PODCAST · tv
Almost Classic Movies
by Almost Classic Movies
Welcome to Almost Classic Movies, the podcast where two movie fans talk about movies. From epic adventures like Lord of the Rings to iconic comedies like Wayne's World and Ferris Bueller's Day Off, we explore a blend of almost classics, cult favorites, seasonal gems, and even actual classics. ("Almost Classic Movies" is frankly just a catchy title that riffs off a particular TV program). It's just two friends talking movies—one loves production trivia, while the other enjoys simply watching and soaking in the story. We strive for evergreen content, so you can pick an episode anywhere and dive right in. If you like what you hear, share it with a friend, family member, or maybe even Chris Hemsworth or Ryan Reynolds... That'd be pretty cool. Thanks for listening!
Episodes
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Sinners - Is It Worth The Hype?
Send a text Ryan Coogler’s Sinners might be one of the most layered films of the year — blending 1930s Mississippi blues culture with vampire horror, racial symbolism, and spiritual mythology. In this episode of Almost Classic Movies, Jon and Donald unpack: The film’s bold cultural themes Michael...
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Oscars 2026 Special - Who Wins Best Picture??
Send a text It’s our annual Oscar Predictions episode. Jon and Donald sit down with the full Academy Awards ballot and make real-time picks across every major category — from Best Actor to Best Picture. No prep. No scripts. Just gut instincts, film nerd logic, and a little brother energy. By the...
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The Fast and the Furious (2001): Iconic or Overrated?
Send a text In this episode of Almost Classic Movies, Jon, Don, and Daniel kick off a long-term series exploring the Fast & Furious franchise by revisiting the original The Fast and the Furious (2001). They break down how the film introduced audiences to LA’s underground street racing culture…
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Weathering With You: Love, Sacrifice, and a Very Wet Apocalypse
Send a text What happens when a love story literally rewrites the climate? In this episode of Almost Classic Movies, Jon and Donald dive into Weathering With You, Makoto Shinkai’s visually stunning follow-up to Your Name. The film trades body-swapping whimsy for heavier questions about sacrifice,...
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Ghost In The Shell is still relevant today.
Send a text In this episode of Almost Classic Movies, Jon and Donald take on Ghost in the Shell (1995), one of the most philosophically dense and influential sci-fi films ever made. What begins as a cyberpunk crime story quickly turns into a meditation on identity, consciousness, memory, and what...
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Summer Wars - It's Basically That Old Digimon Movie You Kind of Remember
Send a text In this episode of Almost Classic Movies, Jon, Don, and Daniel dive into the anime film Summer Wars, a surprisingly heartfelt story that blends digital disaster with family drama. What starts as an awkward fake engagement quickly turns into a global crisis when a rogue AI hijacks a...
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Demon Slayer: Mugen Train - The Animation Looks So Good, You Could Lick It
Send a text In this episode of Almost Classic Movies, Jon and Don kick off their annual anime series with a deep dive into Demon Slayer: Mugen Train, the record-breaking anime film that captivated audiences worldwide. They explore the film’s breathtaking animation, powerful emotional moments, and...
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F1 Is Top Gun Maverick on Wheels (And It Actually Works)
Send a text F1 isn’t really a racing movie. It’s a movie about aging, ego, legacy, and what happens when you get one last shot to prove something to yourself. In this episode of Almost Classic Movies, Jon and Donald break down F1, the Brad Pitt–led Formula 1 drama that feels more like Top Gun...
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Air Force One (1997) is The Most Patriotic Action Movie Ever Made?
Send a text What happens when the President of the United States becomes the action hero? In this episode of Almost Classic Movies, we break down Air Force One (1997), the Harrison Ford thriller that defined an entire era of patriotic, high-stakes action films. From Gary Oldman’s operatic villain...
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The Italian Job (2003) is A Fantastic Fast and Furious Movie
Send a text The Italian Job (2003) is often remembered as a slick, early-2000s action movie packed with Mini Coopers and car chases—but there’s more going on under the hood. In this episode of Almost Classic Movies, Jon and Don revisit the film to unpack why it still works as a heist movie, how…
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Why Maverick Is a Perfect Popcorn Western (And Still Works Today)
Send a text Poker in the desert. A riverboat full of con artists. And Mel Gibson at peak charm. In this episode of Almost Classic Movies, Jon and Don revisit Maverick (1994), the self-aware Western comedy starring Mel Gibson, Jodie Foster, and James Garner. What starts as a simple poker…
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The Muppet Christmas Carol: Cozy, Creepy, and Way Deeper Than You Remember
Send a text The Muppet Christmas Carol is often remembered as cozy, musical, and kid-friendly — but beneath the felt and jokes is one of the darker, more faithful adaptations of Dickens’ original story. In this episode of Almost Classic Movies, Jon and Donald revisit the film with fresh eyes,...
