the whale movie review in tamil

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The Whale Review: 15 வருடங்களுக்குப் பிறகு திரையில் `மம்மி' நாயகன்; ஆனால் வேறொரு பரிமாணத்தில்!

இத்தனை வருடங்கள் தான் தேக்கி வைத்திருந்த நடிப்பை ஒட்டுமொத்தமாக இறக்கிவைத்த உணர்வைத் தருகிறார் பிரெண்டன். வெல்டன்!

The Whale - உடல் பருமனால் உயிர் இழக்கக்கூடும் என்னும் நிலையில் தன்னிடம் இருந்து பிரிந்த மகளின் உறவை மீட்டெடுக்க முயலும் தந்தையின் கதை.

சமீபத்தில் வெளியாகி இருக்கும் 'தி வேல் (The Whale)' என்கிற ஆங்கில திரைப்படம் அனைவரின் கவனத்தையும் ஈர்த்து வருகிறது. இதில் 90ஸ் கிட்ஸ் பார்த்து ரசித்த ‘மம்மி’ திரைப்பட வரிசையின் கதாநாயகன் ‘பிரெண்டன் ஃபிரேசர்’ (Brenden Fraser) 15 வருட இடைவெளிக்குப் பின்னர் மீண்டும் வெள்ளித்திரையை ஆக்கிரமித்துள்ளார். பல்வேறு சர்ச்சைகள் நிரம்பிய அவரின் கரியருக்கு ஓர் இரண்டாவது இன்னிங்ஸாக இந்தப் படம் அமைந்திருக்கிறது எனலாம்.

இப்படத்தை 'ரெக்யும் ஃபார் எ ட்ரீம்' (Requiem for a Dream), 'தி ஃபவுண்டெய்ன் (The Fountain), 'பிளாக் ஸ்வான்' (Black Swan) போன்ற உணர்ச்சி ரீதியாகப் பெரிய தாக்கத்தை ஏற்படுத்திய படங்களை இயக்கிய டேரன் அரோனோஃப்ஸ்கி (Darren Aronofsky) இயக்கியுள்ளார்.

தந்தை சார்லி மற்றும் அவரது மகள் எல்லி இடையேயான உறவைப்பற்றிப் பேசுகிறது இந்த 'தி வேல்'. சார்லி என்ற 600 பவுண்டுகள் எடையுள்ள மனிதர், மற்றவர்களிடமிருந்து தன்னைத் தனிமைப்படுத்திக்கொண்டு ஒரு சிறிய குடியிருப்பில் வசித்து வருகிறார். அவரது மகள் எல்லி, டீன் ஏஜ் பருவத்தை அடைந்த இளம்பெண். 8 வயதில் ஏற்பட்ட தந்தையின் பிரிவால் உலகத்திலுள்ள அனைத்து நபர்களையும் வெறுக்கும் மனோபாவம் கொண்டிருக்கிறாள். உடல் பருமனால் உயிர் இழக்கக்கூடும் என்னும் நிலையில் சார்லியை எல்லி மீண்டும் சந்திக்கிறார்.

மகளுடனான உறவைத் தந்தை மீட்டெடுக்க முயல்கிறார். அதில் வெற்றி பெறுகிறாரா என்பதே கதை.

ஐந்தே நபர்களைக் கொண்டு உருவாக்கப்பட்ட இந்தத் திரைப்படத்தில் ஒவ்வொருவரின் நடிப்பும் பிரமாதமாக உள்ளது. ஆனால் எல்லோரையும் தாண்டி தனிக்கவனம் ஈர்ப்பது பிரெண்டன் ஃபிரேசர்தான்! சார்லியாக நடித்திருக்கும் அவருக்கு  இது வாழ்நாள் கதாபாத்திரம் என்றே சொல்லலாம். உடல் பருமனால் ஏற்படும் அவதிகளை வெளிப்படுத்துவதிலும், கடந்த காலத்தில் செய்த தவறுகளுக்காகக் குற்ற உணர்ச்சிகளை வெளிப்படுத்துவதிலும், இயலாமையால் தன்னை தானே வருத்திக்கொள்ளும் காட்சியிலும் அக்கதாபாத்திரமாகவே வாழ்ந்திருக்கிறார். இத்தனை வருடங்கள் தான் தேக்கி வைத்திருந்த நடிப்பை ஒட்டுமொத்தமாக இறக்கிவைத்த உணர்வைத் தருகிறார் பிரெண்டன். வெல்டன்!

"என் வாழ்வில் ஏதாவது ஒன்றையாவது நான் சரியாகச் செய்திருக்கிறேனா என்பதை அறிந்து கொள்ள வேண்டும்."

குறிப்பாக “என் வாழ்வில் ஏதாவது ஒன்றையாவது நான் சரியாகச் செய்திருக்கிறேனா? என்பதை அறிந்து கொள்ள வேண்டும்” என்று தன் மனைவியிடம் உடையும் காட்சி காண்போரைக் கலங்கடிக்கிறது. இத்திரைப்படம் வெனிஸ் திரைப்பட விழாவில் திரையிடப்பட்ட போது இவரது நடிப்பைப் பாராட்டும் விதமாக ஆறு நிமிடங்கள் இடைவெளியின்றி கைதட்டப்பட்டதாகச் செய்திகள் வெளியாகின. அதேபோல மனைவி, மகளாக வரும் 'ஸ்ட்ரேஞ்சர் திங்ஸ்' புகழ் சேடி சிங்க், அவரைப் பராமரிக்கும் செவிலியர் எனத் திரையில் தோன்றும் அனைத்து கதாபாத்திரங்களும் தங்கள் பணியை நேர்த்தியாகச் செய்துள்ளனர்.

OTT கார்னர்

தனிமை, இணைப்பிற்கான மனித தேவை, உடல் பருமனால் ஏற்படக் கூடிய தாழ்வு மனப்பான்மை, சிறு வயதில் ஏற்படக்கூடிய மன அழுத்தம் எனப் பல முக்கியமான விஷயங்களைப் பற்றிப் பேசியுள்ளார் இயக்குநர் டேரன் அரோனோஃப்ஸ்கி. காட்சிகள் பொறுமையாக நகர்ந்தாலும் ஒளிப்பதிவும் பின்னணி இசையும் கதையோடு ஒன்றிச் செல்ல வைக்கிறது.

இந்த வருடம் மூன்று அஸ்கர் விருதுகளுக்கு இத்திரைப்படம் பரிந்துரைக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. அதில் சிறந்த நடிகருக்கான ஆஸ்கரை பிரெண்டன் நிச்சயம் வெல்வார் என்பதே பலரின் கணிப்பாக இருக்கிறது.

படத்தில் “நேர்மையான எழுத்துக்கள் எப்போதும் வெற்றி பெரும்“ என்னும் வசனம் வரும். அது போலவே படமும் வெற்றிபெற்றிருக்கிறது.

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The Whale is now streaming on OTT in India!

Published date : 16/mar/2023.

Hollywood actor Brendan Fraser made a comeback of the year in 2022 with the critically acclaimed psychological drama The Whale . Last weekend, Brendan went on to win an Oscar for Best Actor for his role as the morbidly obese reclusive protagonist, who is on a journey to reconnect with his daughter while awaiting death in the movie. 

The film also won an Oscar for Best Makeup and Hairstyling; Fraser wore prosthetics that would take upto 4 hours to play his extremely overweight character in the movie. This much-in-the-news film is now streaming in India and viewers can catch the film on Sony Liv OTT platform. 

#TheWhale streaming on 16th March, exclusively on Sony LIV - https://t.co/pY60YTKEmL #TheWhaleOnSonyLIV #BrendanFraser #SadieSink #HongChau #TySimpkins #SamanthaMorton #SathyaSridharan #RyanHeinke — Sony LIV (@SonyLIV) March 13, 2023

The Whale is based on a play of the same name by Samuel D Hunter and is directed by Darren Aronofsky. Brendan Fraser plays Charlie, a gay online English instructor, Sadie Sink of The Stranger Things fame plays Ellie - Charlie's estranged daughter. Sathya Sridharan plays Dan, Charlie's regular pizza delivery guy, Ty Simpkins plays Thomas, a Christian missionary hell bent on 'saving' Charlie, Samantha Morton play Mary, Charlie's ex-wife and Hong Chau plays Liz - Charlie's only friend in the movie.  

Related : Oscar 95 winning movies on OTT in India 

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“The Whale” is an abhorrent film, but it also features excellent performances.

It gawks at the grotesquerie of its central figure beneath the guise of sentimentality, but it also offers sharp exchanges between its characters that ring with bracing honesty.

It’s the kind of film you should probably see if only to have an informed, thoughtful discussion about it, but it’s also one you probably won’t want to watch.

This aligns it with Darren Aronofsky’s movies in general, which can often be a challenging sit. The director is notorious for putting his actors (and his audiences) through the wringer, whether it’s Jennifer Connolly’s drug addict in “ Requiem for a Dream ,” Mickey Rourke’s aging athlete in “ The Wrestler ,” Natalie Portman’s obsessed ballerina in “ Black Swan ,” or Jennifer Lawrence’s besieged wife in “mother!” (For the record, I’m a fan of Aronofsky’s work in general.)

But the difference between those films and “The Whale” is their intent, whether it’s the splendor of their artistry or the thrill of their provocation. There’s a verve to those movies, an unpredictability, an undeniable daring, and a virtuoso style. They feature images you’ve likely never seen before or since, but they’ll undoubtedly stay with you afterward.

“The Whale” may initially feel gentler, but its main point seems to be sticking the camera in front of Brendan Fraser , encased in a fat suit that makes him appear to weigh 600 pounds, and asking us to wallow in his deterioration. In theory, we are meant to pity him or at least find sympathy for his physical and psychological plight by the film’s conclusion. But in reality, the overall vibe is one of morbid fascination for this mountain of a man. Here he is, knocking over an end table as he struggles to get up from the couch; there he is, cramming candy bars in his mouth as he Googles “congestive heart failure.” We can tsk-tsk all we like between our mouthfuls of popcorn and Junior Mints while watching Fraser’s Charlie gobble greasy fried chicken straight from the bucket or inhale a giant meatball sub with such alacrity that he nearly chokes to death. The message “The Whale” sends us home with seems to be: Thank God that’s not us.

In working from Samuel D. Hunter’s script, based on Hunter’s stage play, Aronofsky doesn’t appear to be as interested in understanding these impulses and indulgences as much as pointing and staring at them. His depiction of Charlie’s isolation within his squalid Idaho apartment includes a scene of him masturbating to gay porn with such gusto that he almost has a heart attack, a moment made of equal parts shock value and shame. But then, in a jarring shift, the tone eventually turns maudlin with Charlie’s increasing martyrdom.

Within the extremes of this approach, Fraser brings more warmth and humanity to the role than he’s afforded on the page. We hear his voice first; Charlie is a college writing professor who teaches his students online from behind the safety of a black square. And it’s such a welcoming and resonant sound, full of decency and humor. Fraser’s been away for a while, but his contradictions have always made him an engaging screen presence—the contrast of his imposing physique and playful spirit. He does so much with his eyes here to give us a glimpse into Charlie’s sweet but tortured soul, and the subtlety he’s able to convey goes a long way toward making “The Whale” tolerable.

But he’s also saddled with a screenplay that spells out every emotion in ways that are so clunky as to be groan-inducing. At Charlie’s most desperate, panicky moments, he soothes himself by reading or reciting a student’s beloved essay on Moby Dick , which—in part—gives the film its title and will take on increasing significance. He describes the elusive white whale of Herman Melville’s novel as he stands up, shirtless, and lumbers across the living room, down the hall, and toward the bedroom with a walker. At this moment, you’re meant to marvel at the elaborate makeup and prosthetic work on display; you’re more likely to roll your eyes at the writing.

“He thinks his life will be better if he can just kill this whale, but in reality, it won’t help him at all,” he intones in a painfully obvious bit of symbolism. “This book made me think about my own life,” he adds as if we couldn’t figure that out for ourselves.

A few visitors interrupt the loneliness of his days, chiefly Hong Chau as his nurse and longtime friend, Liz. She’s deeply caring but also no-nonsense, providing a crucial spark to these otherwise dour proceedings. Aronofsky’s longtime cinematographer, the brilliant Matthew Libatique , has lit Charlie’s apartment in such a relentlessly dark and dim fashion to signify his sorrow that it’s oppressive. Once you realize the entirety of the film will take place within these cramped confines, it sends a shiver of dread. And the choice to tell this story in the boxy, 1.33 aspect ratio further heightens its sense of dour claustrophobia.

But then “Stranger Things” star Sadie Sink arrives as Charlie’s rebellious, estranged daughter, Ellie; her mom was married to Charlie before he came out as a gay man. While their first meeting in many years is laden with exposition about the pain and awkwardness of their time apart, the two eventually settle into an interesting, prickly rapport. Sink brings immediacy and accessibility to the role of the sullen but bright teenager, and her presence, like Chau’s, improves “The Whale” considerably. Her casting is also spot-on in her resemblance to Fraser, especially in her expressive eyes.

The arrival of yet another visitor—an earnest, insistent church missionary played by Ty Simpkins —feels like a total contrivance, however. Allowing him inside the apartment repeatedly makes zero sense, even within the context that Charlie believes he’s dying and wants to make amends. He even says to this sweet young man: “I’m not interested in being saved.” And yet, the exchanges between Sink and Simpkins provide some much-needed life and emotional truth. The subplot about their unlikely friendship feels like something from a totally different movie and a much more interesting one.

