The Best Film Podcasts to Listen to Right Now

Picking a movie to watch is tough enough. But even worse? Sitting through one that doesn’t work for you. That’s why you need to know about the best podcasts about film. Listening to them is a way to save time and energy; learn more about film; and to find the new releases or over-looked gems that you’ll love. To get you started, or expand your current list of podcast subscriptions, our ace cinematic correspondent Abbie Greenbaum has curated a list of the 12 best film podcasts to listen to right now.

Our series on The Best Podcasts Right Now

If you don’t consider yourself a podcast person, it might be time to change that. Never has there been an easier or faster way to stay up to date on current events, or explore narrow niche topics that you have never even thought about before.

There are podcasts about everything, and here at Dandelion Chandelier, we’re researching the best of breed podcasts in the topics we all love. Like travel, fashion, food, books and film.

why listen to a podcast about film?

It can be hard to find the time to see movies these days, and even harder to find time to see movies in theaters. And that’s makes these twelve fantastic film podcasts all the more valuable. They will tell you what to see, what not to see, and keep you informed on the hot topics of conversation around culture, awards, industry leaders and more.

the podcasts about film that you need to know

1. Pop Culture Happy Hour

This excellent biweekly podcast from NPR discusses more than just movies, but its movie coverage can’t be beat. Listen to Linda, Stephen, Glen, and their rotating fourth host for the best coverage of all the biggest films, as well as a weekly feature where they recommend other things in pop culture that they are enjoying. The episodes are short, making them the perfect commute-sized treat.

2. Blank Check

If you are interested in a podcast that goes really, really deep into film analysis, “Blank Check” might be the one for you. From Griffin Newman and David Sims comes a movie podcast with movie-length episodes, each one part of a miniseries that focuses on the work of a different auteur. Indeed, the title comes from the idea of the proverbial “blank check” that extremely successful directors are given to shoot any movie that their heart desires. The longer episodes mean that the discussions have time to get to the heart of each film discussed, making them extremely satisfying for the devoted moviegoer.

3. Bad Romance Podcast

Look, not every movie can be a masterpiece. Part of what makes podcasts such a great invention is that they can give bad art a second life. After all, sometimes it’s the worst movies that make for the best conversations. Jourdain Searles and Bronwyn Isaac are wonderful as hosts, tearing apart these poorly rated films in such an expert way that you may find yourself wanting to watch them in spite of their flaws.

4. How Did This Get Made?

In a similar vein, this gem of a podcast hosted by Paul Scheer, June Diane Raphael and Jason Mantzoukas offers a comedic dissection of some of the worst movies ever made. Started in 2010, the show has covered more than a decade’s worth of terrible films, brought on a slew of famous guests, and even spoken with the people behind some of the films at the center of their conversations.

5. Film at Lincoln Center Podcast

Let’s say you are somebody who watches a lot of films, and likes to stay up to date on what is currently in theaters. This free weekly podcast from Lincoln Center might just be the perfect listening companion for you. Every episode features an interview with a director, actor, writer or critic, offering new insight on the pictures in question.

6. Black Girl Film Club

Started two years ago, this ongoing podcast endeavors to create a space for Black women to watch and discuss films, including everything from current releases to the best-known classics. Charismatic hosts Britney and Ashley bring much of their own lives and experiences into their film conversations, giving the show a fresh edge and distinguishing it from other discussion podcasts.

7. Comedy Film Nerds

“Comedy Film Nerds” ended just two months ago, after ten full years of hilarious episodes. With a different guest each week, stand-up comedians Graham Elmwood and Chris Mancini made an effort to cover what feels like almost every movie ever made. This one is as funny as it is full of insights, and you can probably find an episode on almost any movie you’re interested in hearing more about.

8. 500 Greatest Films Podcast

Some podcasts are what you might think of as “project” podcasts, where the podcast mission consists of reaching a specific and finite goal. Well, that’s what “500 Greatest Films Podcast” is, even if it takes them ten years to get there. Listen to Hector Navarro and Keller Knoblock as they take on the challenge of watching and analyzing the entirety of the list of “500 Greatest Movies of All Time.”

9. You Must Remember This

For anyone obsessed with old Hollywood, “You Must Remember This” will be your favorite discovery of the year. It is produced, written and hosted by Karina Longworth, but has also featured a plethora of guests since its debut in 2014.

Of all the shows on this list, it is the one that is least like a conversation over coffee, and most like a fully polished and fascinating audio lecture. You will learn something, and you will love every second of it.

10. Scriptnotes

If you are an aspiring filmmaker yourself, this will be the show for you. From award-winning screenwriters John August (Big Fish, Charlie’s Angels) and Craig Mazin (Chernobyl), Scriptnotes is a podcast that is exclusively about screenwriting. Their content is always varied and always interesting, as they interview the most accomplished screenwriters, critique writing submissions, take apart scripts, and so much more.

11. Denzel Washington Is The Greatest Actor of All Time Period

Podcasts are the perfect medium for providing unique, hyper-specific content. And this show from comedians W Kamau Bell and Kevin Avery is one of the very best. Fans aptly call themselves Denzealots, and when you listen you’ll hear why. The hosts analyze every one of Washington’s films; share recent Washington-related news headlines. And introduce a range of famous guests to offer their takes on what it is exactly that makes Denzel Washington the greatest actor of all time.

12. This Movie Changed Me

This amazing podcast does exactly what you might guess it does. Each week, host Lily Percy talks with a different person about the movie that means the most to them. There is something particularly beautiful in seeing something through the eyes of a person who loves it deeply. And you will come away wanting to watch everything they cover. If you are looking for a podcast that is affirming while also being about film, this is the one for you.

the film podcasts you need to know

There you have it! Our picks of the best film podcasts to listen to right now. What’s your favorite?

join our community

For access to insider ideas and information on the world of luxury, sign up for our Dandelion Chandelier Newsletter here. And see luxury in a new light.

Abbie Martin Greenbaum grew up in New York City and currently lives in Brooklyn, where she drinks a lot of coffee and matches roommates together for a living. At Oberlin College, she studied English and Cinema, which are still two of her favorite things. Along with dessert and musical theater. She believes in magic.

Forward This Article