The 15 Best Movies Podcasts (2026)

Filmspotting has been a staple of the film podcast world since 2005, making it one of the longest-running shows in the space. Hosts Adam Kempenaar and Josh Larsen (who joined in 2012) record out of Chicago, and the show has an easygoing Midwestern sensibility that sets it apart from the louder, more hot-take-driven film pods. The New York Times called their approach "affable, insightful film analysis," which is accurate. They manage to be thoughtful without being stuffy. Each weekly episode typically includes reviews of new releases, but the show really shines in its recurring segments. The Top 5 lists are a longtime favorite, pushing the hosts to defend oddball picks and make a case for films listeners might have overlooked. Their Sacred Cow segment revisits classic films to see if they hold up, and the Marathons have them working through directors or movements they've missed. There's a real sense of two people genuinely trying to expand each other's taste rather than just performing opinions. The catalog is enormous, with over 1,000 episodes in the archive. Premium members get access to the full back catalog and bonus content. Producer Sam works behind the scenes but occasionally pops in. The show also hosts Filmspotting Fest, bringing listeners together in person. If you want film criticism that feels like a thoughtful conversation between two people who actually listen to each other, Filmspotting has been delivering that for two decades.

Karina Longworth has been telling the stories Hollywood tried to bury since 2014, and she does it better than just about anyone. Each season of You Must Remember This picks a theme — the Hollywood blacklist, the romantic entanglements of Howard Hughes, Joan Crawford's complicated legacy — and builds out meticulously researched narrative episodes that read more like audio documentaries than typical podcast fare. Longworth writes, narrates, records, and edits every episode herself, which gives the whole thing a consistent voice that feels deeply personal even when covering larger-than-life subjects. With 275 episodes across 20 seasons and a 4.6-star rating from over 14,000 reviewers, this is the show that most classic film podcasts get measured against. The production quality is genuinely impressive — thoughtful sound design, careful pacing, no filler. Recent episodes have tackled Frank Capra's final years in Hollywood and Fritz Lang's late-career struggles, plus flashback episodes revisiting The African Queen and Peter Bogdanovich's complicated personal history. The show has also spawned a companion series, You Must Remember Manson, focused specifically on the Manson Family's Hollywood connections. If you only listen to one old Hollywood podcast, this is probably the one. Fair warning though: once you start a season, you will absolutely binge the whole thing. The storytelling is that compelling.

Mark Kermode and Simon Mayo are a British institution when it comes to film criticism. They spent years together on BBC Radio 5 Live before moving to this independent podcast format, and the chemistry they built over decades of working together is obvious from the first minute. Kermode is the critic, a man who will passionately defend horror films one week and tear apart a franchise blockbuster the next, often with an intensity that borders on theatrical. Mayo is the everyman host, asking the questions a regular moviegoer would ask and keeping Kermode's rants from going completely off the rails. Each episode reviews the week's new cinema releases with a mix of genuine insight and dry British humor. Kermode's reviews are detailed and specific; he talks about cinematography, score, performances, and direction in ways that feel accessible rather than academic. The show also covers streaming releases, physical media, and occasionally dips into TV. With 534 episodes under this incarnation (and years of BBC content before it), they've built up an enormous body of work. Some longtime fans feel the transition from live radio to podcast changed the energy, and the shift to occasional remote recording hasn't helped that criticism. But when they're both in the studio and fired up about a film, the show still crackles. A premium tier called Extra Takes offers ad-free episodes and Friday bonus content. If you want film reviews from someone who has genuinely seen everything and isn't afraid to have a strong opinion, Kermode delivers.

Paul Scheer and Amy Nicholson make an unlikely but effective pairing. Scheer is a comedian and actor who brings the same manic energy he's known for on screen. Nicholson is the chief film critic at the LA Times, and she approaches movies with serious analytical depth. The show started with a specific mission: work through the AFI's Top 100 Films list, one movie per week, and debate whether each one deserves its spot. That original concept gave the show a clear structure, and even after completing the list, the format stuck. Now they tackle everything from overlooked classics to contemporary releases, always balancing entertainment value with real criticism. The dynamic between the two hosts is the engine of the show. Scheer often champions the fun factor of a film while Nicholson pushes for deeper engagement with craft and context. They don't always agree, and those disagreements make for the best episodes. Sometimes Amy will spend ten minutes dismantling a beloved classic, and you can hear Scheer processing in real time whether she's right. With 432 episodes, a weekly release schedule, and a 4.5 rating from nearly 4,700 reviews, the show has found a solid audience. It's part of the Earwolf/Realm network. If you want a film podcast that takes movies seriously without taking itself too seriously, Unspooled strikes that balance well. The comedy keeps it light, but the criticism has actual substance behind it.