Instead, Aronofsky insists on veering between cruelty and melodrama, with Fraser stuck in the middle, a curiosity on display.

Now playing in theaters. 

Christy Lemire

Christy Lemire is a longtime film critic who has written for RogerEbert.com since 2013. Before that, she was the film critic for The Associated Press for nearly 15 years and co-hosted the public television series “Ebert Presents At the Movies” opposite Ignatiy Vishnevetsky, with Roger Ebert serving as managing editor. Read her answers to our Movie Love Questionnaire here .

• Brendan Fraser as Charlie
• Sadie Sink as Ellie
• Hong Chau as Liz
• Ty Simpkins as Thomas
• Samantha Morton as Mary
• Sathya Sridharan as Dan
• Andrew Weisblum
• Darren Aronofsky

Cinematographer

• Matthew Libatique
• Rob Simonsen

Writer (based on the play by)

• Samuel D. Hunter

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‘The Whale’ Review: Brendan Fraser Is Sly and Moving as a Morbidly Obese Man, but Darren Aronofsky’s Film Is Hampered by Its Contrivances

The director seamlessly adapts Samuel D. Hunter's play but can't transcend the play's problems.

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“The Whale” is based on a stageplay by Samuel D. Hunter, who also wrote the script, and the entire film takes place in Charlie’s apartment, most of it unfolding in that seedy bookish living room. Aronofsky doesn’t necessarily “open up” the play, but working with the great cinematographer Matthew Libatique he doesn’t need to. Shot without flourishes, the movie has a plainspoken visual flow to it. And given what a sympathetic and fascinating character Fraser makes Charlie, we’re eager to settle in with him in that depressive lair, and to get to the bottom of the film’s inevitable two dramatic questions: How did Charlie get this way? And can he be saved?

In case there is any doubt he needs saving, “The Whale” quickly establishes that he’s an addict living a life of isolated misery and self-disgust, scarfing away his despair (at various points we see him going at a bucket of fried chicken, a drawer full of candy, and voluminous take-out pizzas from Gambino’s, all of which is rather sad to behold). Charlie teaches an expository writing seminar at an online college, doing it on Zoom, which looks very today (though the film, for no good reason, is set during the presidential primary season of 2016), with video images of the students surrounding a small black square at the center of the screen. That’s where Charlie should be; he tells the students his laptop camera isn’t working, which is his way of hiding his body and the shame he feels about it. But he’s a canny teacher who knows what good writing is, even if his lessons about structure and topic sentences fall on apathetic ears.

Charlie has a friend of sorts, Liz (Hong Chau), who happens to be a nurse, and when she comes over and learns that his blood pressure is in the 240/130 range, she declares it an emergency situation. He has congestive heart failure; with that kind of blood pressure, he’ll be dead in a week. But Charlie refuses to go the hospital, and will continue to do so. He’s got a handy excuse. With no health insurance, if he seeks medical care he’ll run up tens of thousands of dollars in bills. As Liz points out, it’s better to be in debt than dead. But Charlie’s resistance to healing himself bespeaks a deeper crisis. He doesn’t want help. If he dies (and that’s the film’s basic suspense), it will essentially be a suicide.

It’s hard not to notice that Liz, given how much she’s taking care of Charlie, has a spiky and rather abrasive personality. We think: Okay, that’s who she is. But a couple of other characters enter the movie — and when Ellie (Sadie Sink), Charlie’s 17-year-old daughter, shows up, we notice that she has a really spiky and abrasive personality. Does Charlie just happen to be surrounded by hellcats and cranks? Or is there something in Hunter’s dialogue that is simply, reflexively over-the-top in its theatrical hostility?

And what a rage it is! Sadie Sink, from “Stranger Things,” acts with a fire and directness that recalls the young Lindsay Lohan, but the volatile spitfire she’s playing is bitter — at her father, and at the world — in an absolutist way that rings absolutely false. Lots of teenagers are angry and alienated, but they’re not just angry and alienated. There are shades of vulnerability that come with being that age. We keep waiting for Ellie to show another side, to reflect the fact that the father she resents is still, on some level … her father.

“The Whale,” while it has a captivating character at its center, turns out to be equal parts sincerity and hokum. The movie carries us along, tethering the audience to Fraser’s intensely lived-in and touching performance, yet the more it goes on the more its drama is interlaced with nagging contrivances, like the whole issue of why this father and daughter were ever so separated from each other. We learn that after Charlie and Ellie’s mother, Mary (Samantha Morton), were divorced, Mary got full custody and cut Charlie off from Ellie. But they never stopped living in the same small town, and even single parents who don’t have custody are legally entitled to see their children. Charlie, we’re told, was eager to have kids; he lived with Ellie and her mother until the girl was eight. So why would he have just … let her go?

There’s one other major character, a lost young missionary for the New Life Church named Thomas, and though Ty Simpkins plays him appealingly, the way this cult-like church plays into the movie feels like one hard-to-swallow conceit too many. This matters a lot, because if we can’t totally buy what’s happening, we won’t be as moved by Charlie’s road to redemption. Near the end, there’s a very moving moment. It’s when Charlie is discussing the essay on “Moby Dick” he’s been reading pieces of throughout the film, and we learn where the essay comes from and why it means so much to him. If only the rest of the movie were that convincing! But most of “The Whale” simply isn’t as good as Brendan Fraser’s performance. For what he brings off, though, it deserves to be seen.     

Reviewed at Venice Film Festival, Sept. 4, 2022. Running time: 117 MIN.

• Production: An A24 release of a Protozoa Pictures production. Producers: Darren Aronofsky, Jeremy Dawson, Art Handel. Executive producers: Scott Franklin, Tyson Bidner.
• Crew: Director: Darren Aronofsky. Screenplay: Samuel D. Hunter. Camera: Matthew Libatique. Editor: Andrew Weisblum. Music: Rob Simonsen.
• With: Brendan Fraser, Sadie Sink, Ty Simpkins, Hong Chau, Samantha Morton, Sathya Sridharan.

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‘The Whale’ Review: Body Issues

Brendan Fraser plays an obese writing instructor reckoning with grief and regret in Darren Aronofsky’s latest film.

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By A.O. Scott

Charlie is a college writing instructor who never leaves his apartment. He conducts his classes online, disabling his laptop camera so the students can’t see him. The movie camera, guided by Darren Aronofsky and his go-to cinematographer, Matthew Libatique, also stays indoors most of the time. Occasionally you get an exterior view of the drab low-rise building where Charlie lives, or a breath of fresh air on the landing outside his front door. But these respites only emphasize a pervasive sense of confinement.

Based on a play by Samuel D. Hunter (who wrote the script), “The Whale” is an exercise in claustrophobia. Rather than open up a stage-bound text, as a less confident film director might, Aronofsky intensifies the stasis, the calamitous sense of stuckness that defines Charlie’s existence. Charlie is trapped — in his rooms, in a life that has run off the rails, and above all in his own body. He was always a big guy, he says, but after the suicide of his lover, his eating “just got out of control.” Now his blood pressure is spiking, his heart is failing, and the simple physical exertions of standing up and sitting down require enormous effort and mechanical assistance.

Charlie’s size is the movie’s governing symbol and principal special effect. Encased in prosthetic flesh, Brendan Fraser, who plays Charlie, gives a performance that is sometimes disarmingly graceful. He uses his voice and his big, sad eyes to convey a delicacy at odds with the character’s corporeal grossness. But nearly everything about Charlie — the sound of his breathing, the way he eats, moves and perspires — underlines his abjection, to an extent that starts to feel cruel and voyeuristic.

“The Whale” unfolds over the course of a week, during which Charlie receives a series of visits: from his friend and informal caretaker, Liz (Hong Chau); from Thomas (Ty Simpkins), a young missionary who wants to save his soul; from his estranged teenage daughter, Ellie (Sadie Sink), and embittered ex-wife, Mary (Samantha Morton). There is also a pizza delivery guy (Sathya Sridharan), and a bird that occasionally shows up outside Charlie’s window. I’m not an ornithologist, but my guidebook identifies it as a Common Western Metaphor.

Speaking of which, Charlie is not the only whale in “The Whale.” His most prized possession is a student paper on “Moby-Dick,” the authorship of which is revealed at the movie’s end. It’s a fine piece of naïve literary criticism — maybe the best writing in the movie — about how Ishmael’s troubles compelled the author to think about “my own life.”

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The Whale movie review: Masterful, moving performances by Brendan Fraser and Hong Chau clash with an overdone story

The whale movie review: brendan fraser and hong chau deliver stellar performances in darren aronofsky's otherwise uneven drama, which feels very much like a stage enactment..

Darren Aronofsky 's The Whale is set over the crucial last days in the life of Charlie, an obese, reclusive professor, played by Brendan Fraser. Estranged from his ex-wife and daughter, his only human contact is Liz (Hong Chau), an overprotective friend, who is also a nurse. Teaching a writing course online, he doesn't show his face even to his students. (Also read: Brendan Fraser sobs as The Whale gets 6-min standing ovation at Venice Film Festival, Dwayne Johnson praises him. Watch )

Since the death of his boyfriend Alan, Charlie has been burying himself in grief and food. He has been suppressing his emotions at the cost of his health, and now finds himself at a precipice. Suffering from a severe risk of congestive heart failure and high blood pressure, he refuses to go to a hospital, and instead focuses on mending his relationship with his daughter Ellie (Sadie Sink).

But that is easier said than done as the resentful teenager hates his guts and only arrives to see her father upon the promise of money. While they try and fail to reconnect after eight years, Charlie struggles to make Ellie understand what she means to him. Meanwhile, Liz tries to protect Charlie from his worst instincts as he entertains a lost soul, a young missionary named Thomas (Ty Simpkins), alongside his meetings with Ellie.

Slowly, the screenwriter Samuel D Hunter reveals Charlie's painful past - his marriage to Mary (the excellent Samantha Morton), his love for Alan and his decline into his current state. Adapted from Hunter's own 2012 play of the same name, director Aronofsky restricts the main action to Charlie's small apartment. Like him, we are stuck in the dark, dreary claustrophobic space. But that also means, the feature film feels very much like a stage enactment most of the time.

The pace of the film feels sluggish at times and when the film moves away to the younger performers, it loses some of its more meaningful impact. Sink's Ellie is both petty and manipulative when dealing with people, and she often sees red when interacting with her father. But Ellie mostly felt like a cliché of a child of a divorce for me, despite Sink's portrayal. Her vulnerability in the film's final moments arrived too late in the story.

Fraser, as the self-deprecating but earnest Charlie, is astonishingly good in his Oscar-nominated 'comeback' film. Known mostly for his leading man and comedic roles in the past, he displays his dramatic abilities here. He leans into the physicality of the role, wearing prosthetics that show Charlie as a 600-pound man, with limited mobility. The actor has shown the unflattering side of Charlie's binge-eating and he doesn't hesitate to put it all out there.

Hong Chau as Liz matches Fraser in a moving performance. Her Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress is also richly deserved. After trying her utmost to help Charlie throughout the film, Liz tearfully states, "I don’t believe that anyone can save anyone." He has the most honest conversations about himself with both Liz and Mary as they bare it all out, knowing the end is not far.

Unfortunately, The Whale can't balance out the dark humour with the heavy emotional moments of the story. Moreover, the story feels a bit overdone, even as the main cast turn in masterful, emotional performances. The translation of the material from stage to feature film needed much more to be convincing. In some instances, the dialogues feel quite flat, while in others, they hit the mark. One can appreciate the actors' worthy performances in an otherwise uneven film.

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The Whale (2022) Movie Review – A one-room drama that Brendan Fraser carries on his capable back

A one-room drama that Brendan Fraser carries on his capable back

The Whale is a one-room play adapted for the silver screen by Darren Aronofsky known for his surreal dramas which we do see a hint of in this film. It follows a week in Charlie’s life, a morbidly obese English teacher who realises he is dying after he refuses to go to the hospital when he gets congestive heart failure.

Instead, he tries to accept his fate, spends some time with his only friend Liz, has a discourse with a random missionary and reaches out to his angry teen daughter whom he abandoned when she was young.

As we enter the movie ready to bawl our eyes out from the very beginning, Brendan Fraser gives us his all as Charlie. This film is worth the hype purely for Brendan and Brendan only, as it pretty much secures his Oscar win. It deserves to be called the Brenaissance or his comeback or whatever he likes as he carries the whole movie on his capable and prosthetic back.

Along with watching it, the whole making of The Whale is an experience on another level as the movie used complicated prosthetics instead of taking the easy way out with CGI for Charlie’s body, earning an Oscar nomination for Makeup and Hair too. Of course, all of the technical aspects are top-notch as it all comes together neatly to give us a suspense drama in one location.

From the haunting music that reaches a crescendo and tight shots to verbalise Charlie’s emotions, to the dark but soothing colour grading that makes us feel like we are present in his tiny flat, The Whale does its best to keep us hooked. Its well-paced and tightly-edited structure keeps the interest going which could otherwise easily fail and get boring by giving us Thomas’ shocking and multiple reveals and Alan’s heartbreaking story.

Despite The Whale being about just one man, all of the other characters are also written well from Nurse Liz to the missionary Thomas and Charlie’s ex-wife Mary. But the constant anger they display in the face of Charlie’s optimism sometimes does feel overwhelming.

