The Next Best Picture Podcast

For Episode 501 of the Next Best Picture Podcast, I am joined by Sara Clements and Will Mavity. For this week's main topic, we're going over the recent announcements from Venice, TIFF, and NYFF for the upcoming fall film festivals, and we're going into more detail about which films we think will be announced for the Venice Film Festival later this week on July 23rd. For this week's NBP poll question, we're asking everyone for the release of "The Odyssey," "Which Is Your Favorite Matt Damon Performance?," and we reveal the winner of last week's NBP poll, also tied to "The Odysse...

For this week's main podcast review, Lauren LaMagna, Josh Parham, Dan Bayer, Giovanni Lago and Brendan Hodges join me for the first time on video to review and discuss the latest cinematic event from Christopher Nolan, "The Odyssey" starring Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong'o, Samantha Morton, Zendaya, Charlize Theron, Benny Safdie, Jon Bernthal, John Leguizamo, Bill Irwin, Himesh Patel, Corey Hawkins, Mia Goth, Logan Marshall-Green, Travis Scott, Eliott Page & James Remar. An adaptation and production that represents everything as big as movies can get in 2026, Nolan's telling of Homer's epic poem has generated a...

Logan Marshall-Green is a very respected actor who has been working for over twenty years in some of your favorite movies and television shows including "The O.C.," "Devil," "24," "Prometheus," "The Invitation," "Quarry," "Upgrade," "When They See Us," "Carry-On," "Marshals" and now, Christopher Nolan's "The Odyssey." Marshall-Green was gracious enough to lend us an hour of his time as he came into the studio and spoke with us about these projects, his theater upbringing, working with Tom Holland on "Spider-Man: Homecoming" and now on "The Odyssey," his thoughts on A.I., whether or not he will direct again after...

THIS IS A PREVIEW PODCAST. NOT THE FULL REVIEW. Please check out the full podcast review on our Patreon Page by subscribing over at - https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture

With the release of Christopher Nolan's "The Odyssey" arriving in theaters, our 2008 retrospective revisits his comic book action film that not only re-defined the genre, but changed the whole industry up until the Oscar nominations where it forced the Academy to expand the Best Picture lineup for the first time in decades, "The Dark Knight," starring Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Heath Ledger, Gary Oldman, A...

Following our historic 500th episode of The Next Best Picture Podcast, we're excited to launch the very first edition of our new weekly companion show, Mailbag Monday! Josh Parham, Megan Lachinski, Will Mavity, Amy Kim, and Tom O'Brien join me in this new series is dedicated entirely to answering your fan-submitted questions from the NBP Film Community. Covering everything from the latest movie news, awards season, and Oscar predictions to filmmaking, industry trends, and whatever else is on your mind, Mailbag Monday gives us the opportunity to engage more directly with all of you every week. Thank you to eve...

For Next Best Picture's historic 500th episode, I am joined for the first time ever on video by Josh Parham, Megan Lachinski, Will Mavity, Amy Kim, and Tom O'Brien. It's a new era for NBP, and the show you've loved in audio form for the last nearly ten years is continuing to evolve as well. For this week's main topic, we're giving you our predictions for which film festivals we feel upcoming Oscar contenders will premiere at. For this week's NBP poll question, we're asking everyone for the highly anticipated release of Christopher Nolan's "The Odyssey," "Which Is Your Favori...

For this week's main podcast review, Katie Johnson, Daniel Howat, Ema Sasic, and Tom O'Brien join me to review and discuss the Disney live-action remake of 2016's "Moana" also titled "Moana" starring Dwayne Johnson, Rena Owen, John Tui, Frankie Adams, Jemaine Clement, and Catherine Laga'aia. Arriving only two years after "Moana 2," this is another cash-grab by Disney to capitalize on the popularity of one of their most recent properties, propelled mainly by its leading star. We all know it. We all see it. But is that enough to detract from what many of us considered to be a pretty great...

THIS IS A PREVIEW PODCAST. NOT THE FULL EPISODE. Please check out the full podcast episode on our Patreon Page by subscribing over at - https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture

The Next Best Series Podcast returns as Ema Sasic, Nadia Dalimonte, and Amy Kim join me to discuss our reactions to the 2026 Primetime Emmy Award nominations. Recorded later that evening (after our morning live reactions were recorded), we watched as "Hacks" made history, "The Pitt" led, "Beef" continued to dominate, but "Widow's Bay," "Pluribus," and "DTF St. Louis" are right on their heels, looking to upse...

