Finding a truly exceptional movie podcast feels like stumbling onto a hidden gem in a sea of mediocrity. While countless shows dissect the film industry, the truly great ones transform how you experience cinema itself.

We've curated this collection of standout film podcasts that go beyond surface-level reviews—shows that deliver deep historical context, insider commentary, and thoughtful analysis. Whether you're a working screenwriter, professional critic, casual film buff, or simply curious about cinema, there's something here that will change how you watch movies.

So grab your headphones, pull up a comfortable chair, and prepare to discover your next audio obsession. And when you're done, don't miss our list of the 12 best podcasts of 2023...so far.

You Must Remember This: Classic Film Podcast

Hosted by Karina Longworth, You Must Remember This explores the hidden and forgotten stories of Hollywood's golden age. Since its launch in 2014, this movie podcast has captivated cinephiles with its meticulous research, compelling storytelling, and Longworth's distinctive narrative style. Each episode revisits the lives, careers, scandals, and defining moments in American cinema history.

Each episode takes listeners on a fascinating journey into the past, uncovering little-known stories and secrets about Hollywood legends like Marilyn Monroe, Humphrey Bogart, and Judy Garland. Longworth’s background in film criticism gives her a deep understanding of the entertainment industry, allowing her to reveal the complexities behind the glamour. Her authoritative yet melodic voice enhances the immersive storytelling experience.

Listeners of You Must Remember This often describe feeling transported back in time. It’s a must-listen for movie buffs, film historians, and anyone fascinated by classic Hollywood.

Listen here: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Other

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

The Big Picture: Movie Industry Analysis Podcast

Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins co-host The Ringer's The Big Picture, a movie podcast that covers pop culture and the film industry. They discuss the latest releases, movie trends, industry news, and conduct in-depth interviews with notable filmmakers and actors.

Sean and Amanda provide insightful film analysis, covering both mainstream and independent cinema. They explore industry trends, controversies, and how movies influence culture. Segments like Top 5s (e.g., Top 5 Haunted House Movies) and Movie Drafts (e.g., Denzel Washington Movie Draft) make The Big Picture an engaging listen. Frequent guest appearances from Ringer colleagues like Brian Raftery, Chris Ryan, Van Lathan, and Bill Simmons add diverse perspectives.

Listen here: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Other

Blank Check: Director-Focused Movie Podcast

David Sims and Griffin Newman believe that after certain directors achieve critical or commercial success, studios give them a "blank check" to pursue passion projects. Those are the films they analyze on Blank Check, a podcast that dissects the careers of filmmakers who have been granted creative freedom.

Each episode focuses on a specific director, examining their filmography and the impact of their work on the movie industry. David and Griffin bring a mix of deep analysis and humor, offering unique insights into filmmaking and storytelling. Their knowledge and appreciation for cinema make this one of the best movie podcasts for serious film fans.

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? Bad Movie Podcast

You know those films that are epically bad, bizarre, or wildly miscalculated? Even the most painful ones to watch are fun to talk about. On How Did This Get Made?, Paul Scheer, Jason Mantzoukas, and June Diane Raphael hilariously dissect and mock movies like Junior, Jaws 3-D, Milk Money, and F9: The Fast Saga.

This movie podcast blends comedy with film critique, celebrating the absurdity of cult classics, box office flops, and cinematic oddities. With special guests like Seth Rogen, Adam Scott, Jenny Slate, and Brie Larson, they explore the unintentional hilarity and surprising charm of these films. Segments like listener call-ins, “Matinee Mondays,” and live shows keep the conversation dynamic.

Listen here: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Other

Black Men Can't Jump: Film Representation Podcast

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 (think Keegan-Michael Key and Phoebe Robinson) frequently join to provide additional insights. Jonathan, Jerah, and James always have strong recommendations for films that positively impact Black culture in Hollywood.

Listen here: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Other

The Rewatchables: Popular Movie Discussion Podcast

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 cover films with cult followings, critical acclaim, or long-lasting cultural impact. Bill and a rotating panel of guests analyze each movie’s plot, characters, and memorable scenes while sharing behind-the-scenes trivia. They also explore each film’s influence 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: Screenwriting and Filmmaking Podcast

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: Women in Film Podcast

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 has been around for decades, and discussions around gender representation in media continue to evolve. Jamie and Caitlin adapt their reviews to challenge binary thinking and incorporate intersectionality, offering fresh and insightful takes on classic and contemporary films.

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: African American Film Podcast

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 discussions dive deep into how Black actors and directors have shaped Hollywood narratives. One thing that sets this movie podcast apart is the hosts’ willingness to challenge each other’s perspectives, leading to nuanced and thought-provoking conversations. They keep things engaging with humor while staying focused on meaningful discussions.

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: Essential Films Podcast

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 Podcast: Art House and International Cinema

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: Awards Season Movie Podcast

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: Movie Legacy Podcast

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 guests to name the films that are so meaningful they’d want to be buried with them. Of course, the conversation evolves far beyond that, as guests end up revealing personal stories and life experiences through their favorite movies. It’s an engaging way to learn more about actors, filmmakers, and comedians like Heléne York, Barry Jenkins, and Taylor Tomlinson.

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: Emotional Impact of Movies Podcast

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 revisit movies at least a decade old, unpacking the nostalgia, joy, and sometimes discomfort these films bring. Titles like Top Gun, High Fidelity, Steel Magnolias, and Amadeus serve as a lens to explore human emotions and shared cultural experiences.

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: Classic Cinema Podcast

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

Categorizing Movie Podcasts by Genre

Organizing movie podcasts by genre or theme helps listeners easily find shows that match their interests. Here are a few categories to consider:

• Comedy and Satire: Podcasts like How Did This Get Made? focus on comically dissecting bad movies, while We Hate Movies adds humorous commentary on poorly made films.
• Film Analysis and Criticism: The Big Picture offers insightful analysis of both mainstream and indie films, and Scriptnotes delves into screenwriting and industry trends.
• Historical and Cultural Context: You Must Remember This explores Hollywood’s golden age, while Black on Black Cinema discusses representation of Black actors in film.

This categorization can enhance the listener's experience by directing them to podcasts that align with their cinematic interests.

Listener Testimonials and Social Proof

Adding listener testimonials can enhance credibility and appeal. Highlighting positive reviews from platforms like Apple Podcasts or social media discussions can provide potential new listeners with valuable insights into the podcasts' quality and appeal.

For instance, a review might emphasize the humor and insightful discussions on How Did This Get Made? or the in-depth analysis found on The Big Picture. Incorporating these endorsements into the blog can effectively showcase the podcasts' impact on their audiences.

Top Movie Podcasts for Every Film Enthusiast

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.

FAQs

How do I start listening to movie podcasts?

Start by choosing a podcast platform, such as Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Browse popular movie podcasts or search by genre. Click subscribe to follow your chosen podcasts and receive updates on new episodes.

What are some good starter episodes for beginners?

Look for episodes that cover well-known films or series to ease into the podcast. For example, How Did This Get Made? episodes on cult classics can be a fun start. Similarly, You Must Remember This episodes exploring iconic Hollywood stories are highly recommended.