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Film Stories with Simon Brew

Simon Brew
Hollywood
Film Stories
Marvel
James Bond
Disney
Warner Bros.
Sony
Film Production
Quentin Tarantino
Film Industry
Cinema
Filmmaking
Tom Cruise
Clint Eastwood
Warner Bros
Robert De Niro
Warner Brothers
Christopher Nolan
Robin Williams
Star Trek Beyond

Film Stories with Simon Brew is a podcast that looks to dig into the stories behind popular movies.From troubled productions, to rights issues, to difficulties with release to films nearly falling apart, the podcast will be looking at the stories that don't always seem apparent when watching a movie! The podcast is hosted by Simon Brew, the founder of Den Of Geek. Support the podcast at www.patreo... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes466Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
TV & FilmFilm History

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Artwork for Film Stories

Latest Episodes

Alicia MacDonald first feature film as director, Finding Emily, turns out to be a Working Title-backed romantic comedy, the kind that used to fill British cinema charts. Albeit with a twist!

In this Film Stories special, she talks to Simon Brew abou... more

Director Thea Sharrock is the guest for this special edition of the Film Stories podcast. She joins Simon to chat about her new film, Ladies First, which stars Rosamund Pike and Sacha Baron Cohen.

Plus! There's time too for conversation about Wicked... more

Steven Spielberg's 1991 movie Hook was supposed to be his perfect project. The director compared to Peter Pan, making the story of Peter Pan never growing up? What could go wrong?

Well, plenty. In this episode of Film Stories, Simon Brew charts the ... more

After 1991's Terminator 2: Judgment Day, James Cameron's interest in making a third Terminator movie seemed to wane. However, that didn't stop others trying to take things forward.

And whilst Arnold Schwarzenegger would, for many years, insist that ... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

David Frankel
Director of The Devil Wears Prada 2 (interview subject)
Director
Episode: Contact (1997) and how it nearly fell apart, plus David Frankel on The Devil Wears Prada 2
David Mackenzie
Director of Fuze, Relay, Hell Or High Water, Starred Up
Director
Episode: In conversation with David Mackenzie | Fuze, Relay, Hell Or High Water, Starred Up, AI and more
Matt Bettinelli-Olpin
Director, Radio Silence
Radio Silence
Episode: In conversation with Radio Silence - Ready Or Not 2, Sega Dreamcast, Samara Weaving and more
Tyler Gillett
Director, Radio Silence
Radio Silence
Episode: In conversation with Radio Silence - Ready Or Not 2, Sega Dreamcast, Samara Weaving and more
Christopher Miller
Writer/Director (guest)
Miller Lord/production collaborations
Episode: In conversation with Christopher Miller and Phil Lord | Project Hail Mary, Rocky IV, Geostorm 2 and more
Phil Lord
Writer/Director (guest)
Miller Lord/production collaborations
Episode: In conversation with Christopher Miller and Phil Lord | Project Hail Mary, Rocky IV, Geostorm 2 and more
Drew Goddard
Writer and director discussed in interview
Screenwriter and director
Episode: In conversation with Drew Goddard | A very nerdy film chat
Andrew Stanton
Director, In The Blink Of An Eye
Disney+ streaming era film projects
Episode: Kevin Costner's Horizon project and where it's up to, plus Andrew Stanton
Kevin Goetz
Author and integral figure in film audience testing.
Screen Engine
Episode: What on earth is film 'testing'? | A podcast special, with Kevin Goetz

Host

Simon Brew
Host of Film Stories magazine and podcast, with a long-running focus on film histories, production stories, and industry context.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 1.4k ratings
  • Often a fun listen

    Sometimes for how ridiculously Simon mispronounces names. Endearing but it’s a little unprofessional.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    readunderstory
    Canada2 months ago
  • What a lovely podcast

    This podcast never fails to cheer me up, even when the story is sad, it is still channels across the life affirming power of film. I can’t wait for each episode.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    FMToast
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • Excellent!

