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The films & shows about science recommended on podcasts

The films, shows and documentaries that actually got recommended on episodes about science, with the quote and the timestamp for each one.

247 films and shows surface around science-focused podcast conversations, topped by Hardcore History at 21 mentions, Chimp Empire at 18, and South Park at 14.

A history podcast and a satirical cartoon leading a science list says more about how these conversations actually flow than any tidy category could. Every mention here is timestamped, quoted, and easy to check against the source.

#1 · Hardcore History

Dan Carlin · Film / show · 21 endorsements

The endorsement here comes from Joe Rogan, on Joe Rogan Experience #2511 - Terry Bradshaw in 2026. That episode features Terry Bradshaw, Four-time Super Bowl-winning Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback, Hall of Famer, longtime Fox NFL broadcaster, and now a horse/cattle breeder, motivational speaker, and founder of Bradshaw Bourbon. In total it earned 21 separate on-air endorsements across 3 different shows (Joe Rogan, Lex Fridman, Tim Ferriss).

“there's a guy named Dan Carlin. He's got a fantastic series called uh Hardcore History. He had this series on Genghis Khan called The Wrath of the Khan.” — Joe Rogan 01:07:44

#2 · Chimp Empire

James Reed · Film / show · 18 endorsements

Recommended by Joe Rogan on Joe Rogan Experience #2428 - Michael P. Masters. That episode features Michael P. Masters, A biological anthropologist and professor at Montana Technological University, where he chairs the department. He's known for the theory that UFO occupants are time-traveling future humans, and is the author of four books plus a children's book. In total it earned 18 separate on-air endorsements across 3 different shows (Andrew Huberman, Joe Rogan, Lex Fridman).

“you ever watched Chimp Nation on Netflix. Amazing documentary. incredible docu series. Can't recommend it enough.” — Joe Rogan 02:45:21

#3 · South Park

Trey Parker & Matt Stone (inferred) · Film / show · 14 endorsements

Joe Rogan brought this up on Joe Rogan Experience #2377 - Carrot Top (2025-09-10). That episode features Carrot Top, Stage name of Scott Thompson, the red-haired prop comedian who has held a long-running headline residency at the Luxor in Las Vegas for nearly 20 years and was a Tonight Show regular in the Leno era. In total it earned 14 separate on-air endorsements across 2 different shows (Joe Rogan, Tim Ferriss).

“South Park has been around longer than anything ever that's still good. Like how do they do it? Brilliant.” — Joe Rogan 01:21:18

#4 · Ancient Apocalypse

Graham Hancock · Film / show · 11 endorsements

The endorsement here comes from Jimmy Corsetti, on Joe Rogan Experience #2231 - Jimmy Corsetti & Dan Richards in 2024. That episode features Jimmy Corsetti & Dan Richards, Jimmy Corsetti runs the alternative-history YouTube channel Bright Insight; Dan Richards runs Dedunking (D Dunking), a channel that fact-checks both mainstream and alternative archaeology claims. In total it earned 11 separate on-air endorsements across 2 different shows (Joe Rogan, Lex Fridman).

“I encourage everyone to go watch everyone go watch Ancient apocalypse Graham Hancock on Netflix think for yourself” — Jimmy Corsetti 03:00:27

#5 · Grizzly Man

Werner Herzog (inferred) · Film / show · 11 endorsements

Recommended by Joe Rogan on Joe Rogan Experience #2459 - Jim Breuer. That episode features Jim Breuer, Stand-up comedian and former SNL cast member (1995-1998), best known for the 'Goat Boy' character and the stoner movie Half Baked. A longtime friend of Rogan's from their early days on the New York/Boston comedy circuit. In total it earned 11 separate on-air endorsements across 3 different shows (Joe Rogan, Lex Fridman, Tim Ferriss).

“That's a great movie. That was one of the greatest movies I've ever seen. Greatest movie ever. Belly laughed watching that thing.” — Joe Rogan 02:07:51

#6 · Ex Machina

Alex Garland (inferred) · Film / show · 10 endorsements

Kevin Rose brought this up on New Health Gadgets, How to Drink Less, AI, & More (2025-05-23). Kevin is Tech entrepreneur and investor (founder of Digg, partner at True Ventures, host of the Modern Finance/Diggnation podcasts) and Tim Ferriss's recurring co-host on The Random Show. In total it earned 10 separate on-air endorsements across 3 different shows (Joe Rogan, Lex Fridman, Tim Ferriss).

