Tag: curated

8 Must-Listen Podcast Episodes to Fuel This Summer’s Blockbuster Hype

There’s still plenty of summer left to soak up—and time to catch its hottest flicks. This year, blockbuster season is alive with remakes, superhero sagas, and everything in between. But what about the conversations happening beyond the big screen?

That’s where Spotify’s Summer at the Movies” shelf comes in—a curated selection of podcast episodes offering unparalleled insights, spirited debates, and exclusive peeks into the films everyone’s talking about. Handpicked by Spotify’s podcast editors, these episodes are your essential companion for diving deeper into the biggest releases from summer 2025.

“These episodes perfectly capture the spirit, scale, and spectacle of a summer blockbuster,” said Podcast Editorial & Audience Development Manager Destinee Harrison, “whether it’s diving into nostalgic favorites like Lilo & Stitch and Superman, unpacking the buzz around K-Pop Demon Hunters, or hearing directly from the minds behind some of the season’s most anticipated releases, like Weapons.”

8 essential podcast episodes for your summer at the movies

Podcast: Pop Culture Happy Hour
Episode: “Lilo & Stitch”

The hosts of Pop Culture Happy Hour break down the (mostly) live-action Lilo & Stitch, exploring how this adaptation honors the original while bringing new depth to its themes of family and belonging.

Podcast: House of R
Episode: “The ‘Superman’ Deep Dive”

Mallory Rubin, Van Lathan, and Sean Fennessey share their unfiltered thoughts on Superman, dissecting James Gunn’s ambitious vision for the iconic hero. From David Corenswet’s acting to the film’s rich thematic layers, no stone is left unturned.

Podcast: Otaku’s Anonymous
Episode: “K-Pop Demon Hunters Is The Best Movie Of The Year?? – Otakus Anonymous Episode #120”

According to the hosts of Otaku’s Anonymous, K-Pop Demon Hunters has proven to be far more captivating than anticipated. Get an earful as they break down the film’s unique blend of K-Pop aesthetics and demon-hunting action.

Podcast: Raiders Of The Lost Podcast
Episode: “F1 THE MOVIE”

The roar of engines echoed through cinemas as F1 The Movie sped onto screens, dominating the global box office. Raiders Of The Lost Podcast takes listeners behind the scenes, from custom-built cars to groundbreaking camera rigs.

Podcast: The Ringer-Verse | The Midnight Boys
Episode: “‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ Instant Reactions | The Midnight Boys”

The Midnight Boys dedicate an entire episode to The Fantastic Four: First Steps, sharing instant reactions, fresh takes, and comic book context for Marvel’s iconic first family.

Podcast: The Weekly Planet
Episode: “582 Jurassic World Rebirth”

The dinosaurs are back! The Weekly Planet reviews Jurassic World Rebirth and rounds up more big movie news, from speculation about Paul Walker’s character returning for Fast & Furious: The Next One to rumors of an Indiana Jones reboot.

Podcast: The Next Best Picture Podcast
Episode: “Interview with ‘Weapons’ Filmmaker Zach Cregger”

Barbarian writer-director Zach Cregger returns to terrify audiences with his new horror film, Weapons. In an exclusive interview with Next Big Picture, he unpacks the creative process behind the film, which brings together an all-star cast for a shocking premise.

Podcast: RealTok Podcast
Episode: “How to Train Your Dragon & Materialists Review | Ep. 145”

The RealTok hosts soar into the new live-action How to Train Your Dragon and review Celine Song’s Materialists.

Stream the full selection on Spotify.

Spotify’s Editors Pick Their Best Podcasts of the Year (So Far)

Spotify’s podcast editorial team is always on the hunt for shows and episodes that spark conversation, push boundaries, and keep us coming back for more. As 2025 hits its halfway mark, our editors have curated their picks for the year’s standout podcasts so far—spanning celebrity-driven interviews, deep-dive investigations, true crime, comedy, and the best in film and TV commentary.

“It would be impossible to overlook all the famous faces on our ‘Best New Podcasts of 2025 (So Far)’ list. From Michelle Obama’s heartfelt real talk on IMO to Amy Poehler’s star-studded hangouts (did we mention Kylie Kelce and the Living Single ladies also made the cut?), shows hosted by megawatt talent have definitely stepped up their game this year,” said Rachel Selvin, Editorial and Audience Development Manager, Spotify. “But even with all the buzz around viral celebrity moments, the old rules of podcasting still hold true: A great investigation usually equals a great show. That’s why half of our picks focus on a single issue, unspooling it in all its complexity through a compassionate lens.”

From breakout new series to unforgettable episodes, here’s what topped our editors’ lists for 2025 (so far):

Best New Podcasts of 2025 (So Far)

Best Episodes of 2025 (So Far)

Best True Crime of 2025 (So Far)

Funniest Episodes of 2025 (So Far)

Best Movies of 2025 (So Far)

Best TV of 2025 (So Far)

Explore the Best of the Year (So Far) hub on Spotify to find your next favorite show or episode.