Entertainment
The Top 12 Most Popular Podcast Shows This Year
Are you in search of a new podcast to entertain yourself? There’s no need to take another look! The year 2024 has been superb for the podcasting industry. Many creative characters are narrating breathtaking stories and funny discussions. The most popular podcasts of the year have something for everyone. Are you all set to press the play button? Ready? Let’s go!
We at Holaquiz have made a list of the 12 most popular podcast show right now. The list is ranked by the highest listening per episode. So, you can find your next podcast right away.
#1 The Joe Rogan Experience
It’s the official podcast of American comedian Joe Rogan. It has over 2000 episodes and is the most listened to podcast in the US. Each episode has over 10 million listeners! If that ain’t crazy we don’t know what is.
The Joe Rogan’s podcast draws as much ire as it has fans. Its loyal fans keep tuning in for the interesting guests and Rogan’s engaging hosting style. He poses intricate and interesting questions to the captivative audience.
The Joe Rogan Experience has an exclusive availability on the Spotify platform. The platform has paid $200 million for exclusive rights to the show. It was a good investment since The Joe Rogan Experience is the most listened to podcast in the whole world.
An honest review by a fan on IMDb says:
“This is hands down the best interview show that has ever existed, and for a number of reasons.
The first is that it’s not edited, the talks go on as long as they take, and everyone is given an honest exchange without editing to make a point.
But, it goes further than just that, Joe Rogan will sit down and talk to anyone, and I mean ANYONE, including media pariahs and people that will clearly speak four feet above his head. It doesn’t matter who they are, he’s sitting down and talking to them.
And the thing is that he gets into the conversations, after three or four hours it’s not uncommon to see him beg guests to stay just a little while longer because he’s gotten into the conversation and that just draws you in further.
You get to hear a range of topics, politics, science, arts and entertainment, conspiracy theories, sports, martial arts, comedy, literally anything and everything that can be debated and discussed eventually makes it’s way onto the show, so much so that, when you tune in, you never know who the next guest is going to be and discussed as the conversations meander and spin their way through the show at the whims of interests.
It’s not the best in any category, but it’s the only show with absolutely every category.
This redefines the term variety show.”
#2 The Good Whale
The Good Whale podcast is presented by Daniel Alarcón, and shows the writing, starting with the expansive, moody and poetic prose. Throughout the series, we hear different people who took part in the search for Keiko’s return to his home. For a long time, the only voice we hear is Alarcón’s which creates an experience of an audiobook.
When the movie “Free Willy” released, word got out that a killer whale named Keiko is sick and living in a tiny pool at a Mexican amusement park. An environmentalist sets out to give the fans what they want: their favourite celebrity orca back in the sea.
#3 The Daily
The Daily is a news podcast developed by The New York Times which features host Michael Barbaro and reporter Sabrina Tavernise who both come out with 5 episodes a week which run for about 20 minutes each as well.
Sabrina Tavernise and Michael Barbaro are known for their podcast with 3 billion downloads established in 2017. Barbaro’s development had a typical podcast format where inaugurating a new episode and focusing on one news story relevant to the current day. New York Times reporters and other experts participate in the interviews, providing their own insights into the events. The format of the podcast is classic, where the host talks about the events of one single day.
Listeners otherwise would shudder at the thought of having to listen to the same podcast daily but the creators of The Daily targeted its up-to-the-minute news discussions to audiences suggesting that episodes focus on what’s out at the time. Episodes are 20-minutes long and the podcast is available by 6 AM everywhere thanks to its support.
#4 Crime Junkie
With an average listening of 5.9 million per episode, Crime Junkie Po ranks as the second-most preferred podcast. Taking on true crime, Ashley Flowers and Brit Prawat unravel criminal stories with intricate details and a unique[9dq narrative touch. The podcasts may delve into cold cases and famous murders while reconstructing events through the eyes of the victim.
Due to their respectful and responsible approach to story-telling, the Crime Junkie podcast developed a huge audience in no time.
Currently, Crime Junkies meets the needs of audiences that focus on Criminal Investigation or just true crime. It has permanently gained a place among the best podcasts since December 2017 when the first episode was aired.
#5 Radioactive: The Karen Silkwood Mystery
Karen Silkwood’s death 50 years ago this November still casts a shadow on Oklahoma and the entire nation. At the age of 28, a worker in a plutonium plant was killed in a car crash while on her way to hand over, as reported, some evidence regarding the death which was unsafe to Karmans of New York newspaper.