And unfortunately for promising child actress Sadie Sink who plays Charlie’s daughter Ellie, she has no character arc as she gives us an intense but one-note performance. Sure, the audience understands why Ellie is angry, but the scriptwriter should have worked hard on her redemption. 

If the ex-wife could have a range in her character graph in one just one scene, so why can’t the daughter have an arc too? Just that one spark, at the end of the film, is not enough to forgive Ellie for how she was for the rest of the movie. Even if it is not realistic for a person to change in a week, how did they make it work with the wife?

Using Mary as a template, the writer should have tweaked the story or the other characters to make Ellie’s story work with the plot. If Charlie was not so optimistic, maybe her character would have worked. But with him continuously being positive and forgiving, it just makes her bad, she is not a grey character unlike Thomas, but a downright badly written character. This is a story about redemption, and everyone gets it except Ellie.

But that doesn’t overshadow the beautiful moments in the film from Charlie’s epiphany to his friendship with Liz. It also tells us the importance of love and how that is enough via some touching dialogues just like how Charlie gave Alan the maximum amount of love right when he needed it. And while Liz abandons Charlie as a friend because she tries to be selfish and avoid losing a loved one, she returns as a nurse because he needs her.

All in all, The Whale is an adequate adaption of a one-room play, using a cinematic format and exceeding the limitations of the stage while still being faithful to it. While it is not brilliant, from the talented cast to the plot, it does its job of telling us a bittersweet story.

Read More: The Whale Ending Explained

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• Verdict - 7.5/10 7.5/10

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The Whale: Release Date, Trailer, Songs, Cast

• Release Date in US 9 December 2022
• Release Date in India 3 February 2023
• Language English
• Dubbed In Hindi, Tamil, Telugu
• Genre Drama, Thriller
• Duration 1h 57min
• Cast Brendan Fraser, Sadie Sink, Hong Chau, Samantha Morton, Ty Simpkins, Sathya Sridharan
• Director Darren Aronofsky
• Writer Samuel D. Hunter
• Cinematography Matthew Libatique
• Music Rob Simonsen
• Producer Jeremy Dawson, Darren Aronofsky, Ari Handel
• Production Protozoa Pictures
• Certificate 18+

About The Whale Movie (2023)

Writing instructor Charlie (Brendan Fraser) is a middle-aged 600-pound (272 kg) man, whose obesity starts to pose a grave threat.

Charlie tries to reconnect with his 17-year-old daughter, Ellie (Sadie Sink), as the two grew apart after he abandoned his family for his late gay lover. He wants to rekindle the relationship as one last chance at redemption.

The Whale Movie Cast, Release Date, Trailer, Songs and Ratings

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The Whale Reviews

I am certain that as is, The Whale (the film), struggles to say anything meaningful about people and oversells the characterizations and the relationships in a way that doesn’t feel natural.

Full Review | Original Score: 1.5/5 | Jul 26, 2024

...a project that, while certainly powerful at points, could have reached further heights if not for some very questionable calls.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Jul 17, 2024

However unsubtle with its messaging, “The Whale” is a devastating ode to the complexity of human beings, and the inner beauty one can find behind even the most destructive of feelings towards self and others.

Full Review | Jul 15, 2024

“The Whale” works because Fraser, particularly his eyes and voice, and the rest of the cast deliver performances that imbue their two-dimensional characters with enough presence and emotion that they feel three dimensional.

Full Review | Jun 8, 2024

Fraser keeps Charlie’s fully formed humanity at the forefront of The Whale, despite various filmmaking decisions that could flatten his character into a saccharine pity case.

Full Review | Jan 9, 2024

It’s Aronofsky’s most blunt and uninspired work yet— an indulgent and strident slice of misery porn that rides a wave of unearned emotion to its underwhelming conclusion.

Full Review | Nov 2, 2023

If I were to describe this film in one word, it would be melancholy; it is practically flawless, at least in my opinion, and conveys the notion that people are inherently kind...

Full Review | Sep 23, 2023

If you didn’t know that The Whale was based on a play, you’d work it out pretty quickly... The immediate distance that this initially creates soon evaporates, however, in no small part thanks to Fraser’s all-in performance.

Full Review | Sep 21, 2023

If it’s as sincere as it purports to be, this is one of the worst movies of recent years, and if it’s not — which is almost preferable — then it’s a landmark exercise in trolling.

Full Review | Aug 25, 2023

A morbidly obese man racked with self-loathing makes a desperate eleventh-hour attempt to reconnect with his estranged teenage daughter in the overstuffed but worthwhile drama, The Whale.

Full Review | Jul 26, 2023

Earns its place in the "most tearful films of the year" list as it moves slowly yet efficiently towards its overwhelmingly emotional ending, especially elevated by the most subtly powerful & irrefutably moving performance of Brendan Fraser's career.

Full Review | Original Score: B+ | Jul 25, 2023

A riveting character study of one broken man that transcends compassion, love, pain/regret. A masterpiece Sadie Sink/Hong Chau should be nominated & Brendan Fraser might have turned in one of the best performances of all time

Full Review | Jul 25, 2023

I just wished that the film overall was as strong as Brendan Fraser’s acting comeback.

Full Review | Original Score: C | Jul 22, 2023

Charlie [is] played brilliantly by Brendan Fraser...

Full Review | Jun 2, 2023

It has a more or less decent preamble that is propelled by an organic performance from Brendan Fraser on his return, but its psychological marrow is locked into a basic routine of trivial conversations and a lack of substance. [Full reveiw in Spanish]

Full Review | Original Score: 5/10 | Apr 19, 2023

A strangely hopeful story that manages to stay on the surface even as it seems to sink into mediocrity. [Full review in Spanish]

Full Review | Mar 29, 2023

One of the most deplorable elements of The Whale is its near celebration of defeat and resignation. The decision by Charlie to eat himself to death is treated as a meaningful act of self-sacrifice. Why would this possibly be so?

Full Review | Mar 24, 2023

All the weight of the story (metaphorically and literally) is carried by its tragic protagonist — the ailing Charlie, whom Brendan Fraser portrays with such depth, nuance, and wit. Nothing in the film's text matches this commitment, and that's a problem.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Mar 21, 2023

Two words - Brendan Fraser. He was born to play Charlie and his Oscar award is extremely well deserved.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/5 | Mar 21, 2023

Chamber settings, by their nature, let the acting echo out and Fraser’s central performance speaks volumes about his character’s history.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Mar 17, 2023

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Official Discussion - The Whale [SPOILERS]

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A reclusive English teacher attempts to reconnect with his estranged teenage daughter.

Darren Aronofsky

Samuel D. Hunter

Brendan Fraser as Charlie

Sadie Sink as Ellie

Ty Simpkins as Thomas

Hong Chau as Liz

Samantha Morton as Mary

Sathya Sridharan as Dan the Pizza Man

-- Rotten Tomatoes: 66%

Metacritic: 62

VOD: Theaters

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Brendan Fraser stars as a recluse battling obesity in Darren Aronofsky's 'The Whale,' a powerfully affecting tale for our times.

The first thing you’ll notice in Darren Aronofsky’s The Whale is its unexpectedly compact format. With a screen ratio of 1.33:1, the frame is nearly square on all sides. Intriguingly, there won’t be any extra width for this story.

As the opening title credits began, seeing this already made me feel uneasy. I, like anyone who will be going into this movie, knew that the central character is an extremely obese man. How then, will he fit into this screen for the remainder of the film?

This (intentional) visual restriction immediately sets the stage for a story of discomfort, pain, and struggles to come. As soon as we see Charlie (Brendan Fraser)–by way of an uncomfortably shocking introduction (in many carnal ways)–we see how enormous, and helpless, a figure he is. We know instantly how impossible it must be for him to exist and fit into the world around him.

Except, we quickly see that he doesn’t actually exist in the world. Rather, as today’s 21st-century accommodations allow, he lives in his own reclusive world; inside, and alone. Teaching an online writing class (one in which his camera remains off), he spends his days either occupying the same flattened corner of his living room couch or traversing the path between his bedroom and bathroom, by way of a walker whose flimsy frame feels as if it could fold under his weight at any moment.

With over 600 pounds of body mass, Charlie is a sight to behold (I say this with no intention of sounding insensitive to the obese community). Yes, Charlie’s appearance is shocking, which the film presents starkly. Yet, the film as we see it is one of empathy. Director Darren Aronofsky’s singular achievement here is how he draws out the sweet, kind, and tender soul of the man underneath the heavy flesh.

Undergoing an immediate health complication that begins the film, Charlie’s nurse and friend Liz (Hong Chau) tells him that he’s in grave danger of dying. The episode brings about a forced introspection, one in which he decides to attempt to reconcile with the daughter he left behind years ago (you would be correct in remembering Aronokfsky’s other film about guilt by way of fatherly abandonment, 2008’s The Wrestler , here too).

We see each day of this final week, with title cards to count them down. Not coincidentally, this narrative structure should also recall the biblical story of creation, in which God created the universe in seven days (we all know what he did on the seventh). Religion and man’s relationship with it, and faith and higher powers at large, are always a preoccupation in Aronofsky’s films, as it is here too. The film confronts religion by way of a young door-to-door missionary (Ty Simpkins) who befriends Charlie and tries to save him by converting him before the rapturous end times (which are closer for Charlie than the young missionary knows).

The central story in The Whale is that of Charlie reconnecting with his daughter, Ellie (Sadie Sink), a high schooler whose troubling social media accounts reflect her raging, isolated nature. Drawing her to his home, Ellie sees her father for the first time in years–more enormous now than ever. Her moodiness and rage counter Charlie’s kindness and sincerity.

Each of these scenes–mostly exchanges between two characters–all start to take on a certain rhythm. If it all begins to feel like a play, it’s because the film is based on one. Screenwriter Samuel D. Hunter adapts his 2014 stageplay here for the film (which also lends itself to a COVID production).

For a film about a 600-pound man, I was very surprised to find how much I connected to it. Timely, issues that we experience now such as self-isolation, self-medication, grief, and shame, are all things that we can struggle with every day. In a post-COVID, mostly online world, I was taken aback to see how easy and dangerous it is to fall into our own worlds of isolation and despair that can grow from shutting oneself off from the rest of the world.

It’s a brave story to bring to the screen, and it’s Brendan Fraser who deserves every word of praise that his performance is getting. Incredibly moving, Fraser proves he’s a singular talent here, bringing a yearning presence to Charlie. Further, he brings all sides to this character suffering from grief and addiction. Communicating the pleasures of inhaling a bucket of chicken wings, meatball subs, or pizzas at any given moment, and then the physical stuntwork as well as emotional depth to convey pain inside a man who can barely move is a feat of acting and should be recognized as such.

Cinema rarely features people like this at the center of the frame, getting their own story. And Aronofsky and team, as well as the obese community, should be proud to see this character and story portrayed onscreen with such compassion and empathy, and heart.

The Whale  is a transcendent film, as evidenced by its final shot. As Charlie has been saying to his daughter and students, “be honest.” By the time he reaches that pinnacle of truth himself, he is not bound by weight. He is freed by the screen ratio format and even the gravitational forces of this world. Lightness is that thing that exists within all of us if we just choose to lift that weight of despair.

1h 57m. Rated R for language, some drug use, and sexual content.

Ryan is the editorial manager of Cinemacy, which he co-runs with his older sister, Morgan. Ryan is a member of the Hollywood Critics Association. Ryan's favorite films include 2001: A Space Odyssey , The Social Network , and The Master .

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Review: ‘The Whale’ is a hard but astounding film to watch

This image released by A24 shows Brendan Fraser in a scene from “The Whale.” (A24 via AP)

This image released by A24 shows Hong Chau in a scene from “The Whale.” (A24 via AP)

This image released by A24 shows Sadie Sink in a scene from “The Whale.” (A24 via AP)

Brendan Fraser poses for a portrait in Los Angeles on Friday, Nov. 18, 2022, to promote his film “The Whale.” (Photo by Rebecca Cabage/Invision/AP)

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The center of gravity of “The Whale” is obviously the 600-pound man at its center. Look closely, though, and he’s the one with a soul as light as a feather.

Charlie is a reclusive, morbidly obese English literature teacher unable and unwilling to stop eating himself to death. As his health woes mount and his life expectancy is put at just a week, Charlie struggles to reacquaint himself with his estranged daughter. We meet him on Monday and the film goes day by day to Friday.

Charlie is a gentle giant, not raging at his fast approaching demise. He’s an optimist and a fierce believer in truth even though there is nothing in his world reinforcing either. “The Whale” is not always pleasant to watch but the payoff and performances make it an astounding film.

Stationary and wheezing on his couch, Charlie is repeatedly visited by a constellation of people — a friendly nurse, his teenage daughter and a young missionary from an apocalyptical church. They all need something from this well-meaning but broken man — spiritual, medical or familial. They are all broken, too.

The movie, based and adapted from the off-Broadway play of the same name by Samuel D. Hunter, is directed by Darren Aronofsky, who helmed such dark tales as “Requiem for a Dream” and “Black Swan.” Hunter’s depiction of the mortification of the flesh perfectly meets a director enamored by the grotesque.

Brendan Fraser has earned lots of Oscar buzz for playing Charlie, allowing his signature puppy dog face to remain despite a massive body suit and swelling prosthetics. And why not? It is one of the most moving performances in years, full of humanity and a redemptive triumph for an actor who hid his talent in quickly forgotten films like “Blast from the Past,” “Hair Brained” and “Airheads.”

