The Big Picture - The Ringer

Latest Episodes:

Five Burning Questions About Awards Season, and Our Golden Globes Predictions. Plus: The Ingenious ‘No Other Choice,’ with Park Chan-wook! Jan 08, 2026

Show notes

In anticipation of the Golden Globes, Sean and Amanda start the show by answering five burning questions about this awards season (1:05) before sharing their personal predictions for the Golden Globes (26:56). Then, they discuss Park Chan-wook’s ‘No Other Choice’, a clever and class-conscious black comedy, which they both absolutely loved (1:11:07). Finally, Sean is joined by director Park to break down what attracted him to the source material and why there was an incredible amount of intentionality behind every decision (1:33:25).

Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

Guests: Park Chan-wook and Jiwon Lee

Producer: Jack Sanders

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The 26 Most Anticipated Movies of 2026 Jan 06, 2026

Show notes

Sean and Amanda kick off the New Year by counting down their 26 most anticipated movies of 2026. But before diving in, they do a major run-through of all the things they missed over the holiday break, including a recap of their time off (0:38), box office totals (12:05), and awards (20:36). Then, they dive into their list (46:39).

Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

Producer: Jack Sanders

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The 25 for ’25 Selection Show Special Jan 02, 2026

Show notes

In a prerecorded taping from March of 2025, Sean and Amanda peel back the curtain to let you in as they finalize their 25 best movies of the 21st century list in real time, during what Amanda calls "a two-hour, weird psychological exercise that also could have been an email (and was).”

Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

Guest: Bobby Wagner

Producers: Jack Sanders and Chia Hao Tat

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The 25 Best Movies of the Century: No. 1 - 'The Social Network’ Dec 31, 2025

Show notes

Sean and Amanda return to continue their yearlong project of listing the 25 best movies of the 21st century so far. Today, they discuss David Fincher’s ‘The Social Network,’ the era defining study of the Internet. They make the claim that this is their generation’s ‘Citizen Kane,’ explain why it is a comfort movie about everything that is horrible, and crown Jesse Eisenberg for delivering one of the defining performances of the century.

Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

Producers: Jack Sanders and Jacob Cornett

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F---, Marry, Kill at the Movies: ‘The Housemaid,’ ‘Song Sung Blue,’ and ‘Anaconda’ Dec 29, 2025

Show notes

Sean and Amanda have an action-packed show today where they cover three new releases. Before diving in, they react to the recent trailers for ‘The Odyssey’ and ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ and quickly discuss ‘Zootopia 2’ and ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ (1:38). Then, they discuss Paul Feig’s ‘The Housemaid,’ starring Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried, which they found disappointing and prompts a discussion about what type of movies are being made for women in 2025 (9:09). Next, they talk through ‘Anaconda,’ starring Jack Black, which they describe as a cynical, depressing exercise in IP franchise filmmaking (38:37). Finally, they briefly touch on ‘Song Sung Blue,’ a musical drama about a Neil Diamond tribute band starring Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson (50:00), before director Craig Brewer joins Sean to break down how his filmmaking career started, explain why music plays such a profound role in his work, and tell a fascinating story about the lengthy process behind casting Hudson (1:01:35).

Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

Guest: Craig Brewer

Producers: Jack Sanders and Jacob Cornett

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The 25 Best Movies of the Century: No. 2 - 'There Will Be Blood’ Dec 26, 2025

Show notes

Sean and Amanda return to continue their yearlong project of listing the 25 best movies of the 21st century so far. Today, they discuss Paul Thomas Anderson’s ‘There Will Be Blood,’ one of greatest portraits of greed and ambition ever made. They discuss why this was the official “PTA” selection for their list, why Daniel Day-Lewis delivers the greatest performance of the century, then they reflect on the film's defeat across the board to ‘No Country For Old Men’ at the 2008 Academy Awards.

Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

Producers: Jack Sanders and Chris Thomas

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‘Marty Supreme’ Is the Moment, With Josh Safdie! Dec 24, 2025

Show notes

Sean and Amanda dream big on today’s show because they’re breaking down one of their most anticipated movies of the year with Josh Safdie’s ‘Marty Supreme,’ starring Timothée Chalamet. They make the case for why it’s one of the best movies of the year, celebrate its relentless and propulsive filmmaking style, and highlight their favorite individual scenes from the movie (1:31). Then, Sean is joined by Safdie to discuss the intense pressure he faced following the success of ‘Uncut Gems,’ why Chalamet’s personal ambition and drive made him perfect for the lead role of Marty, and work through whether or not this is a “chapter closing” type of movie for Safdie as a director (1:00:26).

Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

Guest: Josh Safdie

Producers: Jack Sanders and Jacob Cornett

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The Top 10 Underseen and Overlooked Movies of 2025. Plus: ‘Is This Thing On?,’ ‘Ella McCay,’ and Why We Can’t Have Nice Things. Dec 22, 2025

Show notes

Sean and Amanda kick off the show by reacting to the brief teaser released for Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s ‘Digger’ starring Tom Cruise (1:08). They then cover two new releases that they found absolutely baffling in Bradley Cooper’s ‘Is This Thing On?’ (4:17) and James L. Brooks’ ‘Ella McCay’ (23:17). Finally, they share their top ten most underseen and overlooked movies of the year (45:01).

Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

Producers: Jack Sanders and Jacob Cornett

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‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ Burns Bright Before Flaming Out. Plus: Best Picture Power Rankings and the Oscar Short Lists! Dec 19, 2025

Show notes

Sean and Amanda start the show by reacting to the news that the Oscars broadcast will move to YouTube in 2029, and debate whether or not it’s a good move (1:48). Then, they react to the new trailer for Steven Spielberg’s science fiction film, ‘Disclosure Day’ starring Josh O’Connor and Emily Blunt (12:46). Next, they dive into one of the year’s most anticipated films with James Cameron’s blockbuster sequel ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’. They celebrate its breathtaking action set pieces, criticize its slow pacing, which they felt dragged the movie down, and explain why it’s a real “you’re mileage may vary” type of movie (15:36). Finally, they cover the Oscars short list (43:45) and take stock of what’s rising and falling, before building their final Best Picture Power Rankings of 2025 (1:00:38).

Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

Producers: Jack Sanders and Chris Thomas

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The 2022 Movie Draft Dec 17, 2025

Show notes

We’re drafting again! Sean and Amanda are joined by Chris Ryan to discuss who they were in 2022 and draft the best movies from that year.

Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

Guest: Chris Ryan

Producer: Jack Sanders

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