Will Leitch Author Archive
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Will Leitch

Contributing Editor

Will Leitch has been a contributing editor at New York since 2008, covering sports and film. He is the author of six books, including the Edgar-nominated novel How Lucky and The Time Has Come.

  1. games
    7 Takeaways From the Mets’ Blockbuster Juan Soto SigningAmong other things, the Yankees might be screwed for a while.
  2. games
    If the Mets Get Juan Soto, They Could Rule New YorkSigning the modern-day equivalent of Ted Williams would signal a fundamental shift.
  3. vulture lists
    Every Denzel Washington Movie, RankedOf all A-list stars, Denzel Washington’s career may be the most enviable.
  4. games
    Let Athletes Do the ‘Trump Dance’ in PeaceIt’s going to be a long four years, but this stunt is mostly harmless.
  5. games
    Trump Won, So We’ll Settle for Aaron Rodgers SchadenfreudeAfter a decade of making everything about him, the aging quarterback has gone quiet amid a disastrous season.
  6. vulture lists
    The 20 Best Movies About American PresidentsIn case you love presidents so much you want even more of them today.
  7. feats
    What I Learned From Destroying Myself at the NYC MarathonWith an existential election looming, I glimpsed the best of New York — and humanity.
  8. vulture lists
    Every Tom Hanks Movie Performance, RankedHanks may play only a certain number of notes, but he always manages to make them sound unique.
  9. games
    The Yankees May Have Blown Their Best Chance for YearsTheir sloppiness cost them the World Series and forced them to confront a highly uncertain future.
  10. games
    This World Series Is the Superstar Extravaganza Baseball NeedsThanks to Ohtani and Judge, this World Series will feel like a cultural event.
  11. vulture lists
    Every Cate Blanchett Performance, RankedShe’s the rare actor who can headline anything, from weepy dramas to action films to experimental art pieces to silly comedies.
  12. games
    The Knicks Are Supposed to Be Good. That Might Be a Problem.Making an all-in bet to win a title this season could pay off big — or ruin the team’s pristine vibes.
  13. games
    Why Isn’t LeBron James Talking About Kamala Harris?Four years after peak sports activism, top athletes have been notably quiet about an existential election.
  14. games
    The Detroit Tigers celebrate after defeating the Houston Astros in Game 2 of the Wild Card Series.
    Who to Root for in the Baseball Playoffs (Other Than the Mets)Detroit underdogs, Shotime Dodgers, and yes, the championship-starved Yankees.
  15. vulture lists
    Every George Clooney Movie, RankedIn many ways, Clooney is both the perfect movie star and a repudiation of what we think of as one.
  16. games
    The Beauty of the White Sox’s Historically Abysmal SeasonBeing the worst team in modern baseball history has its upsides.
  17. games
    Be Worried About the Mets Fan in Your LifeThey’re tantalizingly close to securing a surprise playoff berth. But the team’s tortured history hangs over every game.
  18. in memoriam
    THE GREAT WHITE HOPE, James Earl Jones, 1970, TM and Copyright � 20th Century Fox Film Corp. All rig
    9 Essential James Earl Jones PerformancesJones was best when he was reserved, trusting his extraordinary voice and quiet authority to carry the dramatic weight of any scene.
  19. games
    Aaron Rodgers Is Holding on for Dear LifeIn his season debut Monday night, the aging Jets quarterback didn’t look like his usual, smugly confident self.
  20. vulture lists
    Every Tim Burton Movie, RankedTaking stock of the director’s career, from eccentric hits to big-budget misfires.
  21. games
    Baltimore Ravens v Kansas City Chiefs
    The Chiefs-Ravens NFL Season Opener Was Pure America in 2024Kansas City going for an unprecedented third consecutive Super Bowl is going to rival the presidential campaign for attention.
  22. games
    Swift-Kelce Season Two and Other Major NFL Storylines to WatchWill Tom Brady be a good broadcaster? Can Aaron Rodgers be normal for a few months?
  23. games
    USC Spring Football Game
    A Brief Guide to College Football’s Strange New LandscapeFrom conference consolidation to a new playoff system, the sport is rapidly transforming before our eyes — mostly for the worse.
  24. games
    Athletics - Olympic Games Paris 2024: Day 12
    7 Takeaways From a Splendid Summer OlympicsAmong other things, it felt good to root for America again.
  25. vulture lists
    Every Matt Damon Movie, RankedThere are no truly bad Damon performances: He’s too controlled for that. But how does his latest role, in The Instigators, stack up?