The whole cast is perfect, from Sadie Sink as Charlie’s spiky daughter, Hong Chau as his foul-mouthed nursing angel, Ty Simpkins as the missionary with a hidden past and Samantha Morton as his ex-wife with simmering anger and yet still love. There are steady references to Herman Melville’s “Moby Dick,” which gives the film the title and its doomed vibe.

Charlie has ballooned ever since the death of his same-sex partner, who apparently willed himself to death by wasting away in starvation after their relationship was condemned by his church-leading father. Charlie has apparently decided to die the opposite way.

He is sadly apologetic to his nurse — “I’m sorry,” he says continually — and shuts the video camera on his laptop during his online classes. Even the pizza delivery man doesn’t know what he looks like. “Who would want me to be part of their life?” he asks.

There has been fear that the film might be fatphobic and it’s true that cinematographer Matthew Libatique often leans into unflattering ways to show Charlie, soaping in a shower, straining to stand up or touch the floor, covered in sweat and shoving pizza or fried chicken into his mouth. Maybe some of that could have been touched on instead of lingered on.

But body weight is not what the writer and director want to focus on here. It’s more the weight of guilt and love and faith. “I just want to know I did one good thing in my life!” Charlie shouts. One feels that the underlying issue in “The Whale” could have been obesity as easily as cancer or alcoholism or a blood disorder. Hunter is exploring salvation, redemption, determinism and family.

The play has been sharpened for the screen but there’s no escaping the fact that it is rooted inside Charlie’s Idaho apartment, which he shuffles about in on a walker or later a wheelchair. This doesn’t make for sweeping cinema. Sometimes the apartment feels confining like a ship, adding to the Melville theme.

Some of the filmic attempts are forced, like the symbolically heavy bird that Charlie feeds outside his window, the three times actors rush to leave the apartment only to stop and turn back, and the heavy rain that builds as the film’s climax nears. But this is a film that stays with you and changes you. It is heavy, indeed.

“The Whale,” a A24 release that is in movie theaters on Friday, is rated R for “language, some drug use and sexual content.” Running time: 117 minutes. Four stars out of four.

MPAA definition of R: Restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.

Online: https://a24films.com/films/the-whale

Mark Kennedy is at http://twitter.com/KennedyTwits

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Common Sense Media Review

Compassionate, mature look at living with severe obesity.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that The Whale is a drama about a man (Brendan Fraser) who's living with severe obesity and trying to reconnect with his estranged daughter (Sadie Sink). Directed by Darren Aronofsky, it's a compassionate movie with mature, complex themes. Violence is described in dialogue, and there's…

Why Age 15+?

A character masturbates, with his hand underneath sweatpants. A pornographic vid

Language includes "f--k," "bulls--t," "s--t," "a--hole," "f--got," "retarded," "

Teen vaping and smoking pot. A main character smokes cigarettes regularly. Dialo

Dialogue describing a horrible death (a bloated body washes up on shore, etc.).

Various snack foods and sodas on display: Pepsi, 3 Musketeers chocolate bar, Dr.

Any Positive Content?

Thoughtful dialogue and discussions around love, literature, truth, and faith. M

Charlie is a smart, positive-thinking man who does everything he can to support

Movie approaches Charlie's experiences with obesity from a sympathetic place. He

Sex, Romance & Nudity

A character masturbates, with his hand underneath sweatpants. A pornographic video plays on a laptop, with one person kissing and thrusting behind another. (No graphic nudity shown.) Charlie is shown shirtless in the shower. Strong sex-related dialogue.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.

Language includes "f--k," "bulls--t," "s--t," "a--hole," "f--got," "retarded," "goddamn," "bitch," "hell," "idiot," "shut up," "stupid," "penis," "oh my God." "Jesus" and "oh Christ" as exclamations.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

Teen vaping and smoking pot. A main character smokes cigarettes regularly. Dialogue about teen smoking too much pot. Character drugged with Ambien. Dialogue about someone who drinks frequently. Dialogue about college students drinking alcohol.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.

Violence & Scariness

Dialogue describing a horrible death (a bloated body washes up on shore, etc.). Main character frequently in pain. Main character chokes on food. Binge-eating and vomiting. Violent dialogue about death, stabbing, rape, etc.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

Products & Purchases

Various snack foods and sodas on display: Pepsi, 3 Musketeers chocolate bar, Dr. Pepper, etc. Mentions of Walmart.

Positive Messages

Thoughtful dialogue and discussions around love, literature, truth, and faith. Movie is also about dangers of pre-judging people. Promotes compassion.

Positive Role Models

Charlie is a smart, positive-thinking man who does everything he can to support his daughter, but he also has some major weaknesses. He lies to his students and keeps a big secret from his best friend, one that ends up hurting her. And he's forever apologizing for things, revealing a lack of confidence. In one sequence, after hearing bad news, he binge-eats and vomits. Liz, a nurse and Charlie's best friend, is selfless in her devotion to him, though she's often frustrated by him and sometimes even teases him. Some characters say cruel things about someone being overweight.

Diverse Representations

Movie approaches Charlie's experiences with obesity from a sympathetic place. He's also gay and mourning the loss of his true love. But the movie frames fatness -- and queerness -- as something shocking that needs to be "humanized" in the first place. Another major character is a strong, complex Asian woman (Vietnamese actor Hong Chau). Charlie's daughter, Ellie, is very smart, although she's also quite difficult and likes to make trouble; her mother is also a smart, three-dimensional woman. A South Asian supporting character shows kindness to Charlie. The only other character is Thomas, a White male missionary. Cruel language about a person being fat is heard.

Did we miss something on diversity? Suggest an update.

Parents need to know that The Whale is a drama about a man ( Brendan Fraser ) who's living with severe obesity and trying to reconnect with his estranged daughter ( Sadie Sink ). Directed by Darren Aronofsky , it's a compassionate movie with mature, complex themes. Violence is described in dialogue, and there's some unsettling imagery of things like binge-eating, vomiting, choking, etc. A man is shown masturbating (his hand is down his pants) and watching a pornographic video (one person kisses and thrusts behind another). The main character is also seen shirtless in the shower, and there's some strong sex-related dialogue. Language includes several uses of "f--k," "s--t," "a--hole," and more. Teens smoke pot and vape, a character is drugged with Ambien, and there's dialogue about smoking too much pot and drinking too much alcohol. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails .

Where to Watch

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Parent and Kid Reviews

• Parents say (6)
• Kids say (7)

Based on 6 parent reviews

Not worth it. Don’t understand why it’s getting awards

“the truth will set you free “, what's the story.

In THE WHALE, Charlie ( Brendan Fraser ) teaches English classes online while living with severe obesity. He pretends that his laptop camera is broken so that his students can't see him. He never leaves his apartment, ordering all of his food delivered and getting occasional visits and care from his friend Liz ( Hong Chau ), a nurse. When Charlie learns that his blood pressure is potentially lethally high, he refuses to go to the hospital, instead devoting his energy to reconnecting with his brilliant, estranged, and deeply troubled teen daughter, Ellie ( Sadie Sink ). Meanwhile, a young missionary, Thomas (Ty Simpkins), happens upon Charlie and decides that he wants to help save his soul.

Is It Any Good?

Like Darren Aronofsky 's other movies, this dark drama doesn't shy away from the realities of its main character's situation, but what lingers are its deep wells of compassion. The Whale launches with Charlie's masturbation being interrupted by crippling chest pains. This initially casts him in a pathetic light, but as the story progresses over the course of a week, viewers begin to see who Charlie really is: loving, intelligent, sensitive, and an undying optimist.

Fraser's work is unfailingly powerful, Charlie's bright eyes consistently gleaming with hope. Playing opposite him, Chau is equally brilliant. The screenplay by Samuel D. Hunter, adapted from his own play, is filled with discussions about love, literature, truth, and faith (Aronofsky has grappled with themes of faith in much of his work, especially Noah and Mother! ). Aronofsky's direction is skilled but not showy, closer to The Wrestler than his other movies and focused mainly on character and performance. The movie flows beautifully, even if it sometimes feels a little stage-bound and cutesy. (For a recluse, Charlie is never without someone to talk to.) Overall, it's a movie that twists preconceptions.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about The Whale 's depiction of body image . How do you think the filmmakers intend you to see Charlie? What message is the movie saying about judging others?

Why is it so important to Charlie for people to "write the truth"?

Did you notice positive diverse representations in the film? Are stereotypes used, or avoided?

How are drugs, cigarettes, and alcohol depicted? Are they glamorized? Are there consequences? Why is that important?

How does the movie promote compassion ? Why is that an important character strength?

Movie Details

• In theaters : December 9, 2022
• On DVD or streaming : February 21, 2023
• Cast : Brendan Fraser , Hong Chau , Sadie Sink
• Director : Darren Aronofsky
• Inclusion Information : Female actors, Asian actors
• Studio : A24
• Genre : Drama
• Character Strengths : Compassion
• Run time : 117 minutes
• MPAA rating : R
• MPAA explanation : language, some drug use and sexual content
• Last updated : July 15, 2024

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

Suggest an Update

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• What is the release date of 'The Whale'? Release date of Brendan Fraser and Sadie Sink starrer 'The Whale' is 2023-02-03.
• Who are the actors in 'The Whale'? 'The Whale' star cast includes Brendan Fraser, Sadie Sink, Samantha Morton and Hong Chau.
• Who is the director of 'The Whale'? 'The Whale' is directed by Darren Aronofsky.
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Whales have long captured the human imagination, their majestic presence and sheer size making them perfect subjects for the silver screen. The best movies with whales often tap into our primal fascination with the unknown, blending nature's grandeur with human drama, and highlighting the critical importance of marine conservation. 

From heartwarming tales of friendship shown in the  Free Willy franchise to thrilling adventures on the high seas as seen in  In the Heart of the Sea and  Avatar: The Way of Water , movies with whales offer a unique blend of wonder and excitement. As the best movies with whales masterfully depict, these oceanic behemoths are more than just animals; they are symbols of nature’s grandeur and resilience

The allure of whale movies is a testament to their majestic presence and sheer size, often acting as powerful motifs in storytelling. Whether it's an animated classic or a gripping documentary, each film provides a different perspective on these incredible marine mammals. Take a journey through cinema's most memorable whale moments and vote for your favorite movie to help shape this ultimate collection.

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The timeless clash between Captain Ahab and the enigmatic white whale, Moby Dick, sets the stage for an unparalleled maritime adventure. The whale in this classic is more than just a creature; it represents nature’s uncontrollable force and the obsession it can ignite in humans. Moby Dick elevates the whale to a symbol of mystique and power, a perfect exploration for those intrigued by literary whales.

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The best things to do in NYC this week include Labor Day celebrations, the West Indian Day Parade, the U.S. Open, an Only Murders in the Buildings escape game.

If you’re looking for the best things to do in NYC this week, or even for today, there are tons of fun options, including Labor Day celebrations, the West Indian Day Parade, the U.S. Open, an Only Murders in the Buildings escape game and  awesome free events  in NYC! For more ideas, scroll down to see this week's best things to do in NYC.

RECOMMENDED: Full list of the best things to do in New York

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Time Out Market New York

We’ve packed all our favorite restaurants under one roof at the  Time Out Market New York . The DUMBO location in Empire Stores has fried chicken from Jacob’s Pickles, pizza from Fornino, inventive ice cream flavors from Sugar Hill Creamery and  more amazing eateries — all cherry-picked by us. Chow down over two floors with views of the East River, Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan skyline.

Best things to do in NYC this week

1.  ‘only murders in the building’ escape room.

• Things to do

The Only Murders in the Building Escape Game, created by Hulu and The Escape Game, will begin its limited run in New York City for the first time as of August 30.

The escape room will be inspired by season four of the comedy series. Just like the comedic crew trying to solve mysteries on the screen, escape room participants will try to solve a mystery as well. Prepare for hidden bookcase doorways, secret passageways and immersive elements that reflect key aspects of the show’s characters and storylines.

During this hour-long experience, you’ll need to use problem-solving skills to uncover the latest secrets of the Arconia’s residents. Expect to interact with familiar props and discover Easter eggs from the show.

2.  Met Opera's Summer HD Festival

Think you can’t afford the finer things? Think again. We’ve got the hookup on free opera. Head to Lincoln Center for an end-of-summer tradition, the Met Opera's Summer HD Festival. This free, outdoor festival features 11 evenings of classic and contemporary operas with a little something for everyone.

3.  Coney Island Fireworks

Don’t bother with Orlando. Coney Island is its very own magical kingdom, setting off free, sensational fireworks every Friday night all summer long.  Grab a frank and get yourself a comfortable spot on the boardwalk to celebrate the end of the work-week every week.

Friday Night Fireworks run every Friday through Labor Day.   Fireworks  begin at approximately 9:45pm and launch from the beach at West 12th Street, providing a breathtaking backdrop to the iconic boardwalk and amusement parks.

4.  S2O: An immersive water music festival

• Events & Festivals

If you haven’t yet made Labor Day plans and are hoping to enjoy a wild weekend, get ready: S2O, an immersive water music festival and one of Asia’s most coveted entertainment events, is coming to the U.S. for the first time ever. The two-day festival will take place at the Brooklyn Mirage from  Saturday, August 31 until Sunday, September 1, and  will feature a stellar lineup of DJs, including Marshmello, Subtronics, Alan Walker and others. 

