The Film & TV Newsletter Catalogs
A Substack directory to help with Discovery Problems
Though numerous film and television newsletters exist, especially on Substack, there are few, if any, newsletter directories that feature “film and TV” as a specific category, making it difficult for such publications to be discovered. It doesn’t help that Substack itself tends to list such newsletters under the ‘Culture’ category when one uses the Explore function.
In response to this, I have created a directory of Substack publications that include film, television, and related media criticism. Newsletters are listed in alphabetical order according to the title of the publication. The name of the author(s) appears later, followed by a description below. Click on the name of the newsletter to jump to its webpage.
*I’ve chosen not to list my own publication, as it would be redundant and unnecessary.
The listing will be updated over time, as some publications become inactive, are moved or discontinued, while newer ones are located. If you are an author and wish for your Substack to be added to or removed from this directory, please let me know in the comments.
Please use the bar below or the TOC Bar on the left to jump to a specific catalog.
#-A —— B-C —— D-E —— F —— G-I —— J-L —— M —— N-P —— R —— S —— T —— U-ZCatalog: #-A
150 Word Reviews // John DevoreThoughts on movies, culture, etcetera. Mercifully Short™ + longer essays.
5AM Storytalk // Cole HaddonA place to talk about stories in all their forms, the craft that goes into them, and the role art plays in our lives.
The 90-Minute Movie // Amanda Kusek Reviews, recommendations, and general joy for movies that pack a punch in 90 minutes or less. Throwbacks, newbies, and in between.
A Celebration of Cinema // Oene Kummer Reviews of movies and (the first two episodes of) series.
A Link to the Masses // Josh Link Film, television, and comic book news, analysis, and recommendations.
Ada's Film Depository // Ada Sussman A 19 year old film fan’s account of new releases & classics. Based in Boston.
Ahch-To Baby // Matthew FreemanA newsletter about Star Wars by award-winning playwright Matthew Freeman.
Always Be Watching // Dan BarrettTV industry commentator and critic Dan Barrett curates the must-read stories direct to your inbox every morning, with a bit of analysis nobody asked for.
Animation Obsessive // Animation Obsessive StaffExploring the best in animation from all around the world — part investigation, part treasure hunt.
The Ankler // Richard Rushfield, Janice MinGiving Hollywood the business.
Anthony Reviews // Anthony OleszkiewiczLove Film. Love Life.
Are You Still Watching? // In the Mood MagazineFilm, TV, and pop culture takes from In The Mood Magazine
As Luck Would Have It // Richard LuckALMOST 30 YEARS-WORTH OF DISPATCHES FROM THE FRONT LINE OF POPULAR CULTURE.
Awful Screen // Awful Stack stop watching things.
Catalog: B-C
The Backlot // Keegan SentnerA weekly newsletter sharing experiences, commentary, and knowledge from working in the film industry.
Tim Goodman/Bastard Machine // Tim GoodmanIt's TV+Culture from the former Chief TV Critic of The Hollywood Reporter and The San Francisco Chronicle. Film, books, music, etc. Writing multiple projects.
Beth’s TV & Film Recommendations // Beth LisogorskyI find the good stuff for you. So you don't have to.
Black Film Archive // Maya S. CadeBlack Film Archive is a living register of Black films. In its current iteration, it showcases every* Black made film from 1915 to 1979 currently streaming. This newsletter serves as its blog.
Boy Movies // Allison PicurroGirl talk, boy movies
Buffa’s Buffet // Dan BuffaBaseball and movie commentary, deep dive TV show discussion, random hockey and assorted sports takes, dad humor, and basically unfiltered access to my filthy mind.
Bulwark Goes to Hollywood // Various Sonny Bunch on movies, technology, and understanding the next Hollywood
Cause Cinema // Jon FitzgeraldEntertainment for good - Your guide to the best of socially relevant movies, series, and campaigns. Filmmaking for Change - Develop, produce, and release social impact projects.
Check Book // Blank Check and OthersBlank Check has started a newsletter! The podcast covering directors filmographies hosted by your favorite connoisseurs of context are gonna go on even more tangents and share opinions on even more pieces of entertainment industry news because, why not!
