If you’re hooked on the daily NYT Strands puzzle, you’re in for another treat. This fresh word game challenges your vocabulary and pattern recognition with clever themes each day.

Theme: “F-I-L-M”

Today’s Strands rolled out the red carpet! The theme F-I-L-M challenged solvers to think Hollywood — but with a twist. Each answer was a four-letter movie title, short but iconic, proving that you don’t need many letters to make movie magic.

Hints for Today’s Strands

  1. Keep It Short: Every answer is exactly four letters long.
  2. From Farm to Space: These films span genres — from cute to cosmic.
  3. Think Popcorn Classics: You’ve heard of all of these before.
  4. Animated to Action-Packed: Some make you smile, others make you sweat.
  5. Award Winners & Blockbusters: The puzzle covers decades of hits.
  6. Acronym Clue: The theme title F-I-L-M might just stand for “Four-Letter Movie.”
  7. Mix of Eras: Expect old-school favorites and modern icons.
  8. Spangram: The unifying idea that ties them all together.

Today’s Strands Answers

  • BABE – the talking pig with a big heart
  • MILK – the inspiring biopic starring Sean Penn
  • JAWS – the shark that changed summer movies forever
  • CARS – Pixar’s high-octane animated hit
  • CLUE – the hilarious whodunit based on the board game
  • DUNE – the epic sci-fi saga of spice and destiny
  • HULK – Marvel’s green giant of rage
  • HEAT – a tense crime thriller starring De Niro and Pacino

Spangram

FOUR LETTER MOVIES — the clever throughline connecting every cinematic title in today’s grid.

Solving Tips

  • Start by spotting short, recognizable titles like CARS or DUNE.
  • The title F-I-L-M is a strong hint: focus on movie names with four letters.
  • Once two or three appear, the spangram FOUR LETTER MOVIES practically jumps out.

Why This Puzzle Was a Hit

November 4’s Strands was pure blockbuster fun — quick, clever, and nostalgic. A perfect puzzle for film buffs and casual viewers alike, proving that brevity is the soul of storytelling. It was a love letter to cinema — short titles, big impact. From laughs to suspense to inspiration, this puzzle reminded solvers that some of the best stories come in small packages.