The best film newsletters

A weekly pick of one standout New Yorker story, plus occasional podcasts and essays on literature, politics, and culture. Readers get long-form criticism, reporting, and conversations without a paywall.

Noah Smith's blog covers economics, AI, politics, and culture, including essays on film, AI progress, and political critique. Readers get long-form analysis mixing policy commentary with personal reflections on current events.

Hunter Harris writes twice-weekly takes on movies, TV and celebrity culture, mixing film festival reactions, pop culture news and reader or friend roundups. Readers get a witty, personal point of view on the entertainment news cycle and her cultural obsessions.

A daily digest from New York Magazine highlighting its latest features, culture coverage, Strategist shopping pieces and serialized fiction. Readers get witty, opinionated commentary and interview snippets pointing to the magazine's reporting.

A daily entertainment newsletter from film distribution veteran Scott Mendelson offering box office analysis, weekend performance breakdowns, and Hollywood industry commentary. Readers get sharp, data-driven takes on how films perform and which trends may shape the industry.

A film critic's weekly guide to films directed by women, plus long-form essays on silent cinema, lost film posters and festival picks. Readers get recommendations, historical context and candid opinions on new releases.

Tim Goodman, a former TV critic for The Hollywood Reporter and San Francisco Chronicle, writes sharp, opinionated episode-by-episode critiques of Slow Horses and reviews of new shows like Small Prophets. Readers get candid criticism, pointed observations about writing and pacing, and a seasoned critic's take on what's working on screen.

Colin Meloy, frontman of The Decemberists and children's author, shares updates on a new Decemberists song tied to the Wildwood film, his upcoming Arthurian middle-grade duology Mordred Rex and Kestrel Magus, and festival appearances. The newsletter offers an insider look at songwriting, collaboration, and book-making.

Economist Scott Sumner argues for restoring monetarism and nominal GDP targeting, explaining how interest on bank reserves changed the monetary system. He also shares reviews of films and books and comments on intellectual debates such as the legacy of Francis Fukuyama.

GUAP is an independent media platform covering emerging creative talent across music, film, fashion, art, sport and culture. This newsletter offers event coverage, interviews with artists and DJs, essays, and paid opportunities for members.

A weekly data-driven report from a former streaming executive that tracks Nielsen streaming viewership to show which shows, films and genres are actually winning. It also offers industry commentary that contrasts media hype with the numbers.

A screenwriter and novelist shares storytelling craft breakdowns, screenwriting analysis, and cultural essays on film, TV, fiction and art, including personal reflections on balancing creative work with life. Readers get practical craft lessons, resource lists like downloadable horror scripts, and community prompts for finishing work in progress.

Blank Check is the newsletter companion to a film podcast that examines directors' filmographies, featuring live show announcements, screening events, and hosts' opinions on new releases and industry news. Issues mix brief logistics with conversational, opinionated film commentary and recommendations.

A film-interview newsletter from Hagop Kourounian pairing director profiles with discussions of their personal style and fashion choices. Each issue combines a short personal note with long-form conversational interviews about recent films.

A Portuguese-language newsletter from a Hollywood-based writer covering films, series, interviews and industry news, including the Skydance-Paramount merger and Elizabeth Holmes biopic. Each issue mixes first-hand anecdotes with opinionated analysis of the entertainment business.

This is a promotional community newsletter for Robert Reich's documentary The Work in Progress and his earlier feature The Last Class, listing theater screenings, Q&As, and ticket links. It shares audience reactions and calls on readers to attend screenings to help extend film runs.

This newsletter posts episode listings for webcomics on the Arktoons platform from Arkhaven Comics and Dark Legion Comics. It also runs occasional opinionated film retrospectives, such as a review of Event Horizon.