The Chimera // Thomas BarrieA newsletter of high and low culture
Chrisicisms // Chris Williams Film, television, pop culture and more.
CineMancuso // Peter MancusoA film criticism newsletter
Cinemantics // Tyler McQueen, Caleb Boyer, Daniel Mitchell & Graham PiroA newsletter about the magic (and madness) of the movies.
The Classic Film Experience // Mark EndersA discussion about what has made cinema great through exploring the history of key elements - picture palaces, movie posters and the production houses
Coffee, TV & Me // Jim HaltermanJoin this writer and journalist musing about not only TV offerings but also observations about pop culture, travel, cats (yes!) and life along with conversations with creators and artists. Let's grab a coffee (or tea) and see where all this takes us.
Commentary Track // Matt GoldbergA pretty good newsletter about movies, TV, and media.
Commonplace Book // Alissa WilkinsonReflections on culture and living from Alissa Wilkinson, a critic at the New York Times.
Cool People Have Feelings, Too // Maria E. GatesHome of the Weekly Directed By Women Viewing Guide. Here you will find writing about films directed by women, silent cinema, and other esoteric (mostly) film related stuff.
Culture Study // Anne Helen PetersenThink more about the culture that surrounds you
Catalog: D-E
Dad Shows // Liam MatthewsTV for the dad-minded
Daily Movie Question // Chris MannLove movies? Get a daily question tied to current film news. Free subscribers get the weekly newsletter, while paid subscribers access a fan community and daily content. Join us!
Decoding Everything // David ChenA newsletter by David Chen about movies, TV, tech, the media, and being an online creator.
The DEC4 Podcast Companion Newsletter // George FairbrotherNostalgia, cultural history, and a little rock and roll
Deeper Into Movies // Celia Mattisonanswering cinema's unasked questions
The Dillon Empire // Simon DillonFilm Reviews, Short Stories, Essays on Cinema History, and more.
Dinner and a Movie // Jenny HamertonTreat yourself to a star-spangled experience
Do You Know What I Love the Most? // Spencer IrwinOne Man's Relationship with Media (From Quarantine and Beyond)
The Draftland Scene // Darren FranichMovie reviews, film essays, and more cinematic exploration.
Dust On The VCR // Jeremy BurgessConversations on 20th Century Cinema and (Slightly) Beyond
Element X // Steve McFarlaneThe official newsletter of film programmer and writer Steve Macfarlane (℠). Enjoy each new volume for free the first 24 hours after it's published, or sign up for a paid subscription to enjoy the full archive.
Employee Picks // Nick PinkertonMovieshows
Episodic Medium // Myles McNuttReviewing television one episode at a time like it's not going out of style.
Eric Goldman’s Cultured Pop // Eric GoldmanExploring what's exciting, intriguing (and occasionally infuriating) about movies, TV shows, theme parks, toys, and other entertainment.
Exterminating Angles // Estelle ArtusOn films and the film industry.
Catalog: F
Fanfare // Eric PierceAn irreverent celebration of pop culture. Covering movies, TV, and video games. Publishing long form articles, quick reads, and a podcast.
Fandom Exile // Monia AliFandom psychology, ethnography and history. Documenting the consecration and corporate exploitation of fandom, and contextualizing the rise of stans in our cultural ecosystem.
Film Daze // Film Daze StaffA newsletter uplifting the unheard and underrepresented voices of the film community.
The Flim Flam Man // Mat Bradley-TschirgiFilm reviews and interviews Focus on indie and genre fare. Read them now if you dare!
Film Flavor // Via MarshFilm Flavor is a newsletter discussing food, film, food in films, and all things flavorful.
Film Glow // Ian NathanOccasional thoughts on the world of cinema
Film Occasionally // Michael NordineYour friendly neighborhood film critic.
Film Robots // Kristina BudelisInspiration at the intersection of film & AI. Plus an image of a cute baby animal.
Film Yap // Christopher Lloyd Essential movie reviews, commentary and news from Hoosier film critics.