After all, some of the reporters witnessed some of the events that made up the Silkwood story. In 1974, two of them spent the better part of the years ever since obsessively trying to piece together a common story that so many in Oklahoma do. Karen Silkwood perhaps died for what she knew. Now, listening to secret footage, last words, and interviews conducted to explain exactly what happened that night.
#6 This American Life
This American Life is everything a narrative non-fictional podcast should be. The podcast is hosted by Ira Glass and features non-fiction stories of real people from America and, even though that sounds straightforward, it is not as simple as that. Few podcasts can deal with every possible issue and yet remain solely focused on the American way of life, American society, American culture and American people through stories and so many others that it makes you curious about the next one.
This American Life was rebranded from the former title called Your Radio Playhouse and became several Podcasts eventually. Their very first radio episode aired on November 17th, 1995 which is almost ten years before the invention of podcasting. Now, 4 million fans hear the podcast on a weekly basis and 1.6 million people within 500 public stations also hear it.
This American Life to today’s time also went and bagged some amazing rewards like the Peabody Awards and Pulitzer Prize for their exceptional quality of journalism and narrations. The best thing is that This American Life was the first recipient of the Pulitzer Prize awarded in the category of a radio program or a podcast ever.
#7 The Megyn Kelly Show
With over 900 episodes, The Megyn Kelly Show is your home for open, honest conversations with the most interesting and important political, legal and cultural figures today.
Listers say that “I really enjoyed Megyn on Fox, and have followed her over to NBC. Her new show, being in its first year, is still trying to find its footings. That is to be expected. If you look at other talk shows such as Ellen, Rachael Ray, or even Steve Harvey, their show experimented and tried new things their first few years on the air and have become very successful. I feel that Megyn’s new show will also find its place in the TV market, and will become a great success in the years to come.”
#8 The Ben Shapiro Show
Described as ‘the most fast paced daily program in America’, The Ben Shapiro Show also features its conspiratorial host Ben Shapiro, whose staunch conservativism avows for a daily show carrying ‘bloody truths’ regarding conservative political and social matters. According to YouGov’s statistics, it’s ranked as the 11th most popular US podcast. It doesn’t include words of encouragement, such as highly appropriate for a political meeting.
Ben, the host, adores expressing his opinions on the matter and arguing with the guests about diverse topics, making the meeting feel like a quarrel. To this day, there are 1,800 episodes available, all of which can be found on well-known platforms such as YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and others.
#9 SmartLess
Being a podcast celebrity has its perks, wits and all! SmartLess is one of the most popular comedy podcasts where the hosts are well-known comedians Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, and Will Arnett – and it’s “three” comedians instead of just one. Leeroy’s guests are competent and knowledgeable individuals, who actively work with businesses on a freelance basis and/or have “influencer follows”. The ‘three’ of the trios tell a little more about each new guest, which always comes as a shocker to the rest of the duo.
It is a magnificent plot twist, one which is best viewed in action. All three say such “surprising” personalities, ask questions, exchange stories and create what the listener wants – a shocking and always unexpected narrative.
And of course, it’s entertaining for the viewers as well as the presenters, who have no idea about their guests and thus why the desired podcast has become quite popular and attracted an army of fans.
#10 Morbid
Morbid is a true-crime podcast and web series by Alaina Urquhart and Ashleigh Kelley. It has over 600 episodes. The series features various credible eerie crime episodes from murder and missing person cases. It encompasses all these primed with the details and the story behind the scenes.
This podcast attracts attention because it combines narration, investigation, and conversation, so for those who are simply interested and wish to delve into the criminal world, it is appealing. The way the moderate hosts treat the audience and the relatives of the victims also makes the show entertaining.
#11 This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von
This Past Weekend is a well-known comedy podcast created by the humorist Theo Von. For his guests, he invites comedians, actors and musicians to talk with him about everything, from what is currently trending to self-improvement but with a humorous edge as usual.
This Past Weekend is a podcast consisting of multiple episodes, each of which lasts an hour and a half to more than three hours. The host urges every one of his fans to get in touch with him directly regarding questions by leaving a message on the ‘hotline’ and even requests them to send a fan video that may be showcased on the next episode.
