You Must Remember This

Hosted by Karina Longworth, You Must Remember This delves into the hidden and forgotten stories of Hollywood's golden age. Launched in 2014, You Must Remember This combines meticulous research, engaging storytelling, and Longworth's distinctive narrative style to explore the lives and careers of iconic celebrities, scandals, and significant moments in the history of American cinema. 

Each episode offers listeners a juicy journey through the past, uncovering secrets and lesser-known anecdotes about Hollywood legends from classic movies like Marilyn Monroe, Humphrey Bogart, and Judy Garland. Longworth’s background in film criticism and writing makes her the perfect person to unearth the complex dynamics of the entertainment industry and expose the truth behind all the glitz and glamor. (It doesn’t hurt that her voice is completely authoritative and articulate, yet still melodic.) 

Listeners of You Must Remember This feel like they’ve been transported back in time. It’s a must-listen for cinephiles and history enthusiasts alike.

Listen here: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Other

Read more: Karina Longworth on how You Must Remember This found early success

The Big Picture

Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins co-host The Ringer’s The Big Picture, which covers a range of pop culture and entertainment topics, with a focus on the cinematic world of movies, film industry news, and discussions about the latest releases, as well as interviews with notable figures in the film industry. 

Sean and Amanda provide insightful commentary, reviews, and analysis of both mainstream and independent films and explore broader topics related to the film industry—trends, controversies, and the impact of movies on culture and society. Segments like Top 5s (such as the Top 5 Haunted House movies) and Movie Drafts (such as the Denzel Washington Movie Draft) make The Big Picture feel like a fun place to hang. Their Ringer colleagues Brian Raftery, Chris Ryan, Van Lathan, and Bill Simmons often jump in to add different perspectives.

Listen here: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Other

Blank Check

David Sims and Griffin Newman believe that after certain directors make a critically acclaimed or commercially successful film, they end up with full creative freedom and large budgets by studios to pursue their passion projects. Essentially, they have a "blank check" to make the film of their dreams. Those are the films David and Griffin cover on Blank Check. 

For each episode, they pick a specific director and explore their filmography, dissecting their career, choices, and the impact of their movies on the industry. They’re as knowledgeable as they are appreciative of film, and their depth of knowledge allows them to offer insightful analysis about both the director's work and the broader world of cinema. 

The core friendship between David and Griffin makes Blank Check special. They’ll point out things about films you’ve seen a million times that you’ve never noticed before. 

Listen here: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Other

How Did This Get Made?

You know those films that are epically bad, bizarre, or poorly produced? Even the ones that are painful to watch are fun to talk about. (In some cases, even more so.) On How Did This Get Made?, Paul Scheer, Jason Mantzoukas, and June Diane Raphael discuss and mock movies like Junior, Jaws 3-D, Milk Money, F9: The Fast Saga, and more, in a comedic way. 

This is a comedy podcast as much as it is a movie one. It’s clear they have genuine appreciation for the creativity and quirks of the movies they dissect. With notable guests (like Seth Rogen, Adam Scott, Jenny Slate, and Brie Larson) they shine a light on cult classics, box office flops, obscure titles, or films that have gained notoriety for how bad they are, answering the big question: How did this get made? They mix things up with call-ins from listeners, “Matinee Mondays,” and live shows. People have been laughing out loud to How Did This Get Made since 2010. Join the party. If you’re looking for a straight-up comedy podcast, read about the 10 best comedy podcasts to laugh it out.

Listen here: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Other

Black Men Can’t Jump [In Hollywood]

Actors Jonathan Braylock, Jerah Milligan, and James III are the voices behind Black Men Can't Jump [In Hollywood], a show dedicated to the portrayal and representation of Black actors and characters in film. 

For each episode, they pick a specific movie—from classics like In the Heat of the Night to newer films like The Blackening, and, yes, White Men Can’t Jump (multiple times)—and probe into its themes, plot, characters, and overall portrayal of Black culture, then analyze how the film contributes to or challenges stereotypes and tropes. It’s a serious and near academic look at the importance of representation in cinema and how the industry has evolved in terms of diversity and inclusion, but it’s not without a dash of comedy and lightheartedness. 

