The University of Pennsylvania has agreed to block transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports after a federal civil rights investigation stemming from swimmer Lia Thomas.
The US Department of Education announced the agreement and said the Ivy League university would apologise and restore titles and records to female athletes in events that were “misappropriated by male athletes”.
The university said it would update its records set during Ms Thomas’ season to “indicate who would now hold the records under current eligibility guidelines”, but it did not say whether her records would be erased.
Thomas became the first transgender athlete to win the highest US national college title in March 2022.
(Paris, France, Wednesday, 2 July 2025) New research presented today at the 41st Annual Meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) reveals the presence of microplastics in human reproductive fluids, raising important questions about their potential risks to fertility and reproductive health.[1]
Researchers examined follicular fluid from 29 women and seminal fluid from 22 men, both of which play critical roles in natural conception and assisted reproduction.
A range of commonly used microplastic polymers, including polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polystyrene (PS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyamide (PA), polypropylene (PP) and polyurethane (PU), were identified in both groups.
Microplastics were present in 69% of the follicular fluid samples analysed. Notably, the most frequently detected polymer was PTFE, found in 31% of the samples. This was followed by PP (28%), PET (17%), PA (14%), polyethylene (PE) (10%), PU (10%) and PS (7%), in descending order of prevalence.
In male seminal fluid samples, microplastics were found in 55% of those analysed. PTFE again emerged as the most prevalent polymer, identified in 41% of the samples. Other polymers detected included PS (14%), PET (9%), PA (5%), and PU (5%), though in lower concentrations.
To prevent contamination, all samples were collected and stored in glass containers and underwent chemical treatment before analysis using laser direct infrared microscopy.
Lead researcher Dr. Emilio Gomez-Sanchez commented, “Previous studies had already shown that microplastics can be found in various human organs. As a result, we weren´t entirely surprised to find microplastics in fluids of the human reproductive system, but we were struck by how common they were – found in 69% of the women and 55% of the men we studied.”
Microplastics are defined as plastic particles under 5mm in size, and there is evidence that they pose a threat to environmental and public health.[2] While this research did not directly assess how microplastics affect fertility, their detection highlights the need to explore possible implications for human reproductive health.
“What we know from animal studies is that in the tissues where microplastics accumulate, they can induce inflammation, free radical formation, DNA damage, cellular senescence, and endocrine disruptions”, continued Dr. Gomez-Sanchez. “It’s possible they could impair egg or sperm quality in humans, but we don’t yet have enough evidence to confirm that.”
The research team plans to expand their analysis to a larger cohort, alongside detailed lifestyle and environmental exposure questionnaires. Further phases of the project will also explore the potential relationship between the presence of microplastics and oocyte and sperm quality.
Dr. Gomez-Sanchez stressed that fertility is influenced by many factors, including age, health, and genetics, and that the findings should not cause alarm among those trying to conceive. “There’s no need for alarm at this point. Microplastics are just one of many elements that may play a role in fertility. However, it is sensible to consider ways of reducing our exposure to them. Simple steps, such as using glass containers to store and heat food, or limiting the amount of water we consume from plastic bottles, can help minimise our intake.”
Professor Dr. Carlos Calhaz-Jorge, Immediate Past Chair of ESHRE, commented, “Environmental factors influencing reproduction are certainly a reality, although not easy to measure objectively. The authors of this study found microplastics in over two-thirds of follicular fluids and more than 50% of semen fluids from the studied patients. Although the significance of these findings is not yet clear, they should be considered an additional argument in favour of avoiding the generalised use of plastics in our daily lives.”
The study abstract will be published today in Human Reproduction, one of the world’s leading reproductive medicine journals.
/Public Release. This material from the originating organization/author(s) might be of the point-in-time nature, and edited for clarity, style and length. Mirage.News does not take institutional positions or sides, and all views, positions, and conclusions expressed herein are solely those of the author(s).View in full here.
An unpublished conference abstract presented at the ESHRE 41st Annual Meeting in Paris looks at microplastics in human reproductive fluids.