#12 Stuff You Should Know
Stuff You Should Know (SYSK) is an informative podcast by Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant. This show, short for SYSK, is widely appreciated for explaining difficult topics in an enjoyable and straightforward way.
In 2018, SYSK was purchased by iHeartMedia. Since then, the show has grown in popularity and now boasts over 2400 episodes.
What strikes the best about Josh and Chuck is their great chemistry which is why Stuff You Should Know is ranked one of the best podcasts in the world. Their way of presenting allows to learn about the most intricate issues with ease and pleasure, be it the evolution of pinball machines or the reason why there are black holes.
Read more such blogs on Holaquiz.
This week’s top new streaming movies include some of the most popular films today, the newest originals from leading streaming networks, as well as other less hyped-up films that many noticed came out in cinemas. There’s a variety of films spanning many genres up in Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Max, Peacock, and Paramount+, many of which are just off their cinematic run. Some recently featured titles are also getting some recognition in the award season buzz.
This week still showcases some Christmas cheer to those impatient viewers who just cannot wait for the festive season. There are several Netflix productions such as Emilia Pérez that are starting to generate some anticipation due to the awards season. This is however the best week of the year for several people as it’s the release week for some of the most smashing blockbusters of the year: Transformers One, Twisters, and Deadpool & Wolverine.
#10 The Last Breath (2024)
Ever since Jaws showed us how interesting a shark movie can be, there has not really been a ‘good’ shark-related film after it which is universally appreciated and leaves a gap or potential like we saw in Under Paris’s recent effort. The Last Breath is an entertaining movie that makes viewers think thrice before entering the water but includes an interesting twist in how it tells its shark attack story. The Last Breath follows a group of college friends on a scuba diving trip in the Caribbean. All goes well until the group decides to investigate a WWII wrecked ship and unbeknownst to them, they are trapped and being stalked by sharks.
It is interesting to note that in The Last Breath, the ocean becomes as much a villain as the sharks in this narrative. The main characters have to make the horrible decision of either drowning in the sunken maze of the ship or getting eaten by the sharks in the confrontation. However, it does make for a suspenseful underwater thriller though still not able to match the Jaws.
#9 Hot Frosty (2024)
When it comes to the Christmas period, Netflix’s catalogue has several good and cozy options that I feel will find their way to people as the familiar annual collection of Christmas rom-coms has already begun in the year 2024. But no other film will probably ever beating the outrageous concept of Hot Frosty. One of the stars Lacey Chabert portrays a widow called Cathy who is not so much of a fan of Christmas and her problems are consistently solved by turning a magic snowman into a hot nice guy.
The movie goes headfirst in this merry premise with Dustin Milligan portraying Jack Snowman providing both humor and charm in the role. Some other comedic actors who feature in the film are also very notable; for example, Craig Robinson plays the sheriff who is trying to get to the root of Jack’s mysterious activities. This creates a wonderful and amusing approach to the festivities.
#8 Return Of The King: The Fall And Rise Of Elvis Presley (2024)
There are many amazing music documentaries in the world today, but there is something special about Elvis Presley that has lasted for several decades and therefore any film of him is worth watching. Return of the King: The Fall and Rise of Elvis Presley is an account of an interesting and unique phase in Elvis’ career which transformed him into one of the biggest icons of world music.
The music-focused documentary looks at the era when Elvis’ music stopped resonating with the masses and he was slowly becoming well known as a family entertainer. But Elvis made an unforgettable comeback with an equally memorable television show which earned him the title ‘The King’. The interviews are interspersed with great footage of other legendary artists speaking about their love for Elvis, including Bruce Springsteen, and fans like Conan O’Brien.
#7 Close To You (2024)
After six years of absence from the big screen, Elliott Page comes back with a film called Close to You. Additionally, he made this film after transitioning into the character that he is today. Page returns home to celebrate his father’s birthday in Close to You. During the celebration, he encounters both his relatives and friends and learns how they feel about his decision to become a trans person.
The style of the film is intimate and very loose as if the viewer simply happens to be around the characters as they engage in highly spontaneous and unscripted chats. The page clearly portrays the private side of the ordeal in the film, answering many questions, criticisms or supportive comments which inevitably come in circumstances such as these.
#6 An Almost Christmas Story (2024)
For those still not prepared to settle down with the hour-and-a-half-long Christmas special can check out the shorter festive Christmas film which comes in the shape of An Almost Christmas Story. The animated movie depicts a young owl called Moon who is accidentally caught up in a tree chosen as the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree for the year. While finding his way around the big city, Moon meets and starts talking to a girl named Luna.
Although it is only a short film available on Disney+, there are some big names in the cast of An Almost Christmas Story. An and Two have co-written and directed the short film, David Lowery (The Green Knight) directed the film which was written in part by Alfonso Cuarón. It also features an incredible voice cast that includes Natasha Lyonne, John C. Reilly and Jim Gaffigan. It serves as a nice warm family Christmas collectible for viewers of all ages.
#5 Thelma (2024)
Thelma might be the most underappreciated film of the year; however, with it now streaming at home, new audiences should enjoy this delightful surprise. Oscar nominee June Squibb portrays Thelma, a widow who is swindled out of some money because of her goodness. Determined to show that she can function independently, she sets out to reclaim what was lost.
Although the movie may precisely be described as a revenge flick, it’s really about a woman who cherishes her life and aims to do all it takes to prove that she is not a liability. Squibb is wonderful in the lead role, and she manages to be funny, charming, and sweet all at the same time. Another great performance is given by the late Richard Roundtree as Thelma’s friend who is coerced into participating in the mission.
#4 Emilia Pérez (2024)
Every year, Netflix tries its level best to market one of its original films as an award-winning film during the award season. The film which seems to catch attention this time, and chances to sweep many nominations with it is the hyped musical titled Emilia Pérez. The main cast of the film Zoe Saldaña plays an unappreciated attorney bored of being at a dead-end and is approached by a powerful and dangerous drug kingpin named Emilia. The drug lord wants assistance in staging her death so that she can escape and fulfil her dreams.
The Emilia Pérez movie received a lot of positive reactions after its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival where it also took home the Jury Prize award and Best Actress award which was awarded to the four main actors of the film; Saldana, Karla Sofía Gascón, Selena Gomez, and Adriana Paz. Mixing music with crimes has never been done before and Emilia Pérez will undoubtedly not only be one of the most talked-about films of the Fall season but will also grab a lot of attention.
#3 Transformers One (2024)
Transformers has had its fair share of highs and lows over the decades as a franchise, but one thing that stood out about Transformers One was the fact that it catered to older fans and was animated. It is a prequel depicting the events behind Optimus Prime and Megatron in their prime friendship, on a planet named Cybertron, yet again, something goes haywire and the friends get all angry at each other and split up because they have got a ‘calling’.
Transformers movie fans have waited a long time for the action to be set in Cybertron and for the Transformers characters rather than the humans taking centre stage. Transformers One feels like accomplishing both and, oddly enough, seems like a good tale about two close friends growing apart. The voice cast includes Chris Hemsworth, Brian Tyree Henry and Scarlett Johansson.
#2 Twisters (2024)
Fresh in the theatres across America, once a blockbuster this summer season is ‘Twisters.’ This movie comes after a long gap of 1996 and this movie was stuck because of the constant change of directors. This movie has a new generation of cast which features Daisy Edgar Jones, and Glen Powell amongst others which definitely excites the audience.
The film is interesting as it nicely ties in with the previous one but brings new levels of destruction as well. Nevertheless, the cast earns the highest praise – actors Edgar-Jones and Powell are among the brightest rising stars of Hollywood including Meryl Streep. They easily make Twisters exceed the expectations of the audience when it comes to storm disasters, which is the whole point of the franchise.
#1 Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)
After an explosive performance at the box office which followed up with great audience reception, Deadpool & Wolverine is one of the most desirable streaming releases this year. This is the third movie in the Deadpool trilogy, but the first that puts the Merc with the Mouth voiced by Ryan Reynolds in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. As expected, Deadpool did not come to Disney of his own accord, as the film is a multiverse tale with the perfect narrator, Deadpool, and his co-star Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine pursuing their dual motivations to not get wiped out.
It is amazing to watch Reynolds and Jackman bring their characters to life in such blood-filled and laughter-packed light. There are a lot of great action sequences where Deadpool and Wolverine exchange some truly funny lines. Along with Reynolds and Jackman, the movie features plenty of Wolverine and Deadpool & Wolverine cameos which are always guaranteed to be the best moments in the MCU.
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