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January 21, 2026 7:18 am  #1


The 17 Best Movies About Radio, Ranked. How Many Have You Heard Of?

The first thing I thought when I saw this headline was "there are 17 movies about radio?"

Some of these, like "Good Morning Vietnam" and "Talk Radio" we've all heard of and likely seen. But there are a number I can't recall ever hearing of before and some of the premises sound intriguing. I'd like to see some of them, although there's indication of where you might find them. 

How many do you remember? Here's the list:

The 17 Best Movies About Radio, Ranked

 

January 21, 2026 8:04 am  #2


Re: The 17 Best Movies About Radio, Ranked. How Many Have You Heard Of?

One to add to the list could be WUSA that starred Paul Newman , Joanne Woodward and Anthony Perkins... WUSA (film) - Wikipedia

 

January 21, 2026 8:14 am  #3


Re: The 17 Best Movies About Radio, Ranked. How Many Have You Heard Of?

What about Play Misty for Me and FM.


Cool Airchecks and More:
http://www.lettheuniverseanswer.com/
 

January 21, 2026 9:12 am  #4


Re: The 17 Best Movies About Radio, Ranked. How Many Have You Heard Of?

Fitz wrote:

What about Play Misty for Me and FM.

Both of those should definitely be on the list. Especially FM, which is a great film. And the Steely Dan theme song was great! (Not to mention how often you hear those opening bars as the intro to a talk show segment. Ironically, they're all on AM, where you can't say "no static at all!")

     Thread Starter
 

January 21, 2026 11:30 am  #5


Re: The 17 Best Movies About Radio, Ranked. How Many Have You Heard Of?

RadioActive wrote:

Fitz wrote:

What about Play Misty for Me and FM.

Both of those should definitely be on the list. Especially FM, which is a great film. And the Steely Dan theme song was great! (Not to mention how often you hear those opening bars as the intro to a talk show segment. Ironically, they're all on AM, where you can't say "no static at all!")

I'm not sure I'd call FM a "great" movie, but I sure love it. One of the best soundtracks ever, especially the Steely Dan title track. 

I'm glad they included Comfort and Joy, a hilarious tale set at Christmas time about a Scottish DJ who gets caught up in a war between rival ice cream truck operators. 

Made by Bill Forsyth,  who also did Local Hero. Both feature music by Mark Knopfler.



 

 

January 21, 2026 11:49 am  #6


Re: The 17 Best Movies About Radio, Ranked. How Many Have You Heard Of?

My vote would be for Talk Radio.  

 

January 21, 2026 12:36 pm  #7


Re: The 17 Best Movies About Radio, Ranked. How Many Have You Heard Of?

FM should have been in the top 5.  Yet another BS list.

Fitz wrote:

What about Play Misty for Me and FM.

 


Madness takes its toll.  Please have exact change.
 
 

January 21, 2026 2:03 pm  #8


Re: The 17 Best Movies About Radio, Ranked. How Many Have You Heard Of?

For CanCon there’s also Pontypool (2008, dir. Bruce McDonald)

 

January 21, 2026 2:17 pm  #9


Re: The 17 Best Movies About Radio, Ranked. How Many Have You Heard Of?

There was a 1973 Canadian Movie called Slipstream.  It's about a reclusive DJ who broadcasts from a prariie farm house.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0072181/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_7_tt_8_nm_0_in_0_q_slipstream

 

January 21, 2026 2:23 pm  #10


Re: The 17 Best Movies About Radio, Ranked. How Many Have You Heard Of?

Canadian film, "Slipstream."
1973
The film stars Luke Askew as Mike Mallard, a popular but reclusive radio DJ who broadcasts his show from an isolated barn in the wilderness. After he is discovered by four young people, he begins to get romantically involved with one of them, Kathy (Patti Oatman), while simultaneously battling with Alec (Eli Rill), his producer who wants him to play more contemporary pop hits.The film's soundtrack includes music by Van MorrisonEric Clapton, and Townes Van Zandt.
(Terrible movie, by the way, even though it won award, it was widely ridiculed by critics)

Last edited by newsguy1 (January 21, 2026 2:25 pm)

 

January 21, 2026 2:45 pm  #11


Re: The 17 Best Movies About Radio, Ranked. How Many Have You Heard Of?

Here's a freebie that's not mentioned in the list.

It's called "1480 Radio Pirates." What's it about?

"Inspired by true events, a 23-year-old journalist fights to break the New Zealand government’s monopoly on broadcasting policy and usher in rock music."

It's free to watch on Tubi. It plays without a VPN, if you don't have one.

     Thread Starter
 

January 21, 2026 7:40 pm  #12


Re: The 17 Best Movies About Radio, Ranked. How Many Have You Heard Of?

Great little flick from 2019. Teens, radio and aliens. Andrew Patterson's  The Vast Of Night – Official Trailer | Prime Video

 

January 21, 2026 8:24 pm  #13


Re: The 17 Best Movies About Radio, Ranked. How Many Have You Heard Of?

Play Misty For Me.  1971


After all is said and done, more is usually said than done.
 

January 21, 2026 8:56 pm  #14


Re: The 17 Best Movies About Radio, Ranked. How Many Have You Heard Of?

No Pontypool