Welcome to the fourth annual Library Ladder Challenge, brought to you by Zach Brooks and Brendan Fitzpatrick, the hosts of the Movie Ladder Podcast, and me, Meaghan the Librarian (not a podcaster, but sometimes a podcast guest). Check out our podcast episode in which we put this challenge together.
My progress: 12/29 as of June 12
Prompts are here in the list description, or check the notes for each film for more detailed information including links to our suggested lists for you to draw from. (Click "Read Notes" or use this link to view the Notes.)
For this challenge, we watch two films per month. This year we also have five bonus prompts, one from each of the challenge hosts,…
Welcome to the fourth annual Library Ladder Challenge, brought to you by Zach Brooks and Brendan Fitzpatrick, the hosts of the Movie Ladder Podcast, and me, Meaghan the Librarian (not a podcaster, but sometimes a podcast guest). Check out our podcast episode in which we put this challenge together.
My progress: 12/29 as of June 12
Prompts are here in the list description, or check the notes for each film for more detailed information including links to our suggested lists for you to draw from. (Click "Read Notes" or use this link to view the Notes.)
For this challenge, we watch two films per month. This year we also have five bonus prompts, one from each of the challenge hosts, plus another two from Movie Ladder Podcast contributors Grace Leeder and Allix O. You can watch movies for all 29 prompts, or if there's something you're not too keen on in the main part of the challenge, use the bonus prompts to veto it. For extra credit: find films that fit more than one prompt.
Like our prompts? Join in! Tag your lists and movies with #LibraryLadder so we can follow along. We suggest doing the challenge in order, but only Zach will judge you if you don't.
Prompts
January, Part I: Watch a film about faith.
January, Part II: Watch a film told over decades.
February, Part I: Watch a film based on a British or Irish work of fiction published between 1789 and 1914.
February, Part II: Watch a courtroom film.
March, Part I: Watch a film that was nominated for both Best Art Direction/Production Design and Best Costume Design at the Oscars.
March, Part II: Watch a film about a performer.
April, Part I: Watch a lesser-known Russell Crowe film.
April, Part II: Watch a film set in a future that is now the past.
May, Part I: Watch a film recommended by Ari Aster.
May, Part II: Watch a film that uses the aesthetics of television.
June, Part I: Watch a filmed version of a stage show.
June, Part II: Watch a film starring and/or directed by Vincente Minnelli, Judy Garland, or Liza Minnelli.
July, Part I: Watch one of the 50 greatest films directed by Canadians.
July, Part II: Watch a film about someone with a secret identity.
August, Part I: Watch a film starring and/or directed by a member of the Huston family.
August, Part II: Watch a film starring an actor who was insulted in the media by another public figure in 2025.
September, Part I: Watch a film featuring a notable character actor.
September, Part II: Watch a film from the Weirdo Watchlist.
October, Part I: Watch a film produced by Hammer.
October, Part II: Watch a film nominated for a Horror Oscar.
November, Part I: Watch a film that shows someone knitting.
November, Part II: Watch a film about revenge.
December, Part I: Watch a film nominated for the Golden Brick Awards.
December, Part II: Watch a film named by Barack Obama in a year-end list.
Bonus I: Watch a film starring Josh Hartnett.
Bonus II: Watch a film with a country, state, province, or territory in the title.
Bonus III: Watch a film about someone who is physically or mentally unwell.
Bonus IV: Watch a Palme Dog Award winner.
Bonus V: Watch a film watched by someone else for a previous year's Library Ladder Challenge.
