THE YEAR IN MOVIES - 2024
- 2024 was another amazing year for movies. And it was another year that, as I continued to struggle with Long COVID and the limitations it placed on me, the more I felt grateful for all those great movies. I know that we are always having these conversations about going to the theater vs. watching things at home. And sure, I very much enjoy curling up on the couch at home and watching something there. But going to the movies ... to me, there's still nothing like it. Especially when you have a good crowd that, like you, is there not to look at their phones or take photos for social media clout, but to be in the place where the magic happens (to paraphrase Nicole Kidman). A few weeks ago, I went to see a theatrical showing of Christopher Nolan's Interstellar - re-released in IMAX for a limited time. The experience was a memorable one. Even though I saw it in IMAX upon initial release, years ago - getting to now show the movie to others who hadn't previously seen it, in this format - it was something special. But it's not just big, huge epic movies that play better on the big screen. When I think back to all of my theater-going experiences in 2024, I think about the sort of immersion I experienced during the hypnotic Anora or the travelogue comedy of A Real Pain. These films were just as big-screen worthy, in my view, as anything else. And of course, the experience is always about more than just the movie itself. I think back to our "gathering of the fellowship" to see a new Lord of the Rings movie, or celebrating my birthday by experiencing the ridiculously over-the-top spectacle of Megalopolis ... these are some of my favorite memories of 2024.
2024 was one of the best years for horror movies that I can remember. I think the genre is expanding and continually finding new audiences - because when you have a great year for horror like 2024, people start to realize that horror movies can say so much about the world we live in. They're also the most fun movies to see with an audience. And as I type that, I can't help but smile as I think back to seeing Alien: Romulus and exchanging amused glances with friends, as a girl sitting behind us screamed bloody murder during a particularly crazy sequence. But man, it's hard to quantify these things ... but in a year that had The Substance, Nosferatu, Longlegs, MaXXXine, Late Night With the Devil, Alien: Romulus, