Movie review podcasts are immensely popular, sitting comfortably in the upper tiers of entertainment and pop culture audio content. Millions of listeners tune in to both niche specialty shows and massive, chart-topping networks to hear breakdowns of new theatrical releases, cult classics, and "so bad they're good" cinematic flops.

There are several reasons why podcasts about movies and TV proliferate. First, listeners of podcasts are also consumers of movies and TV. Second, movie and TV podcasters require no degree or academic certification. In effect, anyone with a sense for artistic excellence can do such shows.

Third, the decline of print journalism has meant the disappearance of esteemed TV and film critics and that crater has left an opening for citizen journalists and podcasters to fill in the cracks. Critics such as Rogert Ebert and Gene Siskel, Pauline Kael of The New Yorker, Peter Travers of Rolling Stone, and A. O. Scott, Bosley Crowther, and Vincent Canby, all of The New York Times, played a pivotal role as arbiters of quality in movies.

Today, we have Rotten Tomatoes, which is highly accurate at showing the general consensus of a film, but it is not a direct measurement of quality. Instead of averaging critic ratings, its "Tomatometer" calculates the percentage of critics who gave a movie a positive review. A movie with a 90% score simply means 9 out of 10 critics gave it a thumbs-up, even if they only thought it was mediocre.

However, just because there are a lot of these podcasts doesn't mean they're easy to do and easy to do well.

Popular movie review podcasts include All The Right Movies, How Did This Get Made?, Blank Check with Griffin & David, We Hate Movies, and SpyHards - A Spy Movie Podcast.

There are essentially two types of movie podcasts. First, we have the podcasts that review the latest movies coming out. For example, Filmspotting with Adam Kempenaar and Josh Larsen review mostly new and sometimes classic movies, offering insightful film analysis since the early days of podcasting in 2005.

At the Movies Again, NPR’s Pop Culture Happy Hour, and Out Now with Aaron and Abe, which is a weekly podcast dedicated to providing a discussion about the newest film release of the week, are examples of film podcasts that can offer an audience critical analysis of movies hitting their cineplex that Friday.

“What makes these movie review podcasts that focus on newly released films so valuable to the audience is the depth of analysis they bring to each film,” says Justin LoCastro, an online movie reviewer, in an interview. “After all, a site like Rotten Tomatoes essentially aggregates movie reviews. These podcasts spend sometimes more than an hour going over a two-hour film.”

Let me offer an example of how a movie review podcast like Verbal Diorama can do a deep archaeological dig on a famous film. On the December 17, 2023, episode, Em McGowan, the host, reviewed the history of Die Hard, probably one of the most iconic action movies in the history of film. The movie birthed hundreds of action movies with the elevator pitch, Die Hard on a plane; Die Hard on the beach; Die Hard in a phone booth. You get the idea.

The journey from conception to completed film in Die Hard's case is unexpected, unwieldy, and unfathomable.

Did you know that the story of Die Hard starts in the mid-sixties, and the film adaptation of a dark film noir detective drama novel, The Detective, starring Frank Sinatra? What would that sound like with Sinatra as John McClane? "Yippee-Ki-Yay, I did it my way!"

Anyway, the sequel novel Nothing Lasts Forever would take eleven years to be written, and its film adaptation would take a further nine years to make it to the big screen, with some major changes.

Gone was Frank Sinatra reprising his role, and the death of the character's on-screen daughter. The dark, depressing story was revitalized, with a new lead character, on-screen marital issues, explosive action, and one of the most charismatic and interesting villains ever put to screen.

Em details how Alan Rickman who played Hans Gruber, one of the most iconic villains in film history, offered director John McTiernan several key ideas that improved the film. First, Rickman suggested that Gruber not be dressed like the rest of his crew, but in an expensive European suit to distinguish him and his personality from the others.

Then, in a famous scene where Willis as McClane comes upon Gruber, Rickman suggested that Gruber imitate an American accent to try and fool Willis/McClane.

Em also explains how the film's producers wanted John McTiernan to direct Die Hard, but the director hated the idea of terrorists, which was the original concept of the film. The movie was then changed to make Gruber's crew robbers masquerading as terrorists, a key plot point.

Has Science Fiction become too popular to be considered a niche?

Everyone knows about Comic-Con in San Diego with 135,000 attendees last year, which could many times larger but attendance is strictly capped to match the physical capacity of the San Diego Convention Center. There are numerous other sci-fi conventions in the U.S. that may not as well-known but boast impressive attendance figures. MegaCon Orlando attracted over 200,000 visitors in March 2026. Emerald City Comic Con welcomed 90,000 fans at the Seattle Convention Center, and Sci-Fi Valley Con attracted upwards of 10,000 attendees at the Blair County Convention Center in Altoona, PA.

One of the direct results of that burgeoning interest in sci-fi is an independent podcast called Every Single Sci-Fi Film Ever. Creator/host Ayesha Khan explains: “Our continuing mission is to explore strange old films, seek out the experts, and boldly bring them to you.”

The Every Single Sci-Fi Film Ever* podcast, which began in March 2024, looks back at more than a century of sci-fi films from around the world, beginning in 1902 and working towards the future. Each episode focuses on a film, director, or theme and brings in experts to discuss its history, politics, and influences.

"We began our journey with an episode dedicated to finding out what science fiction actually is. Then we move to Paris, 1902, to watch and discuss the first sci-fi film ever: Le Voyage Dans La Lune. Occasionally we will take some detours," says Ayesha Khan.

Khan continues: "Each episode plans to put the film I watch into context of the time, society and people it was borne of. I do the research, I find the experts and I bring them to you! And then you all cheer, or chase me with pitchforks. To clarify, I would prefer the former. But alas, sometimes the things we create have unexpected consequences."

Here’s just a partial list of the movies that Ayesha Khan has covered so far: Metropolis, King Kong, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, The Thing From Outer Space, Them, The Blob, Godzilla, Creature From The Black Lagoon, and so many more.

The show’s brilliance is in its commitment to providing deep historical, political, and cultural analysis. Discussions commonly unpack the production context, representation, social commentary, and overarching themes of the genre.

Ayesha Khan confides: "I love science fiction films and history and enjoy learning about society, culture and politics. I adore films, music, and creativity of all sorts. I’m an optimist despite being very affected by the mess of the world, although, like everyone, there are days when the optimism definitely fades!"

The Golden Age of Hollywood

One of the most notable success stories in independent podcasting concerns the award-wining podcast by Karina Longworth, You Must Remember This.

You Must Remember This is successful because it blends rigorous, investigative journalism with compelling narrative storytelling. Host Karina Longworth strips away the sanitized studio myths of Old Hollywood, offering meticulously researched, creative nonfiction that portrays famous icons as relatable, flawed human beings rather than untouchable legends.

Longworth is celebrated for championing forgotten or marginalized figures (like art director Polly Platt) and re-contextualizing stars who were historically villainized or dismissed. Her nine-episode arc on Sammy Davis Jr, and Dean Martin studied both men in the context of the racial, gender, and cultural stereotypes of the times.

However, the vehicles to get to know these icons of Hollywood’s golden age are disappearing. TCM is still viable, but almost axed by Warner/Discovery CEO David Zaslav, who’s a bottom-line guy. Even though you can also see classic movies on AMC, The Criterion Channel, or Kanopy, but these are not mainstream vehicles for discovery.

Indie podcaster Erin Carlson to the rescue. Here's her elevator pitch for Stars of the Golden Age "It's a show that highlights the lives of legends from film, music, and the birth of television during Hollywood’s Golden Age and the few years surrounding it. I will dive into the early lives that led to stardom for some of the biggest names in Hollywood’s golden age… and I’ll shine the light on some lesser known names as well."

Carlson began the podcast in June 2024 and started strong, with an episode on actress Vivian Leigh of Gone with The Wind fame, who suffered from mental illness for much of her life. Since then, she has maintained a consistent release schedule, and her show is technically solid, featuring superior sound quality. Moreover, Carlson is an outstanding narrator. She doesn’t rush, adds pauses, so the listener can reflect, and inserts just enough of her views and experiences to be interesting without being disruptive.

An episode that exemplifies the brilliance of the show is the April 8, 2025 episode on Robert Mitchum, who was decidedly one of the unlikeliest people to become a movie star, and who I knew little about.

Carlson tells us: "Actor Robert Mitchum graced movie and television screens from the 1940s into the 1990s. He had such a cool and unique presence, and just wait until you hear about the wild life he led! Robert Mitchum was no ordinary man. His story is quite a wild tale."

She wasn’t kidding. Brawls, arrests, pot smoking (remember, this is the 1950s), multiple affairs, and carousing were trademark Mitchum habits.

During Women’s History Month, Carlson shared the tales of three trailblazing women -- Mary Pickford, Ida Lupino, and Lucille Ball.

Moreover, one of the best independent podcasts to cover the Golden Era of Old Hollywood is From Beneath The Hollywood Sign, a superb entertainment podcast that features splendid film analysis and criticism, riveting bio of movie stars, and carefully researched narratives.

Here are co-hosts and creators Steve Cubine and Nan McNamara describing their show: "If you want Tyrone Power instead of Tom Hardy, Jennifer Jones instead of Jennifer Lawrence, or Robert Mitchum rather than Robert Pattinson, then From Beneath The Hollywood Sign is the gin joint for you." For classic Hollywood fans, they will recognize that "gin joint" references a famous line from the movie *Casablanca. *

Each week, writer and producer Steve Cubine, who actually lives near the Hollywood Sign, and actress/writer Nan McNamara explore, discuss, and dissect the magical, mysterious, amusing, and sometimes bizarre tales of Old Hollywood.

One of my favorite episodes is the October 6th show -- Hollywood Royalty: actor Glenn Ford and actor-dancer Eleanor Powell, remembered by the show's guest, son Peter Ford. He called Rita Hayworth “Aunt Rita,” was babysat by James Mason, had his first martini (at 10!) thanks to director Fritz Lang, and often had movie stars like Henry Fonda, Barbara Stanwyck, and Clark Gable at his dining room table.

The co-hosts handled the interview with class, as did Peter Ford, who described how his father had over 145 affairs, and relayed stories of growing up surrounded by film luminaries.

Another episode of note concerns actor Eleanor Parker, who was known as “the woman of a thousand faces.” Most people today don't know Parker, but she built a remarkable career defined by range, subtlety, and strength. From her Oscar-nominated turn as a wrongly imprisoned woman in Caged, to her quietly powerful presence as the Baroness in The Sound of Music, she consistently defied typecasting and brought nuance to every role. But behind the glamour was a private, fiercely independent woman whose legacy has too often been overlooked in Hollywood history.

As the co-hosts announce: "Join us as we dive deep into the life, career, and enduring mystique of Eleanor Parker—a star who truly deserves to be remembered." The episode reveals a woman deeply invested in her craft, who had agency at a time when female actors were exploited for the sexuality, and then discarded as they got older.

Co-Creator, Co-Host, and Executive Producer Steve Cubine is a Southern transplant who grew up watching old movies on the late, late show on channel 3 out of Memphis. Steve says: "Thank God, my parents let me stay up late to watch these classics!"

"Having worked in Hollywood for three decades, I’m constantly surprised at how often I’ve encountered young actors, writers, and producers, who have no idea about the history of our industry. It has always saddened me. Once I was talking to a group of actors about the great documentary about Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward. They had no idea who they were. One actor did ask, ‘Isn’t he the guy who makes salad dressing?’ I was crushed. This motivated me to ‘pass the torch’ and share my knowledge about classic cinema and old Hollywood with the new generation. I feel we have a responsibility to keep these films, stars, writers, directors, and producer alive. This was the inspiration for From Beneath The Hollywood Sign, which started as a blog before transitioning into the podcast.”

