Rephonic
Artwork for Unspooled
Comedy
Tom Cruise
Love
Hollywood
Quentin Tarantino
Feminism
Romantic Comedy
Winona Ryder
The Wizard Of Oz
Nostalgia
Film Criticism
Star Wars
Rob Reiner
Tim Burton
Academy Awards
Disney
Bullying
John Hughes
Spinal Tap
Cultural Impact

Each week actor & comedian Paul Scheer (Black Monday, The League) and film critic Amy Nicholson (LA Times Chief Film Critic ) watch and discuss the best movies out there. From the classics to new releases and every indie film in-between. Along the way, they’ll dissect iconic scenes, spotlight their favorite characters, and decide if these movies still stand the test of time.

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes452Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
TV & FilmFilm Reviews

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Artwork for Unspooled

Latest Episodes

Paul and Rob Anderson takes the reins for a Critics’ Choice episode with shining a spotlight on The Baby-Sitters Club, the earnest, deeply ’90s adaptation of Ann M. Martin’s beloved books that deserves far more respect. Together they revisit Stoneyb... more

Paul welcomes Ed Helms into the Unspooled booth for a deep dive into Top Secret!, the gloriously absurd 1984 comedy from ZAZ while Amy is away. Between stories about Meet Dave, Ed’s lost role as “Lieutenant Buttocks,” and a celebration of his history... more

Lauren Lapkus steps into the confession booth to talk comfort rewatches, movie blind spots, and the films that changed her mind. Paul and Amy dig into her love for Big, 13 Going on 30, Tommy Boy, and Hocus Pocus, the strange experience of watching ki... more

Paul and Amy kick off the 2026 summer movie season with a whirlwind preview of the films they’re most excited (and nervous) to see, from Supergirl, Tom Holland’s grounded new Spider-Man, and Spielberg’s mysterious Disclosure Day to Jackass: Best & La... more

Key Facts

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Contact Information
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How Did This Get Made?
How Did This Get Made?Earwolf and Paul Scheer, June Diane Raphael, Jason Mantzoukas
Blank Check with Griffin & David
Blank Check with Griffin & DavidBlank Check Productions
WHAT WENT WRONG
WHAT WENT WRONGSad Boom Media
With Gourley And Rust
With Gourley And RustMatt Gourley and Paul Rust
We Hate Movies
We Hate MoviesWHM Entertainment

Recent Guests

Rob Anderson
Internet personality, comedian, author of Gay Science
Independent/Self-promotions
Episode: The Baby-Sitters Club (with Rob Anderson)
Lauren Lapkus
Actor and comedian known for stage and screen work
Various (as introduced on the show)
Episode: Reel Confessions: Lauren Lapkus
Ed Helms
Actor and comedian, guest to discuss a topic on a future episode
The Daily Show, The Hangover
Episode: Summer Movie Preview 2026
Mike Mitchell
Podcast legend, actor and comedian, co-host of Doughboys
Doughboys, Napa Boys
Episode: Reel Confessions: Mike Mitchell
Chris Ryan
Podcasting legend, The Ringer, co‑host of The Watch and The Rewatchables
The Ringer
Episode: Reel Confessions: Chris Ryan
Nicole Byer
Comedian, actress, and host of 'Nailed It' and 'Why Won't You Date Me'
Episode: Reel Confessions: Nicole Byer
Sarah Marshall
Host of You're Wrong About and The Devil You Know
You're Wrong About, The Devil You Know
Episode: Reel Confessions: Sarah Marshall
Molly Lambert
Writer and podcaster
Episode: Reel Confessions: Molly Lambert
Kareem Rahma
Comedian, writer, and producer
Episode: Reel Confessions: Kareem Rahma

Hosts

Paul Scheer
Host and comedian; drives conversation and introduces segments; multiple roles in acting/writing.
Amy Nicholson
Film critic; LA Times Chief Film Critic; provides analysis and context.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 7.4k ratings
  • Wonderful Talk about Movies

    This is a quite unusual movie podcast: Tons of information about the making and the reception of the topic and a fun analysis of certain scenes. Fast-talking Amy Nicholson is sometimes a little hard to understand (for me as a non-English speaker), but her insights are always a delight. Both Scheerer and Nicholson are a perfect match to inform and entertain. Even as a former movie critic myself, I learned so much in this podcast. : D

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    E.T. Plebnista
    Germanya month ago
  • Good

    You guys are a great show. I just really hope you guys can do a review on the movie. The fault in our stars or the notebook.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Bossofyou1648
    United Statesa month ago
  • Maybe as a solo podcast?

