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Once Upon A VHS - 80s and 90s Fantasy

Once Upon A VHS
Fantasy Films
The Dark Crystal
Nostalgia
The Wizard Of Oz
Disney
Jim Henson
Labyrinth
Princess Mononoke
The Neverending Story
Queer Representation
Spice World
Frank Oz
The Princess Bride
Wicked
Drop Dead Fred
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Willow
Return To Oz
Witchcraft
Robin Williams

On a queer and neverending quest through the fantasy films of the 80s & 90s, and all the memories and feelings they conjure up. From animated adventures and sword and sorcery epics to magical romcoms and fairytale horror, we will journey through the big blockbusters and cult classics.

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PublishesWeeklyEpisodes74Founded2 years ago
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TV & FilmFilm HistoryFilm Reviews

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Latest Episodes

We wrap up our Size Matters season by bursting open a bag full of listener questions, reflections on the movies we've covered and three brand-spanking-new mini-reviews of The Elm-Chanted Forest (1986), The Indian in the Cupboard (1995) and The Return... more

"Masters of illusion never reveal their secrets."

The scandalous story of the Cottingley Fairies hoax that captivated Britain in the early 20th century is magically transformed into a prestige fantasy drama - one of two major motion pictures adaptin... more

"The girl was right. The little people, they're f***ing dolls!"

We're thrilled to be joined by pop legend Bright Light Bright Light to discuss a favourite cult classic midnight movie directed by Stuart Gordon - the whimsical horror comedy dark fairy... more

"Whizzpop, whizzbang, feel the bubbles go down!"

Our friend, clinical psychologist and mental health researcher Dr Liam Casey joins us to discuss this animated Roald Dahl adaptation, originally made for UK TV by Cosgrove Hall productions.

A song ab... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Trana Wintour
Guest on Teenage Mutant Ninja Tarsals episode
Episode: Snack Pack - Season Finale and Mailbag
Michael Valvo
Actor and vintage memorabilia collector, invited guest
Episode: FairyTale: A True Story (1997) with Michael Valvo
Rod Thomas
Artist, producer, DJ, composer, and international pop sensation also known as Bright Light Bright Light
Bright Light Bright Light (Rod Thomas)
Episode: Dolls (1987) with Bright Light Bright Light
Liam Casey
Guest from Australia, close personal friend
Cosgrove Hall interview participant
Episode: The BFG (1989) with Dr Liam Casey
Antonio Palacios
Host of the Cultworthy Cinema Podcast
Cultworthy Cinema Podcast
Episode: Harry and the Hendersons (1987) with Antonio Palacios
Duncan Lindsay
Pokémon expert and guest speaker
Episode: Pokémon: The First Movie (1998) with Duncan Lindsay
Tranna Wintour
Comedian, writer, actor and broadcaster, special guest
Guest on episode
Episode: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990) with Tranna Wintour
James Swanton
Award-winning actor and writer.
Episode: The Black Cauldron (1985) with James Swanton
Rachel Lydia Barker
Film critic and video essayist, creator of the Girl on Film YouTube channel.
Girl on Film
Episode: The Company of Wolves (1984) with Rachel Lydia Barker (Girl on Film)

Hosts

Callum Sinclair
Co-host and discussion lead; host of the show; frequently appears as lead host with Michael.
Michael Lee Richardson
Co-host with a focus on hosting, interviews, and archival context; often handles questions and guest interaction.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 73 ratings
  • Simply lovely.

    I could listen to the dulcet tones of Callum and Michael all day every day. I appreciate their niche interest and their approach to reviewing films.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Amanaybeak
    United States17 days ago
  • Amazing show

    I love revisiting with them those movies that shaped my youth. The hosts are so much fun.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    PGRabon2025
    United States6 months ago
  • A space to be a nerd

    I love hearing Callum and Michael’s beautiful voices explore deep cuts and classics alike. They have such great perspectives and a sitcom like dynamic. Feels like having a chat with friends. Also hot accents.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    yaboiryan99
    United States6 months ago
  • Flooded with Memories

    What a wonderful podcast with two great hosts. I really enjoy getting transported to some great movies from my childhood/teen years!! The guys really made me want to revisit some old favorites and explore some new shows as well. Always a great listen!!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Bwaybaloo
    United States8 months ago
  • What a pleasure!

