Wikipedia:Top 25 Report/August 22 to 28, 2021

Most Popular Wikipedia Articles of the Week (August 22 to 28, 2021)
Prepared with commentary by, , 

Afghanistan still features on the list, but not dominantly as before. Instead we have variety with sports, film and TV on the top of this list, as well as a few criminals and the long-present list of deaths.


 * {| class="wikitable"

! Rank ! Article ! Class ! Views ! Image ! Notes/about Who's to say?
 * 1
 * Cristiano Ronaldo
 * 1,857,188
 * C ronaldo cropped.jpg
 * On August 22, Ronaldo played his first game in this year's Serie A. It was also his last game for Juventus, as his transfer to Manchester United was announced this week, rejoining the club where he made his breakthrough from 2003-2009, after being set to join Manchester City beforehand.
 * 2
 * Charlie Watts
 * 1,644,892
 * Charle-Watts-1965 (cropped).jpg
 * Watts, the longtime drummer for the Rolling Stones passed away on Tuesday. The surviving band members and numerous other musicians paid tribute to him. Since Watts was a member of the band for six decades, it remains unclear if the Stones will continue without the Wembley Whammer.
 * 3
 * Spider-Man: No Way Home
 * 1,273,853
 * Tom Holland MTV 2018 (02).jpg
 * After a leak, the trailer for the eighth solo movie of Marvel Comics' most popular hero (third in the Marvel Cinematic Universe) was released. And it's clear the other movies are returning in a way reminiscent of the animated flick Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, as Alfred Molina's Doctor Octopus appears in the preview, Willem Dafoe's Green Goblin is hinted at, and Jamie Foxx's Electro is also confirmed.
 * 4
 * Afghanistan
 * 990,547
 * Kabul Airport Aerial.jpg
 * The NATO-led evacuation of foreign nationals from Afghanistan was interrupted by a suicide bombing at the NATO-controlled Hamid Karzai International Airport on Thursday. The current death count is at 182, including 13 members of the U.S. military. Some American political figures are, in light of this, pushing for President Biden to either move up the troops-leaving-deadline or to simply restart the war; it seems that the guy who literally just pulled out of Afghanistan isn't eager to go right back in.
 * 5
 * Deaths in 2021
 * 940,780
 * Lead mortuary crosses, England, 1300s and 1600s Wellcome L0058244.jpg
 * In homage to #2: Catch your dreams before they slip away Dying all the time Lose your dreams and you will lose your mind Ain't life unkind?
 * 6
 * SummerSlam (2021)
 * 929,184
 * John_Cena_(43617181722).jpg
 * WWE's latest event, bringing back John Cena as he might be in theaters with The Suicide Squad but will never turn his back on his wrestler origins.
 * 7
 * The Rolling Stones
 * 928,717
 * Rolling Stones Yellow Logo pre-show 14 August 2019 Seattle.jpg
 * Unlike The Beatles, who broke up amid conflict, the other standout of the British Invasion remained together and on the spotlight for six decades. It's up in the air whether the Stones will continue without #2, aside from finishing the current tour with Steve Jordan.
 * 8
 * Taliban
 * 901,298
 * Taliban Humvee in Kabul, August 2021.png
 * The group in control of #4 is not behind the airport bombing. In fact, the group that has claimed responsibility, a local ISIL branch, has been fighting the Taliban for year.
 * 9
 * Candyman (2021 film)
 * 587,635
 * Fan Expo 2012 - Tony Todd 1 (7891780456).jpg
 * After three movies in the 90's, Clive Barker's spectral assassin who appears if his name is spoken five times in the mirror was brought back in this movie (originally planned for last year, but you know...), still played by Tony Todd and with positive reviews.
 * 10
 * Havana syndrome
 * 568,329
 * Havana - Estacion Central.jpg
 * Staff at multiple U.S. embassies, most recently in Hanoi, have been dealing with the "Havana syndrome" for several years. It's either
 * caused by miniature microwave weapons that are shared between the world's Communists,
 * an outright lie by American intelligence, intentionally leaked to the media through the years to get people more onboard a second Cold War, or
 * mass psychogenic illness, like a Cold War-themed version of the Dancing plague of 1518.
 * 901,298
 * Taliban Humvee in Kabul, August 2021.png
 * The group in control of #4 is not behind the airport bombing. In fact, the group that has claimed responsibility, a local ISIL branch, has been fighting the Taliban for year.
 * 9
 * Candyman (2021 film)
 * 587,635
 * Fan Expo 2012 - Tony Todd 1 (7891780456).jpg