5.  Labor Day Brooklyn Bridge Walking Tour

Celebrate the unsung heroes who built the Brooklyn Bridge by taking a free walking tour on the morning of Labor Day, September 2, over the iconic New York landmark. At 9am, you will meet your knowledgable guide from Scott's New York at the Jacob Wrey Mould Fountain in City Hall Park and take off for a three-hour, three-mile stroll over the Brooklyn Bridge, learning about the working class behind its historic construction as well as the working conditions, wages, triumphs and tragedies they encountered over 14 long years.

6.  West Indian Day Parade 2024

The West Indian Day Parade and carnival, the culmination of New York Caribbean Carnival Week , is consistently one of the best things to do over the summer . The event draws close to two million people, so, yeah, you could consider this the most exciting Labor Day Parade  NYC has to offer. Spend Saturday and Sunday milking what's left of summer at one of  New York's beaches , then use Monday to fully immerse yourself in rich Caribbean culture and heritage. It’s bound to be one of the best summer parties in New York this year.

7.  Barneys pop-up

• Shopping & Style

When Barneys closed back in 2020, the fashion world at large mourned the big loss, so we expect everyone to rejoice at the fact that the popular department store is making a very NYC-like comeback, debuting a five-week-only pop-up in Soho starting September 5.  The activation, which honors the start of New York Fashion Week and pays homage to the store's original downtown location (it eventually moved to Madison Avenue by 61st Street on the Upper East), will run through October 11 at 14 Prince Street by Elizabeth Street.

8.  UNIQLO Free Friday Nights at MoMA

Find inspiration at no cost at the Museum of Modern Art on select Fridays.  UNIQLO NYC Nights offer free admission to New York City residents and extended hours on the first Friday of every month. Explore in the galleries, get creative with drop-in drawing sessions, enjoy music and see a film in the theaters. Just be sure to reserve a ticket in advance online. This month's event is on Friday, August 2. Tickets are released on week in advance; same-day film tickets are also free for New York City residents, available on-site, after 4pm.

9.  Films on The Green Festival

This free outdoor French film festival is back with a sports-themed lineup in honor of the Olympics in Paris this summer. The festival is hosted by Villa Albertine, and this year’s edition features 11 French films with English subtitles across Manhattan and Brooklyn parks. Expect a mix of classic and contemporary movies, all on the theme of “Sports on Film.” All screenings will be subtitled in English, free and open to the public. Screenings begin at sunset.

10.  U.S. Open tennis tournament

The U.S. Open tennis tournament’s main games officially kicks off at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 26. Whether a fan of tennis or not, we highly suggest you try and stop by the stadium to catch some of the games live. The experience just can’t be replicated when watching on a screen. Here’s how you can catch it!

11.  Brooklyn's Pioneer Works is reopening with powerful art and performance

After more than a year of significant construction, nonprofit cultural arts center Pioneer Works is opening its doors in Red Hook once again. R opening events, including solo exhibitions by Alejandro García Contreras and Le’Andra LeSeur, kick off on Friday, September 6 with an annual gala set to return on October 8. 

12.  100 life-size elephants will take over NYC this autumn

One hundred life-size elephants will appear in the Meatpacking District from September 6 to October 2024 as part of “ The Great Migration,”  a global fundraising effort to uplift Indigenous voices and motivate the human race to share space with their animal neighbors.  Each elephant is created by The Coexistence Collective, a group of 200 indigenous artists from the Bettakurumba, Paniya, Kattunayakan and Soliga communities of India’s Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, Tamil Nadu. Over the past five years, the collective has made sure each elephant is perfectly detailed to give life to each animal sculpture, drawing from both their own experience and generational knowledge of nature and wildlife. 

13.  North Coast: Hip Hop Improv

It’s improv comedy meets hip-hop battling: North Coast’s performances are built around a single suggestion from an audience member, with the show’s improvised scenes then escalated into full-blown hip-hop songs, facilitated by resident beatboxer Doctor Brick and performed by a cast of NYC improv comedy veterans including Douglas Widick, Melanie Rubin, Luke Miller, Rj Williams, Dr. Brick, Billy Soco and Stephanie Rae. If you can’t decide between a comedy show and a bumping concert for your night out on the town, the North Coast crew have you covered both ways with this high-energy gig at The Rat NYC on Friday, September 6.

14.  Petting Zoo

Usually you have to go to the Central Park Zoo to see live exotic animals in New York City, but now you can simply settle in for a funny comedy show and have a wild experience. Hosted by Mike Kandel and Charlie Sosnick, Petting Zoo is the world’s only comedy show featuring real-deal wildlife. New York’s top comics—including Chloe Radcliffe, Jaboukie Young-White and Jess Elgene—will perform while holding snakes, birds, lizards, bugs, and other cool creatures. Between sets, you can interact up-close with the animals and learn from Ranger Eric Powers and his team of professional nature guides. See the show on September 6.

15.  NYC Labor Day Parade

It should take you about a week to recover from your three-day party weekend, by which time you can actually honor the national holiday at this joyous parade held on Saturday, September 7 at 10am. Whether you’re marching with actors, nurses, engineers and organizers or are just there for support, you’re certain to leave feeling proud of the city.

16.  Friday Night Vibes at Time Out Market

• DUMBO Sep 6, 2024 Dec 26, 2025

Start your weekend off right at Time Out Market New York’s stunning rooftop! Starting September 6, Friday Night Vibes gets the party going on the fifth floor at 7pm with tunes from  DJ Stretch  (on the f irst and third Friday of every month) and  DJ Price Is Right  (on the s econd and fourth Friday). Dance the night away with specialty cocktails from the Market’s awesome bar and grab bites from one of two dozen kitchens including, Jacob’s Pickles, Bark Barbecue and Wayla.  Enjoy it all to the incredible views of the East River, the NYC skyline and the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges. 

17.  Byron: A Life in Motion at New York Public Library

Explore the extraordinary life of Lord Byron — the famous scribe known for his   lengthy narratives   Don Juan   and   Childe Harold's Pilgrimage —at this new exhibition at the New York Public Library’s   Stephen A. Schwarzman Building . Running from September 7 through January 12, the collection of personal letters, literary manuscripts, illustrated biographies, paintings, prints, and even wine bills traces Byron’s movements, from his youth in   Aberdeen, to his sudden fame after   the publication of   Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage,   to his death in Greece at the age of 36. 

18.  9/11 Heroes Run

• Sports and fitness

Sprint, jog, or walk to honor the heroes of 9/11 and those who've served the nation. The 9/11 Heroes Run 5K team welcomes everyone of all ages and all fitness levels to join them in empowering local veterans, active duty, first responders, and families of the fallen. The event's on Saturday, September 7 at Randall's Island. Registration is available online. 

19.  1990s skater culture exhibit at MoMI

“ Recording the Ride: The Rise of Street-Style Skate Videos “ will honor DIY filmmaking with videos, vintage skate decks and other objects related to the formative years of the skate video in the 1980s and 1990s. See it in Astoria starting September 7, 2024 through January 26, 2025. The videos circulated among skaters and in skate shops serving as both inspiration and instruction. They became a form of proto social media that knitted the community together. Skating and skating videos became linked as complementary forms or artistic expression.

20.  Vinyasa on a Vessel

New York City offers up plenty of cool outdoor options for your yoga flow but this one might just take the cake: join the Seaport Museum for a free yoga session on the second Sunday of the month on the deck of the historic 1885 tall ship Wavertree. Running now through October 13 at Pier 16 (Fulton and South Streets), the 60-minute practice is open to those of all skill levels between ages 12 and up. Each session is sprinkled with enlightening information about the vessel itself as well as thoughtful playlists “developed to reflect the serenity of the water and lively seasonal themes.” (For example, July will feature a summery water-themed playlist.)

21.  Free vintage buses festival

As a New Yorker, you may associate buses with rush-hour traffic or the tedious process of simply getting from point A to point B. But this summer, buses take on a whole new meaning, where New Yorkers can now time travel through over 90 years of New York City history.   This September 8, the New York Transit Museum’s treasured Bus Festival returns, providing New Yorkers with the opportunity to board beloved vintage buses in Brooklyn at a free outdoor event.  The Bus Festival includes photo ops, a chance to meet some of the bus drivers who keep our city running smoothly, and a scavenger hunt activity sheet that'll help you learn about these cool vehicles.

22.  Ferragosto Festival

One of the most celebrated holidays in Italy, Ferragosto dates back to the Roman Empire. Originating from Feriae Augusti  or the festival of Emperor Augustus, the month-long festivities honored fertility and the fruitful season with food, wine and religious celebrations. While Italy continues to celebrate the holiday (for one day instead of the whole month), the Bronx marks the day in its own way. Coming up the Sunday after Labor Day , The Ferragosto Festival is returning to the Bronx on Sunday, September 8, 2024. Taking place on Arthur Avenue between East 187th Street and Crescent Avenue, the day-long celebration highlights the area's rich Italian culture and tradition, featuring delicious food, live music, and tons of entertainment.

23.  Diamonds & Rosé Experience Bravo pop-up bar

Any New Yorker who has melted their brain   by watching daylong marathons of   The Real Housewives ,   Below Deck   and   Vanderpump Rules   (guilty!) has been waiting for this day: New York is finally getting a Bravo-inspired bar.  From Friday, August 2 to Sunday, October 6 at Selene (11 Hanover Square),  you can sip on a Mazel Mule, a Physically Shaking Margarita or a Pumptini—that Vanderpump classic—while you recreate memorable Bravo moments in photo opps, show off your Bravo knowledge in trivia games and peruse a historical archive of real-deal Bravo artifacts.

24.  The Public Theater's Costume Exhibit

• Theater & Performance

To make a theatrical production shine, it's not just about the actors delivering their lines perfectly. The lighting must work just right. The music must pair with each scene. And the costumes must complement each actor, whether they're in a baroque gown, a military uniform or streetwear.

The power of costumes will be in the spotlight at a new exhibit by The Public Theater. This free exhibit will be on view through Friday, August 30 in the theater’s Shiva Theater in Manhattan’s Noho neighborhood. 

At   The Public Theater's Costume Exhibit , see exquisite costumes spanning four decades of acclaimed Public Theater and Free Shakespeare in the Park productions. Expect to can see pieces from iconic shows like  A Chorus Line   and   Hamilton   and Delacorte Theater productions of   Twelfth Night ,   Richard III ,   Mother Courage  and   On the Town .

25.  Gjelina pop-up at The Standard, East Village

The Standard, East Village is housing the L.A. eatery for a month-long pop-up this August. Held at the hotel’s NO BAR space   ( 25 Cooper Square, New York),  the Gjelina team will serve an abbreviated menu that mirrors its L.A. location. Since the space is lacking a wood-fired oven, the coming pop-up will not include its blistered pizzas.

Luckily, the team does know their way around a vegetable (charred romanesco and brussel sprouts, anyone?) and will be incorporating produce from Union Square Farmers Market. We suppose this pop-up will be enough to tide us over until the tentative opening in September of this year.

26.  Changing the Face of Democracy: Shirley Chisholm at 100

The legendary Shirley Chisholm is deservedly getting a major museum presentation courtesy of  the Museum of the City of New York and the Shirley Chisholm Project at Brooklyn College. Running through July 20, 2025, Changing the Face of Democracy: Shirley Chisholm at 100 will delve into the life and legacy of the native New Yorker and barrier-breaking politician, who was the first Black woman elected to Congress and the first woman to run for president on a major party ticket.

Marking the centennial of the late Chisholm’s birth, her first major exhibition will take over the museum's second-floor North Gallery and tell the multi-dimensional story of the American icon in three sections—Brooklyn Life, Political Career, and Legacy—using historical artifacts, photographs, archival footage, and art pieces.

27.  "Cellino V. Barnes" Off-Broadway

You might not know who Cellino and Barnes are, but you can definitely recite their law firm's phone number by heart. 

Ross Cellino Jr. and Steve Barnes founded their personal injury law firm in Buffalo, New York back in 1998. The pair quickly rose to prominence after their distinctive jingle—"Cellino and Barnes, injury attorneys, call 1-800-888-8888"—basically turned them into Internet celebrities.

That history, including what led to the dissolution of the company, is the subject of the Off Broadway dark comedy Cellino V. Barnes , running at Asylum NYC (123 East 24th Street by Lexington Avenue) through October 13. Tickets for Cellino V. Barnes are available here . 

28.  "Survival Piece #5: Portable Orchard" at The Whitney

A grove of citrus trees growing in Manhattan’s Meatpacking District would be unusual enough. But a grove of live citrus trees growing inside a Meatpacking District   museum   is even more surprising.  

Astonishingly, 18 citrus trees are now in bloom inside the   Whitney Museum of American Art , and you can walk through the grove on the museum’s eighth floor through January 1, 2025. The exhibition, “Survival Piece #5: Portable Orchard,” was conceived in 1972 by Helen Mayer Harrison and Newton Harrison. This groundbreaking eco-art project is on view at a museum for the first time since its debut more than 50 years ago.

Over the course of the exhibition, the living sculptures will change and grow harvestable fruit that will be used in public programs.

29.  Smorgasburg

Smorgasburg , the food bazaar spectacular, is back for 2024 with dozens of great local vendors across four locations.

In fact, with more than 70 vendors, it's the largest Smorgasburg lineup since 2018!  Vendors this year will serve up  fragrant Ethiopian stews, Hawaii-style street comforts, explosive pani puri, potato puff poutine, and lots more.

Smorgasburg WTC runs on Fridays; Williamsburg is on Saturdays; and Prospect Park is on Sundays. Each location is open from 11am-6pm and operates weekly through October. 

