Almost Classic Movies
Welcome to Almost Classic Movies, the podcast where two movie fans talk about movies. From epic adventures like Lord of the Rings to iconic comedies like Wayne's World and Ferris Bueller's Day Off, we explore a blend of almost classics, cult favorites, seasonal gems, and even actual classics. ("Almost Classic Movies" is frankly just a catchy title that riffs off a particular TV program).
It's just two friends talking movies—one loves production trivia, while the other enjoys simply watching and soaking in the story. We strive for evergreen content, so you can pick an episode anywhere and dive right in. If you like what you hear, share it with a friend, family member, or maybe even Chris Hemsworth or Ryan Reynolds... That'd be pretty cool.
Thanks for listening!
Episodes
66 episodes
Is “The Santa Clause” Actually Good? A Deep Dive Into 90s Holiday Cinema
This week, Jon and Donald unwrap The Santa Clause and everything that makes it a quintessential (and unexpectedly weird) 90s Christmas movie. From Tim Allen’s smooth-brain dad energy to the surprisingly dark early script drafts, the gu...
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1:11:15
Home Alone - Is it a Christmas Classic?
In this festive episode of Almost Classic Movies, Jon and Donald dive into Home Alone — a film both iconic and slightly bewildering when viewed through grown-up eyes. They unpack childhood fears (like sprinting up the basement...
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52:05
The Wizard of Oz - What's Behind the Curtain?
This week on Almost Classic Movies, we revisit one of the most iconic films ever made: The Wizard of Oz. Your hosts take a fresh look at the movie’s history, craft, and legacy—without giving away the moments that make it special.<...
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1:16:21
Wicked: Oz Lore, Flying Monkey Horror & Glinda’s PR Strategy
In this episode of Almost Classic Movies, Jon and Donald dive broom-first into Wicked (Part 1) — the movie adaptation based on the Broadway powerhouse musical. They unpack why the film is both visually stunning and emotionally...
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1:07:40
Is “The Running Man” Still Running in 2025?
In this episode, Jon, Don, and Editor Dan sit down to revisit The Running Man (1987), Arnold Schwarzenegger’s dystopian game-show-meets-gladiator spectacle that somehow predicted 2017 better than anyone expected. The trio breaks ...
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1:25:27
The Apprentice - The Shocking Trump Story They Tried to Ban!
In this episode of Almost Classic Movies, Jon and Donald dissect The Apprentice — a provocative biopic tracing Donald Trump’s transformation from ambitious New York builder to cultural icon. With a blend of dark satire and pol...
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1:34:46
The Nightmare Before Christmas - Does It Still Hold Up?
In this Halloween-meets-Christmas episode, Jon and Donald tackle one of the most iconic stop-motion films ever made: The Nightmare Before Christmas. From Jack Skellington’s existential boredom to Oogie Boogie’s degenerate gambling habi...
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1:05:26
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024) — Does Nostalgia Still Work 36 Years Later?
Jon and Donald dive headfirst into Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024)—Tim Burton’s long-awaited sequel to the 1988 cult classic. Thirty-six years later, the ghost with the most is back, and the hosts debate whether the chaos, nostalgia, an...
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51:01
Beetlejuice (1988) - Practical Effects and Pure Chaos
In this episode of Almost Classic Movies, Jon and Donald kick off spooky season with Tim Burton’s 1988 masterpiece, Beetlejuice. The hosts dive deep into the movie’s strange charm—where the macabre meets the hilarious—and unpa...
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1:12:35
Tron: Legacy Revisited – Neon, Daft Punk & Disney’s Sci-Fi Gamble
Neon grids, Daft Punk beats, and some questionable CGI Jeff Bridges — this week we dive into Disney’s Tron: Legacy (2010). Jon and Donald are joined again by fan-favorite Editor Dan for a wild ride through the Grid, complete with light...
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1:49:24
Tron (1982) - Is It Cheating with CGI?
Grab your light disc and step inside the grid as Jon and Donald revisit Tron (1982)—Disney’s groundbreaking cult classic that fused early CGI with a video-game aesthetic decades ahead of its time. From arcade nostalgia to AI paranoia, th...
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1:27:19
Magic Mike XXL Road Trip Chaos
The Almost Classic Movies crew is back with an oversized episode on Magic Mike XXL. Daniel crashes the show with a surprise beer tasting, a Big Mac challenge, and a lightning round of “Hot Takes” that call out everything fr...
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2:04:27
Almost Famous: Almost as cult-classic as Spinal Tap?
Jon and Donald dive into Almost Famous—Cameron Crowe’s semi-autobiographical love letter to 1970s rock journalism. They break down William Miller’s coming-of-age journey, the chaos of touring with a rising band, and the bittersweet les...
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1:15:15
This Is Spinal Tap! Does it still go to 11?
In this episode of Almost Classic Movies, Jon and Donald crank the dial all the way up to 11 as they dive into Rob Reiner’s cult classic This Is Spinal Tap. With the long-awaited sequel on the horizon, the duo revisits the ori...
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51:21
Doctor Sleep: The Shining Sequel We Wanted… or Just Supernatural Fanfiction?
In this episode of Almost Classic Movies, Jon and Donald dive into Doctor Sleep (2019) — the ambitious sequel to The Shining.They kick things off with a listener comment on their Encanto hot takes, spark...
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1:17:43
Bonus Episode: Movie Q&A, Comfort Flicks, and Hot Takes
In this bonus episode of Almost Classic Movies, Jon and Donald step away from their usual film deep dives for a candid Q&A mailbag session. From favorite comfort movies to hot takes on overrated films, this epi...
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1:13:19
The Shining - Hidden Ties to CIA Mind Control Experiments?
In this episode of Almost Classic Movies, Jon and Donald dive deep into Stanley Kubrick’s chilling masterpiece, The Shining.From Danny’s eerie “redrum” visions to Jack Nicholson’s descent into madness, the hosts unpack ...
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1:52:08
Encanto… Let’s Talk About Bruno
In this episode of Almost Classic Movies, Jon and Donald wrap up their run of under-the-radar Disney films with a deep dive into Encanto. From catchy songs (and some not-so-catchy ones) to messy world-building, they unpack wha...
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1:26:35
A Goofy Movie!.... Is Basically The Odyssey?
Is A Goofy Movie secretly Disney’s version of The Odyssey? Jon and Donald say yes—if Odysseus wore overalls, danced on stage with a pop star, and bonded with his awkward teen son over fishing and Bigfoot.In this episode...
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1:08:32
Treasure Planet: Disney’s Most Underrated Gem
Get ready to set sail through space with Jon and Donald as they dive into Disney’s Treasure Planet—a bold, visually stunning reimagining of Treasure Island that’s equal parts nostalgia and sci-fi adventure.In this episo...
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1:18:52
The Emperor’s New Groove: Underrated Genius or Just Goofy Fun?
This week on Almost Classic Movies, Jon and Donald kick off a Disney animation run with a cult favorite: The Emperor’s New Groove. Is it an underrated gem or just nostalgic nonsense? The guys revisit their favorite scenes, ico...
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1:04:53
Fantastic Four (2015): Is it really that bad?
In this episode of Almost Classic Movies, Jon and Donald hold their noses and dive into the critically-panned 2015 reboot of Fantastic Four, better known (and memed) as Fan4stic. From questionable casting choices and ...
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1:12:35
Superman (2025) - An ACM Instant Movie Reaction
Donald and Jon share their immediate reactions to James Gunn's new Superman movie! Fresh from the theater, they discuss David Corenswet's performance, the film's comic book accuracy, and whether this Superman can launch the new DCU like Iron Ma...
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35:56