“Have you seen a great movie, Ex Machina? Oh, of course. Fantastic movie. So good” — Kevin Rose 01:43:41

#7 · Moment of Contact

James Fox · Film / show · 9 endorsements

The endorsement here comes from Michael P. Masters, on Joe Rogan Experience #2428 - Michael P. Masters in 2025. Michael is A biological anthropologist and professor at Montana Technological University, where he chairs the department. He's known for the theory that UFO occupants are time-traveling future humans, and is the author of four books plus a children's book. In total it earned 9 separate on-air endorsements across 2 different shows (Joe Rogan, Tim Ferriss).

“that's the moment of contact documentary. Very good. Very good James Fox documentary. It is. Crazy documentary.” — Michael P. Masters 02:02:06

#8 · John Wick

Chad Stahelski (inferred) · Film / show · 9 endorsements

Recommended by Joe Rogan on Joe Rogan Experience #2456 - Michael Jai White. That episode features Michael Jai White, Actor, writer, and director (Black Dynamite, Spawn, Blood and Bone) and accomplished real-world martial artist with multiple black belts. He and Rogan trained together in the LA kickboxing scene in the 1990s. It has been genuinely recommended 9 times on the show.

“John Wick was hard. I'm a giant John Wick fan especially John Wick one... I fucking love those movies.” — Joe Rogan 01:29:34

#9 · Arrival

Denis Villeneuve (inferred) · Film / show · 9 endorsements

Joe Rogan brought this up on Joe Rogan Experience #2344 - Amjad Masad (2025-07-02). That episode features Amjad Masad, Founder and CEO of Replit, an AI-powered platform that lets anyone build software by prompting from their phone. A Palestinian-Jordanian immigrant, former Facebook engineer, and outspoken commentator on tech, free speech, and the Israel-Palestine conflict. In total it earned 9 separate on-air endorsements across 3 different shows (Joe Rogan, Lex Fridman, Tim Ferriss).

“the Arrival was Oh yeah, Arrival was great too.” — Joe Rogan 01:18:27

#10 · The Hustler

Walter Tevis (inferred) · Film / show · 9 endorsements

The endorsement here comes from Joe Rogan, on Joe Rogan Experience #2438 - John Mellencamp in 2026. That episode features John Mellencamp, Heartland rock legend behind hits like 'Jack and Diane,' 'Hurt So Good,' 'Small Town,' and 'Pink Houses,' originally marketed against his will as 'Johnny Cougar.' Co-founder of Farm Aid and a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee. It has been genuinely recommended 9 times on the show.

“I love that guy. Hustler. One of my favorite movies of all time.” — Joe Rogan 02:07:51

#11 · True Romance

Tony Scott (inferred) · Film / show · 9 endorsements

Recommended by Dan Houser on Dan Houser: GTA, Red Dead Redemption, Rockstar, Absurd & Future of Gaming | Lex . Dan is Legendary video game creator, co-founder of Rockstar Games, and lead writer behind the Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption series. He has since founded a new company, Absurdventures, building new worlds across books, comics, audio, and games. In total it earned 9 separate on-air endorsements across 3 different shows (Andrew Huberman, Joe Rogan, Lex Fridman).

“I love True Romance. Possibly the best, one of the best scripts ever written.” — Dan Houser 00:10:34

#12 · Alien

Ridley Scott (inferred) · Film / show · 8 endorsements

Joe Rogan brought this up on Joe Rogan Experience #2452 - Roger Avary (2026-02-11). That episode features Roger Avary, Oscar-winning screenwriter who co-wrote Pulp Fiction with Quentin Tarantino, and wrote/directed films like Silent Hill and the 2007 Beowulf. Now building an AI-filmmaking company. It has been genuinely recommended 8 times on the show.

“It's one of the best movies ever made. And it's a 1979 movie” — Joe Rogan 00:57:21

#13 · Happy People: A Year in the Taiga

Werner Herzog · Film / show · 8 endorsements

The endorsement here comes from Joe Rogan, on Joe Rogan Experience #2459 - Jim Breuer in 2026. That episode features Jim Breuer, Stand-up comedian and former SNL cast member (1995-1998), best known for the 'Goat Boy' character and the stoner movie Half Baked. A longtime friend of Rogan's from their early days on the New York/Boston comedy circuit. In total it earned 8 separate on-air endorsements across 2 different shows (Joe Rogan, Lex Fridman).