    Your show is always a delight! I look forward to every new episode and I am enjoying your back catalogue immensely. Love your film selections🖤

    I so appreciate the thoughtful analysis and background you two provide, broken up of course with effortless humor.

    You two are the best! Thank you so much for sharing! ✨🌞✨

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    wonky sizes not available
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

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

Hosts' enthusiasm is contagious and their guests add valuable expertise and memories.
Insightful, nostalgic, and queer-forward discussions that feel like chatting with friends.
A great mix of deep film analysis and playful banter that makes old favorites feel fresh.
Nostalgia and thoughtful critique blend to celebrate overlooked titles as well as classics.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

FairyTale: A True Story (1997) with Michael Valvo
Q: What makes FairyTale: A True Story stand out among 90s prestige family films?
Its blend of real Cottingley Fairies history with a crafted, emotionally complex narrative that tackles grief, belief, and the transition from childhood wonder to adult skepticism, all within a tightly paced 90-minute family film.
Gremlins (1984) with Movie Oubliette
Q: Could you tell our listeners a little bit about your podcast and what kind of films you cover?
We cover sci-fi, fantasy, and horror films that often get forgotten after their initial release, focusing on titles that didn't hit big at first but gained cult status later. We pull them out of the Oubliette, discuss them, judge them, and decide whether they should be set free or forgotten again.
Pokémon: The First Movie (1998) with Duncan Lindsay
Q: Why does this film feel like a bridge between anime and Western cinema for Pokémon fans?
Because it preserves core anime elements (Ash, Misty, Brock, Team Rocket) while expanding production design, pacing, and music to feel cinematic, creating a bridge between familiar series beats and a feature-film spectacle.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990) with Tranna Wintour
Q: Could you tell us a little bit about your overall connection to 80s and 90s fantasy movies?
Tranna describes a shared nostalgia for the era, highlighting the blend of practical effects, camp humor, and the tactile, tangible world of 80s/90s cinema, which she connects to her own experiences and to the broader cultural landscape.
Sac Magique - Season Finale and Mailbag
Q: What's your White Whale? A film you'd like to cover?
Both hosts discuss their broad search approach mentioning many titles including sci-fi films with fantasy aspects, indicating a flexible strategy to incorporate various genres.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About Once Upon A VHS

What is Once Upon A VHS about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Listeners are drawn to nostalgic 80s and 90s fantasy cinema with a queer-informed lens, playful banter, and deep dives into production design, legacy, and cultural context. Episodes frequently pair thoughtful analysis with personal memories, guest expertise, and connections across animation, live-action fantasy, and cult classics. A hallmark is the mix of affectionate nostalgia, critical insight, and enthusiastic discussion of merchandising, fandom, and why certain titles endure. Noteworthy is the hosts' strong chemistry, frequent guest appearances from film historians, actors, and culture figures, and a commitment to spotlightting underrecognized titles alongside marquee favorites.

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How many listeners does Once Upon A VHS get?

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What are the audience demographics for Once Upon A VHS?

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How many subscribers and views does Once Upon A VHS have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Once Upon A VHS has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Once Upon A VHS?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Once Upon A VHS:

1. Horror Queers
2. Eye of the Duck: A Film Podcast
3. You Are Good
4. The Bechdel Cast
5. That Aged Well

How many episodes of Once Upon A VHS are there?

Once Upon A VHS launched 2 years ago and published 74 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 Once Upon A VHS?

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.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Once Upon A VHS?

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What guests have appeared on Once Upon A VHS?

Recent guests on Once Upon A VHS include:

1. Trana Wintour
2. Michael Valvo
3. Rod Thomas
4. Liam Casey
5. Antonio Palacios
6. Duncan Lindsay
7. Tranna Wintour
8. James Swanton

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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