Flick Filosopher // MaryAnn JohansonThoughtful film criticism: feminist, progressive, geeky. I examine movies (and sometimes a bit of TV) as part of the cultural zeitgeist, and help you make sense of it all.
FOCUS! A Reader In Animation History, Theory, and Practice
// David PerlmutterAn occasional series of essays on the art and commerce of animation.
For What It’s Worth Newsletter // T.B. MeekFilm, fiction and forethought
Formerly Dangerous // Drew McWeenyWhat does a movie site look like when you don't want anything from the studios but the movies?
Catalog: G-I
Geekerati Newsletter // Christian LindkeDiscussions of Film, TV, and Games with a dash of Political Science and Statistics from Time to Time.
Gena Radcliffe Watches Things // Gena RadcliffeMovies, TV & pop culture for the modern philistine.
Get Reel with Richard Walter // Richard WalterMusings about film and life from Professor Richard Walter, Former Head of UCLA’s prestigious screenwriting programs
Girl Culture // Caroline SiedeCaroline Siede's newsletter on pop culture, feminism, and all things girly
Gilmore Women // Maggie Mertens and Megan BurbankTwo journalists discuss everything that’s wrong with every episode of “Gilmore Girls” & why we still love it
Good Eye: Movies and Baseball // Noah Gittellmovies, baseball, and also baseball movies
Hitchcock’s Vertigo // Dan AuilerAll about Vertigo and the world of Hitchcock’s cinema
Historians At The Movies // Jason HerbertHistory, film, pop culture, and other shenanigans
Hollywood Heretic // Wade MajorHollywood is broken. Here's where we fix it.
Hope for Film // Ted HopeWe need a vibrant alternative to mainstream culture; a non-dependent cinema ecosystem is that path. Let's build it together and examine what got us in this situation in the first place.
The Hot Button // David PolandAn inside perspective on the Film/TV/Streaming Industry from a 30-year veteran seeker of truth.
Hot Chips // Pranav Maniea monthly deep (AF) dive at the intersection of culture and numbers ($ / % / #)!
HOT PLATE! Print Edition // Karl StraubOur culture is totally fucked! On the other hand, music, books, and movies are pretty good.
Hung Up // Hunter HarrisA newsletter about movies, tv, the celebrity industrial complex, and personal pop culture obsessions. Delivered twice a week to your inbox.
In a panoramic? // Haaniyah Angusjournal entries masquerading as personal essays (+ some culture criticism)
Indulging a Second Look // Dane BenkoExperimental videos, short stories, and essays that tinker with those eldritch phantasms haunting the blind spots of your perception.
Inneresting // John AugustA Quote-Unquote Newsletter about Writing
It’s the Pictures // Max CovillA newsletter for reviews and analysis of movies, television, animation, and more.
Catalog: J-L
Jagger’s Substack // Jagger WatersIdeas, thoughts & meditations on AI, Hollywood and other topics.
The Janitor Diaries // Brandon StreussnigFilm, Action and Anything else that crosses my mind
Joe’s Video Club // Joe CruzAggressively middlebrow capsule reviews of movies, new and old.
Kani Releasing // Pearl ChanFilms with subtitles
The Kino // Atharv GuptaUnsolicited (and superior) opinions about all things movies
La Loma Film Review // Deany ChengSemi-regular dispatches about canonical films and films I wish got more attention, among other things.
Labyrinth of Art // breannaA collection of historical and analytical film essays, and the personal reflections of a cinephile and media savant
Lack of Taste // Alex DidionA Newsletter About Movies For People Who Don't Like Movies
The Last Thing I Saw // Nicolas RapoldWhere good movies are always news! Homebase for The Last Thing I Saw Podcast. Conversations about movies with leading critics and filmmakers. New releases, old favorites, festival highlights, streaming recs.
Le journal d’un critique de trop // Bertrand PechorinCritique cinématographique et littéraire. Outrecuidant.
Less Art // Henry GiardinaFilm criticism for adults
Fiction for the Cosmically Disturbed // Louis MangumMusings from the horror fiction underground by father, author, and weirdo Lucas Mangum.