"Night Nurse" is a 2026 American erotic thriller film written, produced, and directed by Georgia Bernstein, starring Cemre Paksoy, Bruce McKenzie, Eleonore Hendricks, Colleen Rose Trundy, and Mimi Rogers. It follows a starry-eyed nurse who becomes entangled with a mysterious patient when a series of perverse scam calls unsettles an idyllic retirement community. The film had its world premiere at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival, where it received positive reviews. Bernstein was kind enough to spend some time talking with us about her work and experience making the film, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the f...

For Episode 499, I am joined by Cody Dericks, Dan Bayer, Giovanni Lago, and Ben Langford to bring you our first Oscar nomination predictions for the 2026-2027 awards season (for the first time, powered by Award Expert). For this week's poll question, we're asking everyone for the first time this season: "Which Film Do You Think Will Be The Next Best Picture Oscar Winner?" and we reveal the winner of last week's poll tied to the topic of last week's show, "Which Films Are You Most Looking Forward To From The Rest Of 2026?" We also share our reactions to lots of trailers fo...

For this week's main podcast review, Katie Johnson, Josh Parham, and Dan Bayer join me to review and discuss the newest film from Olivia Wilde, "The Invite," starring Wilde, Seth Rogen, Penélope Cruz, and Edward Norton. The independent film premiered at the Eccles Theater as part of the 2026 Sundance Film Festival, where it received positive reviews from critics for Wilde's direction, the screenplay by Rashida Jones and Will McCormack, and the performances of the four actors, and was later picked up by A24. A chamber-piece comedy-drama driven by its characters and the relationships at its center, it is a lay...

"Minions & Monsters" is a 2026 American animated comedy film directed by Pierre Coffin and written by Coffin and Brian Lynch. Produced by Illumination, it is the third installment in the "Minions" prequel series and the seventh installment overall in the "Despicable Me" franchise. The film stars Coffin as the Minions, alongside Trey Parker, Allison Janney, Christoph Waltz, Jesse Eisenberg, Jeff Bridges, Zoey Deutch, Bobby Moynihan, and Phil LaMarr. Taking place in 1927, 41 years before the events of "Minions" (2015), the film follows the Minions as they aim to make a monster movie of their own in Old Hollywood. The film has received...

THIS IS A PREVIEW PODCAST. NOT THE FULL EPISODE. Please check out the full podcast episode on our Patreon Page by subscribing over at - https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture

The Next Best Series Podcast returns as Alyssa Christian, Giovanni Lago, Nadia Dalimonte, and Amy Kim join me to discuss the latest series, shows, and awards season updates for all things television! On this latest episode, we discuss what we feel is going to be nominated for the 2026 Primetime Emmy Awards. Nominations will be announced next week, and we have many categories to discuss and d...

For Episode 498, I am joined by Lauren LaMagna, Josh Parham, and Amy Kim to bring you our most anticipated films for the rest of 2026 as we say goodbye to the first half of the year. For this week's poll question, we're asking everyone that very question: "Which Films Are You Most Looking Forward To From The Rest Of 2026?" and we reveal the winner of last week's poll tied to the topic of last week's show, "Which Is Your Favorite Film From 2026 So Far?" We also share our reactions to lots of trailers for "Sense And Sensibility," "The Debut," "Practical...

For this week's main podcast review, Katie Johnson, Giovanni Lago, Amy Kim, and Larry Fried join me to review and discuss "Supergirl" starring Milly Alcock, Matthias Schoenaerts, Eve Ridley, David Krumholtz, Emily Beecham, David Corenswet & Jason Momoa. Directed by Craig Gillespie and written by Ana Nogueira, it is the second film in the DC Universe (DCU) following Jame Gunn's "Superman" last year. How does this film compare and continue under producers Peter Safran and James Gunn's vision for DC Studios? Please tune in as we discuss the story, visuals, design, action, humor, Milly Alcock's performance, Krypto, Jason Momoa's Lobo, its awa...

"Romería" is a 2025 drama film written and directed by Carla Simón. It stars Llúcia Garcia as Marina, a young woman seeking the truth about her deceased biological father. The plot consists of a fictionalized account of Simón's own experiences. The film premiered at the 78th Cannes Film Festival, where it competed for the Palme D'Or and received positive reviews from critics for its direction, lead performance from Llúcia Garcia, editing, and cinematography. Simón was kind enough to spend some time talking with us about her work and experience making the film, which you can li...