Prof Oliver Jones, Professor of Chemistry, RMIT University, said:
“It is hard to say much at all about this study without knowing the full details of the methods used and the precautions taken against background contamination. All we have to go on is a very brief abstract, not a peer-reviewed paper. Many previous scary-sounding headlines on microplastics in blood and food have turned out to be measurement errors by people unfamiliar with the problems of microplastic measurements1,2 and/or background contamination3. I don’t think lab contamination can be ruled out in this case. The most common plastic found, PTFE, is very widely used in laboratories, including IVF labs, and background contamination makes all forms of microplastic analysis extremely technically challenging.
“Even if we assume no measurement errors, the results are from a total of 51 individuals, so they are far from conclusive (a limitation acknowledged by the authors), and this study does not claim to demonstrate any harm. We would need these findings to be replicated, ideally in other laboratories around the world, before we could tell if this was a one-off event or not. So, while the data are certainly interesting, they are at best preliminary. I don’t think people who may be trying to conceive, either naturally or via IVF, need to be concerned.”
References 1 Kuhlman, R. L., Letter to the editor, discovery and quantification of plastic particle pollution in human blood. Environment International 2022, 167, 107400, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412022003270?via%3Dihub
2 Mühlschlegel, P. et al. Lack of evidence for microplastic contamination in honey. Food Additives & Contaminants: Part A 2017, 34 (11), 1982-1989, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28665769/
3 Rauert C. et al. Blueprint for the design construction and validation of a plastic and phthalate-minimised laboratory. Journal of Hazardous Materials 2024 468 133803, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0304389424003820
Dr Channa Jayasena, Associate Professor in Reproductive Endocrinology, Imperial College London, said:
“Microplastics are able to interfere with how cells in different bits of the body speak to each other, and can cause cell damage. Unfortunately, it is no longer a surprise that microplastics find their way into the fluids which are essential for men and women to reproduce. This study was very small, and did not report fertility outcomes in the study participants. But it was well-designed study using state-of-the-art technology to show just how commonly microplastics enter reproductive fluids. They showed that most of the studied samples in men and women contained microplastics. Some previous studies have reported that microplastic exposure is associated with lower-than-normal fertility in men. The results contribute to a growing concern for public health – we don’t know what the impact of all types of microplastics are on reproductive function in men and women. Understanding this will help us understand how big a problem microplastics post for fertility in society.”
Dr Stephanie Wright, Associate Professor in Environmental Toxicology, Imperial College London, said:
“Without information on the sizes of the microplastic particles observed, it is challenging to interpret how meaningful this data is. There is a high potential for samples to become contaminated with microplastic throughout the sampling, laboratory processing, and analysis procedures. If stringent steps to minimise this are taken, other clues such as the size of the particles observed can be used to rule out such contamination, with there being a greater likelihood for smaller particles (<0.001 mm > 0.01 mm) being absorbed and redistributed around the body. It is not a surprise that microplastics have been found – they are everywhere, even in the lab – but the data provided do not support that they are there as a result of human exposure as opposed to methodological artefact and must be interpreted with caution at this early stage.”
Prof Fay Couceiro, Professor of Environmental Pollution, and Head of the Microplastics Research Group, University of Portsmouth, said:
“As this is not peer reviewed and there is no detailed methodology it is difficult to give specific information on quality etc. Here are some general comments:
“The study is very interesting and considering the global reduction in fertility rates, looking at possible causes is very topical and timely. As the authors state, finding microplastics is not that surprising as we have found them in lots of other areas of our bodies. Presence is also not the same as impact and the authors are clear that while they have found microplastics in the reproductive fluids of both men and women, we still don’t know how they are affecting us. As a preliminary study the work is interesting, but more information is required on numbers of microplastics found, sizes, method blanks and any plastics used during the medical procedures before any real conclusions can be made. I look forward to reading the full article once it is ready. (A method blank is when you run the experimental steps, but with clean water, and then analyse that to see if you have any microplastics in it. This would let you know if there is any external contamination, and if the microplastics in the samples are from the reproductive fluid, or introduced from the digestion and analysis steps. It would be very unusual not to see any microplastics in the blanks if they are looking below 10 micrometres in size range. At that size, microplastics are in the air and very hard to get away from. If they only analysed larger particles then you tend to find less in your method blanks, but it is common practice to give these in a full paper so that people can see if the number you are finding in your samples is higher than in the blanks.)
Does the press release accurately reflect the science?
