Everyone loves watching movies once in a while. There is nothing like a good old action blockbuster for some escapism or a gritty realistic drama for when you want something deeper. If films fascinate you then a movie podcast that talks about the nitty-gritty of filmmaking might be right up your alley.
Movie review podcasts, movie history podcasts, horror movie podcasts- dozens of them are now available thanks to the popularity of streaming platforms like Spotify, YouTube Music, and Apple Music. But you know that all movie podcasts are not the same? So which ones are worth your time?
We just made that decision easy for you by compiling this list of the best podcasts about movies and TV shows.
Contents
Best 10 Film Podcasts to Follow
You Must Remember This
Hosts: Karina Longworth
Available On: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Player FM
The first film podcast on our list is You Must Remember This. Created and hosted by Karina Longworth, it is a movie history podcast that delves into the forgotten and/or hidden stories of twentieth-century Hollywood. It combines meticulous research and engaging storytelling skills to explore the lives and careers of golden-age celebrities, scandals, and significant moments in American cinematic history.
Longworth has a distinct narrative style that makes her deep-dive podcast essays entertaining and informative. Each episode takes you on a journey to the past, uncovering secrets and talking about the lesser-known aspects of stars like Marilyn Monroe and Judy Garland.
Longworth’s background as a film critic makes her the perfect person to untangle and analyze the complex dynamics of the entertainment industry. You Must Remember This is infotainment at its finest and will be liked by cinephiles and history nerds alike.
Kermode and Mayo’s Take
Hosts: Mark Kermode, Simon Mayo
Available On: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, YouTube
Remember the Kermode on Film show? Well, good news because Mark Kermode and his co-host Simon Mayo are now in the podcasting scene. The format is largely similar to the BBC shows with short reviews, interviews with A-list actors, and some hilarious anecdotes.
However, now Kermode and Mayo have also ventured into film-adjacent TV and explore topics that were off-limits in their BBC days. Their bickering and banter might make you wonder whether these two even like each other but it is part of the experience. Kermode may come across as a cynic but you’ll be won over by his honesty and love for cinema.
The Big Picture
Hosts: Sean Fennessey, Amanda Dobbins
Available On: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Player FM, Podbay
Join hosts Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins as they talk about everything movies. They provide insightful reviews and analyses of both mainstream and indie titles and discuss broader trends and controversies related to the film industry as well as the impact of movies on culture and society.
Apart from that, the podcast also covers film news, talks about the latest releases, and also hosts interviews with notable figures in the industry. The Big Picture is a fun place to hang out and often features fresh perspectives as well when Sean and Amanda’s colleagues Brian Raftery, Chris Ryan, Van Lathan, and Bill Simmons jump in to share their views.
How Did This Get Made?
Hosts: Paul Scheer, June Diane Raphael, Jason Mantzoukas
Available On: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music
Tired of all the serious academic film podcasts? Then hop onto How Did This Get Made for a dose of laughter. This podcast specifically focuses on the “so bad they’re good” sort of movies. You know, films like Sharknado, Milk Money, and Jaws 3-D that you know are bad but still watch because they are a gigglefest.
The trio of Paul Scheer, June Diane Raphael, and Jason Mantzoukas sit down twice a week to dissect these movies and laugh over their plot holes, cheesy dialogues, and questionable acting. However, they still show genuine appreciation for the creativity of the bad movies.
The listener call-ins, live shows, and Matinee Mondays break the monotony of the regular episodes and the cast chemistry makes How Did This Get Made a truly fun experience.
Looking for anime-related podcasts? We got you covered!
The Director’s Cut
Hosts: Rotating cast
Available On: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud
Created by the Directors’ Guild of America, The Director’s Cut is a look into the behind-the-scenes of popular films. Each episode features a director who is interviewed by a peer as they talk about what goes into making a film. Listen to these celebrated auteurs talk about the grueling but rewarding process of filmmaking.
