Two for One: guests, movies and everything you need to know about the TCM series

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(Image credit: Turner Classic Movies)

Turner Classic Movies is bringing in the likes of Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg, Nicole Holofcener, Spike Lee and more for a brand-new limited series set to premiere on the channel called Two for One. Each week, these filmmakers are going to curate classic double features for movie fans to enjoy.

TCM received a groundswell of support back in 2023 when fans rallied to #SaveTCM amid some proposed changes to the popular cable channel. That led Scorsese, Spielberg and others to offer their support curating movies to air and help out with some new and unique programming. We've already seen some of that in 2024 with TCM airing the documentary series The Power of Film, in addition to continuing popular programming specials like 31 Days of Oscar, birthday celebrations of iconic movie stars like Marlon Brando and a special celebration of MGM's 100th anniversary.

We've got everything you need to know about Two for One right here, from who is going to show up as guests to what movies are going to be shown. 

Two for One next episode

There are no more new episodes of Two for One on TCM.

Two for One premise

Per TCM, Two for One "will feature 12 nights of double features curated by some of the most celebrated filmmakers in Hollywood."

Sitting down with TCM host Ben Mankiewicz, the filmmakers will offer commentary on their picks, including their cultural significance, influence on other movies, behind-the-scenes stories and their own personal reflections on their selected titles.

Or, as the tagline for the series states: "Two Films. One Filmmaker. Countless Perspectives."

Two for One guests

Among the group of 12 filmmakers set to appear on Two for One there are eight Oscar nominees and four Oscar winners, directors of some of the biggest box office hits of all time, actors, writers and composers. Here is exactly who you will see as Two for One guests: 

  • Martin Scorsese
  • Olivia Wilde
  • Paul Thomas Anderson
  • Rian Johnson
  • Spike Lee
  • Patty Jenkins
  • Steven Spielberg
  • Ethan Hawke
  • David Byrne
  • Gina Prince-Bythewood
  • Todd Haynes
  • Nicole Holofcener

Two for One movies

Here are the list of the movies that each filmmaker has picked to be featured as part of the Two for One series:

Martin Scorsese

  • Blood on the Moon (1948) 
  • One Touch of Venus (1948)

Olivia Wilde 

  • Auntie Mame (1958)
  • Grey Gardens (1976)

Paul Thomas Anderson 

  • The Bad News Bears (1976)
  • Bugsy Malone (1976)

Rian Johnson 

  • Trouble in Paradise (1932)
  • Jewel Robbery (1932)

Spike Lee 

  • A Face in the Crowd (1957)
  • Ace in the Hole (1951)

Patty Jenkins 

  • The Fisher King (1991)
  • Synecdoche, New York (2008)

Steven Spielberg 

  • Jailhouse Rock (1957)
  • Forty Guns (1957)

Ethan Hawke

  • The Gunfighter (1950)
  • Gun Crazy (1950)

David Byrne

  • A Matter of Life and Death (1946)
  • Wings of Desire (1987)

Gina Prince-Bythewood

  • Central Station (1998)
  • Fruitvale Station (2013)

Todd Haynes

  • The Go-Between (1971)
  • Sunday Bloody Sunday (1971)

Nicole Holofcener

  • Coming Home (1978)
  • The Last Detail (1973)

Two for One trailer 

Get a taste of the enthusiastic conversations to be had in the Two for One series with this teaser trailer: 

COMING SOON: Two For One - YouTube COMING SOON: Two For One - YouTube
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Michael Balderston

Michael Balderston is a DC-based entertainment and assistant managing editor for What to Watch, who has previously written about the TV and movies with TV Technology, Awards Circuit and regional publications. Spending most of his time watching new movies at the theater or classics on TCM, some of Michael's favorite movies include Casablanca, Moulin Rouge!, Silence of the Lambs, Children of Men, One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest and Star Wars. On the TV side he enjoys Only Murders in the Building, Yellowstone, The Boys, Game of Thrones and is always up for a Seinfeld rerun. Follow on Letterboxd.