The Big Picture - The Ringer

Latest Episodes:

The 2026 Academy Awards: ‘One Battle After Another’ Earns More Than a Few Small Oscars Mar 16, 2026

Show notes

Sean and Amanda instantly react to the 98th Academy Awards and share their main takeaways from Hollywood’s biggest night. They make the case for why these Oscars and the Best Picture win for ‘One Battle After Another’ were for “the movie nerds,” break down Michael B. Jordan’s incredible speech for his Best Actor win, and talk through their mixed feelings about the telecast itself.

Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

Producers: Jack Sanders, Chris Wohlers, and Kevin Cureghian

Production Support: Lucas Cavanagh

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Our Final 2026 Oscar Predictions: Who Will Win, and Who Should Win Mar 12, 2026

Show notes

We’re getting close to the finish line! On today’s show, Sean and Amanda give their official picks for the 98th Academy Awards. Before diving in, they react to the new trailer for Steven Spielberg’s upcoming blockbuster, ‘Disclosure Day,’ starring Josh O’Connor and Emily Blunt (2:11). Then, they discuss what their expectations are for the Oscars broadcast (9:36) and break down who they think will win, and should win every award (19:12).

Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

Producers: Jack Sanders

Production Support: Lucas Cavanagh

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The "Anything But Oscars" Mailbag! Plus: ‘Hoppers’ Mar 09, 2026

Show notes

Sean and Amanda open up the mailbag and answer your "Anything But Oscars” questions! Before diving in, they cover a handful of movie news headlines, including a big opening weekend box office for ‘Hoppers,' two of the final Oscars precursors with the WGA and the ASC awards, and the news that Christopher McQuarrie is directing a new ‘Conan the Barbarian’ movie for 20th Century Studios (1:37). Next, they open the mailbag and answer whether or not Bob Ferguson is into physical media, highlight some 2026 titles they hope to see premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, and share the most memorable movie theater experiences of their lives (17:51). Finally, they cover Pixar’s new animated movie, ‘Hoppers,’ and break down why they were ultimately mixed-positive on Daniel Chong’s new film (1:47:14).

Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

Producers: Jack Sanders, Chris Wohlers, and Kevin Cureghian

Production Support: Lucas Cavanagh

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The 10 Wildest Reboots in Movie History and ‘The Bride!’ Plus: A ‘Secret Agent’ Second Look and the Best Doc Contenders. Mar 06, 2026

Show notes

On today’s show, Sean and Amanda break down Maggie Gyllenhaal's fascinating new movie, ‘The Bride!,’ starring Jessie Buckley and Christian Bale. They commend the film for its ambition and vision, highlight some of its utterly confounding fatal flaws, and debate the value of projects that reimagine old source material with modern ideas and context (4:17). Next, they make a list of their favorite reimaginings and reboots of all time (42:51). Then, they revisit Kleber Mendonca Filho’s ‘The Secret Agent,’ starring Wagner Moura. They explore why they found a rewatch of the movie to be incredibly rewarding, celebrate its singularity, and explain how Moura’s towering performance centers the entire story for the audience (54:53). Finally, they cover the Oscar-nominated films for Best Documentary this year and critique the current state of the voting branch and what types of movies it rewards (1:29:26).

Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

Producer: Jack Sanders

Production Support: Lucas Cavanagh

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The 2026 Alternative Oscars, a.k.a. the 6th Annual Big Picks! Plus: The Craziest Awards Season in Years. Mar 03, 2026

Show notes

Sean and Amanda are joined by friend of the pod Wesley Morris for a very special episode! First, they react to the news that Paramount has won the bidding war for Warner Bros. and have an extensive conversation on the long-term ramifications for the industry (4:46). Next, they recap three recent awards shows with the ACE Awards, the PGAs, and the Actor Awards, and dissect what it means for the two-horse Best Picture race between ‘One Battle After Another’ and ‘Sinners’ (35:47). Lastly, they kick off their sixth annual Alternative Oscar awards (a.k.a. the Big Picks), in which they award alternative nominees and winners for the major Oscar categories, as well as some additional homemade categories which they believe should exist at the Academy Awards (1:30:00).

Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

Guest: Wesley Morris

Producer: Jack Sanders

Production Support: Lucas Cavanagh

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Paramount Wins Warner Bros. Now What? Plus: ‘Scream 7,’ Heat 2,’ and ‘Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie’ With Matt Johnson! Feb 27, 2026

Show notes

On today’s action-packed episode, Sean first reacts to Netflix backing out of the bidding for Warner Brothers—clearing the path for a merger with Paramount (2:01). Next, he is joined by Chris Ryan to react to Christian Bale and Leonardo DiCaprio’s casting in Michael Mann’s ‘Heat 2’ and give a general temperature check on the movie (6:36). Then, they cover ‘Scream 7’ and preface the conversation by discussing the rumored controversy behind the shuffling cast (16:17) before diving fully into spoilers and exploring the myriad of reasons why they found the film to be deeply unsuccessful (21:57). Later, Sean is joined by Amanda Dobbins and Adam Nayman to discuss one of their favorite movies of the year so far: Matt Johnson’s ‘Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie.’ They talk through why the movie is so hysterical, how its sincerity makes the movie feel moving, and why it became an instant cult classic (49:10). Finally, Sean is joined by Johnson to discuss why he felt he needed to make this movie right now, how having no knowledge of the original series actually makes the movie better, and what he’s doing next with ‘Nirvanna the Band the Show’ Season 3, as well as his Anthony Bourdain biopic ‘Tony,’ starring Dominic Sessa (1:18:45).

Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

Guests: Matt Johnson, Adam Nayman, and Chris Ryan

Producer: Jack Sanders

Production Support: Lucas Cavanagh

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The Final Best Picture Power Rankings and a ‘Sinners’ Second Look With Autumn Durald Arkapaw! Feb 24, 2026

Show notes

Sean and Amanda open today’s jam-packed show by covering the results of the BAFTA Awards and highlighting some key takeaways, including Sean Penn's and Wunmi Mosaku’s wins (2:30). Then, they discuss a new release, ‘How to Make a Killing,’ starring Glen Powell, and work through why the movie was dumped (and then bombed) and why they found it to be pretty solid (14:47). Next, they take a second look at ‘Sinners’ and revisit all of the things that make it so special, including the magical moviemaking, its sharp understanding and rendering of sex and desire, and its brilliant use of music (25:32). Later, they update their Best Picture Power Rankings (1:06:37). Finally, Sean is joined by Academy Award–nominated cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw to nerd out and get into the nitty-gritty of aspect ratios and anamorphic glass, discuss where ‘Sinners’ fits into her career at large, and explain why she enjoys shooting difficult scenes that require problem-solving (1:29:58).

Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

Guest: Autumn Durald Arkapaw

Producer: Jack Sanders

Production Support: Lucas Cavanagh

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Garbage Crime Returns! The Post-‘Heat’ Movie Awards and ‘Crime 101’ With Bart Layton! Feb 20, 2026

Show notes

Sean is joined by Chris Ryan to talk garbage crime and the litany of films that have been influenced by the likes of 'Heat'. They also discuss the life and career of Robert Duvall and his major influence in post-1960s Hollywood. They also talk about the bidding war for Warner Bros. Later, Sean is joined by filmmaker Bart Layton, director of 'Crime 101,' to discuss his influences and inspirations for the film.

HOST: Sean Fennessey

GUESTS: Chris Ryan and Bart Layton

PRODUCERS: Jack Sanders and Steve Ahlman

Production Support: Lucas Cavanagh

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The Oscars Snubs Draft. Plus: ‘Sirāt’! Feb 16, 2026

Show notes

We’re drafting again! Sean and Amanda are joined by Chris Ryan, Joanna Robisnon, and The Ankler’s Katey Rich to right the Academy’s wrongs by drafting the biggest Oscars snubs of all time. Before diving in though, they briefly cover this year’s Best Picture race (2:00). Then, they introduce the new categories and rules for this format and draft (12:33). Next, Sean and Amanda briefly cover Óliver Laxe’s ‘Sirāt’ and talk through its deeply affective emotional provocation (2:06:21). Finally, Sean is joined by Laxe to explain why he feels like the audience dies while watching his film, how he experienced rave culture before portraying it on screen, and why creating transformative images that evoke feeling is the most crucial aspect of cinema (2:16:16).

Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

Guests: Óliver Laxe, Chris Ryan, Joanna Robinson, and Katey Rich

Producer: Jack Sanders

Production Support: Lucas Cavanagh

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The Heaving ‘Wuthering Heights’ and the Throbbing ‘Pillion’: A Very Horny Valentine's Day Double Feature Feb 13, 2026

Show notes

Sean and Amanda are joined by Sam Sanders from the Sam Sanders Show to break down two new horny and thorny releases. They begin the show with an extensive and fascinating conversation about Emerald Fennell’s ‘Wuthering Heights,’ starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi (2:22). They explain why they found her provocation unsuccessful, why Robbie and Elordi were miscast in their roles, and how the film doesn’t look nearly as good as it should. Then, they discuss Harry Lighton’s delightful debut feature, ‘Pillion,’ starring Alexander Skarsgård and Harry Melling, which they all absolutely adored (1:02:13). Finally, Sean is joined by Lighton to discuss how he approached adapting the original source material for the film, why he purposefully avoided classic biker and leather films as inspiration, and how he coordinates intimacy on screen (1:23:33).

Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

Guests: Harry Lighton and Sam Sanders

Producer: Jack Sanders

Production Support: Lucas Cavanagh

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