Top 10 Movies of 2024
I watched more new movies in 2024 than almost any other previous year, but it didn’t make narrowing down this list any easier. I have missed plenty of movies and I tried to write full reviews for as many as I could, but life happens.
Here are my favourite films of 2024!
Honourable Mentions
Saturday Night
A frantic whirlwind of chaotic energy. Jason Reitman’s direction and the incredible ensemble cast elevate this dramatized glimpse behind the first SNL broadcast.
Twisters
The vibes are unapologetically 90s and dialogue is deliberately cheesy, but the storm sequences are exhilarating.
A love letter to the stunt performers who rarely get their dues. Gosling shines amongst an already stellar cast. An unabashed great time.
Nosferatu
Some of the best cinematography of the year. A deeply disturbing modern depiction of the classic Dracula story.
10) Wicked: Part 1
One of the biggest cinematic events of the year. Surrounded by tons of hype and very high expectations, I went in pessimistic but was wholeheartedly won over. At times the movie feels sluggish but the incredible acting, rousing musical numbers, and strong themes make up for those shortcomings.
The finale is absolutely electrifying. As soon as Defying Gravity started I was locked in but that triumphant payoff, punctuated by Cynthia Erivo’s boundless vocals, had me fully converted. I literally go back and watch this scene again and again because it was so exhilarating.
8/10 - A film that turns me from skeptic to a superfan (who plays Defying Gravity on repeat) definitely merits a place in this list.
9) Alien: Romulus
Not just a worthy successor, but a brilliant evolution of the series. Masterful cinematography, incredible sound design, and a stellar finale make up for any other complaints I had.
Alvarez captures the atmosphere, visual style, and spirit of the original while incorporating the exciting action from its sequel. This is easily the best in the series since James Cameron’s Aliens. It succeeds by making Alien scary again! Seriously that creature at the end is pure nightmare fuel.
David Jonsson is a gem, and Cailee Spaeny is a worthy heir to the legendary Ripley. For fans of the franchise, and anyone who loves a truly terrifying sci-fi horror experience, this is the Alien movie we’ve been waiting for!
8/10 - Genuinely terrifying and the best Alien film in years. What a way to revive a franchise!
8) Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga
The perfect example of a modern revenge epic. An instant classic that is not as genre defining or revolutionary as Fury Road, but still a powerful character study and a thrilling action drama.
The gorgeous production design and immersive sound will draw you in, and the rich lore and emotional climax will leave you feeling a profound sense of catharsis.
Feels like a mythic tale or ancient legend brought to life. As Dementus puts it, “the question is, do you have it in you to make it epic?” Miller absolutely does.
8/10 - A classic revenge story that is brutal, operatic, and unforgettable.
- Click here for the full review -
7) Monkey Man
An incredible feat that hits way harder than you’d expect from a rookie director. Far more than John Wick in India. Dev Patel presents intense character moments and a cynical yet mesmerizing portrait of India in all its grime and glory.
Saturated with story and symbolism. Not a single shot feels wasted and so much is conveyed visually that the dialogue becomes almost unnecessary. The pacing is great, and every scene is so rich and densely packed that it feels more like a modern epic than a glitzy action movie.
8/10 - Bold, visceral, and packed with meaning. Kinetic action sequences, contemptible villains, and a rhythmic momentum locked me in, and the overt but powerful social commentary won me over.
6) The Wild Robot
Everything I look for in an animated feature. Breathtaking, sweet, heartfelt, and deeply inspirational. Despite the hype surrounding it and my already heightened expectations, it not only met but exceeded them. Full of rousing and emotionally resonant moments, stunning artistry, and several profound messages.
Combines a painterly aesthetic, rousing musical montages, and unforgettable characters into a sentimental and triumphant experience. This is a testament to perseverance, empathy, and the beauty of finding belonging where it’s least expected.
9/10 - It will make you want to go home to hug your parents, or if you are a parent hold your children a little closer.
5) The Substance
Takes hold of you and doesn’t let go. Exploring the duality of both leads with an intricate balance. You pity them as they antagonize each other but neither is a hero nor a villain; both suffer at the hands of their own monstrous and self-destructive desires.
Demi Moore is perfectly cast and her performance, while deliberately campy at times, shows impressive range. Margaret Qualley absolutely carries the film, embodying a vulnerability that pierces even deeper as her arc progresses.