“To the extent of which data is available it does, it is clear this is only looking at the presence of microplastics and not impacts.
Is this good quality research? Are the conclusions backed up by solid data?
“Very hard to judge without more in depth information on methods, numbers found in blanks, size ranges of microplastics etc.
Is there enough data available to be able to judge the quality of this work?
“At this stage I would say no – as above the methods really need to be more detailed. Microplastics are everywhere and even with the best methods you find some in the blanks at the smaller sizes (less than 10 um). They say they looked in the containers but the method blank data is missing as are the actual numbers found, e.g. is it 10 microplastics per ml of SF? Is 10 significantly greater than what was found in the method blank? Size range is also very important and not mentioned anywhere I can see.
Is this a peer-reviewed journal publication or more preliminary?
“Preliminary.
How does this work fit with the existing evidence?
“It is expected as microplastics have been found in all bodily fluids/organs tested.
Have the authors accounted for confounders? Are there important limitations to be aware of?
“It is unclear if there is any plastic used in the collection of the samples as I am unfamiliar with the procedures – the storage vessel is glass but is plastic used in the follicular aspiration? Many medical instruments are made from plastic, is that the case here?
What are the implications in the real world? Is there any overspeculation?
“No – they are clear this is just a presence/absence experiment and that further work needs to take place to determine any impacts.”
Abstract title: ‘Unveiling the Hidden Danger: Detection and characterisation of microplastics in human follicular and seminal fluids’ by E. Gomez-Sanchez et al.It will be presented at the ESHRE 41st Annual Meeting in Paris, and the embargo lifted at 23:01 UK time on Tuesday 1 July 2025.
There is no paper.
Declared interests
Prof Oliver Jones: “I am a Professor of Chemistry at RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia. I conduct research into environmental pollution, including microplastics. I have no conflicts of interest to declare.”
Dr Channa Jayasena: “None.”
Dr Stephanie Wright: “Own research: MRC, NERC, NIHR, Common Seas, Minderoo Foundation, LECO;
To attend scientific meetings: American Chemistry Council – to attend a workshop on microplastic reference materials (2022); Minderoo Foundation – to attend workshops on microplastic measurement in human tissue (2024, 2025);
Current or previous advisory roles or committee membership: ILSI Europe, PlasticsEurope (BRIGID project), Cefic LRI projects advisory roles, have been a temporary member of UK Air Quality Expert Group;
Previous employment in companies: none.”
Prof Fay Couceiro: “I work in the field of microplastics but I was not involved in the study and I am not working with the authors. I am unaware of any conflict of interest.”
Most people will never see Antarctic sea ice up close, but its presence or absence affects our day-to-day lives.
Now scientists are questioning whether a ‘regime shift’ to a new state of diminished Antarctic sea-ice coverage is underway, due to recent record lows.
If so, it will have impacts across climate, ecological and societal systems, according to new research published in PNAS Nexus.
These impacts include ocean warming, increased iceberg calving, habitat loss and sea-level rise, and effects on fisheries, Antarctic tourism, and even the mental health of the global human population.
Led by Australian Antarctic Program Partnership oceanographer Dr Edward Doddridge, the international team assessed the impacts of extreme summer sea-ice lows, and the challenges to predicting and mitigating change.
“Antarctic sea ice provides climate and ecosystem services of regional and global significance,” Dr Doddridge said.
“There are far reaching negative impacts caused by sea-ice loss.
“However, we do not sufficiently understand the baseline system to be able to predict how it will respond to the dramatic changes we are already observing.
“To predict future changes, and to potentially mitigate the negative impacts of climate change on Antarctica, we urgently need to improve our knowledge through new observations and modelling studies.”
What’s at stake?
While sea-ice loss affects many things, the research team identified three key impacts:
Reduced summer sea-ice cover exposes more of the ocean to sunlight. This leads to surface water warming that promotes further sea-ice loss. Ocean warming increases melting under glacial ice shelves, which could lead to increased iceberg calving. Warmer water also affects the flow of deep-water currents that help move ocean heat around the globe, influencing the planet’s climate.
