Reynolds, Liev Schreiber Where to watch: Streaming on Disney+, also rent or buy. Paper Man (Unlikely Hero) (2009) IMDB: 6.5 Cast: Jeff Daniels, Emma Stone, Ryan Reynolds Where to watch: Rent or buy on Prime Video, Apple TV. Spirited (2022) IMDB: 6.6 Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Will Ferrell, Octavia Spencer Where to watch: Streaming on Apple TV+. Life (2017) IMDB: 6.6 Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Jake Gyllenhaal, Rebecca Ferguson Where to watch: Rent or buy on Prime Video, Apple TV, Vudu. Chaos Theory (2007) IMDB: 6.6 Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Emily Mortimer, Stuart Townsend Where to watch: Limited; DVD or niche platforms. Smokin' Aces (2006) IMDB: 6.6 Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Jeremy Piven, Ben Affleck Where to watch: Rent or buy on Prime Video, Apple TV. The Adam Project (2022) IMDB: 6.7 Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Walker Scobell, Jennifer Garner Where to watch: Streaming on Netflix. Safe House (2012) IMDB: 6.7 Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Denzel Washington, Vera Farmiga Where to watch: Rent or buy on Prime Video, Apple TV, Vudu. Waiting... (2005) IMDB: 6.7 Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Anna Faris, Justin Long Where to watch: Rent or buy on Prime Video, Apple TV. The Proposal (2009) IMDB: 6.8 Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Sandra Bullock, Betty White Where to watch: Streaming on Disney+, also rent or buy. Adventureland (2009) IMDB: 6.8 Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart, Ryan Reynolds Where to watch: Streaming on Max, also rent or buy. The Hitman's Bodyguard (2017) IMDB: 6.9 Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Samuel L. Jackson, Salma Hayek Where to watch: Streaming on Hulu, also rent or buy. Buried (2010) IMDB: 7.0 Cast: Ryan Reynolds; voices by Ivana Miño, Stephen Tobolowsky Where to watch: Streaming on Peacock, also rent or buy. Free Guy (2021) IMDB: 7.1 Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Jodie Comer, Taika Waititi Where to watch: Streaming on Disney+ and Hulu, also rent or buy. The Croods (2013) IMDB: 7.1 Cast: Nicolas Cage, Emma Stone, Ryan Reynolds Where to watch: Streaming on Peacock, also rent or buy. Definitely, Maybe (2008) IMDB: 7.1 Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Isla Fisher, Abigail Breslin Where to watch: Rent or buy on Prime Video, Apple TV. Woman in Gold (2015) IMDB: 7.3 Cast: Helen Mirren, Ryan Reynolds, Daniel Brühl Where to watch: Streaming on Tubi and Pluto TV (free with ads), also rent or buy. Deadpool & Wolverine (2024) IMDB: 7.5 Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin Where to watch: In theaters; streaming TBD. Deadpool 2 (2018) IMDB: 7.6 Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Josh Brolin, Zazie Beetz Where to watch: Streaming on Disney+ and Hulu, also rent or buy. Deadpool (2016) IMDB: 8.0 Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Morena Baccarin, T.J. Miller Where to watch: Streaming on Disney+ and Hulu, also rent or buy.
Business Insider
5 days ago
- Business Insider
The hot, new celebrity side hustle
Everybody wants to be Ryan Reynolds. Donald Trump wants to be Ryan Reynolds. The " SmartLess" podcast guys want to be Ryan Reynolds. Even Klarna wants to be Ryan Reynolds. I don't mean they want to star in "Deadpool" or marry Blake Lively (though neither of those is a bad deal). I mean that they're all slapping their brands on mobile phone networks in an attempt to make a little extra bank. If you're familiar with Mint Mobile, a mobile phone network that offers inexpensive prepaid plans, it's probably because you've seen Reynolds in an ad for it. The actor-turned-entrepreneur bought an estimated 25% stake in the company back in 2019, positioned himself as its spokesperson, and then sold it to T-Mobile for $1.35 billion in 2023, with Reynolds reportedly making $300 million off the deal. The concept of Mint Mobile isn't new: Virtual mobile network operators, which are telecom companies that offer mobile services without owning their own network infrastructure, like towers and stations, have been around for a long time. Some examples, besides Mint, include Cricket Wireless and Boost, though the latter is becoming a full-on wireless carrier and investing in its own 5G network. Reynolds offered a new spin by successfully attaching a big-name brand or celebrity to one. His achievement seems to have inspired others to get in on the game, including the president, some podcast hosts, and a buy-now-pay-later company. "It's all Ryan Reynolds' fault. Sort of," says Avi Greengart, the founder and lead analyst at Techspontential, a research and advisory firm. In June, the Trump Organization announced the launch of Trump Mobile. Its website says the service will offer "All-American performance" on a $47.45 a month plan that includes unlimited talk, text, data, and calls to 100 international destinations. The Trumps are also selling a $499 gold-colored phone to accompany the plan. Everyone else on this list is thinking that if Ryan Reynolds can do it, why can't they? The same month, Will Arnett, Jason Bateman, and Sean Hayes, actors and the hosts of "Smartless," said they are starting SmartLess Mobile, which promises to be "direct-to-consumer, data-sane, and refreshingly BS-free." Their website boasts, "Friends don't let friends overpay." SmartLess' value proposition is that it offers inexpensive, limited data plans that start as low as $15 a month. The argument is that most people have plans that give them unlimited cellular data, but they don't actually need all that download capacity, given how widely available WiFi is, so they wind up overpaying. "The quick math is about half of the country use 10 gigs or