  26. vulture lists
    The 50 Greatest Sports Movies of All TimeBoxing epics, baseball weepies, golf comedies, and a sexy tennis movie.
  27. vulture lists
    Every M. Night Shyamalan Movie, RankedMaking sense of the director’s twisty career.
  28. games
    Julien Alfred of Team Saint Lucia (C) celebrates after winning the gold medal in the Women's 100m Final
    Best of the Paris Olympics: Underdogs, Upsets, and the Spectacular Simone BilesOne ridiculous controversy aside, these Games continue to impress — and the breaking hasn’t even started yet.
  29. games
    Olympic Games Paris 2024, Day 2
    The Best of the Triumphant Paris Olympics So FarThese Games have already been a rousing success, and NBC has made them highly enjoyable to watch.
  30. vulture lists
    All 14 X-Men Movies, RankedHollywood hasn’t always done right by the X-Men.
  31. olympics 2024
    The 15 Best Olympics Movies, RankedFrom Personal Best to Blades of Glory.
  32. games
    Paris 2024 - The Olympic Flame Stops By The Moulin Rouge
    These Are the First Optimistic Olympics in a Long TimeThe world isn’t looking too stable, so why not watch some Paris badminton with Al Roker?
  33. games
    Argentina v Colombia - CONMEBOL Copa America USA 2024: Final
    Can America Even Get It Together to Host a World Cup?The Copa América debacle is a very worrying sign for 2026.
  34. vulture lists
    Every Woody Harrelson Movie Performance, RankedIn a career spanning over 60 films, Harrelson is always doing something a little bit different than what anyone would expect.
  35. vulture lists
    Every Scarlett Johansson Movie Performance, RankedJohansson’s brilliant early promise has left us impatient, awaiting increasing greatness with each new role.
  36. games
    Detroit Pistons v Brooklyn Nets
    The Knicks Finally Have All the Pieces to WinA smart front office made its move in acquiring Mikal Bridges. Now it’s “put up or shut up” time.
  37. vulture lists
    Every Kevin Costner Movie, RankedThe actor’s career is full of peaks, valleys, and Waterworlds.
  38. games
    United States v Bolivia - CONMEBOL Copa America USA 2024
    The U.S. Men’s Soccer Team Is Excellent. Does Anyone Care?Soccer has never been more popular in America, but fan interest in the country’s national teams is on a curious decline.
  39. vulture lists
    A Ranked Guide to John Wick–Inspired MoviesHollywood has been trying to make the next John Wick for the past decade with a new generation of stunt-heavy, fistfighting action movies.
  40. vulture lists
    Every Emma Stone Movie, RankedEmma Stone manages to be one of us while being the best of us.
  41. just asking questions
    The Apprentice Is the Skeleton Key to Understanding TrumpRamin Setoodeh, author of a new book about the show, says a reality-TV mindset guides the ex-president’s entire life.
  42. vulture lists
    All 28 Pixar Movies, RankedIn the world of children’s entertainment, nothing has set Pixar apart more than its burning desire not to coast or mail it in.
  43. games
    Indiana Fever v Connecticut Sun
    Caitlin Clark Shouldn’t Be on Team USA Just Because She’s PopularThe Olympics are primarily about winning, not marketing opportunities — and that’s the way it should be.
  44. vulture lists
    Every Will Smith Movie Performance, RankedEven with his missteps, Will Smith remains the sort of movie star you just don’t see anymore.
  45. games
    Connecticut Sun v Indiana Fever
    It’s Good That Caitlin Clark Is Getting Pushed Around in the WNBACasual fans may cry foul, but Clark’s rough treatment is healthy for both her and the league.
  46. games
    Dallas Mavericks v Minnesota Timberwolves - Game One
    Kyrie Irving Wore Us DownHe’s playing great basketball, staying quiet, and counting on the public’s very short memory.
  47. games
    5 Takeaways From a Magical (and Promising) Knicks SeasonAfter a blowout loss ended their title hopes, one thing is clear: Jalen Brunson could really use some help next year.
  48. games
    2024 NBA Playoffs- New York Knicks v Indiana Pacers
    How Worried Should Knicks Fans Be?After a brutal pair of losses to the Pacers, here’s everything anxious fans should keep in mind ahead of game five and beyond.
  49. vulture lists
    Every Melissa McCarthy Movie, RankedShe hasn’t always found material worthy of her talents, but she always tackles it with gusto.
  50. games
    An Ode to Tom Thibodeau, the Knicks’ Mustard-Stained GeniusA coach who’s always on the brink of getting fired has pulled off a miracle.
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