THIS IS A PREVIEW PODCAST. NOT THE FULL REVIEW. Please check out the full podcast review on our Patreon Page by subscribing over at - https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture

With Pride Month coming to an end, we figured there was no better time in our 2008 retrospective to revisit Gus Van Sant's "Milk," starring Sean Penn, Emile Hirsch, Josh Brolin, Diego Luna, and James Franco. Written by Dustin Lance Black and heavily influenced by the Oscar-winning 1984 documentary "The Times of Harvey Milk," the film, which was released after the passage of Proposition 8 in California, w...

"The Invite" is a 2026 American comedy film directed by Olivia Wilde and written by Will McCormack and Rashida Jones. It is an English-language remake of the Spanish film "The People Upstairs" by Cesc Gay. It stars Wilde alongside Seth Rogen as a deteriorating couple who invite their enigmatic neighbors, played by Penélope Cruz and Edward Norton, to a dinner party that spirals into unexpected places. The film premiered at the Eccles Theater as a part of the 2026 Sundance Film Festival and received positive reviews from critics for its direction, screenplay, and performances. Wilde was kind enough to spend som...

"Very Important People" is an American improvisational comedy talk show that premiered on Dropout in December 2023, hosted by Vic Michaelis as a fictionalized version of themself. A reboot of the 2010 CollegeHumor series "Hello, My Name Is...," episodes feature comedians who, after being unwittingly transformed via extensive makeup and costuming, have to devise characters from first impressions for an interview with Michaelis' host persona. The show's third season aired from December 2025 to June 2026. Michaelis was kind enough to spend some time talking with us about their work and experience making the talk show, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to...

"Skyscraper Live" is a Netflix special in which American climber Alex Honnold ("Free Solo") scaled the Taipei 101 skyscraper in Taiwan without ropes. The ascent was broadcast live on January 25th, 2026. It was hosted by sports broadcaster Elle Duncan, along with professional wrestler Seth Rollins, climber Emily Harrington, climbing broadcaster Pete Woods, and YouTuber Mark Rober. The stunt has been called one of the highest free solo climbs of an urban structure in the world. Honnold was kind enough to spend some time talking with us about his work and experience climbing the skyscraper, which you can listen to below...

"Game Changer" is an American comedy panel game show on Dropout created and hosted by subscription streaming service CEO Sam Reich, which started in 2019. The show follows three comedians as they participate in a new game each episode, unaware of its premise and rules beforehand. Episodes of "Game Changer" have led to four spinoff shows on Dropout: "Dirty Laundry," "Make Some Noise," "Play It By Ear," and "Crowd Control." The show's eighth season premiered in May 2026 and is contending for Emmy recognition. Reich was kind enough to spend some time talking with us about his work and experience making...

"The Audacity" is an American dark comedy television series created by Jonathan Glatzer for AMC and AMC+. It follows a self-appointed "inventor of the future" tech CEO and his self-serving "performance psychologist,” who are engulfed in a scandal sparked by the exploitation of personal data. The series premiered on April 12th to positive reviews. In March 2026, ahead of the series premiere, the series was renewed for a second season. Creator Jonathan Glatzer and stars Billy Magnussen, Lucy Punch, Paul Adelstein, Simon Helberg, Rob Corddry, Meaghan Rath, Everett Blunck, Thailey Roberge, and Ava Marie Telek were all kind enough to sp...

For Episode 497, I am back from my ten year long overdue vacation and it's an old-school NBP reunion as just Will Mavity joins me to tell you what we feel have been the best films of 2026 so far as we approach the midway point of the year. For this week's poll question, we ask everyone that very question: "Which Is Your Favorite Film From 2026 So Far?" and we reveal the winner of last week's poll question tied to the release of Disney Pixar's "Toy Story 5," where we asked everyone, "Which Is Your Favorite Pixar Film?" We also share our reaction...

For this week's main podcast review, Megan Lachinski, Josh Parham, Dan Bayer, Cody Dericks, and Daniel Howat join me to review and discuss the latest film in the "Toy Story" franchise from Disney Pixar, "Toy Story 5" starring Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Tony Hale, John Ratzenberger, Wallace Shawn, Blake Clark, Annie Potts, Bonnie Hunt, Melissa Villaseñor, Kristen Schaal, Keanu Reeves, Ally Maki, Greta Lee, Conan O’Brien, Craig Robinson, Shelby Rabara, Scarlett Spears, Mykal-Michelle Harris, Matty Matheson, Jeff Bergman, Anna Vocino, John Hopkins, Bad Bunny, Ernie Hudson & Alan Cumming. With Pixar veteran Andrew Stanton sitting in the director...