The only complaint about The Director’s Cut that we have is the overwhelmingly male perspective of the interviews. Otherwise, it is a good listen for cinephiles and aspiring filmmakers.
The Bechdel Cast
Hosts: Caitlin Durante, Jamie Loftus
Available On: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Podcasts
After talking about the largely male perspective of The Director’s Cut, it is important to list a podcast that is specifically about gender representation in media. The Bechdel test is a simple one where to pass, you just need to have at least two named female characters who have a conversation that does not revolve around a man.
Sounds simple but you would be surprised to see how many top films fail it. But just because films remain so heavily male-dominated doesn’t mean we have to accept it. Comedians Caitlin Durante and Jamie Loftus do exactly this in The Bechdel Cast as they scrutinize movies based on their representation of women.
They use the Bechdel test as a jumping-off point as they analyze the intersectionality in different films and explore the misogyny, racism, and homophobia that may creep into a major director’s work.
Of course, the test is not foolproof and the way we discuss gender in media has changed since it was first introduced but Caitlin and Jamie have acknowledged that and tried to include more intersectionality in their reviews.
The Rewatchables
Hosts: Bill Simmons
Available On: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube
The Rewatchables is a movie podcast that focuses on classics and “rewatchable” films- the kind that you can quote from start to end and the ones that evoke a sense of nostalgia. These are the sort of movies that Bill Simmons and his The Ringer colleagues like to talk about in this podcast.
Each episode is like a Friday night hangout with friends as the cast quotes lines back and forth and breaks down minor plot holes. Bill&Co. discusses each film’s plot, characters, iconic scenes, and behind-the-scenes stuff along with, of course, its rewatch ability.
There are various segments like “What Age’s the Best”, “Half-Assed Internet Research” and “Who Won the Movie” that keep things fun and lively.
Black Men Can’t Jump(In Hollywood)
Hosts: Jonathan Braylock, Jerah Milligan, James III
Available On: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Patreon, Red Circle
While talking about representation in Hollywood, we have to mention the Black Men Can’t Jump(in Hollywood) podcast. It is dedicated to the portrayal of black actors and characters in films and analyzes a specific movie from that lens in each episode.
The hosts discuss both classic movies and newer releases and scrutinize their themes, characters, portrayal of black culture, and larger impact on contributing to or challenging stereotypes. It is more academic than most of the movie podcasts listed here with its exploration of diversity and inclusion in cinema.
However, it is not all serious talk as Black Men Can’t Jump(In Hollywood) has plenty of comedy to balance it out.
Scriptnotes
Hosts: John August, Craig Mazin
Available On: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Libsyn, YouTube
Ever wondered about the process of scriptwriting while watching a movie? Want to know what it takes to write a screenplay? If you’ve ever had these questions, then Scriptnotes is the perfect movie podcast for you.
Hosted by two screenwriters, it is a great option to learn about screenwriting and filmmaking. John and Craig offer advice on the artistic and business side of screenwriting, talk about the latest trends and developments in Hollywood, and also give insight into the entertainment industry in general.
Scriptnotes has episodes related to basic concepts like how to write a movie to more niche topics like the nature of words. Therefore, it is a great podcast for both amateur and professional screenwriters.
The Microbudget Indie Filmmakers Podcast
Hosts: Zanah Thirus, Brittany Franklin
Available On: Spotify, Apple Podcasts
Being this deep into film podcasts, the idea of making your own film must’ve crossed your mind at least once. So why not try to turn that dream into reality? Tune into The Microbudget Indie Filmmakers Podcast to learn how to make a film on an ultra-low budget.
It is a podcast for people who have the passion and dedication but not the wallet or family background to make the next summer blockbuster. The first three seasons are essentially a crash course on filmmaking with a negligible budget. Meanwhile, the fourth season offers a digital filmmakers’ guide, guest interviews, and discussions on trending topics in indie films.