Actors, filmmakers, and industry professionals alike (think Keegan-Michael Key and Phoebe Robinson) pop on to provide additional insights and perspectives. Jonathan, Jerah, and James are always ready with a recommendation of something they think is worth watching for its positive impact on Black culture in Hollywood. 

Listen here: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Other

The Rewatchables

Sports writer, commentator, and founder of The Ringer Bill Simmons is the host of The Rewatchables, a podcast that focuses on the classics and movies that we want to watch again and again and taps into our love of both film and nostalgia. 

Episodes review movies that have gained a cult following, achieved critical acclaim, or have had a lasting impact on pop culture. Bill, along with a rotating panel of guests, have animated discussions on each film’s plot, characters, memorable scenes, and even offer behind-the-scenes trivia. They also talk about the impact of the movie on the industry and its rewatchability factor. 

Listeners can look forward to favorite segments like "What's Age the Best," "Half-Assed Internet Research," and "Who Won the Movie,” and can suggest movies they’d love to hear covered. Bill and co. really know and love the movies. Every episode is relistenable. 

Listen here: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Other

Scriptnotes

For conversations about the craft of screenwriting, filmmaking, and the entertainment industry as a whole, tune into Scriptnotes, co-hosted by screenwriters John August and Craig Mazin. 

Scriptnotes is anti-gatekeeping—John and Craig draw upon their experience as successful screenwriters to offer advice on everything from the art to the business of screenwriting, and give insight into current trends, developments, and issues in Hollywood. In some episodes, John and Craig analyze specific scripts or scenes from popular movies, breaking down what works and what doesn't, offering constructive criticism. 

From digging into basic concepts like a film’s presence and how to write a movie to more niche thought experiments like the nature of words and what gives them their meaning, John and Craig are able to help both aspiring and professional screenwriters alike with the mega guests who join them. (Like Greta Gerwig!) 

Listen here: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Other

The Bechdel Cast

The Bechdel Test is a meme-turned-academic test used to measure gender representation in media. And on The Bechdel Cast, comedians Jamie Loftus and Caitlin Durante use it as criteria to analyze the representation of women in film. To pass the test, a film must have at least two named female characters who have a conversation with each other that does not revolve around a man. Sounds simple, but you’d be surprised how often your favorite movies fail. (And how surprising movies like Mean Girls pass.) 

The Bechdel Test is decades old, and much about the way we talk about gender in media has changed, and Jamie and Caitlin have adapted the show to acknowledge that by challenging binary thinking and weaving intersectionality into their discussions and movie reviews. 

So it’s a movie podcast, sure. But it’s also a show about feminism, gender equality, and the importance of diverse and well-rounded female characters in storytelling. The best part? It’s hilarious. Episodes can feel like comedy sets, and recurring inside jokes make loyal listeners feel part of The Bechdel Cast family. 

Listen here: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Other

Black on Black Cinema

There’s certainly a need for greater diversity and representation in the film industry, and on Black on Black Cinema, Micah, Terrence, and Rob provide in-depth Black film reviews and frank conversations that matter to the Black community, one movie at a time. 

Their conversations go deep into commentary about how Black actors and directors have impacted and challenged traditional Hollywood narratives. A few things make this show stand out, besides the fact it’s focusing on Black film: Micah, Terrance, and Rob, lean into disagreements, which makes for interesting, complex discussions. And there isn’t a lot of fluff. They get into things fast and stay on track. While addressing important social issues, the team keeps the jokes rolling. 

One Apple Podcasts review says: “This podcast is like listening in on a conversation in a black barbershop. The guys are funny and insightful.”

Listen here: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Other

Unspooled

Paul Scheer mocks bad movies on How Did This Get Made, and on Unspooled, which he co-hosts with film critic Amy Nicholson, he’s doing something a little different. 

For season one, Amy and Paul went through the American Film Institute's list of the top 100 American movies of all time and gave in-depth analysis, historical and cultural context, and a review for each, explaining how the classic film fit into the history of cinema. Now that they’re done with that, their seasons skip around to other movies, based on themes like horror flicks, documentaries and romantic comedies, with help from their vibrant listener community, who write in with their own picks and vote in Unspooled’s Listener's Choice Bracket. Guests come in sometimes, but this is a really host- and community-driven show. 