Letterbox: Bookish & Filmish // Helen WalshAuthor of the novel PULL FOCUS and a screenwriter, I write about Books & Films, festivals, reviews, recommendations, industry news and gossip, plus cultural travel writing and the writing life. For readers, writers, industry folks, and arts aficionados.
Lit Think Podcast // Alicia Drier and Sarah StyffReclaiming literacy through pop culture. Two English teachers utilize literary analysis to talk about pop culture and media.
Lonely Robot Theme // Lonely Robot ThemeA cultural exploration of loneliness.
The Long Take // Jen BankardFilm and television reviews of Star Wars, Marvel, other pop franchises, and Oscar contenders.
Long Voyage Home // Adam Cookmovies
Catalog: M
MacGuffin or Meaning // Alise Chaffins Regular reviews of streaming and theatrical movies, as well as interviews with the folks who make them.
The Magic Lantern // Emina MelonicSeeing Films and Culture in a Different Light
The Making Of // Mike Velinsky"The Making Of" explores the creative pros behind the most innovative films & TV shows in recent history.
Marshall and the Movies // Marshall ShafferMarshall Shaffer talks you through the movies you should watch, twice a week.
Material Ghosts // Justin HortonPersonal essays and longform criticism on film and memory, identity and place, from a former Film Studies academic.
The Matterhorn: intersections of literature & art // Dr. Kathleen Wallerhow to layer stories with ideas, culture, places, and texts ⬩podcast and original fiction from author and academic Dr. Kathleen Waller
Read Max // Max ReadExplaining the weird new future, one newsletter at a time. Subscribe for a twice weekly delivery of internet culture, mega-platform grotesquerie, crypto conspiracies, deep forum lore, fringe politics, and other artifacts of what's to come.
Media Diet // SaraThis is Media Diet, a curated newsletter helping you discover new and old movies, documentaries and TV Shows, independent of streaming platforms and release dates.
The Mendez Movie Report // Luis A. MendezThe Newsletter Of The Mendez Movie Report, Where A Latino Film Critic Addicted To The Storytelling Power Of Cinema Presents His Thoughts On The Latest Movies, Lists His Favorite Classic Films, And Attempts To Predict The Coming Oscars Ceremony.
MIDCENTURY MADNESS! // Don MalcolmRescuing/reviving film ultra-rarities, 1935-1970
Moviegoing with Bill // Bill ArcenauxMovie reviews "that care forgot." Taking a big easy approach to film criticism & commentary.
Movie Industry Musings with Tepper // Kristen TepperIf you're not a nepo baby or from generational wealth but want to be a filmmaker, actor, screenwriter or in the film industry. This is the spot for you. I'll be sharing my journey to becoming a screenwriter along with some best practices I've learned!
Movie Night // Jeff MontagueMovie Night is a free weekly newsletter with a film recommendation that is worth your time this week.
MOVIEPUDDING // Elissa SuhFood and film, and their occasional overlap. Pairings, reviews, recs, and restaurants in nyc. Written by a culture writer and film critic.
MovieStruck // Ivan WebsterMovies and the world surrounding them.
Ms. Movie Magic // Emmy PotterFilm, TV, Feminism, Astrology, Tarot, and more
Catalog: N-P
Noble Fool // Siddharth KhareFor the love of cinema
No Content For Old Men // Matt CraigCutting through the overwhelming content clutter. Curating the best content from around the internet (Tuesdays), plus in-depth movie and streaming recs (Fridays) so you never have to waste time doom-scrolling again!
No One Asked // Kerry Winfreymovies, books, and my other obsessions.
Nostalgia Detective // Louis RabinowitzDedicated to covering the cultural histories, weird backstories and messy industry gossip behind cinema's biggest franchises!
Notes from the 10th Row // Jim FieldsI want to help you discover the movies and music that are often overlooked, undervalued, or just unknown.
Notes on Videographic Criticism // Will DiGravioNews, links, essays, interviews and more.
Obsolete Media // Obsolete Media and Ryan KindahlMaking movies is easy. Except for all the hard stuff. See how we do it!
Omnivorous // Dr. Thomas J. West IIIPop culture commentary and sundry other writings by a recovering academic and self-proclaimed public intellectual.