"Lord Of The Flies" is a television drama series based on the 1954 novel of the same name by William Golding. It is the first-ever television adaptation of the novel. It was developed and written by Emmy Award-winning writer Jack Thorne ("Adolescence"), directed by Marc Munden ("The Sympathizer") for BBC iPlayer and executive produced by Joel Wilson for BBC One in a co-production with Stan. The four-episode series was released in the UK in February, and then Sony Pictures Television confirmed Netflix had acquired the U.S. rights to the series, and it premiered on the streaming platform on May 4...

"Rose Of Nevada" is a 2025 British science fiction drama film written, edited, composed, and directed by Mark Jenkin. Starring George MacKay, Callum Turner, and Francis Magee, the film tells the story of a fishing vessel that was lost at sea 30 years ago and mysteriously reappears in the harbor of a fishing village. The film had its world premiere in the Orizzonti section of the 82nd Venice International Film Festival and received positive reviews for its 16mm cinematography, sound work, performances, and intellectual and haunting concept. Jenkin and MacKay were both kind enough to spend some time talking with us ab...

"The Lowdown" is an American crime comedy drama television series created by Sterlin Harjo for FX. It stars Ethan Hawke and Keith David. The series is set in Tulsa, Oklahoma. It features a man "who knows too much" (loosely inspired by historian Lee Roy Chapman), citizen journalist Lee Raybon (played by Ethan Hawke), a self-proclaimed Tulsa "truthstorian" whose obsession with the truth always lands him in trouble. It also stars Keith David, Kaniehtiio Horn, Ryan Kiera Armstrong, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Macon Blair, Scott Shepherd, Tim Blake Nelson, Tracy Letts, Dale Dickey, Paul Sparks, Peter Dinklage, and more! The series received...

"Beef" is an American comedy-drama anthology television series created by Lee Sung Jin for Netflix. Season 1 starred Steven Yeun and Ali Wong and went on to win eight Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series, and acting wins for Yeun and Wong. At the 81st Golden Globe Awards, it won in all three of its nominated categories, including Best Television Limited Series, Anthology Series, or Motion Picture Made for Television. Season 2 stars Oscar Isaac and Carey Mulligan as Joshua Martín and Lindsay Crane-Martín, and Cailee Spaeny and Charles Melton as Ashley and Austin, two couples; after th...

"Death by Lightning" is an American historical drama miniseries created by Mike Makowsky and based on the 2011 book "Destiny of the Republic" by Candice Millard. It stars Michael Shannon as United States President James A. Garfield and Matthew Macfadyen as his assassin, Charles J. Guiteau. The four-episode series premiered on Netflix on November 6th, 2025, and received widespread acclaim from critics, with particular praise for the performances, writing, and direction, and was named one of the best television programs of the year by the American Film Institute. Creator, Executive Producer, and Writer Mike Makowsky was kind enough to spend some...

"Stranger Things" is an American television series created by the Duffer Brothers for Netflix. The fifth and final season was released in three volumes, including the finale, in November and December 2025. The show combines elements of horror, science fiction, mystery, coming-of-age, and drama. Set in the 1980s, the series centers on the residents of the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana, after a young girl with psychokinetic abilities named Eleven inadvertently creates a wormhole known as the Upside Down at a nearby secretive government research facility, connecting Earth to a hostile realm called the Abyss. The ensemble cast includes Winona...

"Leviticus" is a 2026 Australian supernatural horror film written and directed by Adrian Chiarella, and stars Joe Bird, Stacy Clausen, Jeremy Blewitt, Ewen Leslie, Davida McKenzie, Nicholas Hope, Zamira Newman, and Mia Wasikowska (who is also an executive producer on the film). It follows two gay teenagers who become tormented by a violent supernatural entity, summoned by their homophobic religious community, that takes the form of the person they desire most – each other. The film premiered in the Midnight section of the 2026 Sundance Film Festival and received positive reviews for its concept, performances, atmosphere, and nuance in crafting a queer ho...

"The Death Of Robin Hood" is an American thriller film starring Hugh Jackman as Robin Hood in a dark adaptation of the 17th-century ballad "Robin Hood's Death." It is written and directed by Michael Sarnoski and also stars Jodie Comer, Bill Skarsgård, Murray Bartlett, and Noah Jupe. The film received generally positive reviews from critics for its grim atmosphere, craftsmanship, and Hugh Jackman's powerful performance. Sarnoski was kind enough to spend some time talking with us about his work and experience making the film, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the film, w...