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Why the Star Wars Holiday Special Is the Most Infamous TV Event Ever Made
Send a text The Star Wars Holiday Special is infamous for a reason. In this episode of Almost Classic Movies, Jon, Dan, and Donald subject themselves to one of the most baffling television experiments ever broadcast. What was meant to be a festive Star Wars event turned into a surreal variety…
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Is “The Santa Clause” Actually Good? A Deep Dive Into 90s Holiday Cinema
Send a text This week, Jon and Donald unwrap The Santa Clause and everything that makes it a quintessential (and unexpectedly weird) 90s Christmas movie. From Tim Allen’s smooth-brain dad energy to the surprisingly dark early script drafts, the guys break down what still works, what doesn’t, and...
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Home Alone - Is it a Christmas Classic?
Send a text In this festive episode of Almost Classic Movies, Jon and Donald dive into Home Alone — a film both iconic and slightly bewildering when viewed through grown-up eyes. They unpack childhood fears (like sprinting up the basement stairs), booby-trap physics that defy medical reality, the...
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The Wizard of Oz - What's Behind the Curtain?
Send a text This week on Almost Classic Movies, we revisit one of the most iconic films ever made: The Wizard of Oz. Your hosts take a fresh look at the movie’s history, craft, and legacy—without giving away the moments that make it special. In This Episode: Watching The Wizard of Oz today: what...
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Wicked: Oz Lore, Flying Monkey Horror & Glinda’s PR Strategy
Send a text In this episode of Almost Classic Movies, Jon and Donald dive broom-first into Wicked (Part 1) — the movie adaptation based on the Broadway powerhouse musical. They unpack why the film is both visually stunning and emotionally frustrating, discuss questionable choreography ("Camp Rock...
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Is “The Running Man” Still Running in 2025?
Send a text In this episode, Jon, Don, and Editor Dan sit down to revisit The Running Man (1987), Arnold Schwarzenegger’s dystopian game-show-meets-gladiator spectacle that somehow predicted 2017 better than anyone expected. The trio breaks down Arnold’s peak-era one-liners, Richard Dawson’s...
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The Apprentice - The Shocking Trump Story They Tried to Ban!
Send a text In this episode of Almost Classic Movies, Jon and Donald dissect The Apprentice — a provocative biopic tracing Donald Trump’s transformation from ambitious New York builder to cultural icon. With a blend of dark satire and political restraint, the hosts explore how mentorship, ego…
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The Nightmare Before Christmas - Does It Still Hold Up?
Send a text In this Halloween-meets-Christmas episode, Jon and Donald tackle one of the most iconic stop-motion films ever made: The Nightmare Before Christmas. From Jack Skellington’s existential boredom to Oogie Boogie’s degenerate gambling habits, they unpack the film’s twisted charm, timeless...
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Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024) — Does Nostalgia Still Work 36 Years Later?
Send a text Jon and Donald dive headfirst into Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024)—Tim Burton’s long-awaited sequel to the 1988 cult classic. Thirty-six years later, the ghost with the most is back, and the hosts debate whether the chaos, nostalgia, and practical effects deliver a worthy return… or…
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Beetlejuice (1988) - Practical Effects and Pure Chaos
Send a text In this episode of Almost Classic Movies, Jon and Donald kick off spooky season with Tim Burton’s 1988 masterpiece, Beetlejuice. The hosts dive deep into the movie’s strange charm—where the macabre meets the hilarious—and unpack what makes it such a beloved cult classic. They debate...
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Tron: Legacy and the Problem of Style Over Story
Send a text Neon grids, Daft Punk beats, and some questionable CGI Jeff Bridges — this week we dive into Disney’s Tron: Legacy (2010). Jon and Donald are joined again by fan-favorite Editor Dan for a wild ride through the Grid, complete with light cycles, disc battles, and theology that somehow...
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Tron (1982) - Is It Cheating with CGI?
Send a text Grab your light disc and step inside the grid as Jon and Donald revisit Tron (1982)—Disney’s groundbreaking cult classic that fused early CGI with a video-game aesthetic decades ahead of its time. From arcade nostalgia to AI paranoia, this episode explores why Tron still sparks debate...
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Magic Mike XXL Road Trip Chaos
Send a text The Almost Classic Movies crew is back with an oversized episode on Magic Mike XXL. Daniel crashes the show with a surprise beer tasting, a Big Mac challenge, and a lightning round of “Hot Takes” that call out everything from Hamilton to fast food habits. Jon and Donald debate classic...
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Almost Famous: Almost as cult-classic as Spinal Tap?
Send a text Jon and Donald dive into Almost Famous—Cameron Crowe’s semi-autobiographical love letter to 1970s rock journalism. They break down William Miller’s coming-of-age journey, the chaos of touring with a rising band, and the bittersweet lessons behind fame, love, and loyalty. Along the way...
