Welcome, fellow cinephiles. Since launching in 2017, this cultural phenomenon has given us hundreds of episodes analyzing everything from blockbuster action flicks to indie darlings, all through their signature categories like “Half-Assed Internet Research,” “Apex Mountain,” and the eternally debatable “Recasting Couch.”
With such a vast catalog to choose from, finding the absolute gems can be overwhelming for newcomers or even longtime listeners looking to revisit the best of the best. That’s why I’ve compiled this ranking of the top, most essential, entertaining, and insightful “The Rewatchables” episodes.
‘The Town’
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Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, and Ryen Russillo from The Ringer bring their trademark confidence (and maybe some Boston bias) as they revisit Ben Affleck’s crime thriller “The Town”, starring Jeremy Renner and Jon Hamm.
‘The Silence of the Lambs’
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Broadcasting from a psychiatric prison’s eerie halls, The Ringer’s Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, Sean Fennessey, and Mallory Rubin dissect the 1991 Oscar-winning thriller “The Silence of the Lambs”, featuring Jodie Foster’s Clarice Starling, Anthony Hopkins’ Hannibal Lecter, and Ted Levine’s Buffalo Bill.
‘Heat’
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Bill Simmons (HBO/The Ringer) and Chris Ryan enshrine “Heat” in the Movie Hall of Fame, debating:
- Did De Niro vs. Pacino deliver?
- Michael Mann’s career peak?
- Legendary ensemble cast?
- “Heat’s” 10 essential lessons
- Pacino’s greatest line
- Ultimate victor: Pacino or De Niro?
‘Commando’
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Mid-escape from a fictional Val Verde deployment, The Ringer trio (Simmons/Serrano/Brandt) pauses to worship at the altar of Schwarzenegger’s “Commando”, with Rae Dawn Chong and Bill Duke in tow.
‘Inglourious Basterds’
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As any proper strudel connoisseur knows, cream precedes pastry. Likewise, The Ringer trio (Ryan/Fennessey/Rubin) methodically unpacks Tarantino’s “Inglourious Basterds” (Waltz/Pitt/Kruger) layer by delicious layer.
‘JFK’
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Like the assassination it investigates, “JFK” remains an unsolved cinematic puzzle. The Ringer’s Simmons/Ryan/Fennessey + Brian Koppelman mark 30 years of Stone’s masterpiece (Costner/Oldman/Jones/Pesci) by asking: What really happened in Dealey Plaza?
‘Forgetting Sarah Marshall’
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The Ringer trio attempts a Hawaiian healing journey to recover from “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” (2008), Segel’s breakup anthem co-starring Kunis and Bell.
‘Back to the Future’
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The hosts borrow Doc’s DeLorean (flux capacitor at 88mph!) to revisit Zemeckis’ “Back to the Future”, where Fox’s Marty McFly and Lloyd’s mad scientist defined 1985 cinema.
‘Boogie Nights’ (Part 1)
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The Ringer holy trinity worships at the altar of PTA’s “Boogie Nights”, Wahlberg’s Dirk Diggler, Reynolds’ Jack Horner, Moore’s Amber Waves, and Reilly’s Reed Rothchild. Episode 1: A love letter to the film’s brilliance, deep character studies, and behind-the-scenes miracles.
‘The Big Lebowski’
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“Bowl. Sip. Repeat. The Ringer quartet (Ryan/Fennessey/Concepcion/Shoemaker) celebrates “The Big Lebowski’s” 20th birthday, Coens’ 1998 masterpiece with Bridges’ Dude and Goodman’s Walter. in proper abide-er fashion.
‘Se7en’
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Bill Simmons, Sean Fennessey, and Chris Ryan confront the infamous box’s gruesome mystery after revisiting David Fincher’s 1995 thriller “Se7en”, starring Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman, and Kevin Spacey.
‘Goodfellas’
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As long as they can remember…the hosts have lived out their mob fantasies through Scorsese’s “Goodfellas”, Liotta’s Henry Hill, De Niro’s Jimmy Conway, Pesci’s Tommy DeVito, and Bracco’s Karen, from the best table in the house.
‘Coming to America’
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Bill Simmons and Van Lathan team up with Wesley Morris (New York Times) to clock in at McDowell’s while celebrating the 1988 comedy gem “Coming to America”, starring Eddie Murphy, Arsenio Hall, James Earl Jones, and John Amos.
‘Wayne’s World’
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Bill Simmons and Kyle Brandt keep the party rocking as they revisit the 1992 cult favorite “Wayne’s World”, Mike Myers and Dana Carvey’s SNL masterpiece… NOT!
‘Good Will Hunting’ Live From Boston
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Broadcasting live from Boston’s House of Blues, the hosts have some podcasting to do after reliving the 1997 Beantown masterpiece “Good Will Hunting”, featuring Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Minnie Driver, and Robin Williams.
‘The Godfather Part II’
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This episode serves as an examination of the Corleone family motto while dissecting Coppola’s “The Godfather Part II”. Pacino’s crumbling Michael, De Niro’s rising Vito, and Duvall’s loyal Tom Hagen in the perfect sequel.
‘The Social Network’
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Dressed in their signature hoodies and defiant flip-flops, the hosts make it clear they “aren’t returning for 30 percent”, instead, they’re reuniting to break down and honor the 2010 cinematic achievement “The Social Network”, featuring Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, and Justin Timberlake, directed by David Fincher, and penned by Aaron Sorkin.
‘Die Hard’ 30th Anniversary
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Yippee ki-yay! The Ringer’s Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, Jason Concepcion, and Sean Fennessey ditch their shoes and crash a terrorist-held holiday party to honor John McTiernan’s 1988 action masterpiece “Die Hard”. starring Bruce Willis as the ultimate barefoot hero. on its 30th anniversary.
‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’
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After a daring escape from an ancient Peruvian ruin, The Ringer’s Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, and Sean Fennessey dust themselves off to revisit Steven Spielberg’s 1981 adventure masterpiece “Raiders of the Lost Ark”, starring Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones, Karen Allen as Marion Ravenwood, and Paul Freeman as the villainous Belloq.
Read our review of The Rewatchables