"The Boys" is an American satirical superhero streaming television series developed by Eric Kripke for Amazon Prime Video. Based on the comic book series of the same name by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson, it follows the eponymous team of vigilantes as they combat superpowered individuals, referred to as "Supes," who often abuse their powers for personal gain and work for a powerful company, Vought International, that ensures the general public views them as heroes. The story focuses on Hughie Campbell (Jack Quaid), a young electronics clerk, and Billy Butcher (Karl Urban), a former SAS and CIA operative, who...

"Slow Horses" is a British spy thriller television series based on the Slough House novels by Mick Herron, and adapted for television by the English comedian and writer Will Smith. It follows an MI5 unit that consigns disgraced or failed agents, under the supervision of Jackson Lamb (Gary Oldman). It also stars Jack Lowden, Kristin Scott Thomas, Jonathan Pryce, Saskia Reeves, Rosalind Eleazar, Christopher Chung, and Aimee-Ffion Edwards. The series premiered on Apple TV+ on April 1st, 2022, to highly positive reviews. The first five series have adapted the novels "Slow Horses," "Dead Lions," "Real Tigers," "Spook Street," and "London...

"Shrinking" is an American comedy-drama television series created by Bill Lawrence, Jason Segel, and Brett Goldstein, starring Segel as a grieving therapist who decides to become drastically more involved in his patients' lives. Harrison Ford, Jessica Williams, Christa Miller, Michael Urie, Luke Tennie, Lukita Maxwell, and Ted McGinley also have pivotal roles in the comedy series. The series premiered to positive reviews, with praise for its performances, writing, humor, and examination of grief. The recipient of six Primetime Emmy Award nominations, the third season is looking to increase that, and one way might be through Outstanding Supporting Actor In...

"The Diplomat" is an American political thriller television series created by Debora Cahn. First airing in 2023, it stars Keri Russell as a veteran US diplomat who is unexpectedly appointed as the ambassador to the United Kingdom amid an emerging international crisis. It has aired for three seasons, with a fourth one announced. The drama series has received critical acclaim for its writing, pacing, and performances, particularly those of Keri Russell, Rufus Sewell, and Allison Janney (beginning in season 2). At the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards in 2025, the series was nominated for Outstanding Drama Series. Russell has won an Actor Award...

"Something Very Bad Is Going To Happen" is an American horror television miniseries created by Haley Z. Boston for Netflix. Boston serves as the series's showrunner and is also an executive producer along with the Duffer Brothers. It stars Camila Morrone and Adam DiMarco as Rachel Harkin and Nicholas "Nicky" Cunningham, who are engaged to be married in less than a week at the Cunninghams' secluded home in the snowy woods of Upstate New York. As the wedding day approaches, increasingly chilling revelations of family lore test the couple's relationship. It was released in the spring of 2026, and it...

"Murderbot" is an American science fiction action comedy television series created by Paul Weitz and Chris Weitz for Apple TV. It is based on "All Systems Red," the first book of the series "The Murderbot Diaries" by Martha Wells. The series stars Alexander Skarsgård as the titular character, a media-obsessed private security construct (manufactured from cloned human tissue and mechanical parts), who must hide its newly acquired autonomy while completing dangerous assignments, and is simultaneously drawn to humans and appalled by their weakness. The first season premiered in May, 2025 and received positive reviews. In July 2025, the series was r...

For Episode 496, I am enjoying my first vacation in ten years, so you have Giovanni Lago hosting the night after the New York Knicks won their first NBA Championship in 53 years (sorry, man for making you do this) along with Ema Sasic, Josh Parham, Megan Lachinski, Will Mavity, and Aaron Danielle, as they discuss the end of the 2026 Tribeca Festival, along with the films they saw. They also discuss the recent announcement of this year's honorees for the 2026 Governors Awards. For this week's poll question, for the release of Disney Pixar's "Toy Story 5" this weekend, we're asking everyone: "Which Is Your Favo...

For this week's main podcast review, Cody Dericks, Nadia Dalimonte, Dan Bayer, Giovanni Lago, and Brendan Hodges join me to review and discuss the latest film from the legendary Stephen Spielberg, "Disclosure Day," starring Emily Blunt, Josh O'Connor, Colin Firth, Eve Hewson, Colman Domingo & Wyatt Russell. Returning to live-action science fiction for the first time in over twenty years, Spielberg is no longer asking whether or not aliens exist, but rather how the world would react if they did. The result is a thrilling, emotional, and intellectually rich blockbuster, a rarity in today's cinematic landscape. Is it a reminder of wh...