“this Happy People, Life in the Tiger is all about these trappers that live in the tiger forest in Siberia... It's a really good documentary” — Joe Rogan 02:08:24

#14 · Roger & Me

Michael Moore · Film / show · 8 endorsements

Recommended by Joe Rogan on Joe Rogan Experience #2492 - Ari Shaffir. That episode features Ari Shaffir, Stand-up comedian, host of the podcasts Skeptic Tank and You Be Tripping, and co-host of Legion of Skanks. Creator of the storytelling show This Is Not Happening, his Netflix special Jew, and his new self-financed show The End. It has been genuinely recommended 8 times on the show.

“That's Roger and me, that documentary. Michael Moore's greatest documentary is all his first one is his best one.” — Joe Rogan 00:40:24

#15 · The Sopranos

David Chase (inferred) · Film / show · 8 endorsements

Joe Rogan brought this up on Joe Rogan Experience #2329 - Ehsan Ahmad (2025-05-29). That episode features Ehsan Ahmad, Austin-based stand-up comedian who came up through the Comedy Store and now works the Mothership scene. Co-hosts 'The Solid Show' podcast with his friend Derek. It has been genuinely recommended 8 times on the show.

“Sopranos, one of the greatest TV shows of all time. Celebrated by everybody. Wins awards. It was about the mob” — Joe Rogan 00:30:42

#16 · 2001: A Space Odyssey

Stanley Kubrick (inferred) · Film / show · 7 endorsements

The endorsement here comes from Joe Rogan, on Joe Rogan Experience #2012 - Gad Saad in 2024. That episode features Gad Saad, Evolutionary behavioral scientist and professor; author of The Parasitic Mind and The Saad Truth about Happiness; making his ninth appearance on the Joe Rogan Experience. In total it earned 7 separate on-air endorsements across 2 different shows (Joe Rogan, Lex Fridman).

“that movie is amazing it's not just amazing it's amazing visually and it's from 1968” — Joe Rogan 00:17:50

#17 · Oppenheimer

Christopher Nolan (inferred) · Film / show · 7 endorsements

Recommended by Eric Weinstein on You’re Watching the End of the World in Real Time - Eric Weinstein. Eric is Mathematician, physicist, and provocative public intellectual known for his 'Geometric Unity' theory of physics and his critiques of academic and scientific institutions. Former managing director of Thiel Capital and host of The Portal podcast. In total it earned 7 separate on-air endorsements across 3 different shows (Diary of a CEO, Joe Rogan, Lex Fridman).

“So, go watch the movie Oppenheimer, if you will. But, this is why physics physicists are the only occupation” — Eric Weinstein 01:40:45

#18 · The Godfather

Francis Ford Coppola · Film / show · 7 endorsements

Joe Rogan brought this up on Joe Rogan Experience #2329 - Ehsan Ahmad (2025-05-29). That episode features Ehsan Ahmad, Austin-based stand-up comedian who came up through the Comedy Store and now works the Mothership scene. Co-hosts 'The Solid Show' podcast with his friend Derek. In total it earned 7 separate on-air endorsements across 3 different shows (Joe Rogan, Lex Fridman, Tim Ferriss).

“The Godfather is one of the greatest movies of all time. It's a movie about the mob” — Joe Rogan 00:30:42

#19 · Contact

Robert Zemeckis (inferred) · Film / show · 6 endorsements

The endorsement here comes from Katee Sackhoff, on Joe Rogan Experience #2400 - Katee Sackhoff in 2025. Katee is American actress best known for playing Kara 'Starbuck' Thrace in the rebooted Battlestar Galactica and Bo-Katan Kryze in The Mandalorian. She also hosts The Sackoff Show podcast. In total it earned 6 separate on-air endorsements across 3 different shows (Andrew Huberman, Joe Rogan, Lex Fridman).

“It's from the movie with Jodie Foster. Contact. Beautiful movie. It's a great movie.” — Katee Sackhoff 01:56:04

#20 · Chernobyl

HBO (inferred) · Film / show · 6 endorsements

Recommended by Lex Fridman on Chris Tarbell: FBI Agent Who Took Down Silk Road | Lex Fridman Podcast #340. That episode features Chris Tarbell, Former FBI special agent and cybercrime specialist who tracked down and arrested Ross Ulbricht (Dread Pirate Roberts) of Silk Road and Hector Monsegur (Sabu) of LulzSec and Anonymous. He is now co-founder of the cybersecurity firm Naxo and co-hosts the podcast The Hacker and the Fed. It has been genuinely recommended 6 times on the show.