Sea-ice loss exposes the ice shelves that fringe the Antarctic continent to damaging ocean swells and storms. These can weaken the ice shelves, leading to iceberg calving. As ice shelves slow the flow of ice from the interior of the Antarctic continent to the coast, iceberg calving allows this interior ice flow to speed up, contributing to sea-level rise.
Sea ice provides breeding habitat for penguin and seal species, and a refuge for many marine species from predators. It is also an important nursery habitat and source of food (sea-ice algae) for Antarctic krill – an important prey species for many Southern Ocean inhabitants. Adverse sea-ice conditions that persist over several seasons could see population declines in these sea-ice dependent species.
The research team also identified socio-economic and wellbeing impacts, affecting fisheries, tourism, scientific research, ice-navigation, coastal operations, and the mental health (climate anxiety) of the global population.
For example, shorter sea-ice seasons will reduce the window for over-ice resupplies of Antarctic stations. There could also be increased shipping pressures on the continent, including from alien species incursions, fuel spills and an increase in the number and movement of tourist vessels to and from new locations.
Research co-author and sea-ice system expert, Dr Petra Heil, from the Australian Antarctic Division, said the paper highlighted the need for ongoing, year-round, field-based and satellite measurements of circumpolar sea-ice variables (especially thickness), and sub-surface ocean variables.
This would allow integrated analyses of the Southern Ocean processes contributing to the recent sea-ice deficits.
“As shown in climate simulations, continued greenhouse gas emissions, even at reduced rate, will further accelerate persistent deficits of sea ice, and with it a lack of the critical climate and ecosystem functions it provides,” Dr Heil said.
“To conserve and preserve the physical environment and ecosystems of Antarctica and the Southern Ocean we must prioritise an immediate and sustained transition to net zero greenhouse gas emissions.
“Ultimately our decison for immediate and deep action will provide the maximum future proofing we can have in terms of lifestyle and economic values.”
Learn more about Antarctic sea ice in our feature Sea ice in crisis.
Satellite imagery of a calving event. Image credit: Supplied.
New research has for the first time tracked ice shelf, sea ice and ocean swell wave conditions over multiple years in the lead-ups to three large-scale iceberg ‘calving’ events in Antarctica, revealing common patterns.
Iceberg calving is the process where chunks of ice break off from glaciers, ice shelves, or icebergs, and fall into the surrounding water.
Published in Nature Geoscience, the study, led by the Universities of Melbourne and Adelaide, found long periods of sea ice loss surrounding the ice shelves in the six to 18 months prior to calving, as well as the collapse of the ‘landfast’ sea ice attached to the ice shelves only weeks prior to the calving events.
University of Melbourne Professor Luke Bennetts explained that the researchers also developed a novel mathematical model to quantify the ice shelf flexing caused by the huge Southern Ocean swells.
“Sea ice is retreating at an unprecedented rate all around Antarctica and our work suggests this will put further pressure on already thinned and weakened ice shelves,” Professor Bennetts said.
“This could lead to more large-scale calving events, with profound implications for the future of global sea levels.”
The Antarctic Ice Sheet is the thick layer of ice that sits on top of Antarctica. It holds enough fresh water to raise current sea levels by over 50 metres.
Ice shelves are floating platforms formed as glaciers flow off the Antarctic continent onto the ocean, whereas sea ice forms when the surface of the ocean freezes.
“Except for a relatively short period around summer, sea ice creates a protective barrier between the ice shelves and the potentially damaging swells of the Southern Ocean,” Professor Bennetts said.
“Without this barrier, the swells can bend and flex pre-weakened ice shelves until they break.”
Professor Bennetts said previous research has shown that warming temperatures are causing more rapid melting and more frequent ‘calving’ of icebergs from some ice shelves.
“Increased melting and calving does not directly increase sea levels as the ice shelves are already floating on the ocean, but it reduces the ability of the ice shelves to push back against the glacial flow into the ocean – which does raise sea levels,” he said.
There is currently no observation system for routinely recording ocean waves in Antarctic sea ice and ice shelves, so mathematical modelling is essential to quantify the connection between the observed ocean swells, sea ice conditions and the response of the ice shelves.
The research was funded by the Australian Antarctic Science Program and the Australian Research Council and collaborators included the University of Melbourne, the University of Adelaide, the Australian Bureau of Meteorology, the University of Tasmania, and the Australian Antarctic Division.
