Have you ever gotten into an hours-long conversation with a friend about a personally beloved—or loathed—movie? Sometimes, that experience can be more satisfying than watching the film itself. Happily for all of us who love thinking and talking about movies, there are a ton of brilliant movie podcasts out there that do just that—hosting fascinating, informative, and funny conversations about all things cinema.
We've compiled a list of the best movie podcasts for film buffs of all stripes. Some of these are in-depth review podcasts, where you can get insightful analysis of new releases and forgotten gems. Some are weekly news roundups, bringing you the latest headlines from the film and entertainment worlds. There are podcasts here for sci-fi and horror fans, queer film lovers, '90s movie aficionados, anyone looking for a deep-dive into film history, and everyone in between.
There's no denying it—there's something alluring about really bad movies. If you have a soft spot for truly terrible films, you're not alone. Actors Paul Scheer, June Diane Raphael, and Jason Mantzoukas share a fondness for bad movies, and they get together each week to watch one and discuss it. Their conversations are hilarious, and while they probably won't convince you that the movies they discuss are actually good, they might make you want to watch them anyway. A few of the gems they've covered include Diana: The Musical, The Smurfs, and Kate & Leopold.
For fans who'd rather hear all about the really good stuff, The Big Picture will keep you up to date on all the latest movies you should definitely check out. Hosts Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins review primarily recent releases, and their hour-plus conversations, often including assorted colleagues and guests, are always entertaining and illuminating. Episodes sometimes offer special fun features like their "Top 5" lists of vampire movies, revenge movies, film scores, movie robots, the best scenes in action movies—and just about anything and everything relating to film.
A can't-miss podcast for sci-fi fans, Space Brains is dedicated to discussing what's good and what's great about science fiction movies. Hosts Surrey Hughes and Mark Regan review plenty of new releases, sometimes inviting the film's director or writer to join them. They also dive into the vault for lively conversations about sci-fi classics like Blade Runner and Invasion of the Body Snatchers, as well as lesser known gems and international films. There's simply no better podcast for thoughtful reviews of sci-fi films across a wide variety of sub-genres.
While LGBTQIA+ films are finally starting to gain mainstream popularity, long before hits such as Moonlight and Love, Simon, writers and directors were (sometimes covertly) making queer films. In this engaging podcast, host Brian Rowe explores queer film history and its lasting impact. He's joined by a rotating cast of writers, critics, and film buffs to discuss LGBTQIA+ filmmaking. They review queer classics and new releases, delving into queer subtext, harmful queer film tropes, the evolution of queer cinema, and more.
Black on Black Cinema should be your first stop for all things related to the Black film world. Hosted by Jay, Micah, Terrence, and T'ara, aka "the crew," this podcast is a blend of movie reviews, focusing on films by, about, and starring Black people, and conversations exploring the intersections of film, media, and Black culture, or other topics of interest and relevance to the Black community. Episodes cover everything from '70's blaxploitation films to the commercialization of Juneteenth.
Movie lovers who grew up with ‘90s classics such as Jurassic Park and Forrest Gump—or anyone who's come to love them since—will appreciate this podcast. Host Vince Leo revisits the most memorable films from the decade, while also covering newer movies that are either set in the '90s or have been influenced by '90s films, drawing interesting and sometimes surprising connections between past and present. The episodes are short, all under 30 minutes, making them perfect for listening on the fly.
Have you ever been in the mood for a scary movie night in, only to find yourself stuck in endless scrolling hell? Final Girls Horrorcast will ease your frustrations and satisfy your fears. This podcast is dedicated to reviewing horror, thriller, and sci-fi films currently available on major streaming sites. Hosts Aimee and Carly have eclectic tastes, thoughtfully dissecting everything from slasher flicks to sci-fi dramas, from chilling classics to hidden horror gems.