Listen here: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Other

MUBI

MUBI is a streaming service that just so happens to have one the most interesting, well-produced movie podcasts out there. It was twice named "Best Arts or Entertainment Podcast" at the L.A. Press Club’s 2022 and 2023 National Arts & Entertainment Journalism Awards, was nominated for a 2022 Webby Award for "Best Individual Podcast Episode” and for "Best New Podcast" at the 2022 British Podcast Awards, and was nominated for "Best Entertainment Show" and "Best Scriptwriting" at the 2023 Ambie Awards. So while I tend to think it’s underrated, it is getting noticed. 

It’s a storytelling film podcast that works its way through themes. Season one focused on films that have great importance in their home country, but are less celebrated by international audiences. Season two told stories about individual movie theaters. In season three, new episodes focused on film “needle-drops”—moments where filmmakers deployed pre-existing music instead of an original score.

Listen here: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Other

Little Gold Men

Little Gold Men is Vanity Fair’s movie podcast that covers a wide range of topics about the film industry, with a strong focus on awards shows, red-carpet premieres, and the road it takes for films to get there. 

Their awards season coverage is the place to learn about predictions, nominees, winners, and history. They’re busy during the film festivals, too, covering noteworthy films and emerging talent at Cannes, Sundance and more. Off-season is fleshed out with movie analysis and interviews with filmmakers, actors, directors, and other industry pros. 

Hosts Katey Rich, Richard Lawson, Becca Ford, and David Canfield might be your Oscar oracles, but they’ll keep you up to date all year round. 

Listen here: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Other

Films to Be Buried With

Roy Kent truly is “here, he's there, he's every-f*cking-where!" (Ted Lasso fans will recognize the fan chant for the show’s AFC Richmond captain.) The man behind the legend is Brett Goldstein, who also hosts the podcast Films to be Buried With. 

The premise: Brett asks his guests to name the films that are so good you’d want to be buried with them. Of course, the conversation is never that simple, and the guests end up describing their own lives through the great movies they’d like to take with them to the grave. It’s an interesting way to get to know people like Heléne York, Barry Jenkins, Taylor Tomlinson, and yes…Jason Sudekis. 

Brett is a great conversationalist who doesn’t pretend to be a film expert (though he has seen a lot of movies)—he really wants to know more about his fantastic guests. But along the way, we hear about favorites and classics like When Harry Met Sally, The Sound of Music, and more. 

Listen here: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Other

You Are Good

You Are Good bills itself as a “feelings podcast about movies.” It’s not film criticism (although it does go there) as much as it is an opportunity for hosts Sarah Marshall (of You’re Wrong About) and Alex Steed to gush about favorite movies with guests and get to the bottom of why these films hit us so hard. 

Sarah and Alex go back into the archives—most of the movies are at least a decade old—to wade through all the emotions of nostalgia, joy, and occasionally discomfort that titles like Top Gun, High Fidelity, Steel Magnolias, and Amadeus bring. 

This is a kind and empathetic show, more about human nature than film history or facts. It feels like a warm hug and a happy place you can run to when you just want to bask in the glow of beloved movies, and the things that make them resonate with us all. 

Listen here: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Other

Hollywood Gold

Hollywood Gold isn’t just another film review podcast. Daniela Taplin Lundberg of Stay Gold Features (The Kids Are All Right, Harriet, Honey Boy) covers films like Thelma & Louise, Memento, and Mean Streets—but on Hollywood Gold, instead of hearing from an actor or a film critic, you hear from producers and screenwriters: the people behind the scenes who saw everything and really know the whole story. 

It feels a little gossip-y, kind of like You Must Remember This. But the films are more modern blockbusters—think The Outsiders (with the film’s producer Fred Roos), Austin Powers (with the film’s producer Jennifer Todd), or Scream (with the film’s producer Cathy Konrad). A podcast like this could easily get "inside baseball" really quickly, but Daniela makes sure to explain terms that may not make sense to people outside of the industry, and adds plenty of context to catch us all up.

Listen here: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Other

Need more?

If film podcasts aren’t for you, read about 8 types of podcasts: Discover the right podcast format for your show. (Or maybe try The best video game podcasts you can’t miss out on.)

Are you a podcast host yourself? Learn about choosing podcast topics to build and engage an audience and learn 15 brilliant podcast segment ideas, with examples from actual shows.