/Public Release. This material from the originating organization/author(s) might be of the point-in-time nature, and edited for clarity, style and length. Mirage.News does not take institutional positions or sides, and all views, positions, and conclusions expressed herein are solely those of the author(s).View in full here.
Using the Mid-InfraRed Instrument (MIRI) aboard the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope, astronomers have captured a stunning infrared image of central part of Messier 82, an edge-on starburst galaxy located about 12 million light-years away.
This Webb/MIRI image shows the central part of the starburst galaxy Messier 82. Image credit: NASA / ESA / CSA / Webb / A. Bolatto.
Messier 82 appears high in the northern spring sky in the direction of the constellation of Ursa Major.
First discovered by the German astronomer Johann Elert Bode in 1774, this galaxy is approximately 40,000 light-years across.
Messier 82 is also called the Cigar Galaxy because of the elongated elliptical shape produced by the tilt of its starry disk relative to our line of sight.
The galaxy is famous for its extraordinary speed in making new stars, with stars being born 10 times faster than in our Milky Way Galaxy.
“Despite being smaller than the Milky Way, Messier 82 is five times as luminous as our home Galaxy and forms stars ten times faster,” Webb astronomers said in a statement.
“Messier 82 is classified as a starburst galaxy because it is forming new stars at a rate much faster than expected for a galaxy of its size, especially at its center.”
In visible-light images of Messier 82, the central hotbed of activity is obscured by a network of thick and dusty clouds, but Webb’s infrared eyes are designed to peer through this cloudy veil and reveal the activity behind them.
“What caused Messier 82’s burst of star formation? The answer likely lies with its neighbor, the larger spiral galaxy Messier 81,” the astronomers said.
“We suspect that the two galaxies have interacted gravitationally, sending gas pouring into Messier 82’s center millions of years ago.”
“The influx of gas provided the raw material for new stars to form — and form they did! Messier 82 is home to more than 100 super star clusters, some of which are still in the process of forming and are blanketed with dense, dusty gas.”
“Super star clusters are more massive and luminous than typical star clusters; these ones each contain around 100,000 stars.”
A previous Webb image of Messier 82, featuring data from the telescope’s Near-InfraRed Camera (NIRCam), was released in 2024.
It focused on the very core of the galaxy, where individual clusters of young stars stand out against the clumps and tendrils of gas.
The new image, captured by Webb’s MIRI instrument, provides a remarkable, mostly starless view of Messier 82.
“The image is instead dominated by the emission from warm dust and intricate clouds of sooty organic molecules called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons or PAHs,” the researchers said.
“The emission from the PAH molecules traces the galaxy’s broad outflows, which are launched by the intense radiation and winds from the hot young stars of the central super star clusters.”
“Though super star clusters are the source of Messier 82’s powerful galactic winds, the winds may spell the end for the galaxy’s starburst era: as the winds billow into intergalactic space, they likely carry with them the cool gas needed to form even more stars.”
Kylian Mbappe made his Club World Cup debut in the 1-0 win over Juventus on Tuesday, with the Frenchman providing a reminder of what he can bring to Xabi Alonso’s changing Real Madrid side.
Mbappe came on for Gonzalo Garcia in the 68th minute of the match in Miami, with the latter having opened the scoring not long before with a brilliant header.
The Madrid academy product has thrived when given the opportunity under the absence of Mbappe, but the Frenchman made his return and was energetic throughout, linking up well with Vinicius Jr in attack and almost prodding home from one of the Brazilian’s crosses.
Watch every Fifa Club World Cup game free on DAZN here
The cameo also marked Mbappe’s first appearance under Alonso, who is four games into his role as Madrid manger, with the 26-year-old obviously forming a key part of the Spaniard’s plans going forward.
Mbappe featured as the striker for much of his cameo as Alonso moved from a 3-5-2 to a 3-4-3, with this role likely familiar to Mbappe after last season. Though the fact remains that he is probably not a natural number nine, there were few complaints with Mbappe’s first term, with the World Cup winner having scored 43 goals in all competitions.
Nevertheless, it is notable that Madrid started with more of a 3-5-2 formation, so the Frenchman may be expected to play alongside Vini Jr as one of two strikers at certain points in a formation that could help him share some of the goalscoring burden.