When a bunch of comedians get together to talk about bad movies, hilarity is bound to ensue. Every episode of We Hate Movies is like a mini comedy routine focused on one particular film. The quartet of comedians—Andrew Jupin, Eric Szyszka, Stephen Sajdak, and Chris Cabin—use movies as their jumping off point, launching them into spot-on impressions, meandering tangents, and lots of hilarious banter. All movie fans will find a lot to love in this silly podcast, but anyone looking for a good laugh will enjoy it too.
Hosted by four first-generation Asian Americans—Raymond Luu, Renee Ya, Alan Duong, and Baldwin Diep—who all love movies, Reel Asian Podcast is devoted to analyzing Asian and Asian American representation in film as well as uplifting Asian and Asian American cinema. Every week, the hosts discuss a different film, exploring its importance from a variety of angles, from its impact on pop culture to what it has to teach us about American history, sometimes joined by guests like Emma Galbraith, the star of Inbetween Girl. You'll hear about iconic films like The Joy Luck Club, along with lesser-known gems like the queer cult classic, Saving Face.
A lot of film podcasts focus on new releases, but Adjust Your Tracking takes a different approach. Friends and co-hosts Lena Delaney and Oliver Jones are determined to make their way through a century of film, one year at a time. Each episode features a review of whatever movie they've watched recently—from 1930’s All Quiet on the Western Front to the 1985 French New Wave film, Vagabond. Movie history buffs looking for reviews of both famous and largely forgotten 20th-century films are sure to be delighted by this show.
A beautifully produced and thoroughly researched podcast, You Must Remember This is a must-listen for film history buffs and anyone drawn to the glamour and grit of Hollywood's first century. Host Karina Longworth, a former film critic for LA Weekly, takes listeners deep into the heart of 20th-century Hollywood, exploring the untold stories behind the stars, directors, scandals, blockbusters, and controversies, from Humphrey Bogart to The Godfather, from Marilyn Monroe to Bull Durham.
As the official podcast of Empire, the world's biggest and most respected movie magazine, this is your one-stop listen for news, reviews, analysis, hot takes, and lively discussions of all things film. Releasing every Friday, episodes include reviews of the week's new films and interviews with actors, directors, and writers, plus an assortment of fun film-related banter.
Fans of pop culture podcasts will also enjoy this fun, lighthearted movie podcast, which releases an episode just about every other day. An eclectic band of movie fans and critics gets together to discuss what they've been watching and what they think of it, alongside whatever wild story is dominating movie news that week. Oh, and Movies, Films and Flix tackles real issues, like "What is Kurt Russell's best sleeveless shirt?" Come and listen for the laughs, and you'll be sure to stay for the surprisingly insightful reviews of classic cult films and underrated gems.
The ever-expanding Marvel Cinematic Universe is so big and popular that there are dozens of podcasts dedicated solely to exploring it—and The Marvel Guys is one of the best out there. As fans with different relationships to the world of Marvel movies and comics, hosts Spencer and Jordan bring their unique perspectives to the show, providing fresh commentary and analysis. They discuss and review Marvel movies and TV shows, talk about what's going on in the fandom, offer in-depth studies of Marvel characters, and have spirited debates about their favorite series.
This weekly news and interview podcast is hosted by award-winning journalist Kim Masters of The Hollywood Reporter. The Business blends discussions of entertainment industry news with interviews of actors, producers, writers, and directors. Past guests include Peter Jackson, director, writer, and producer of the Lord of the Rings trilogy; actor, producer, comedian, musician, and author Steve Martin; Pakistani-Canadian journalist, filmmaker, and activist Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy; and Hwang Dong-hyuk, South Korean film director and creator of the hit series, Squid Game.
The best thing about this podcast is the trio of hosts—a producer, Kent Garrison; a film critic, Brian Gill; and a humorist, Richard Bardon—who each occupy a unique place in the film world. Every week, the three get together to review a new movie, discuss old favorites, talk about entertainment news, and generally have a good time doing it. The Mad About Movies vibe is laidback—the hosts are passionate about movies, but they don't take themselves too seriously.