 * After three movies in the 90's, Clive Barker's spectral assassin who appears if his name is spoken five times in the mirror was brought back in this movie (originally planned for last year, but you know...), still played by Tony Todd and with positive reviews.
 * 10
 * Havana syndrome
 * 568,329
 * Havana - Estacion Central.jpg
 * Staff at multiple U.S. embassies, most recently in Hanoi, have been dealing with the "Havana syndrome" for several years. It's either
 * caused by miniature microwave weapons that are shared between the world's Communists,
 * an outright lie by American intelligence, intentionally leaked to the media through the years to get people more onboard a second Cold War, or
 * mass psychogenic illness, like a Cold War-themed version of the Dancing plague of 1518.
 * Staff at multiple U.S. embassies, most recently in Hanoi, have been dealing with the "Havana syndrome" for several years. It's either
 * caused by miniature microwave weapons that are shared between the world's Communists,
 * an outright lie by American intelligence, intentionally leaked to the media through the years to get people more onboard a second Cold War, or
 * mass psychogenic illness, like a Cold War-themed version of the Dancing plague of 1518.
 * 11
 * Vikram Batra
 * 552,055
 * Captain Vikram Batra Portrait.jpg
 * India continues to read about the army captain whose exploits in the Kargil War are chronicled in the Prime Video release Shershaah.
 * 12
 * 2021–22 UEFA Champions League
 * 531,166
 * 2006 Champions League Trophy.jpg
 * Following the group draw of Europe's premier club championship and his transfer, #1 changed his group from one against defending champion Chelsea FC to one with defending UEFA Europa League champion Villareal CF, which he regularly beat when he was with Real Madrid.
 * 13
 * Aaliyah
 * 527,530
 * Aaliyah Dana Haughton-14.jpg
 * Aaliyah, an R&B singer, died at the age of 22 on August 25, 2001. Her music is currently making its way onto streaming, with her final album scheduled to go up on September 10. It should be noted that her family is very mad about that.
 * 14
 * Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
 * 515,790
 * Simu_Liu_by_Gage_Skidmore.jpg
 * Before #3 arrives in December, there are two more MCU movies to hit theaters. One is this week, namely this, starring Simu Liu as a "master of kung fu" against the guy who in the comics is the archenemy of Iron Man.
 * 15
 * Nine Perfect Strangers (miniseries)
 * 513,987
 * Nicole Kidman Cannes 2017.jpg
 * This American drama started streaming on Hulu on August 18 and is based on the book of the same name. It stars Nicole Kidman (pictured) which is bound to increase its popularity.
 * 16
 * The Everly Brothers
 * 498,747
 * Everly Brothers - Cropped.jpg
 * Don Everly passed away on August 21, having outlived his brother Phil by seven years.
 * 17
 * Manchester United F.C.
 * 494,259
 * Manchester united FC.jpg
 * #1 started in Sporting CP, but soon after was winning in England with this team. The Red Devils are far from their dominating force days of the 90s/00s, and their fans certainly hope CR7 can bring them back to it during the twilight of his illustrious career.
 * 18
 * Mick Jagger
 * 477,119
 * Mick Jagger (1982).jpg
 * #7's frontman, one of rock's greatest legends (and sort of a jinx to the English Team...). There's an amusing story regarding him and the late #2, as Watts once punched Jagger saying "Don't ever call me your drummer again. You're my fucking singer!"
 * 19
 * What If...? (TV series)
 * 465,986
 * SDCC 2012 - Stan Lee cosplayer (7574450936).jpg
 * After one week off, even if it marked the last time featuring Chadwick Boseman as Black Panther, the Disney+ animated version of Marvel's Elseworlds bounces back following an episode reminiscent of the most pessimistic issues of the original comics, revolving around the Avengers dying before they could even assemble.
 * 20
 * The White Lotus
 * 454,070
 * Murray Bartlett (cropped).jpg
 * This series had its last episode on August 15 and is due for a second series. Pictured is Murray Bartlett, the lead actor.
 * 21
 * Sirhan Sirhan
 * 418,410
 * Sirhan Sirhan in 2021.jpg
 * The man convicted of assassinating Bobby Kennedy has, after 53 years in prison, been recommended for parole. Two of Bobby's kids support his release, while six others want the decision reversed.
 * 22
 * Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant – Khorasan Province
 * 401,549
 * AQMI Flag asymmetric.svg