(AFP via Getty Images)
Mbappe was understandably not 100 per cent sharp, having recently been hospitalised with gastroenteritis, but took up good positions on several occasions, though his teammates failed to find him.
It remains to be seen whether he will start in the quarter-final, whoever that may be against, but fans will be excited to see how he fits in to a new-look Madrid side having won the European Golden Boot for 2024/25.
Madrid will face either Borussia Dortmund or Monterrey in the quarter-finals of the Club World Cup on Saturday, 5 July.
Watch every Fifa Club World Cup game free on DAZN. Sign up here now.
Japan’s lack of generic PrEP options has made therapies inaccessible to most patients.
Access to newer HIV therapies remains a major challenge in the global HIV treatment landscape, largely due to high costs and limited insurance coverage, according to GlobalData.
Whilst long-acting antiretroviral and prevention therapies such as ViiV Healthcare’s Apretude (cabotegravir) and Gilead Sciences’ Yeztugo (lenacapavir) offer improved adherence and reduced dosing frequency, their uptake remains constrained, said GlobalData’s latest report, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV): Seven-Market (7M) Drug Forecast and Market Analysis to 2033.
In the US, coverage restrictions have slowed access to these products, despite their clinical advantages.
Similarly, in Japan, a lack of affordable generic PrEP options has made such therapies inaccessible to most patients.
GlobalData notes that insurance barriers are forcing patients to continue using older, less convenient therapies, even in high-income markets.
GlobalData warns that without broader insurance support and cost-reduction strategies, the benefits of newer therapies may not reach the populations most in need, threatening progress in HIV control and increasing the risk of drug resistance due to improper use.
The latest: James Gunn’s Superman flies into theaters July 11.
Over the years, James Gunn has established himself as one of Hollywood’s top blockbuster directors. From early screenwriting credits like Scooby-Doo(2002) to his breakout with the Dawn of the Dead (2004) remake, and eventually helming Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) franchise, Gunn has carved out an entertaining and action-packed film career. Now, he’s stepping into the DC Universe with his latest project, Superman, which soars into theaters July 11. Here’s a look at some of his most iconic projects, followed by a Tomatometer ranking of his films. (Michael Cahn)
James Gunn’s path to becoming a blockbuster filmmaker started in an unconventional way. As a child, Gunn found comfort in comic books, a passion that would eventually shape his career. He began making Super 8 horror films, played in a rock band, and even worked as a hospital orderly while creating underground comic strips. After earning an MFA in creative writing from Columbia University, Gunn got his start in low-budget filmmaking with Troma Entertainment, co-writing and co-directing the film Tromeo and Juliet (1996). He broke into Hollywood with the surprise success ofScooby-Doo (2002) and its sequel, followed by the hit Dawn of the Deadremake, making him the first screenwriter to top the box office two weeks in a row.
Slither (2006): James Gunn’s directorial debut Slither is a gloriously grotesque throwback to creature features and alien invasion flicks, soaked in gore and dark humor. When a parasitic extraterrestrial crashes into the sleepy town of Wheelsy, chaos ensues, and it’s up to the local sheriff (Nathan Fillion) to stop the spreading infestation. Powered by sharp writing and a strong cast including Elizabeth Banks and Michael Rooker, Slitheris a loving, slimy salute to schlock horror. The film was a cult favorite that put Gunn on the horror genre map.
Variety’s Joe Leydon on Slither: “Gunn—a Troma Entertainment alumnus whose writing credits range from Scooby Doo to 2004’s Dawn of the Dead remake—deftly balances broad humor, rude shocks and gross-out special effects for a fang-in-cheek extravaganza that often feels like a slightly more upscale version of cheapie-creepy Troma product.”
(Photo by Universal/courtesy Everett Collection)
Guardians of the Galaxy (2014): After Slither, Gunn made the dark comedy Super (2010) and contributed to the sketch filmMovie 43(2013), before making the unexpected jump to big-budget superhero filmmaking with Guardians of the Galaxy. The film was a bold and wildly entertaining entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, where Gunn was able to turn C-list comic characters into pop culture icons, such as the wisecracking Rocket Raccoon. With Chris Pratt leading the charge as roguish outlaw Peter Quill, the film blends stunning visuals, humor, and a killer retro soundtrack to deliver one of the MCU’s most beloved adventures. Gunn followed the success of Guardians of the Galaxy with two more installments, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017) and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023).