30.  Free Yoga in Bryant Park

• Yoga & Pilates

It might seem impossible to experience tranquility in the middle of hustling, bustling Manhattan, but Bryant Park’s free yoga series presented by CALIA is aiming to achieve just that. Outdoor classes will be held all summer long through September 25 with excellent instructors. These popular classes occur Tuesday mornings at 10am on the terrace and Wednesday afternoons at 6pm on the lawn.

Though the classes are free and open to the public, make sure to   register in advance , and don't forget your yoga mat and water bottle!

31.  "Other of Pearl" on Governors Island

Ocean noise, chemical pollution, climate change and sea level rise are words that often appear in the news. But these important concepts can be hard to make sense of—or to understand at all.

That's where artist Jenny Kendler comes in. Her new exhibit, Other of Pearl , confronts these pressing environmental issues in ways that feel more accessible with stirring whale songs, incredible pearl sculptures, a crystalline whale eye cast with human tears, and more. You can see these powerful works for free on Wednesdays-Sundays from 10am-5pm now through October on Governors Island. 

Seven intimate, delicate works are displayed in the cavernous, subterranean magazine of historic Fort Jay, a star-shaped fortification built on Governors Island between 1775 and 1776. 

32.  Magic Hour Rooftop's coastal cowgirl takeover

One of our favorite seasonal traditions is seeing what over-the-top theme the  Magic Hour Rooftop Bar & Lounge at the Moxy Times Square will take on next. F or summer, it’s cranking up those Cowboy Carter  jams for a Magic Hour Surf Club takeover that combines beachy-cool breeziness with Wild West motifs. 

All summer long, Magic Hour’s summer pop-up will be all done up in coastal cowgirl style. The rooftop’s east terrace will feature decorative  surfboards, accents of sunflowers and seagrass, comfortable cabana seating and a neat-o vintage bus, to serve as a photo opp with the Empire State Building directly behind it.

To go along with that decor theme, the menu has been overhauled with themed food and drinks.

33.  Pollinator Lounge at Brooklyn Botanic Garden

A new program series at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden seeks to shed light on the connections between plants and pollinators, underlying the latter's essentiality and calling on New Yorkers to protect them. 

"Natural Attractions: a Plant-Pollinator Love Story" features a series of programs and exhibit, most on view now through October 20, that are free with general admission. Among the activations is a new pollinator lounge that was built specifically for the insects: 42 wood-carved "hotels" catering to native pollinators in New York are accessible by the general public. 

34.  Sample sales

• Sample sales

It is absolutely scorching hot outside, so you might want to revisit every single item of clothing you've got in your closet—and there are no better places to go shopping than the best sample sales in NYC, where you can snag quality pieces for a fraction of their original prices.

Buy trendy shoes, top-notch clothes and beautiful furniture at a deep discount at the best sample sales in NYC this week.

35.  "The INTERnet" at INTER_

Basically a massive maze made of ropes, this new exhibit allows attendees to jump inside, climb, relax and even get lost in the whole webbed arrangement that’s comprised of 80,000 feet of handwoven rope, which is part of a 400-square-foot interactive artwork created by Treenet Collective, a net expert company. 

Find "The INTERnet" at  INTER_ , the interactive art center at 415 Broadway by Canal Street in Soho.

The installation, which accommodates 15 people at once, boasts a variety of different weaving styles, each one creating a "setting" for folks to dive into, including the "quantum leap," where guests can play in mid-air, and the "social network," a more serene space that will feel like you are floating above everyone else.

36.  Wonderland: Curious Nature at New York Botanical Garden

Sometimes you’ll feel very tall, sometimes very small, and sometimes in awe of it all at this new   New York Botanical Garden   exhibit that celebrates the magic of   Alice's Adventures in Wonderland . With a variety of botanical and artistic exhibitions throughout the Bronx garden’s 250 acres, “Wonderland: Curious Nature” encourages visitors to get “curiouser and curiouser” around every turn. 

See a massive white (well, actually green) rabbit made entirely of plants; explore an enchanting English garden with delightfully weird flora; climb through a rabbit hole; hang out in a house made of mycelium bricks; and much more at this sprawling exhibition.   Wonderland: Curious Nature   runs through October 27, 2024, and will evolve with each season.

Though it's now more than 150 years since the first publication of  Alice's Adventures in Wonderland,  the delightful story with its heroic protagonist feels just as fresh as ever—especially at New York Botanical Garden with its enchanting scientific and artistic twist on the story. 

37.  Bryant Park's Picnic Performances

Bryant Park's Picnic Performances will bring the best of NYC to the stage, including the New York City Opera, Jalopy Theatre, Carnegie Hall, the Harlem Chamber Players, and the American Symphony Orchestra.

Best of all, all 25 performances are free and open to the public. Many performances will be livestreamed for free on Bryant Park’s social media channels and website in case you can’t make it in person. Shows run through September 13.

The lineup includes The Late Show with Stephen Colbert bandleader Louis Cato; trumpeter Steven Bernstein playing the music of James Bond with Arturo O’Farrill and The Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra; the NYC premiere of Ghanaian highlife band Gyedu-Bly Ambolley; Ronald K. Brown/EVIDENCE dance company; South African world pop star Thandiswa Mazwai and many more.

38.  True Crime Viewing Parties at Seven Sins

Most of the time, the HD TVs at Seven Sins (293 Third Avenue) are religiously tuned to sports channels but now the bar is clicking off those athletic pursuits for true-crime titillations.

Yes, if you’re warped like us and love hearing all about real-life mysteries, murders and misdeeds, check out the  Gramercy watering hole's  new summertime screening series, True Crime Tuesdays, starting at 7pm each week. And if the real stuff doesn't tickle your fancy, you can join in for scary movies every Sunday night or fictional murder mysteries on Mondays. 

39.  Little Island performances

Little Island , the beautiful 2.4-acre elevated park that sits above the Hudson River on Manhattan's west side, is offering a lineup of star-studded performances this summer. Performances run through September 22, spanning the realms of music, dance, theater, opera, comedy, jazz, pop and funk. 

Just as exciting is the debut of The Glade, a brand new cocktail lounge opening on the island that will be offering a selection of beers, wines, cocktails and mocktails to be enjoyed anywhere throughout the park.

You can learn more about Little Island's full summer programming and get advance tickets to the bigger performances on their   website .

40.  "Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion" at The Met

Ever wanted to touch one of the dresses at the Met? Or how about smell it? At last, now's your chance. 

The museum's new exhibit, " Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion ," takes a multi-sensory approach allowing visitors to smell, touch, and hear the clothing, not just look at it. With more than 200 garments from the 1600s to today, the exhibition is the largest and most ambitious in the Costume Institute's history in terms of range and scope.

Here are five things to expect from the exhibit, which runs through September 2

41.  "Ice Cold," a hip-hop jewelry exhibit at AMNH

If you know anything about hip-hop, then you understand that it’s not just a genre of music—it’s an entire lifestyle, complete with its own lexicon, fashion and accessories. 

The  American Museum of Natural History  is going to pay homage to some of the most iconic custom-made jewelry in hip-hop history with its exhibit “ Ice Cold ,”   which is now open in celebration of the genre’s 50th anniversary. 

The exhibition will showcase jewelry from the 1980s until today and will include Slick Rick’s gem-encrusted crown, the Notorious B.I.G.’s gold ‘Jesus piece’, Nicki Minaj’s sparkling ‘Barbie’ pendant, and pieces from Erykah Badu, A$AP Rocky, Joey Bada$$, A$AP Ferg, and Tyler, the Creator, among many other legendary pieces of bling.

42.  "Moulin Rouge" exhibit at the Museum of Broadway

The glitz and glamour and hedonism and heartbreak of Moulin Rouge  are coming to the Museum of Broadway for a special exhibit celebrating the 10-time Tony Award-winning Best Musical. 

The new exhibit, created  exclusively for The Museum of Broadway , invites fans to step into the glamorous underworld of Belle Époque Paris. “Moulin Rouge! The Musical: Spectacular, Spectacular” runs through September 8, 2024; it’s included with museum admission.

Expect to see dazzling costumes while learning how costumers transformed sketches and swatches into eye-catching gowns and bodices fit for the Sparkling Diamond herself. You'll also see set installations—and even get a chance to sit on Satine’s luxe chaise lounge. Before you go, leave your personal mark on a heart-themed wall. 

43.  Banksy Museum

Following a slew of pop-ups and stand-alone exhibits, elusive England-based street artist Banksy is getting the New York City museum treatment: The Banksy Museum is now open at 277 Canal Street by Broadway.

The space will display over 160 works by the artist—from his instantly recognizable street art to studio pieces, videos and animated visuals—making this "the largest display of Banksy work ever seen in a single setting."

Tickets for the museum, which will be open daily from 10am to 8pm, are available right here .

44.  The Met's Roof Garden Commission

One of the most anticipated events at the Met is their annual Roof Garden Commission, an art series in which the New York institution chooses one artist to use the coveted space as their canvas. 

This year’s commission, which was just unveiled today, sends a playful yet extremely poignant and timely message about children who find themselves in war zones. The exhibition, titled  Abetare , is on view through October 27; it's included with general admission.

The artist,  Petrit Halilaj , was born in war-torn Kosovo in 1986 and had to flee his home during the Yugoslav Wars in 1998. He lived with his family in a refugee camp in Serbia for a year, where he drew pictures of war scenes that he had witnessed back home.  The sculptures on the roof were inspired by doodles Halilaj found at the school he attended in Runk, Kosovo before it was demolished in 2010.

45.  Torch & Crown Brewing's Union Square pop-up

Torch & Crown Brewing Company's summertime pop-up is back at Union Square Pavilion.  This year it returns not only with  locally brewed beers but also a slate of  events and programming to the open-air NYC Parks’ concession venue in Union Square Park.

46.  Rooftop Cinema Club

Take your movie-going experience to the next level this summer at Rooftop Cinema Club. The experience offers a chance to watch a movie on a Midtown rooftop with vegan popcorn, classic theater candy, and craft cocktails.

This season's rooftop movie schedule includes classics like  When Harry Met Sally ,   Dirty Dancing ,   Grease ,   Mean Girls ,   Clueless , and so much more. Also expect special programming for Star Wars day, AAPI Heritage Month, Black Music Month, and Pride Month. Plus, it’s adding a Saturday Cereal Club and Mimosas & Muffins Sundays.   Get tickets here.

47.  Pickleball at Central Park's Wollman Rink

• Sports & Fitness

Turns out, pickleball was not just a passing fad.

Doubling down on the popularity of the sport, Central Park is gearing up for the   return of the 14-court pickleball installation via CityPickle   that took over Wollman Rink last year. The experience offers players of all skill levels the chance to reserve courts or partake in open play sessions between 8am and 9pm daily.

48.  Preservation In Progress: Picturing Immigration

Are you a preservationist nerd? (Guilty!) Then head to the Museum of the City of New York’s new exhibition, which offers a behind-the-scenes look at the conservation of one of the museum’s prized possessions: Samuel Bell Waugh’s monumental, 170-year-old painting, The Bay and Harbor of New York .

The exhibition explores the piece’s significance as one of the earliest depictions of immigration to the United States and welcomes the public to witness the preservation firsthand, gaining insight into the care and techniques needed to safeguard such a historical artifact. Conservator Gary McGowan will be on site, actively working on the painting in the gallery on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, and visitors themselves will get the chance to interact with a variety of hands-on activities. It's on view through October 13.

49.  "Lost New York" at New-York Historical Society

There’s only one constant in New York City: Change. A new exhibit at the New-York Historical Society explores the rapid development of the city and what’s been left behind. 

The exhibit, titled Lost New York , transports viewers to a time when pigs roamed the streets, shopping was a radical act, and New Yorkers used to brave polluted waters for a swim. The exhibition also documents long-gone landmarks like the original Penn Station, Met Opera House, Chinese Theater, and Croton Reservoir. See it at the Upper West Side museum now through September 29. 

Lost New York is included with museum admission ($24/adult). Or check it on during pay-as-you-wish Friday evenings , which will expand 5-8pm with live vintage music and specialty "lost" cocktails this summer.

50.  Summer on the Hudson

Summer on the Hudson , a program run by the Riverside Park Conservancy and NYC Parks for the past two decades, is back and bigger than ever before, with new programming and more than 300 free events, including some in West Harlem and Washington Heights for the first time ever. 

As usual, expect a ton of artists and musicians to participate in the extravaganza, which is free to the public and hinges heavily on all things wellness. Plus, silent disco sessions, movies under the stars, sunset yoga classes, and a Black Birders Week.

This year, Silent Disco sessions at Pier I in Riverside Park South, the Irish Dance Festival, the West Side County Fair and Movies Under the Stars will make a comeback while the uptown expansion will bring with it novel events. These include movie screenings on the Hudson waterfront at 145th Street every Thursday in August, sunset yoga classes and a Black Birders Week hosted alongside NYC Audubon.

51.  Wonder City of the World: New York City Travel Posters

Poster House, the country's first museum dedicated entirely to the global history of posters, turns its lens on its hometown for its latest exhibit. "Wonder City of the World: New York City Travel Posters," highlights 80 works that capture NYC's landmarks in vibrant color and detail. 

The exhibit explores how New York City was represented to thousands of travelers, immigrants, and tourists during the 20th century. A 19th century marketing strategy coined the phrase "Wonder City," and it appeared in dozens of newspaper and magazine advertisements, as well as articles, postcards and souvenir booklets. New York’s massive growth during this time ultimately led to the creation of more travel posters than were designed for any other city in the world. The images included scenes of the city as seen from the water, from the ground, and, eventually, from the air. 