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This Is Spinal Tap! Does it still go to 11?
Send a text In this episode of Almost Classic Movies, Jon and Donald crank the dial all the way up to 11 as they dive into Rob Reiner’s cult classic This Is Spinal Tap. With the long-awaited sequel on the horizon, the duo revisits the original mockumentary to unpack its satire, absurd stage...
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Doctor Sleep: The Shining Sequel We Wanted… or Just Supernatural Fanfiction?
Send a text In this episode of Almost Classic Movies, Jon and Donald dive into Doctor Sleep (2019) — the ambitious sequel to The Shining. They kick things off with a listener comment on their Encanto hot takes, sparking a side discussion about pop music, lyrical depth, and Sabrina Carpenter’s...
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Bonus Episode: Movie Q&A, Comfort Flicks, and Hot Takes
Send a text In this bonus episode of Almost Classic Movies, Jon and Donald step away from their usual film deep dives for a candid Q&A mailbag session. From favorite comfort movies to hot takes on overrated films, this episode is packed with laughter, nostalgia, and some surprisingly heartfelt...
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The Shining - Hidden Ties to CIA Mind Control Experiments?
Send a text In this episode of Almost Classic Movies, Jon and Donald dive deep into Stanley Kubrick’s chilling masterpiece, The Shining. From Danny’s eerie “redrum” visions to Jack Nicholson’s descent into madness, the hosts unpack why this film blurs the line between psychological thriller and...
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Encanto… Let’s Talk About Bruno
Send a text In this episode of Almost Classic Movies, Jon and Donald wrap up their run of under-the-radar Disney films with a deep dive into Encanto. From catchy songs (and some not-so-catchy ones) to messy world-building, they unpack what works, what confuses them, and why Bruno might just be…
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A Goofy Movie!.... Is Basically The Odyssey?
Send a text Is A Goofy Movie secretly Disney’s version of The Odyssey? Jon and Donald say yes—if Odysseus wore overalls, danced on stage with a pop star, and bonded with his awkward teen son over fishing and Bigfoot. In this episode of Almost Classic Movies, the guys break down one of Disney’s…
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Treasure Planet and the Cost of Being Ahead of Its Time
Send a text Get ready to set sail through space with Jon and Donald as they dive into Disney’s Treasure Planet—a bold, visually stunning reimagining of Treasure Island that’s equal parts nostalgia and sci-fi adventure. In this episode, the guys: 🚀 Debate if Treasure Planet deserves its…
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The Emperor’s New Groove: Underrated Genius or Just Goofy Fun?
Send a text This week on Almost Classic Movies, Jon and Donald kick off a Disney animation run with a cult favorite: The Emperor’s New Groove. Is it an underrated gem or just nostalgic nonsense? The guys revisit their favorite scenes, iconic one-liners, and chaotic production history—including…
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Fantastic Four (2015): Is it really that bad?
Send a text In this episode of Almost Classic Movies, Jon and Donald hold their noses and dive into the critically-panned 2015 reboot of Fantastic Four, better known (and memed) as Fan4stic. From questionable casting choices and a gloomy tone to studio meddling and naked rock monsters, the duo...
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Superman (2025) - An ACM Instant Movie Reaction
Send a text Donald and Jon share their immediate reactions to James Gunn's new Superman movie! Fresh from the theater, they discuss David Corenswet's performance, the film's comic book accuracy, and whether this Superman can launch the new DCU like Iron Man launched the MCU. Key Topics Superman...
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Hot Rod: Mopeds in Pools and Footloose Rage Dances
Send a text In this hilarious episode of Almost Classic Movies, Jern and Dern return to their roots by diving into the absurd and endlessly quotable world of Hot Rod (2007), a cult favorite produced by Lorne Michaels and starring Andy Samberg, Isla Fisher, Bill Hader, and Danny McBride. 🔥 From...
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Justice League: Two Directors, One Mess
Send a text Movie: Justice League (2017) Hosts: Jon & Donald Runtime: 54m Rating: 6/10 (With a Side of Sadness) 🎧 Summary In this episode of Almost Classic Movies, Jon and Donald unpack Justice League (the 2017 theatrical release, not the Snyder Cut) and try to make sense of what happens when…
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Batman v Superman: Martha, Please.
Send a text Movie: Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) Hosts: Jon & Donald Runtime: 1h 7m Rating: 5/10 (High Five) 🎧 Summary In this episode of Almost Classic Movies, Jon and Donald suit up for a deep (and occasionally derailed) dive into Zack Snyder’s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice....
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Emo Superman: Man of Steel Revisited
Send a text In this episode of Almost Classic Movies, Jon and Donald suit up for a deep dive into Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel—aka “Emo Superman Begins.” It’s moody, it’s broody, and it just might be misunderstood. 💥 Expect a hilarious and surprisingly thoughtful breakdown of: Why Superman in this...