fewer, but it's almost impossible not to buy unlimited," says Paul McAleese, the CEO of Smartless Mobile and a mobile industry veteran. "Why we did it is because we recognize that gap, that data gap, which is really unique compared to any other product category. You don't go into the grocery store and buy 40 gallons of milk and consume two and then do it again the next month." As The Wall Street Journal noted around that time, celebrity cellular brands seem to be everywhere. Consumer brands are joining in, too. Klarna, the Sweden-based buy now, pay later company, is launching a mobile network of its own, too. In June, it invited consumers to sign up for a waitlist to join its $40-a-month plan. It may seem strange for an installment lender to get in the wireless game, but the company says it's a step in continuing to build its "neobank offering." "Everyone else on this list is thinking that if Ryan Reynolds can do it, why can't they?" says Craig Moffett, a cofounder and senior research analyst at MoffettNathanson, an equity research firm. It's not dissimilar to the rich and famous hopping on the liquor train in recent years. There's Reynolds' gin, Snoop Dogg's wine, George Clooney's tequila, Kendall Jenner's tequila, Kevin Hart's tequila. In a way, telecom is the new tequila. "It's a sign of the times that every celebrity's reason for getting up in the morning is to think of ways they can monetize their celebrity," Moffett says. Mobile virtual network operators, which industry insiders call MVNOs, buy excess network capacity in bulk from major carriers — AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile — and sell it under their own brands. They profit from the differential between the wholesale rate they get and the amount they charge customers. "It is a capital-light alternative without having to invest considerable sums in acquiring a licence, constructing a network, and so forth," says Paolo Pescatore, a telecom analyst at PP Foresight. He says that it can also work for brands that have a similar business to tack on an extra service for their customers, such as Comcast's XFinity Mobile, which it can tie in with its broadband service. For carriers, MVNOs are a way to make money off of capacity they're not using and try to reach niche markets they may not be able to connect with on their own — customers of different demographics, who speak different languages, and who have different interests. Their brands are very general, and in their marketing, they have to appeal to the general population. It's low risk. If the thing fails, no harm, no foul. "Big carriers are not the most creative kind, and their advertising focuses on big customer segments. They don't have the time, effort, and focus to go after smaller customer segments," says Roger Entner, the founder and lead analyst at Recon Analytics, a research and analytics firm. "It's low risk. If the thing fails, no harm, no foul." MVNOs are just a small sliver of the mobile market. Entner estimates there are about 15 million MVNO customers in the US (that excludes people who use MVNOs tied to cable companies, which are an additional 19 million or so). By comparison, the major carriers have upwards of 340 million. Anastasia Kārkliņa Gabriel, the author of "Cultural Intelligence for Marketers," says that because consumers tend to distrust the big telecom players, an MVNO may signal a "perception of independence" for potential users. It gives an "illusion of being separate from the major telco brands," she says, even if that's far from the case. Klarna is working with AT&T, SmartLess is with T-Mobile, and the Trump Organization says they're working with all three major carriers. For the brands and individuals trying to launch mobile networks, the hope is that they have enough clout with their existing fan bases to get them to switch networks and sign up. Maybe you love Jason Bateman so much you feel like you have to have his phone plan, or you're so entrenched in Klarna's payments system and app, you switch your network to them. Or, in the case of the Trump family, you're MAGA. And given the president's long history of putting his name on things and promoting them, from buildings to steaks to wine, the move seems like a natural extension. "The only surprising thing about Trump Mobile is that he didn't try this already," Greengart says. McAleese, from SmartLess, says that while he's aware this may look like following in Reynolds' footsteps, that's not what's going on. Arnett served as a spokesperson for the Canadian company Freedom Mobile, which he also ran, back in 2018. "Will did that job, frankly, before Ryan ever did," he says. Just because celeb-affiliated mobile networks are blooming does not mean they will flourish. It's a tough business to be in. ESPN failed at its MVNO efforts two decades ago, even with all the power of, you know, ESPN — though that attempt was also before the iPhone existed. It's an easy business to start, but it's a hard business to operate, Moffett explains. "The MVNO network operator provides almost everything you need to get started. But once you spend money on marketing and customer service, it turns out to be a really tough way to make money," he says. "To succeed, you need to achieve meaningful scale, and very, very few MVNOs ever do." Phone plans are sticky. It takes time and effort to switch your carrier from one brand to another, though the barrier is getting a bit lower these days. It's especially difficult if your phone plan is how you're paying off your device, or you're on a family plan with multiple lines. Many MVNOs don't offer plans with more than one or two lines, and few help customers finance their devices. Where a lot of them run into a buzzsaw is when there's not enough differentiation going on. As much as people may idolize