Four New York comedians have been picking apart bad movies together since 2010, and the name is a bit misleading at this point. Andrew Jupin, Stephen Sajdak, Eric Szyszka, and Chris Cabin started out roasting forgotten '80s action flicks and baffling '90s rom-coms, but over 1,100 episodes, the show has evolved. One of their longest-running catchphrases is "it's okay to like a movie," and episodes frequently start with someone admitting, "this is kind of a We Love Movies situation for me." The format is a roundtable discussion where all four hosts watch the same film and then spend about 90 minutes breaking it down. The comedy comes naturally from their group dynamic. These guys have been friends for years, and the rapport shows in how they finish each other's jokes and build on bits in real time. They're not doing a script. They're genuinely reacting, and that spontaneity is what keeps listeners coming back. Beyond the main show, they've built a whole ecosystem on Patreon: Animation Damnation recaps cartoon episodes, The Nexus covers Star Trek, and Once In A Lifetime tackles absurd Lifetime original movies. They also tour with live shows. The show has a 4.7 rating from over 4,500 reviews and 16 seasons under its belt. If you grew up renting weird VHS tapes and want to hear four funny people talk about the same movies you remember, We Hate Movies is a warm, chaotic, and consistently hilarious hang.

Elliott Kalan, Dan McCoy, and Stuart Wellington have been watching bad movies and talking about them since 2007, making The Flop House one of the elder statesmen of the bad movie podcast genre. The format is simple and hasn't changed much: every two weeks, the hosts watch a poorly reviewed film and spend about an hour discussing what went wrong, what accidentally went right, and everything in between. The conversations are largely unscripted, which means tangents. Lots of tangents. If you're the type who enjoys when a discussion about a Nicolas Cage movie somehow ends up on a 15-minute detour about breakfast cereal, you'll feel right at home. Kalan, a former head writer for The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, brings sharp comedic writing instincts even in an improvised setting. McCoy works in TV animation writing, and Wellington is the group's straight man who somehow ends up saying the funniest things. The chemistry between the three is well-worn and comfortable after nearly two decades. The show is part of the Maximum Fun network and has put out 690 episodes. Their annual Shocktober series, dedicated to horror films, is a highlight. They also do live recordings and Flop TV events. Each episode ends with the hosts giving their verdict: good-bad, bad-bad, or a recommend for a movie that's actually worth watching. With a 4.7 rating from over 4,400 reviews, The Flop House has earned its reputation as a reliable, low-key funny listen.

David Chen, Devindra Hardawar, and Jeff Cannata have been debating movies and TV together since 2008, and what sets The Filmcast apart from similar shows is the depth of their disagreements. These three genuinely have different taste, and they're not shy about it. An episode might feature one host praising a film's visual storytelling while another argues it's style over substance, and the conversation plays out with the kind of specificity that makes you rethink your own opinion. The format is a weekly roundtable covering the biggest releases, with each episode running 90 minutes to two hours. They bring on guests ranging from everyday film bloggers to actual directors and actors, which keeps the perspective shifting. The show grew out of the /Film community (formerly SlashFilm), and that film nerd DNA is baked into every episode. They care about the craft of filmmaking, not just whether something was entertaining. Chen often drives the discussion with structured questions, Hardawar brings tech and cultural context from his work at Engadget, and Cannata adds a performer's sensibility. With over 860 episodes across 500 numbered installments plus bonus content, the archive is massive. Episodes come out biweekly. They've also branched into video reviews and maintain an active social media presence. The show has a 4.6 rating from about 3,600 reviews. If you want film discussion that goes beyond thumbs up or thumbs down and actually engages with why movies work or fail, The Filmcast consistently delivers that level of analysis.

If you've ever wanted someone to review every single film in a franchise, Now Playing is the podcast that actually does it. Hosts Arnie, Stuart, and Jakob pick a movie series and work through it chronologically, covering every sequel, remake, reboot, and spin-off. We're talking all the James Bond films. All the Marvel movies. The complete Mad Max series. Every Planet of the Apes entry. This thoroughness is what makes the show unique. Each episode includes behind-the-scenes production history, literary source material discussion, and the kind of research you'd expect from a film studies course, but delivered with humor and personality. The hosts have been doing this since 2007 and have produced over 1,100 reviews. Their approach is fan-funded and ad-free, which gives the show a different feel from ad-supported competitors. A premium tier (Now Playing PLUS) unlocks over 100 exclusive episodes covering additional franchises. The main show releases weekly and individual episodes run about an hour. The hosts can be critical, sometimes sharply so, which has divided listeners. Some appreciate the honest, research-backed opinions. Others wish for more enthusiasm. But that willingness to call out a bad sequel in a beloved franchise is part of what makes the show credible. With a 4.5 rating from over 2,500 reviews, it's a long-running favorite for franchise completists. If you're the kind of person who needs to watch all seven Saw movies before forming an opinion, these are your people.