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Magic Mike – Bumps, Banter, and Brooding Dreams
Send a text In this steamy, chaotic, and surprisingly heartfelt episode of Almost Classic Movies, Jon and Donald are joined by returning guest Dan (whose first appearance was lost to the editing abyss) to unpack Magic Mike (2012), the Soderbergh film that’s more than just abs and glitter. What...
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Undercover Blues — Clarinet Crimes, Oyster Fights, and CIA Baby Duty
Send a text This week, Jon & Donald go undercover with Undercover Blues (1993), a spy-comedy starring Dennis Quaid, Kathleen Turner, and a scene-stealing Stanley Tucci as the world’s most persistent mugger. Donald shares why this is one of his lifelong comfort movies—just in time for Jon’s own...
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How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World - Where's the 3??
Send a text It’s the end of an era—Jon and Donald are saying goodbye to How to Train Your Dragon with the final film in the trilogy: The Hidden World. And just like Toothless, the pod is going out with a glow-up and a few tears. This week, they dive deep into the bittersweet farewell of Hiccup…
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How to Train Your Dragon 2: Goobers and Alpha Dragons
Send a text Welcome to another episode of Almost Classic Movies, where Jon and Donald are diving into the next chapter of their How to Train Your Dragon series—with a side of chaotic intros and cat-like dragons. This week, it's How to Train Your Dragon 2 (aka Episode 35 of the pod), and things…
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How to Train Your Dragon: Why This Movie Earned Its Legacy
Send a text Welcome back to Almost Classic Movies with Jon and Donald! In this episode, the guys take to the skies with the 2010 animated hit How to Train Your Dragon—and things get personal fast. From Viking dad issues to dragon-sized feels, they unpack why this film hits harder than your…
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Austin Powers in Goldmember: Daddy Issues, Disco & Dutch Villains
Send a text Welcome back to Almost Classic Movies — where Jon and Donald dissect not-quite-classics with just enough seriousness to pretend we know what we’re doing. This week, we time-travel straight into the chaotic, shiny roller-disco that is Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002). From centered...
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Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me
Send a text Welcome back to Almost Classic Movies, where Jern and Dern dive into groovy throwbacks, questionable fashion choices, and highly quotable comedy gold. This week: Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me. In this episode: Austin loses his “mojo” (yes, it’s a real plot point), teams up…
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Austin Powers: Yeah Baby, Yeah! (Austin Powers)
Send a text In this groovy episode of Almost Classic Movies, Jon and Donald travel back to the shagadelic '60s and swing into the chaotic, mojo-fueled world of Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery. It's a cinematic time capsule stuffed with fembots, volcano lairs, and oddly satisfying…
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Nacho Libre: Stretchy Pants, Celibacy Vows, and Jack Black's Finest?
Send a text Welcome back to Almost Classic Movies, where we’re almost as classic as a half-hearted love letter written in stretchy pants. In this week’s episode, Jon and Donald tag-team their way through the wild, weird, and weirdly quotable world of Nacho Libre. They break down why this...
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The Blues Brothers: We Are On A Mission
Send a text This week, Jon and Donald are back with sunglasses, car crashes, and possibly a small arsenal of musical legends as they take on The Blues Brothers (1980). What starts as a noble quest to save an orphanage quickly spirals into 106 (alleged) crimes, 103 destroyed cars, and one…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Welcome to Almost Classic Movies, the podcast where two movie fans talk about movies. From epic adventures like Lord of the Rings to iconic comedies like Wayne's World and Ferris Bueller's Day Off, we explore a blend of almost classics, cult favorites, seasonal gems, and even actual classics. ("Almost Classic Movies" is frankly just a catchy title that riffs off a particular TV program).
It's just two friends talking movies—one loves production trivia, while the other enjoys simply watching and soaking in the story. We strive for evergreen content, so you can pick an episode anywhere and dive right in. If you like what you hear, share it with a friend, family member, or maybe even Chris Hemsworth or Ryan Reynolds... That'd be pretty cool.
Thanks for listening!
HOSTED BY
Almost Classic Movies
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Almost Classic Movies have?
Almost Classic Movies currently has 79 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Almost Classic Movies about?
Welcome to Almost Classic Movies, the podcast where two movie fans talk about movies. From epic adventures like Lord of the Rings to iconic comedies like Wayne's World and Ferris Bueller's Day Off, we explore a blend of almost classics, cult favorites, seasonal gems, and even actual classics....
How often does Almost Classic Movies release new episodes?
Almost Classic Movies has 79 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Almost Classic Movies?
You can listen to Almost Classic Movies on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Almost Classic Movies?
Almost Classic Movies is created and hosted by Almost Classic Movies.
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