certain celebrities or relate to certain brands, it's just not clear that they do so enough to want their entire consumer lives to reside in their ecosystems. Beyond the branding, a lot of these networks aren't particularly special in terms of the price or service they offer. Maybe they'll get some people, via social media posts and ads, but it may not be enough to grow and sustain a thriving business operation. "Where a lot of them run into a buzzsaw is when there's not enough differentiation going on," Entner says. "They bring nothing unique to it." He was skeptical of Klarna's move, too. "It's a lower-cost acquisition channel, because if you're already paying off your burrito, they can also say, 'Hey, by the way, I know you're broke. Here's cheap service on top of it,'" he says, referring to Klarna's BNPL deal that allows people to break up a DoorDash order into multiple installments. "'I know so much about you, so I can tailor my offer exactly for you.' That's the logic. I probably don't agree with it, but knock yourself out." A Klarna spokesperson says in an email that "unlike most new MVNOS, we're not starting from scratch, nor are we jumping on the bandwagon" and that its mobile offering has been in the works for many months as part of a multiyear strategy. "We're not trying to 'win' mobile or become the biggest carrier — this isn't about scale for its own sake," the spokesperson says. "It's about solving a very real problem for the tens of millions of consumers who already trust Klarna to help manage their finances." SmartLess's McAlease says they "wish everyone well" who's trying to launch an MVNO right now, because competition is good for the industry, but "they're just kind of on that unlimited train, and that might work for them and for their audience." Initial marketing efforts have focused on the SmartLess guys, for obvious reasons — you've got three big celebrities and a giant podcast in the mix, so why not? But it will soon shift more to what actually differentiates it. "You're going to start seeing much more product- and price-focused things over the course of the next while," McAelase says. "It's always tricky for MVNOs to break through the noise, and we're fortunate to have a brand and principles that are happy to do that." Pescatore says that MVNOs have been more successful in other countries, such as the supermarket Tesco's mobile network in the UK. But it's challenging. "There are opportunities in a mature market like the US, given the price of existing services from mobile network providers. Ultimately, it needs to tightly integrate and complement the existing service and offer something truly novel to attract subscribers," he says. The track record of these projects working out may not deter brands and public figures from trying. Entner says he knows of multiple MVNOs that are in development. Apple has long faced speculation that it might launch an MVNO, though it always denies it. Apple did not respond to a request for comment. Will all these projects work out? It seems unlikely, but it could happen. Some of these packages are pretty cheap, and hey, if you like some actor enough to switch your cellphone plan for them, by all means.
USA Today
7 days ago
- USA Today
Is Deadpool returning in 'Avengers: Doomsday'? Ryan Reynolds post sparks speculation
Is the Merc with a Mouth finally joining Earth's Mightiest Heroes? A cryptic new Instagram post from Ryan Reynolds has fans speculating that the actor could be returning as Deadpool in "Avengers: Doomsday." The post, shared on Reynolds' personal Instagram on Aug. 12, shows a graffiti version of the Avengers logo. He did not include any caption. The logo was previously seen on a flag in 2024's "Deadpool & Wolverine" during a section of the movie where Reynolds' Deadpool and Hugh Jackman's Wolverine are captured. The photo that Reynolds shared appears to have been taken from a July 2024 Reddit post, where a user posted pictures of several custom Marvel shirts in anticipation of "Deadpool & Wolverine." However, Reynolds' posting of the Avengers logo without comment, as filming on "Avengers: Doomsday" is underway, fueled speculation that he could be preparing to announce his involvement in the movie. "If you are saying what I think you're saying, I'm actually gonna scream," one comment on the post read. Reynolds was notably missing from the lengthy "Avengers: Doomsday" cast list that Marvel unveiled in March during an hours-long live stream, where every individual star's name was revealed one at a time. But after the stream ended, Marvel hinted that it was not the complete cast list – and that other actors could be joining the movie. "There's always room for more," the studio teased. Reynolds' foul-mouthed Marvel hero was last seen in "Deadpool & Wolverine," which brought him to the Marvel Cinematic Universe for the first time. But while the movie was a massive hit, no sequel has been announced, and it hasn't been confirmed where or when fans will see Deadpool next. During a Variety Actors on Actors segment with Andrew Garfield in December, Reynolds said he would like to see Deadpool function more as a supporting character going forward. "If he comes back, it's going to be in someone's else's movie," he said. Reynolds also told Time magazine in April that he was "writing a little something right now that is an ensemble" involving Deadpool, but did not reveal details. The announced cast list for "Avengers: Doomsday" does include one star from "Deadpool & Wolverine:" Channing Tatum, who made his debut as Gambit in the 2024 "Deadpool" film. Other stars confirmed for the next "Avengers" include Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Anthony Mackie, Sebastian Stan, Paul Rudd, Simu Liu, Florence Pugh and Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom.