“shows like Chernobyl from HBO made me realize okay you can do a good job of a difficult story and reveal the human side but also reveal the technical side” — Lex Fridman 01:18:50

#21 · Magical Egypt

John Anthony West · Film / show · 6 endorsements

guest brought this up on Joe Rogan Experience #2215 - Graham Hancock (2024-10-17). That episode features Graham Hancock, British author and journalist known for Fingerprints of the Gods and the Netflix series Ancient Apocalypse, proponent of a lost advanced civilization from the last Ice Age. It has been genuinely recommended 6 times on the show.

“I recommend um that to everybody that magical Egypt the two DVD series that he had they were amazing” — guest 02:23:25

#22 · Yellowstone

Taylor Sheridan (inferred) · Film / show · 5 endorsements

The endorsement here comes from John Fogerty, on Joe Rogan Experience #2485 - John Fogerty in 2026. John is Frontman, songwriter, and guitarist of Creedence Clearwater Revival, author of American rock anthems like Fortunate Son, Proud Mary, and Bad Moon Rising. A solo Rock and Roll Hall of Fame artist still touring his Legacy Tour. In total it earned 5 separate on-air endorsements across 2 different shows (Joe Rogan, Lex Fridman).

“I watch some TV shows and my favorites are the the the modern, you know, like Yellowstone and all the other ones after that.” — John Fogerty 01:56:47

#23 · Interstellar

Christopher Nolan (inferred) · Film / show · 5 endorsements

Recommended by Joe Rogan on Joe Rogan Experience #2066 - Ralph Barbosa. That episode features Ralph Barbosa, 27-year-old stand-up comedian from Dallas, Texas who blew up through online clips and a Netflix special; a former auto-body and candy-paint car painter before comedy took over. In total it earned 5 separate on-air endorsements across 3 different shows (Joe Rogan, Lex Fridman, Tim Ferriss).

“Matthew MCC yeah that was a great movie bro even he got back in the ship and was like nah I'm out” — Joe Rogan 02:21:38

#24 · The Age of Disclosure

Dan Farah (inferred) · Film / show · 5 endorsements

Joe Rogan brought this up on Joe Rogan Experience #2495 - Tim Burchett (2026-05-07). That episode features Tim Burchett, Republican U.S. Congressman from East Tennessee and former Knox County mayor, known as one of Congress's most outspoken advocates for UFO/UAP disclosure. Son of a WWII Marine, he also makes handmade skateboards. In total it earned 5 separate on-air endorsements across 2 different shows (Diary of a CEO, Joe Rogan).

“the documentary Age of Disclosure, yeah, and you're in that. Um it's really great. If you haven't seen it folks and you're interested in the UFO phenomenon” — Joe Rogan 00:52:55

#25 · The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Bethesda (inferred) · Film / show · 5 endorsements

The endorsement here comes from George Hotz, on George Hotz: Tiny Corp, Twitter, AI Safety, Self-Driving, GPT, AGI & God | Lex F in 2023. George is Hacker famous for jailbreaking the iPhone and PS3; founder of comma.ai (self-driving) and tiny corp (tinygrad neural-network framework). Briefly an 'intern' at Twitter under Elon Musk. It has been genuinely recommended 5 times on the show.

“Skyrim and GTA 5. Skyrim yeah that's probably number one for me” — George Hotz 02:43:05

Also recommended

5× recommended

An American Werewolf in London

John Landis

Joe Rogan +4
5× recommended

There Will Be Blood

Paul Thomas Anderson (inferred)

Joe Rogan +4
5× recommended

You Don't Mess with the Zohan

Adam Sandler (inferred)

Joe Rogan +4
4× recommended

1883

Taylor Sheridan (inferred)

Joe Rogan +5
4× recommended

Good Will Hunting

Gus Van Sant (inferred)

Joe Rogan +4
4× recommended

House of Cards

Beau Willimon (inferred)

Joe Rogan +4
4× recommended

Watchmen

Zack Snyder (inferred)

Joe Rogan +4
4× recommended

Black Mirror

Charlie Brooker (inferred)

Joe Rogan +3
4× recommended

Bob Lazar: Area 51 & Flying Saucers

Jeremy Corbell

Joe Rogan +3
4× recommended

Cocaine Cowboys

Billy Corben (inferred)