Three friends with genuinely different movie tastes review films together, and the contrast in their perspectives is what makes this show worth listening to. Rob is a self-described film school dropout who has seen an absurd number of movies. Tim Brayton is a seasoned critic with a deep appreciation for vintage cinema, foreign films, and limited releases that most people never hear about. Carrie approaches movies as a casual viewer who just wants to know if something is worth her time. That mix means you get three different lenses on the same film in every episode. A blockbuster that Rob and Tim might dismiss on craft grounds could get a passionate defense from Carrie based on pure entertainment value, and vice versa. The show has been running since January 2016, recently celebrating its 10th anniversary, and puts out episodes biweekly. Each one typically covers a new theatrical release and sometimes includes a look at streaming options. They also do monthly preview episodes and Top 5 lists throughout the year. The Patreon community gets to vote on which older films the hosts cover. With 453 episodes and a perfect 5.0 rating (albeit from a smaller review pool of about 112 ratings), the show has a tight, dedicated following. Spin-offs include Your Movie Rocks and Bride of AE. It's a smaller show than some others on this list, but that's part of its appeal. The discussions feel personal and unhurried, like three people who actually care about helping you find something good to watch this weekend.

UK Film Review is more of a podcast network than a single show, and that variety is its biggest strength. The main review show is hosted by Chris Olson and Brian Penn, who cover everything from major studio releases to indie films that barely get distribution outside festival circuits. But the feed also includes genre-specific programming: The Scream Test with Rachel focuses on horror, while The Films Of series with Callum and James takes deep dives into specific directors' work. This means your feed stays active with multiple perspectives and formats throughout the week. The British perspective matters here. UK release schedules differ from the US, and the hosts engage with British and European cinema in a way American-centric podcasts often skip. They also interview independent filmmakers directly, which gives the show a grassroots quality. Aspiring directors can even submit their films for review, making it a genuine platform for emerging talent. The show puts out episodes weekly, usually on Thursdays, with seasonal specials around Christmas and Halloween. With 267 episodes, it's a younger show than many on this list. The review pool is small (3 ratings on Apple Podcasts), so it's still building its audience. The production quality is solid, and the hosts bring genuine enthusiasm for cinema without the pretension that can creep into film criticism. If you want a UK-based perspective that covers both mainstream blockbusters and the kind of small films that deserve more attention, this fills a real gap in the movie podcast space.

Hosts Lizzie Bassett and Chris Winterbauer have built something genuinely addictive with What Went Wrong. Each week, they pick apart the behind-the-scenes chaos of a single film production, tracing the full arc from hopeful pitch meeting to on-set meltdown to whatever ended up on screen. The show covers everything from massive flops like Waterworld to acknowledged classics like Casablanca and Seven Samurai, and that range is part of what makes it so compelling. You get stories about directors feuding with studios, actors refusing to speak to each other, budgets spiraling into absurdity, and last-minute rewrites that somehow saved or sank entire productions.

What really sets the show apart is the genuine affection the hosts have for filmmaking itself. Their tagline says it all: every movie is a miracle, even the bad ones. Bassett and Winterbauer clearly do serious research before each episode, pulling from interviews, production diaries, and industry reporting to reconstruct what actually happened. Episodes run about 75-90 minutes, which gives them room to tell the full story without padding. The recent deep dive into American History X and the tensions between Edward Norton and director Tony Kaye was particularly gripping.

With 193 episodes and a 4.8-star rating from over 3,500 reviews, the show has built a loyal following since 2020. They also offer a premium tier with bonus content for subscribers who want even more production disaster stories. If you care about how movies actually get made, not just whether they turned out good, this one belongs in your rotation.

The Empire Film Podcast is the audio arm of Empire magazine, and it carries all the authority and irreverence you would expect from one of the longest-running film publications in the world. Hosted by Chris Hewitt, Helen O’Hara, and James Dyer, the show drops new episodes every Friday packed with reviews, film news, and interviews with directors and actors working on major releases. With over 1,100 episodes since 2012, the back catalog alone is a treasure trove.