It is grotesque and gratuitous but incredibly effective. Whether you appreciate the over-the-top approach or not, this is sure to make you think, even if the path is more than a little uncomfortable.
9/10 - A harsh critique of societal narcissism and the overwhelming industrial forces that push us to the superficial. The Substance lays bare the power of self-hatred, and the desperate loneliness that can follow.
- Click here for the full review -
4) Perfect Days
Perfect Days savours the little moments of sweetness in what might appear to be a mundane and routine life. Hard to describe this as anything other than infectiously cute. The cinematography is gorgeous and the endearing selection of mellow tunes makes this my favourite soundtrack of the year.
Light on plot, this is a series of slice-of-life vignettes that unveil resonant observations on life and culture. Moments are quiet but genuine and they don’t need a dramatic climax to have a powerful emotional effect.
9/10 - A nostalgic appreciation of life and the beauty of what is considered mundane. I want to visit Japan again!
3) Civil War
More prediction than fiction. This is not a blockbuster action film, but a multifaceted critique of how we report on and consume violence for titillation and entertainment. There is a strong commentary on the war photographer as a bystander, an observer who is not participating in the violence but is still present. We are forced to ask what witnessing and documenting these moments of horror does to a person and how far you might go to get “the shot”.
A film that is hard to remove from its context, America is more polarized than ever and tensions are rising. Civil War feels like it easily become reality. It doesn’t take on a particular partisan perspective but it does show where a divided nation could end up.
On a technical level the presentation of this movie is incredible and Alex Garland’s aesthetic direction is some of the most striking of the year. The camera is a character, and is critical in telling the story.
9/10 - A tense critique and poignant warning that may take on a whole different meaning in the coming future.
2) Sing Sing
A profound and deeply authentic film, tackling the challenges of emotional vulnerability and reclaiming humanity. Joyous, endearing, and sweet. I was left smiling ear-to-ear even as I held back tears. While perhaps too uplifting or sanitized for more cynical viewers, its emphasis on hope in an otherwise desperate situation makes the moments where it embraces grief all the more compelling.
The performances, whether from professionals like Colman Domingo or amateurs like Clarence Maclin, are spellbinding. This is a film that will captivate you, embrace you with love, forgiveness, and grace, and ultimately leave you with a deep sense of vulnerability and catharsis.
This completely caught me off guard. Its trancelike and so moving that I was stuck thinking about it for days after watching. Even more so because this program and the lives of inmates like these characters are real.
9/10 - A powerful testament to the transformative potential of the arts, even for those in the most challenging circumstances. Simply beautiful.
1) Dune: Part Two
A grandiose sci-fi epic that had me in awe. Improving on every aspect of the already stellar Part One, this is a mind-blowing experience that can only be realized on a gigantic screen with booming sound. More than its predecessor, Part Two takes advantage of the IMAX screen giving massive vistas, huge battle scenes, and gargantuan sandworms that feel larger than life.
Denis Villeneuve delivers everything a mythic sci-fi adventure should, all while tackling themes of colonization, political manipulation, and messianic religious figures. It’s a lot but remains captivating throughout, because of the brilliant direction.
Dune: Part Two is one of the most memorable theatre experiences of my life and certainly the most immaculate adaptation of a novel since Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings. Villeneuve solidifies his place as a master director and has set a new standard for grandiose science fiction cinema.
9.5/10 - Science-fiction and fantasy filmmaking at its finest. I can’t wait to see more of this world on the biggest screen possible.
These lists are never easy to make, especially when I’ve missed so many highly praised 2024 releases (Challengers, The Apprentice, Anora, Conclave, Flow, etc.) If you have other suggestions for films I should add to my watchlist please let me know
2025 looks like another great year so there will be lots too forward to.
Were these also your favourites? Please share your thoughts in the comments below and let me know what was on your list for the best of 2024!
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My Top 10 Movies of 2024!
Dune: Part Two
Sing Sing
Civil War
Perfect Days
The Substance
The Wild Robot
Monkey Man
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga
Alien: Romulus
Wicked: Part 1
2025 was a busy year for cinema, full of unforgettable theatrical experiences and deeply personal films. Here are my Top 10 favourite films of the year!