Jeffrey Rexl on Guardians of the Galaxy: “The way the plot elegantly alters the setting and the story step by step is remarkable, and the tone quickly feels similar to Back to the Future or Ghostbusters. Gunn manages to keep control of the plot, and manages to introduce the main characters in a way that makes them likeable and interesting. This movie makes you care about a talking tree and a raccoon in need of anger management.”
The Sucide Squad (2018): After the release of the second Guardians of the Galaxyinstallment, Gunn brought his twisted wit and savvy storytelling to the DC Universe with The Suicide Squad. Fired (temporarily) from Marvel in 2018, Gunn was quickly scooped up by Warner Bros. The resulting collaboration is a blood-soaked, comedic, and unexpectedly heartfelt Suicide Squad standalone sequel. Margot Robbie returns as Harley Quinn, joined by Idris Elba’s Bloodsport and John Cena’s scene-stealing Peacemaker. The Suicide Squadis pure Gunn: irreverent and wildly entertaining.
Vulture’s Bilge Ebiri on The Suicide Squad: “The Suicide Squad works best when Gunn the director can go to town with the dirty jokes and the over-the-top gunplay. He’s a slick filmmaker, to be sure. He shoots action cleanly and has a flair for visual punchlines that make his more grotesque indulgences acceptable.”
Superman (2025): In 2022, was appointed co-CEO of the newly restructured DC Studios, alongside producer Peter Safran. Now one of the most influential voices in comic book cinema, Gunn is writing, directing, and producing Superman, the first chapter in his reimagined DC slate. Rather than retell the familiar origin story, this reboot will focus more on Clark Kent’s dual identity and his relationship with Lois Lane. Stepping into the cape is David Corenswet, offering a more earnest and optimistic take on the character to contrast Henry Cavill’s brooding version. While the casting change stirred controversy, Gunn’s track record of reinvigorating well-worn franchises has fans watching closely.
Critics Consensus:Guardians of the Galaxy is just as irreverent as fans of the frequently zany Marvel comic would expect — as well as funny, thrilling, full of heart, and packed with visual splendor.
Synopsis: Brash space adventurer Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) finds himself the quarry of relentless bounty hunters after he steals an orb [More]
#2
Critics Consensus: Enlivened by writer-director James Gunn’s singularly skewed vision, The Suicide Squad marks a funny, fast-paced rebound that plays to the source material’s violent, anarchic strengths.
Synopsis: Welcome to hell–a.k.a. Belle Reve, the prison with the highest mortality rate in the US of A. Where the worst [More]
#3
Critics Consensus: A slimy, B-movie homage oozing with affection for low-budget horror films, Slither is creepy and funny — if you’ve got the stomach for it.
Synopsis: Wheelsy is a small town where not much happens and everyone minds his own business. No one notices when evil [More]
#4
Critics Consensus:Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2‘s action-packed plot, dazzling visuals, and irreverent humor add up to a sequel that’s almost as fun — if not quite as thrillingly fresh — as its predecessor.
Synopsis: Peter Quill and his fellow Guardians are hired by a powerful alien race, the Sovereign, to protect their precious batteries [More]
#5
Critics Consensus: A galactic group hug that might squeeze a little too tight on the heartstrings, the final Guardians of the Galaxy is a loving last hurrah for the MCU’s most ragtag family.
Synopsis: In Marvel Studios “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” our beloved band of misfits are looking a bit different these [More]
#6
Critics Consensus:Super‘s intriguing premise and talented cast are drowned in a blood-red sea of graphic violence, jarring tonal shifts, and thinly written characters.
Synopsis: After his wife (Liv Tyler) leaves him, a fry cook (Rainn Wilson) emulates a TV superhero and transforms himself into [More]
#7
Critics Consensus: A star-studded turkey, Movie 43 is loaded with gleefully offensive and often scatological gags, but it’s largely bereft of laughs.
Synopsis: Twelve directors, including Peter Farrelly, Griffin Dunne and Brett Ratner, contributed to this collection of outrageous spoofs and stories. A [More]