52.  Whitney Biennial

Art nerds can’t wait until the Whitney Biennial, which happens every two years. It’s always a gigantic showcase of some of the coolest, newest, and most provocative art at a big New York City museum. It’s the Whitney Museum of American Art’s  landmark exhibition series and the longest-running survey of American Art, on view through September 29.

This year, the Biennial is themed “ Even Better Than The Real Thing” and features the  work of 71 artists and collectives. It does a lot in this iteration. T he survey examines rapidly advancing technologies and machine learning tools; t he body and subjectivity as it pertains to queer identity, body sovereignty, motherhood, the aging body, and the trans body; m aterial agency and the use of unstable media;  and lots more.

Overarching is the focus on “the real,” an extremely present topic these days with the onslaught of incorrect ChatGPT answers, horrifying deep fakes and art made by AI.  

53.  "Suffs" on Broadway

• Midtown West Open run

After premiering at the Public Theatre in 2022,  Suffs  now marches to Broadway with its intrepid director, Leigh Silverman, still leading the way, and most of its principal cast intact.  These performers’ individual charisma helps deepen our understanding of the tensions that threaten their characters’ political partnership.

Suffs  is a full-throated musical call to action, and its message is neither subtle nor ambivalent: It wants to light a fire under you. But this unapologetic love letter to those who risked life and limb to get women a seat at the table is also heart-tugging, vibrant and charming. The combination is hard to resist. As our theater critic says, "It’s got my vote."

See it at the Music Box Theatre.

54.  "Aṣẹ: Afro Frequencies" at ARTECHOUSE

Digital art and poetry combine for a dive into Afrocentricity and Afrofuturism at this new immersive exhibit in Chelsea. See " Aṣẹ: Afro Frequencies " at ARTECHOUSE all summer.

The digital art exhibition promises a "vibrant reflection upon the past, present, and future of the Black experience." It's told through the perspective of London-based Afro-surrealist digital artist Vince Fraser alongside evocative poetry by ursula rucker.

Both artists worked to honor the legacy, struggles, and complexities of the Black experience in their work. Even the exhibition's title, "Aṣẹ" stems from a powerful mantra, affirmation, and philosophical belief held by the Yoruba people of West Africa, meaning "so will it be." (By the way, that's pronounced as AH-shay.)

55.  "Apollo: When We Went to the Moon" at the Intrepid Museum

“We choose to go to the Moon,” President John F. Kennedy’s voice booms through speakers welcoming visitors to the massive new Space Race-themed exhibit at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum . With archival speeches, historic documents, and incredible space equipment, the exhibit whisks visitors back to the 1960s, an era when humanity first ventured into the unknown. 

" Apollo: When We Went to the Moon " is now open at the Intrepid Museum (that's the gigantic aircraft carrier in Hell's Kitchen along the Hudson River) and runs through September 2. At 9,000 square feet, it's the largest temporary exhibit in the museum's history. Tickets are included with museum admission.

56.  The Comedy Lottery

If you're an up-and-coming comedian and want to try your luck, the comedy lottery hosted by Demetrius Fields and Austin Locke might just give you the platform you need—with a potentially big money prize attached. Every Monday at Flop House Comedy Club, hopeful comedians donate $1 to enter a lucky draw. Fifteen names are drawn and the comedian voted the best receives all the signup money plus half of ticket sales, which once added up to a whopping $238. 

57.  "Liberty the Tattooed Lady" at City Reliquary museum

For more than a century, the Statue of Liberty has offered inspiration as a beacon of freedom, equality, and democracy. And for just as long, she has also served as an inspiration for tattoo artists. 

A new exhibit at City Reliquary, a jewel box of a museum in Brooklyn's Williamsburg neighborhood, features vintage Statue of Liberty tattoos. As the first show devoted to Lady Liberty ink, it also traces tattooing history in NYC since the 1800s. " Liberty the Tattooed Lady: The Great Bartholdi Statue as Depicted in Tattooing " is now open through January 12, 2025.

The exhibition spotlights antique flash, vintage photographs, drawings, and other ephemera that show how Lady Liberty has been a popular subject in tattooing for as long as she’s stood in New York Harbor. You'll even get to see vintage tattoo art that's never been on display before.

58.  "Reanimating Theater" at the Library for the Performing Arts

See some of Broadway's most famous shows through fresh eyes at this new exhibit at the Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center. The exhibition showcases lenticular prints, which appear to animate as you move around. 

"Reanimating Theater: The Photography of Friedman-Abeles," is on view through September 25, 2024. It brings to life photographs by Friedman-Abeles Studio of some of Broadway's most beloved productions from 1954-1970, like West Side Story ,  Camelot , and Bye, Bye Birdie . 

59.  "Stereophonic" on Broadway

The rumors are true: David Adjmi's behind-the-music studio drama Stereophonic , which earned rave reviews Off Broadway last year, has opened at  Broadway 's John Golden Theatre.

This is terrific news for fans of theater and rock alike. Although the show is not a musical , its intimate depiction of one band's creative journey includes a great deal of live music in its three engrossing hours.

You can buy tickets here . Visit the production's website for more information.

60.  "Reimagine: Himalayan Art Now" at The Rubin Museum

The Rubin Museum, that legendary building in Chelsea that has housed the largest collection of Himalayan art in the world for two decades, is permanently closing its physical space later this year. As sad as this is for New York’s culture scene, New Yorkers at least get to enjoy the museum until October, and you should definitely plan to make the most of it until then. 

The museum’s last exhibit, “Reimagine: Himalayan Art Now , ” will be an appropriate, forward-looking nod to 32 contemporary artists from the Himalayas and the Asian diaspora whose work will be shown in dialogue with objects from the museum’s existing collection.

The exhibit is open through the museum's physical closing on October 6. Expect to see 32 new commissions and work across mediums, including painting, sculpture, sound, video, performance and more.

61.  Secret Message Party at The Lavaux Wine Bar

If you’re on Foodie-Tok, chances are that you’ve come across a  video  of  The Lavaux , a romantic Swiss restaurant and wine bar in the West Village that has some of the best Swiss cheese offerings in the city. But recently, it’s gone viral on TikTok for its “Secret Message Party,” where they encourage strangers to send each other anonymous notes on Tuesday nights.

The note-passing party is the baby of general manager Christian Stemmer, who got the idea two years ago while traveling through his native Switzerland and ate at a restaurant where people were sending notes to other tables. He decided that something like that would probably do very well in New York, where most of us are starved for deeper human connection. “New Yorkers are all about new experiences,” Stemmer tells  Time Out . 

62.  Drag Me To Joanne’s

Lady Gaga’s family restaurant, Joanne  Trattoria  (a name made famous by the artist’s eponymous album), is bringing in sensational drag queens for free, “speakeasy” drag shows every Wednesday.

“Drag Me To Joanne’s,” which is hosted by Jupiter Genesis, features special guests. Of course, because it’s all set at Joanne’s, there will “be ample Lady Gaga action,” organizers say.

Produced exclusively by Jessee O of G L I T A NYC and co-produced by Jupiter Genesis, the show starts at 7pm. Joanne Trattoria’s full Italian menu will be available during performances. Additional tickets for the show aren’t needed, you just need or order a meal.

63.  The NYC Talent Show

Every Monday at 7:30pm in the Parkside Lounge on East Houston Street, the NYC Talent Show highlights unconventional talent from the worlds of comedy, music, dance, spoken word, and more. Audience members are also welcome to show their talent if they choose to participate, creating an environment that feels truly dynamic and collaborative. Tickets are $45 with a 60% off early bird discount if you buy prior to midnight the Friday before the event with the promo code PHILOPYGUS.

64.  Sip & Stitch

At Sip & Stitch, create your very own custom handbag with the guidance of purse pro Anthony Luciano. As a longtime handbag artisan and a fashion expert, Luciano will share tips and tricks for making a handbag that's perfect for your personal style. 

The lively workshops are held in Luciano’s Garment District studio, which is packed with vintage ephemera, beautiful decor, and plenty of purses to spark your inspiration. The class begins with a chance to pick a leather color and texture of your choosing—just nothing boring, as Luciano admonishes. Once that’s sorted, he’ll guide you through each step of the process, from cutting to gluing to making final touches. While the workshop is called Sip & Stitch, there’s technically no “stitching” involved, so don’t be intimidated. Even if you’re not a crafty person, Luciano and his team will make sure you leave with a handbag you’re proud to carry. 

Several workshops fall under the Sip & Stitch umbrella, from a classic handbag to a unisex option. Prices range from $175 to $275, with adult beverages and snacks provided at the higher price point. The team plays pop and disco tunes in the background, making a fun and fashionable night for all.

65.  "The Notebook" on Broadway

Nicholas Sparks's bestselling 1996 novel, which inspired a popular 2004 movie, is now also the source of an original musical by indie singer-songwriter Ingrid Michaelson and playwright Bekah Brunstetter. The show charts a romance that begins in the 1940s, and the central is played—in different chapters of their story—by Maryann Plunkett, Dorian Harewood, Joy Woods, Ryan Vasquez, Jordan Tyson and John Cardoza; the supporting cast includes Andréa Burns.

The production, directed by Michael Greif and   Schele Williams, arrives on Broadway after a well-received 2022 run at Chicago Shakespeare Theater.

66.  Mercer Labs, Museum of Art and Technology

Mercer Labs, Museum of Art and Technology , a new immersive museum is now open. It's the brainchild of Roy Nachum, the artist behind Rihanna’s famous 2016 “Anti” album cover, and his business partner Michael Cayre, a real estate developer. 

The 36,000-square-foot space is located at 21 Dey Street, inside the bank building that used to be part of the now-nextdoor Century 21. It's filled with room after room of immersive fun.

The first of 15 experiences, for example, will take you through a giant room equipped with 26-foot-high projectors that blast a series of images all around that will have you feel like you've just taken a swim inside the sorts of motifs that Nachum explores throughout his work. You will quite literally land inside his art pieces.

In another room, which is being branded as one of only three 4D sound studios in the world, guests are asked to wear a blindfold and lay on the floor to properly enjoy the sounds blasting out of the 36 speakers that are embedded under the elevated floor.

67.  Crash and Burn comedy show

If you're looking for some good laughs in Bushwick while sticking to a budget, then your best bet is to head to Starr Bar's free stand up comedy shows every Wednesday at 10pm. Hosts James Donlon, Aditya Mayya, and Paddy DeFino will showcase new sets of comedians every week with no cover charge, drink minimum or ticket fee. 

68.  Chamber Magic

• Circuses & magic
• Midtown East Open run

There's a reason Chamber Magic has remained a staple in NYC's magic scene for more than two decades: It dazzles, show after show, with tricks that'll still leave you awestruck days later. 

The charming Steve Cohen, billed as the Millionaires’ Magician, conjures high-class parlor magic in the marble-columned Madison Room at the swank Lotte New York Palace. Dress to be impressed (cocktail attire is required); tickets start at $125, with an option to pay more for meet-and-greet time and extra tricks with Cohen after the show. If you've come to see a classic-style magic act, you get what you pay for.

Sporting a tuxedo and bright rust hair, the magician delivers routines that he has buffed to a patent-leather gleam: In addition to his signature act—"Think-a-Drink," involving a kettle that pours liquids by request—highlights include a lulu of levitation trick and a card-trick finale that leaves you feeling like, well, a million bucks.

69.  BoogieManja: A Sketch Comedy Collective

Support up-and-coming sketch comedians as they perform a medley of new sketches at this show at The PIT. The show's called "BoogieManja: A Sketch Comedy Collective" and it promises an hour of sketch comedy that changes every show. 

BoogieManja performs on most Wednesdays. Performers include Nothing Bagel,  Both Hands, The Right Stuff, Attainable Crush, EZ Pass,  and Cliff Hanger.

70.  "Thank You Darling" at The High Line

A pastel-hued floral mural with a feminist message is the newest addition to the High Line. Titled “Thank You Darling,” this mural by Dutch artist Lily van der Stokker celebrates the playful, feminine realm often overlooked or derided in our culture. 

"Van der Stokker’s work, which she has referred to as 'feminist conceptual pop art,' is undeniably joyful and positive. However, it often simultaneously speaks to weighty themes—aging, health, and, more generally, the lived experience of being a woman within patriarchal structures," a press release from High Line Art explains.

Her installation for the High Line continues this practice for a wide public audience, offering a sweet expression of gratitude to the millions of passersby and inhabitants of nearby buildings. Find the words THANK YOU DARLiNG (with that capitalization) on the side of a building adjacent to the High Line at 22nd Street.

With the word "darling" styled in bright yellow bubble letters, the mural seems to reach out to personally thank every single person who sees it. Check it out through November 2024.

71.  Live At the Inn!

Head to a beloved West Village music shop for a banging musical comedy blowout every Friday night. This variety show mixes music, comedy, and characters with appearances by Stephen Sihelnik (NY Comedy Festival), Natan Badalov (Adult Swim), Alexander Payne (Netflix), and surprise guests.

Fun fact: The event's set in New York's oldest continually-run music and record store, Music Inn World Instruments. It's been in operation since 1958 and has been heavily featured in the first two seasons of "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel."

Show up early, save a seat and BYOB: You're in for a party.

72.  Sinister Secrets of the Seaport walking tour

Beneath the cobblestone streets of the Seaport, secrets hid underground for decades—until now, that is. A new walking tour led by the South Street Seaport Museum unearths the neighborhood's freaky and fascinating facts.