Joe Rogan +3
4× recommended

Collateral

Michael Mann (inferred)

Joe Rogan +3
4× recommended

Cosmos

Carl Sagan (inferred)

Tim Ferriss +3
4× recommended

Rick and Morty

Justin Roiland and Dan Harmon (inferred)

Lex Fridman +3
4× recommended

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Nintendo (inferred)

Lex Fridman +3
4× recommended

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

Amazon Prime Video (inferred)

Tim Ferriss +3
4× recommended

The Matrix

The Wachowskis (inferred)

Lex Fridman +3
4× recommended

The Substance

Coralie Fargeat (inferred)

Joe Rogan +3
4× recommended

Trip of Compassion

Tim Ferriss +3
3× recommended

What Is a Woman?

Matt Walsh

Joe Rogan +4
3× recommended

Fear and Loathing in the New Jerusalem

Daryl Cooper

Joe Rogan +3
3× recommended

The Insider

Michael Mann (inferred)

Joe Rogan +3
3× recommended

Basquiat

Julian Schnabel (inferred)

Andrew Huberman +2
3× recommended

Children of Men

Alfonso Cuaron (inferred)

Joe Rogan +2
3× recommended

Dealt

Tim Ferriss +2
3× recommended

Elden Ring

FromSoftware (inferred)

Lex Fridman +2
3× recommended

In Living Color

Keenen Ivory Wayans (inferred)

Joe Rogan +2
3× recommended

Leon: The Professional

Luc Besson (inferred)

Lex Fridman +2
3× recommended

No Reservations

Anthony Bourdain

Joe Rogan +2
3× recommended

Pimp Chronicles

Katt Williams

Joe Rogan +2
3× recommended

Rats

Netflix

Joe Rogan +2
3× recommended

The Expanse

Mark Fergus, Hawk Ostby (inferred)

Lex Fridman +2
3× recommended

The Outlaw Josey Wales

Clint Eastwood (inferred)

Joe Rogan +2
2× recommended

Huberman Lab

Andrew Huberman

Lex Fridman +2
2× recommended

Martyr Made

Daryl Cooper

Joe Rogan +2
2× recommended

Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark

David Maisel (inferred)

Joe Rogan +2
2× recommended

The Wall

Pink Floyd

Joe Rogan +2
2× recommended

Trafficked

National Geographic (inferred)

Joe Rogan +2
2× recommended

12 Monkeys

Terry Gilliam (inferred)

Tim Ferriss +1
2× recommended

A Man for All Seasons

Joe Rogan +1
2× recommended

Am I Racist?

Matt Walsh

Joe Rogan +1
2× recommended

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice

Tim Burton (inferred)

Joe Rogan +1
2× recommended

Dressed to Kill

Brian De Palma (inferred)

Joe Rogan +1
2× recommended

Hallelujah

Leonard Cohen

Tim Ferriss +1
2× recommended

Have You Seen Me Lately

Sam Kinison

Joe Rogan +1
2× recommended

Hurt (Johnny Cash cover)

Johnny Cash

Lex Fridman +1
2× recommended

Jiro Dreams of Sushi

David Gelb (inferred)

Tim Ferriss +1
2× recommended

Kate McCannon

Colter Wall

Joe Rogan +1
2× recommended

Louder Than Hell

Sam Kinison

Joe Rogan +1
2× recommended

Minority Report

Steven Spielberg (inferred)

Lex Fridman +1
2× recommended

Mob Land

Guy Ritchie (inferred)

Joe Rogan +1
2× recommended

Monty Python's Life of Brian

Monty Python (inferred)

Lex Fridman +1
2× recommended

Operation Odessa

Tiller Russell

Joe Rogan +1
2× recommended

Pluribus

Vince Gilligan (inferred)

Joe Rogan +1
2× recommended

Red Scare

Red Scare (inferred)

Lex Fridman +1
2× recommended

Scent of a Woman

Martin Brest (inferred)

Lex Fridman +1
2× recommended

Sour Grapes

Jerry Rothwell and Reuben Atlas (inferred)

Joe Rogan +1
2× recommended

Tetris

Alexey Pajitnov (inferred)

Lex Fridman +1
2× recommended

The Dark Knight

Christopher Nolan (inferred)

Joe Rogan +1
2× recommended

The Stanley Parable

Galactic Cafe (inferred)

Lex Fridman +1
2× recommended

Wrath of the Khans

Dan Carlin (Hardcore History)

Tim Ferriss +1

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