The chemistry between the three hosts is the real draw here. They clearly know each other well enough to disagree without being disagreeable, and their combined knowledge of film history is staggering. O’Hara in particular brings sharp critical analysis, while Hewitt tends toward infectious enthusiasm that can sell you on a film you had zero interest in five minutes earlier. Dyer plays the steady hand, keeping things on track when the tangents get too wild.

Recent episodes have featured interviews with Phil Lord and Chris Miller, along with their usual mix of spoiler-free reviews and behind-the-scenes industry chat. The show also produces companion podcasts for deeper spoiler discussions and TV coverage. Some listeners note occasional favoritism toward bigger studio releases, but that comes with the territory of being attached to a major magazine brand. At 4.7 stars from over 500 reviews, the show maintains a strong reputation among UK and international film fans who want smart, personality-driven movie talk delivered weekly.

Brett Goldstein, best known as Roy Kent from Ted Lasso, has been quietly running one of the most emotionally resonant film podcasts since 2018. The premise is deceptively simple: each guest picks the films they would want to be buried with, and Goldstein uses those choices as a doorway into bigger conversations about life, death, memory, and why certain movies lodge themselves permanently in our brains. It sounds heavy, but the show is frequently hilarious. Goldstein is a genuinely funny interviewer who knows exactly when to push and when to let a moment breathe.

The guest list is remarkable: actors, directors, comedians, and writers all sit down to share the films that shaped them. Recent episodes featured Elisabeth Moss talking about the films that shaped her early career and Phil Lord and Chris Miller discussing their approach to Project Hail Mary. With nearly 400 episodes, the show has covered an enormous range of perspectives and film tastes. Some guests pick obvious classics, others go deeply personal, and the best episodes are the ones where a seemingly random pick unlocks a story you never expected.

Rated 4.9 stars from over 2,400 reviews, this is one of the highest-rated film podcasts on Apple Podcasts for good reason. Episodes typically run about 60-80 minutes. The show works as film criticism, celebrity interview, and existential conversation all at once, and Goldstein never lets it feel forced or pretentious. If you want a film podcast that actually makes you feel something, this is the one.

Little Gold Men from Vanity Fair is the awards season podcast for people who treat Oscar night like the Super Bowl. The show tracks the full arc of the Hollywood prestige cycle, from early festival buzz at Sundance and Venice through the final envelope at the Academy Awards. A rotating team of Vanity Fair entertainment writers hosts each episode, bringing insider knowledge and critical perspective that comes from covering the industry for one of the most well-connected publications in entertainment journalism.

Episodes run 40-55 minutes and drop weekly, with increased frequency during peak awards season. The show really hits its stride from October through March, when predictions, campaign strategies, and ceremony breakdowns dominate the conversation. Recent episodes covered Oscar predictions, ceremony highlights, and a fascinating breakdown of the best and worst awards campaigns of the year. They also regularly feature interviews with actors and filmmakers during the publicity circuit, giving the show access that smaller outlets simply cannot match.

With over 730 episodes and a 4.2-star rating, the podcast has been a steady presence since 2015. It works best for listeners who enjoy the strategic side of the industry as much as the artistic side. The show does not shy away from discussing the politics of campaigning, voter psychology, and which performances are gaining momentum behind the scenes. During off-season months, coverage broadens to include festival coverage, streaming wars, and the broader state of the film business. It is not the warmest or most personality-driven show, but it is reliably informed and well-sourced.

Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins host The Big Picture, the flagship film podcast from The Ringer that covers new releases, industry trends, and the cultural impact of movies with a mix of sharp criticism and genuine love for the medium. Fennessey, who also serves as editor-in-chief of The Ringer, brings a film school sensibility tempered by years of pop culture writing. Dobbins matches him with a strong voice on representation, star power dynamics, and the business side of Hollywood.

The format shifts depending on what the week demands. Sometimes it is a straight-up review of a new release. Other times it is a thematic deep dive, like ranking the best performances of the year so far or analyzing why a particular studio strategy is failing. They frequently bring in Ringer colleagues and industry guests, which keeps the perspectives fresh. The show also does excellent work covering film festivals, particularly Sundance, Cannes, and Toronto, where Fennessey provides on-the-ground reporting that gives listeners a real sense of what is generating buzz.

Episodes typically run 60-90 minutes and drop multiple times per week during busy stretches. The podcast does not talk down to its audience. It assumes you care about films as an art form and as a business, and it treats both sides with equal seriousness. If you already listen to The Rewatchables for nostalgia and fun, The Big Picture is the more critically ambitious sibling from the same network. It is one of the most consistently thoughtful film podcasts going right now, and it has earned its reputation as essential listening during awards season.