    Great research! Expertly written and delivered.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Renie Realtor
    United States3 months ago
  • Do women exist?

    I started following this podcast in December 2025 only. I haven’t listened to any because after browsing the first few listed from oldest to newest and then from newest to oldest, it seemed like these aren’t really film stories, but men’s film stories.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Lawopstipops
    South Africa5 months ago
  • Brilliant

    Hi Simon, I’ve just listened to your episode about Rocky V and was very sad to hear about your dad passing away. I hope you’re doing okay, and also wanted to say a big thank you for creating such a wonderful podcast. It’s been a blessing to be able to listen to it over the years. It’s full of wonderful information, you come across as a really nice bloke, and whenever I hear your ‘hello’ at the start of each episode it never fails to put a smile on my face. Thanks again for your fantastic work, a... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Nolan 72
    United Kingdom5 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some listeners note mispronunciations but find the host's enthusiasm infectious.
Many describe the show as essential listening for film lovers due to behind-the-scenes insights.
Listeners praise thorough research and engaging storytelling.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Contact (1997) and how it nearly fell apart, plus David Frankel on The Devil Wears Prada 2
Q: What were the main turning points that nearly ruined the project?
The episode outlines several near-disasters, including director changes, budget pressure, and a shifting ending; ultimately, Zemeckis's involvement and a decisive script direction saved the film from collapse.
In conversation with Paul Feig - The Housemaid, Bridesmaids at the Oscars, Ghostbusters and more
Q: How did The Housemaid differ tonally from your earlier thrillers or comedies?
He explains that The Housemaid blends thriller elements with darker, more brutal backstory and uses pacing and character nuance to ground extreme moments, making the shifts feel earned rather than arbitrary.
In conversation with Paul Feig - The Housemaid, Bridesmaids at the Oscars, Ghostbusters and more
Q: When did you know The Housemaid was working for audiences and what moments confirmed that?
Feig cites positive test screenings, responsive audiences during key scenes like the kitchen sequence, and the ability to maintain momentum across a theater run as signs the film was connecting; he also notes feedback from focus groups showing engagement beyond initial laughs.
In conversation with David Mackenzie | Fuze, Relay, Hell Or High Water, Starred Up, AI and more
Q: So what else have you got coming? If Veritas is one project, is this anything else?
I'm working on several other projects, including a Donner Party piece and a space sci-fi concept, with various development stages and potential homes; Veritas is a priority, and I'm always exploring new formats, including episodic possibilities.
In conversation with Dean DeBlois
Q: What was the role of the studio in shaping the live-action version?
The studio pressed for a story that wasn't just inspired by the original but brought to life with greater depth, immersive action, and expanded folklore, while keeping the core characters and identity intact.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
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Age Range
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Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Film Stories

What is Film Stories about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A cinephile-focused show that explores the backstories behind popular films, with a strong emphasis on troubled productions, rights battles, and the twists of development that shape what ends up on screen. Episodes routinely weave market context, studio dynamics, and key decision-makers into long-form storytelling, complemented by candid conversations with filmmakers and writers. Notable strengths include thorough research, accessible storytelling, and a track record of delving into the practicalities and politics of getting films made, from classic to contemporary releases. This makes it valuable for listeners who want a deeper understanding of how big-screen stories come to be, and for potential guests or sponsors seeking a film-angled, w... more

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How many listeners does Film Stories get?

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How many subscribers and views does Film Stories have?

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Which podcasts are similar to Film Stories?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Film Stories:

1. Kermode on Film
2. The Empire Film Podcast
3. Screenshot
4. Kermode & Mayo’s Take
5. Pilot TV

How many episodes of Film Stories are there?

Film Stories launched 8 years ago and published 466 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Film Stories?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

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What guests have appeared on Film Stories?

Recent guests on Film Stories include:

1. David Frankel
2. David Mackenzie
3. Matt Bettinelli-Olpin
4. Tyler Gillett
5. Christopher Miller
6. Phil Lord
7. Drew Goddard
8. Andrew Stanton

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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