    I gave this podcast another try after a long pause. Paul is great. I like the films chosen. I just can’t with Amy though.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    PopcornSlut8
    Denmark2 months ago
  • Dude

    Dude is mad annoying and mansplains too much. He says “You .. “ all the time and speaks for all artists and people. He has a resume so he acts like his opinions are facts. Chill out bro have some humility, the show (other than him speaking way too much) is cool and I learn a lot about the movies I love. But bro pls chill tf out.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Mimifromaroundthecorner
    United States2 months ago
  • Hard to take seriously

    A professional critic saying they didn’t understand Arrival is crazy. I gave this a shot and tapped out before finishing my first episode

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    itcbhfxbyrsx
    United States2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

A few critics mention tonal disagreements on controversial takes.
Listeners praise strong host chemistry and insightful analysis.
Mixed feedback on Amy Nicholson's film history knowledge but overall appreciation for banter and critique.
Some listeners note ads can interrupt episodes and affect pacing.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Top Secret! (with Ed Helms)
Q: Why do you think Top Secret doesn't get the same love as Airplane! or Naked Gun?
Because it opened in the shadow of Ghostbusters and Gremlins, with marketing and release timing limiting its exposure, even though it pushed the joke density and spoof variety to new heights.
Reel Confessions: Lauren Lapkus
Q: Should actors read reviews?
Lauren says she reads reviews but finds they rarely change how she feels about a film, and negative reviews can sting even when she knows the work, so she tends to rely on her own perspective and the collaborative voice she brings to projects.
Reel Confessions: Chris Ryan
Q: What is your process for entering a movie with a clean slate?
He describes a mixed approach shaped by his long career in online media, trying to avoid preconceptions while acknowledging the promotional cycle's influence.
Reel Confessions: Chris Ryan
Q: Would you give up ever watching Heat again for $10,000?
No, Heat is priceless to him; he'd rather keep the movie than trade a lifetime of viewings, even with the risk of danger in LA.
Reel Confessions: Nicole Byer
Q: How do you feel about messy theaters?
Nicole emphasizes her responsibility at theaters and that she always picks up her trash.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Unspooled

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

A lively, accessible film podcast where a comedian host and a veteran film critic dissect a wide range of movies, from classics to contemporary titles. Conversations blend thoughtful analysis with humorous banter, spotlighting iconic scenes, performances, and industry context. Across episodes, they explore themes like artistry versus commerce, gender and power dynamics in filmmaking, and how films age with culture. A standout feature is their willingness to tackle big ideas (surveillance, genre-blending, awards dynamics) while keeping the tone entertaining. Notable for strong host chemistry, candid opinions, and regular sponsor reads that integrate naturally into the discussion.

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How many listeners does Unspooled get?

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How many subscribers and views does Unspooled have?

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Which podcasts are similar to Unspooled?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Unspooled:

1. How Did This Get Made?
2. Blank Check with Griffin & David
3. WHAT WENT WRONG
4. With Gourley And Rust
5. We Hate Movies

How many episodes of Unspooled are there?

Unspooled launched 8 years ago and published 452 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 Unspooled?

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 Unspooled?

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What guests have appeared on Unspooled?

Recent guests on Unspooled include:

1. Rob Anderson
2. Lauren Lapkus
3. Ed Helms
4. Mike Mitchell
5. Chris Ryan
6. Nicole Byer
7. Sarah Marshall
8. Molly Lambert

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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