 * This branch of the so-called Islamic State is based are active in Tajikistan, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Although they seem natural allies to #8 at first glance - they aren't. With a size estimated to be between 1,000 and 10,000 (depending on who you ask) this group were responsible for a high-profile double suicide-bombing with a current death toll of at least 183, including 13 US service members. ISIS-K's leader Shahab al-Muhajir is now top of the Taliban's most-wanted.
 * 23
 * Alfred Molina
 * 400,136
 * WW Chicago 15 Contest - Doctor Octopus (20478853314).jpg
 * A guy who's had quite the career since he died trying to betray Indiana Jones. And the scene in #3's trailer revealing he's back as the mad scientist with metal tentacles from Spider-Man 2 is certainly the preview's standout.
 * 24
 * Jimmy Hayes (ice hockey)
 * 382,618
 * Jimmy Hayes Hawks.JPG
 * Hayes might've not done as much impact on the major leagues after being an NCAA champion with Boston College - as put by his podcast's profile, "Played 334 NHL tilts with about 100 healthy scratches" - but the NHL mourned his sudden and early death at the age of 31.
 * 25
 * Romelu Lukaku
 * 365,791
 * Romelu Lukaku.jpg
 * This Belgian footballer made his Premier League return to Chelsea, making Lukaku the most expensive player of all time over the course of his career - with transfer fees totaling £285 million. But I suppose he would not have had this record if Lionel Messi and Ronaldo (#1) switched clubs as often as he does.
 * }
 * The man convicted of assassinating Bobby Kennedy has, after 53 years in prison, been recommended for parole. Two of Bobby's kids support his release, while six others want the decision reversed.
 * 22
 * Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant – Khorasan Province
 * 401,549
 * AQMI Flag asymmetric.svg
 * This branch of the so-called Islamic State is based are active in Tajikistan, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Although they seem natural allies to #8 at first glance - they aren't. With a size estimated to be between 1,000 and 10,000 (depending on who you ask) this group were responsible for a high-profile double suicide-bombing with a current death toll of at least 183, including 13 US service members. ISIS-K's leader Shahab al-Muhajir is now top of the Taliban's most-wanted.
 * 23
 * Alfred Molina
 * 400,136
 * WW Chicago 15 Contest - Doctor Octopus (20478853314).jpg
 * A guy who's had quite the career since he died trying to betray Indiana Jones. And the scene in #3's trailer revealing he's back as the mad scientist with metal tentacles from Spider-Man 2 is certainly the preview's standout.
 * 24
 * Jimmy Hayes (ice hockey)
 * 382,618
 * Jimmy Hayes Hawks.JPG
 * Hayes might've not done as much impact on the major leagues after being an NCAA champion with Boston College - as put by his podcast's profile, "Played 334 NHL tilts with about 100 healthy scratches" - but the NHL mourned his sudden and early death at the age of 31.
 * 25
 * Romelu Lukaku
 * 365,791
 * Romelu Lukaku.jpg
 * This Belgian footballer made his Premier League return to Chelsea, making Lukaku the most expensive player of all time over the course of his career - with transfer fees totaling £285 million. But I suppose he would not have had this record if Lionel Messi and Ronaldo (#1) switched clubs as often as he does.
 * }
 * 25
 * Romelu Lukaku
 * 365,791
 * Romelu Lukaku.jpg
 * This Belgian footballer made his Premier League return to Chelsea, making Lukaku the most expensive player of all time over the course of his career - with transfer fees totaling £285 million. But I suppose he would not have had this record if Lionel Messi and Ronaldo (#1) switched clubs as often as he does.
 * }
 * This Belgian footballer made his Premier League return to Chelsea, making Lukaku the most expensive player of all time over the course of his career - with transfer fees totaling £285 million. But I suppose he would not have had this record if Lionel Messi and Ronaldo (#1) switched clubs as often as he does.
 * }
 * }



Exclusions

 * This list excludes the Wikipedia main page, non-article pages (such as redlinks), and anomalous entries (such as DDoS attacks or likely automated views). Since mobile view data became available to the Report in October 2014, we exclude articles that have almost no mobile views (5–6% or less) or almost all mobile views (94–95% or more) because they are very likely to be automated views based on our experience and research of the issue. Please feel free to discuss any removal on the talk page if you wish.