Filmspotting

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.