The museum's "Sinister Secrets of the Seaport" whisks visitors back in time for a 90-minute walking tour full of true crime tales about theft, organized crime, murder and even pirates.   Tours are available  for $30-$40/adult. Whether you're a true crime buff or you're just always in the Halloween spirit, these tours make for a memorable afternoon in a historic neighborhood. 

The tour takes on the scandalous, dubious and sinister tales lurking throughout this historic district. While many stories come from the area's crime heyday in the 1800s, some stories stretch back to the 1790s and others up to the 1990s. It's grim subject matter, of course, but it's delivered in a lighthearted way. You'll never see the Seaport in the same way again.

73.  NYSCI's Big Bubble Experiment

Beautiful, buoyant, beguiling bubbles are back at the New York Hall of Science (NYSCI)  in Queens. The beloved bubbles exhibit, which has been closed for five years, will return bigger, better and bubblier than ever.

The Big Bubble Experiment encourages kids of all ages to experiment and discover through the joy of playing with bubbles. That includes blowing, stretching, popping and looking closely to see what happens at each move. 

The exhibit features 10 stations, each one with different tools and methods for exploring bubble solution.

74.  The Secret World of Elephants at AMNH

Majestic, incredible elephants are getting the spotlight in a new exhibit at The American Museum of Natural History. "The Secret World of Elephants" showcases both modern and ancient elephants, offering visitors a chance to see a full-scale model of a woolly mammoth, learn about what elephants eat, touch an elephant's tooth, listen to elephant calls and more.

The exhibition is now open in the museum’s LeFrak Family Gallery. An additional ticket is required to visit the exhibit; museum members can visit for free.

75.  "Courage to Act: Rescue in Denmark" at Museum of Jewish Heritage

Eighty years ago, as World War II raged on, Danish citizens worked together to ferry 7,000 Jewish people to safety, keeping them out of concentration camps. 

Now, New York City’s   Museum of Jewish Heritage - A Living Memorial to the Holocaust  is commemorating that anniversary, known as one of the most effective examples of mass resistance in modern history. " Courage to Act: Rescue in Denmark ," the museum’s first exhibition developed for elementary-age students, is now open.

The exhibit focuses on themes of separation, bravery and resilience to help children ages 9+ reflect on the dangers of prejudice and on their own potential for courageous collective action. 

76.  Book-a-bath at LUSH Spa

• Weird & Wonderful

In New York City, it can be hard to find an apartment with a nice bathtub you'd actually want to soak in. Heck, it can be hard to find an apartment where the shower isn't in a closet in the living room (ahem,   this $1.25 million StreetEasy listing ).

But now cosmetics company LUSH is solving that very New York problem with a new book-a-bath service just launched this week. In addition to indulgent baths,   LUSH Spa Lexington   also offers massage treatments and facials, creating a calming oasis near hectic midtown. Find the newly opened spa on the Upper East Side at Lexington Avenue and East 61st Street.

Given the fact that LUSH invented the bath bomb, they’re pros when it comes to bathing. For the book-a-bath experience, head through the store and climb the stairs to the spa. Inside a petite pink-and-white bathroom, a clawfoot tub beckons. Before your bath, a staff member will prepare the water with a Snow Fairy bath bomb, which creates glittery pastel pink water. Plus, they’ll offer a fresh face mask tailored for your skin, a curated playlist and a cup of vegan hot chocolate. 

77.  Lobby Comedy

Running every Monday since 2014 —which might make it the longest-running bar show in Brooklyn, but don’t quote them (except we just did)—Lobby Comedy brings together a curated and very funny lineup of international and national touring comedians as well as up-and-coming local acts.

Co-hosted by real-life BFFs and stand-up comics Matt Pavich and Dan Davies, the weekly series is currently held at Williamsburg’s Freehold bar. Grab a booth or a cozy armchair, enjoy the espresso martini that comes with every $10 ticket (and considering that espresso martinis alone are well worth more than $10, consider it a very good deal!) and sit back for 90 minutes of fresh comedy.

"All you have to do is show-up and laugh your *** off," organizers promise. 

78.  Louis Armstrong House Museum

America’s first Black popular music icon is getting his due with a massive new center that houses a 60,000-piece collection and a venue for live music, lectures and screenings.

NYC’s Louis Armstrong House Museum has now opened its new facility, the Louis Armstrong Center—and it’s a big deal!

The space acts as a permanent home for the 60,000-piece Louis Armstrong Archive (the world’s largest for a jazz musician containing photos, recordings, manuscripts, letters & mementos) and a 75-seat venue for performances, lectures, films, and educational experiences, according to a release.

The Center and the historic house are now open to the public Thursdays through Saturdays. Tickets can be purchased at   louisarmstronghouse.org.  Tours have limited capacity, so book in advance.

79.  MoMA Before Hours Tour

On a typical visit to the Museum of Modern Art , crowds surround the most precious paintings, and it can be tough to squeeze your way in for a photo, let alone to admire the artwork’s brushstrokes. But now, thanks to these new exclusive tours by GetYourGuide , you can get in before the museum opens for a guided tour of amazing artwork. 

The new MoMA Before Hours Tour with Art Expert is now available. Tickets are on sale here for $99/person. Few New York City experiences compare to the absolute thrill of gazing at famed works of art uninterrupted for as long as you like.  

80.  The House of Cannabis, NYC’s weed museum

Many museums start with some kind of orientation, like a map or remarks from a docent. But not The House of Cannabis (a.k.a. THC NYC), the new weed museum now open in Soho. Instead, this museum starts, quite fittingly, with a trippy “Disorientation Room.”

While the museum boasts plenty of mind-bending multi-sensory bells and whistles, it also showcases art, highlights science and confronts the social justice issues baked into cannabis prosecution. The museum, the first of its kind at this scale, packs every inch of its four-story, 25,000-square-foot space at 427 Broadway with fascinating facts and delightful immersive experiences fit to entertain both tokers and non-smokers alike. Tickets ($45/adult)  are on sale now .

81.  The Free Black Women’s Library in Brooklyn

Find your latest read at  The Free Black Women’s Library , a new free library in Brooklyn's Bed-Stuy neighborhood, which also serves as a social art project, a reading room, a co-working space and a community gathering center. The library "celebrates the brilliance, diversity and imagination of Black women and Black non-binary authors." All 5,000 books in the library's collection are written by Black women and non-binary authors.

Here's how it works: Anybody can visit the space to read, work or hang out. If you want to take a book home, simply bring a book written by a Black woman or Black non-binary author, and you can trade. Whether you decide to bring the book back after you're done reading or keep it for your collection is up to you.

The library is currently open four days per week (Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday) at 226 Marcus Garvey Boulevard. In addition to offering a space to read or work, the library has also hosts a book club, art shows and workshops on topics like writing, drawing, poetry, painting and sewing. All are welcome. 

82.  Outdoor art in NYC

• Contemporary art

New York City is full of free outdoor art that you don't even have to go to a museum to see. Sculptures, murals and photographs can be found in its parks, sidewalks and on its buildings! 

An outdoor artwalk makes for a perfect fall activity, and there's no shortage of art to check out right now. Best of all, it costs you nothing to pay a visit.

83.  Bonsai Bar

The name really says it all: Make bonsai in a bar! These teeny tiny trees are the definition of "happy little trees." 

The pros from Bonsai Bar will teach you the fundamental skills and techniques behind the art of bonsai while you sip your drink and have some fun with your friends. The teachers will also help you as you pot, prune and design your very own bonsai tree. 

Bonsai Bar events pop up all over the city at locations like Brooklyn Brewery, the Bronx Brewery and SingleCut Beersmiths Queens Taproom.

84.  NYPL's free exhibit of rare artifacts

The New York Public Library dug through its expansive and centuries-spanning archive to stage an impressive free exhibition filled with cultural artifacts. " The Polonsky Exhibition of New York Public Library’s Treasures"  spans 4,000 years of history and includes a wide range of history-making pieces, including the only surviving letter from Christoper Columbus announcing his “discovery” of the Americas to King Ferdinand’s court and the first Gutenberg Bible brought over to the Americas.

New treasures were just added to the exhibit this fall, including a  signed, first edition copy of "Passing" by Nella Larsen, a selection of manuscript pages from "The Waste Land" by T.S. Eliot, and a miniature early 19th-century Qur’an, produced in Turkey.

85.  Swingers NoMad

Swingers NoMad , a "crazy mini-golf course" and entertainment complex straight from London, offers three nine-hole golf courses across 23,000 square feet under 20-foot-high ceilings.

"Crazy golf" is a British spin on mini-golf, but it's for a 21-and-over audience since craft cocktails are served by caddies on the course. Take your pick from six cocktail bars with signature classic cocktails, as well as 12 cocktails created specifically for Swingers NoMad. Plus, you can rent private rooms, check out an opulent clubhouse and enjoy four gourmet street food vendors—Sauce Pizzeria, Miznon, Fonda and Mah Ze Dahr Bakery.

For the holiday season, Swingers is offering a fun twist on the festivities: Spin a Naughty-or-Nice Prize Wheel to decide whether you're ordering the "Naughty" Sex on the Green shot or the "Nice" Festive Dessert. In addition to the game, there's also seasonal decor and even more holiday drinks.

86.  Ambush Comedy

Join Josh Johnson (Comedy Central's The Daily Show ), Lucas Connolly (Comedy Central), and Brittany Cardwell (Drule, New York Comedy Fest) for stacked lineups of top comics from NYC and beyond every Wednesday at 7:30pm. 

Plus you can enjoy free beer from 7:30 to 8pm  and there's a pizza raffle if you RSVP. What's not to love? Show up to Two Boots Williamsburg for the show.

87.  Artshack Cafe

Artshack Cafe  offers everything on its menu on ceramic pieces made in-house. What’s more, according to an official statement by the cafe, patrons are asked to “help reduce waste by bringing their own cups.” Looking for a coffee to-go? Expect it served in a ceramic to-go cup. The cafe is part of  Artshack Brooklyn , a community-based ceramics studio that offers both free and subsidized programming for adults and children alike. In addition to not using single-use products, standout features of the Bed-Stuy cafe at 1129 Bedford Avenue by Monroe Street include an anti-racism library and a number of chairs shaped like bunnies that will make anyone’s selected orders from chef Silvia Barban’s menu taste that much better.

88.  Subterranean Date Night at The Django

Descend into The Django (l2 6th Avenue, The Roxy Hotel, Cellar Level) and you’ll feel like you’ve entered another world. The subterranean jazz club, with its vaulted ceilings and exposed brick walls, was modeled after the boîtes of Paris. The venue consists of two cocktail bars, an open dining space, and a stage for live performances with a state-of-the-art sound system. The Django offers a full dinner menu and handcrafted cocktails, all partnered with a brilliant entertainment lineup. Check out the schedule here .

89.  The full New York Aquarium

Superstorm Sandy devastated New York City, destroying homes and businesses, but it also flooded the New York Aquarium so badly that parts of it have been closed to the public for the past decade. Now, after completely rebuilding these galleries with help from FEMA, New York State and New York City, NY Aquarium is open in full—you can see all of it—"Spineless," the PlayQuarium, "Ocean Wonders: Sharks!" Glover’s Reef, the Conservation Hall, the Sea Cliffs, the Aquatheater, the Seaside Café and more.

90.  Date Night at The Met Museum

• Sex and dating
• Sex & Dating

The Metropolitan Museum of Art 's "Date Nights" give visitors an opportunity to become acquainted with artwork with informal drop-in gallery chats, listen in on gorgeous live music and sip on yummy cocktails.

"Date Nights" are held every Friday and Saturday night in the American Wing Café from 5pm to 9pm. Make it a night out with The Met's  buy-one-get-one drink special and snack on light bites in the American Wing Café. More details can be found at  metmuseum.org/datenight . 

There's literally no excuse not to go—the date nights come with museum admission, which is always  pay-what-you-wish for New York State residents and NY, NJ, and CT students with valid ID . And this time, advance tickets are not required. 

91.  QC NY Spa on Governors Island

The luxurious Italian wellness spa QC NY  has opened to the public, bringing the elegance and rejuvenation of a European spa to Governors Island, but with New York City flavor. It's immediately clear when you enter the spa that it was made to feel like home. From its cozy reception area decorated with custom-made furniture from Italy to its welcoming relaxation spaces with plush leather chairs and massive pillows you can sprawl out on, it feels like you're staying at a retreat with New York Harbor views. Since it's on the edge of the island, a short walk from Soissons Landing, looking out the windows offers gorgeous blue water views and glimpses of the city skyline. Because of its layout, the spa feels secluded from the rest of the island. Click through to read more about the new spa.

92.  A self-guided literary walking tour of Brooklyn

A new audio tour by the Brooklyn Public Library seeks to explore the lives of the characters and authors that call the borough home in fiction and in real life. From Patti Smith to Biggie Smalls, Howard Zinn to Tanwi Nandini Islam, the guide covers a total of 16 writers over eight miles of Brooklyn. You can also expect to stop at important public libraries the likes of Washington Irving and Clinton Hill, which, according to an official press release, "played an important role in the lives of the featured author[s]." Expect the entire tour, which can virtually start off from anywhere in Brooklyn, to take at least two hours to complete, depending on how many stops you wish to make along the way.

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Want to know what’s happening in New York today, this weekend or in the coming months? Use our NYC events calendar for 2024 as your guide to find the best things to do around town.

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