One Could Argue // d.w.Meditations on what I'm reading and watching. All proceeds currently going to charity. New entries are published approximately whenever I feel like it.
OPEN DOOR FILMS // Andres BenatarFilm's and critical thinking go hand in hand, and more often than we take for granted. I like talking about movies and all the crazy but fascinating ideas they espouse. Hopefully whoever's reading it will get a kick out of the stuff I pull out of my ass.
The Orange Pill Nollywood // Rinzy ReviewsA Nollywood newsletter publication by Rinzy Reviews
The Oscar Project // Jonathan YtrebergI started writing about movies as a personal quest to watch every Oscar nominated film I can find. I now write about Oscar nominated movies of the past and bring you reviews, weekly movie previews, and longform thoughts on film.
PALCinema, Television and Music // Dan PalDan Pal writes reviews and personal stories about film, television, and music. His Top Ten Memoir covers music from every year of his life and the stories he associates with those songs.
Paradox Newsletter // MiguelThe best and worst in pop culture from the perspective of an academic.
Popped // Gareth BradwickSeeing cinema through its history, stories and culture. My exploration into the magic of the silver screen from then to now.
Portrait: The Rough Cuts // Jean Ellen CowgillThe latest across film, TV, and media from Portrait’s community and beyond. Never miss a premiere, festival, funding deadline, or opportunity.
Price Point // Roy PriceThe intersection of Hollywood and Technology by the founder of Amazon Video.
Catalog: R
Radiator Heaven // J.D.Deep dives into film and other pop culture ephemera.
Reading from Top to Bottom // Ursula Munozcultural commentary
Read, Watch, Binge // Luiza B. CamposEach week I explore a different topic and give tips on movies, series, and books related to it. You'll never run out of things to watch and read!
Read, Watch, Write // Karin ManleyRead books, watch movies, write thoughts
The Reel // Alex GogartyI review films and TV, despite being in no way qualified to do so. Some feedback this blog has received: "Surprisingly funny." - my mum. "Not awful." - me.
Reids on Film // Reids on FilmEvery week Callum, Nathan, Theo and Steven take turns in selecting a film, watching it, then submitting it to a masterful critical analysis.
Retrofied’s Substack // RetrofiedRetro nostalgia fans rejoice! ‘Retrofied’ celebrates the pop culture you grew up with with thoughtful essays, articles, and more!
The Reveal // Scott Tobias and Keith PhippsDeeper into movies (and a little TV). Essays, reviews, conversation. Past and present. From the editors of The Dissolve.
Rich Text // Claire Fallon and Emma GreyCultural obsessions from your Internet BFFs Emma and Claire. You can sit with us.
Rough Cuts // Ed WilliamFortnightly(ish) essays about the past, present, and future of MOVIES | Described by Paul Thomas Anderson as "the greatest thing to happen to cinema since Stray Dog." (Probably)
Catalog: S
SatPost // Trung PhanA Saturday email on the latest in tech, business and memes.
Savor the View // Christine MullerCurating big questions raised by smart movies for today's casual intellectual. Savor the view, relish the thought.
The Schmear Hunter // Gabriel FriebergExpert and trustworthy movie and TV recommendations, critiques, and commentary from a vigorous, young critic with deep industry expertise. Always curated. Join us to "Unpack the Hype and Elevate the Unknown."
The Screen // Akos PeterbenczeHighlighting the low-key, forgotten, and overlooked pieces of television and cinema — and sometimes the popular, too.
Scripts and Pieces [PRIVATE] // James Topham A few thoughts jotted down between projects
Serially Engaged: A Blog About Television // John AsplerJohn Aspler is an academic with a focus on media representation, stigma, and disability studies - and an occasional TV Critic! This Substack aims to have broad conversations on TV as a medium, reviewing specific shows as examples. Antifascist. He/him.
SHUT UP EVAN: The Newsletter // Evan Ross KatzAn ad-free space where we can cleanly unpack the messiness of pop culture - from cultural commentator, recovering theater kid and fashion columnist Evan Ross Katz.
Sisterhood Cinema Newsletter // Sisterhood CinemaA DIGITAL HUB FOR WOMEN IN FILM/TV ...