Co-Creator, Co-Host, and Executive Producer Nan McNamara has been an actor/writer/director working in Hollywood for over 25 years. As an actor, she’s appeared in TV and Film (911: Lonestar, Good Trouble, Hawaii Five-0, and Not That Funny to name a few) as well as voicing hundreds of radio and television commercials and over 300 audiobooks. Nan's work on the stage has garnered the Los Angeles Drama Critics Award, Stage Raw Award, LA Weekly Award, and an Ovation Award.

Co-host Nan McNamara observes: “The podcast was born out of our love for Classic Cinema, but it has become so much more. Films from the Golden Era are time capsules of our nation’s history — certainly WWII and post-WWII films, but also films that share social commentary. Gentlemen’s Agreement, for example, tackling anti-semitism gives today’s audiences so much to think about — and hopefully shows how far we’ve come. I’m constantly reminded how much there is to learn from the remarkable artists of the past. And our lively listeners are quick to share their feelings! Actors they love, films they think are underrated or overrated — there is a big, wide audience out there that is passionate about all things Old Hollywood.”

From Beneath The Hollywood Sign has excellent production values, due to Executive Producer Lindsay Schnebly. The research done is exhaustive, and the narrative formed by the team to present in episodes is sonically captivating. Moreover, the podcast also focuses on classic actors you may not have heard of, as well as the well-known stars, and is not afraid to relate tragic tales of those who fell victim to the brutalism that was an ineffable part of Old Hollywood.

The show also inserts three attractive features -- a pop quiz about classic Hollywood, a Hollywood Tour Stop segment capably narrated by Executive Producer Lindsay Schnebly, and a shout-out to a listener of the week who supports the show, which is a strategy that could be employed by more indie podcasters.

Action: The Last Scene

Movie review podcasts are so popular because they serve multiple roles for movie fans. These podcasts can act as financial advisors, helping people to decide if they should spend $26 for the two of them to go to a specific movie.

These podcasts also act as social lubrication, enabling conversations at parties and events about the films and the central themes they communicate.

If there ever was a podcast genre where celebrity and being supported by cash-rich corporations are irrelevant to the content and production quality, it’s movie podcasts.

It’s a genre replete with shows that have so many permutations that an audience can discover a movie podcast that fits their specific interest. There is Up All Night – Between the Sheets for horror movie fans. For Gen Zers, there is Always On Film. The UK-based Review It Yourself has guests come on to defend their love for a film. The Filmographers podcast is an academic yet entertaining show where hosts Michael Moreci and Keir Graff analyze a director’s entire career, one film at a time, within the context of the Hollywood landscape of that era. explores In What Went Wrong with hosts Lizzie Bassett and Chris Winterbauer, the show examines a new film to explore the reasons why making a movie is nearly impossible.

These examples are meant to convey the richness of the movie podcast genre, and also to reinforce the unique skill of the podcasting to reach into sub-genres like vampire movies and cultivate a small yet enthusiastic audience. Before we fade to black, let’s recognize that movie review podcasts have broad appeal for reviews of just released films. However, that unique quality that podcasting possesses to niche program cannot be replicated by corporations and private equity films that install wide appeal as the first priority, since that usually leads to profitability.

Those indie, niche podcasts that discover a small yet intensely loyal audience are the hemoglobin that brings oxygen to the genre. How about The Bechdel Cast hosted by Caitlin Durante and Jamie Loftus, which examines movies and their portrayal of women, famously testing each film against the Bechdel Test? How about BGM: Bad Gay Movies, which is hosted by three film-buff friends who watch and review campy, bitchy, and "bad" gay movies, bringing great historical context and a ton of laughs? For vampire fans, Vampire Videos with Dan Owen and Hugh McStay bite into 100 years of vampirism on film and TV. From silent classics and B-movies to modern blockbusters, no coffin is left unopened.

Finally, for manly men who enjoy kicking ass and taking no names, there’s The Bulletproof Podcast, which is a celebration of all things action movies... the ass kicking heroes, the over the top villains, the loyal sidekicks, the shoot outs, the fisticuffs, the angry police captains, the ninjas, the one liners and the cars that flip for no apparent reason!

Okay, I’m done. As Arnold said in Predator, ""Get to da choppah!"