Sounds Good! // Simon SweetmanMusic, Movies, Books...the good stuff! This is also the home now to Off The Tracks - a full archive of 11,000 posts on pop culture
Stat Significant // Daniel ParrisData-centric essays about movies, music, TV, and more.
Streamlined // Liz ShackletonThe global film & streaming content revolution
Catalog: T
That Final Scene // SophieThere's a better way to talk about films. TFS connects cinema to the conversations that matter now. Weekly essays that make you the smartest voice in every dinner party, plus monthly watchlists worth your time.
That Thing They Did // Will HarrisEverybody's got a past. The people who can look back on it with an eye toward the experiences they've accrued and the lessons they've learned... Theirs are the stories that I want to hear.
The Traverse // Travis ClarkTraversing the business of franchises and fandom.
Thirty, Flirty + Film // Zosha Millman and Cate YoungHot takes and cultural criticism in 30 minutes or less.
Seeing Through Film // Thomas FlightSeeing Through Film focuses on cinema as a medium and the craft of filmmaking with a larger lens on exploring our relationship to all visual media.
Thoughts Mostly About Film // Tyler SageAn exploration of why we love movies and art, and a continuing rumination on what those things say about us.
Thoughts on Plots // ShayMovie, TV, and media analyses you can use at dinner parties to woo a potential suitor or shame your less endowed enemies.
Too Much TV Newsletter // Rick EllisYour Daily TV Talking Points. A free daily rundown of all the television and streaming news you need to know today.
the tv scholar newsletter // Michelsafe space for telephiles
TV’s Moral Philosophy // Andrew HeardExploring the moral and ethical concepts involved in bringing TV and other mediums to life.
Catalog: U-Z
Underexposed // Alex Rollins BergUnearthing the hidden gems of cinema, old and new, with filmmaker and erstwhile NYU film teacher Alex Rollins Berg.
Under the Hollywood Sign // Hope AndersonI'm a Los Angeles-based documentary filmmaker who writes about about film, culture, Japan and Hollywood (the place and the industry). Lately I've also been writing about music, art and television. I also write fiction and have recently completed a novel.
Under the Influence // Ray BanksMainlining cinema from 1966-1980.
Unfound Peoples Videotechnic // Graeme ColeRoaming absurdist film school. Micro-essays on the esoterics of filmmaking. Trudging through wastelands of ignorance towards a Cinema of Doubt via Béla Tarr, the Kuchars, Maddin and Deren.
Video Shop // Video ShopEscape the algorithm. Get two film recommendations per week from someone who loves film.
Wolf // Radical EdwardReviewing old things. Emrys the Fool. Short stories.
the way we weren’t // Kira Cookessays about writing, film, acting, motherhood, changing.
WEEKEND FLICKS // Luke HoneyCinema for Grown Ups.
What’s Alan Watching? // Alan SepinwallTV criticism, news, links, and other thoughts from Alan Sepinwall
What’s in a Scene? // Matthew TiltA weekly newsletter exploring some of the best scenes in cinema history. From A to Z, we explore the classics, the cult and the underappreciated gems of film
When Hope Writes // Nadia GerassimenkoI write about a smorgasbord of subjects, always with a dash of hope. If you love reading about humanity, literature, writing, cinema, video games, and other related and unrelated stuff, let's connect.
Women and Hollywood Newsletter // Melissa SilversteinA Comprehensive Guide to Films and TV Opening and Streaming By and About Women
Working title: a newsletter about movies // Saul MaloneI like movies. you like movies. let's talk about movies.
Worth Watching // Scott BryanAn email telling you what is worth watching (and what isn't) in the next week on TV and streaming.
Writing Without Rules: Deep Dives // Jeff SomersFiguring out why stories work using examples from pop culture.
You’ve Got Mail // Erin CarlsonA newsletter about pop culture and film history from the National Bestselling author of "No Crying in Baseball," "I'll Have What She's Having" and "Queen Meryl."
Man, if this post isn't a clear indication that substance needs a film category, I don't know what is.
This is incredibly helpful and thank you so much for including my own!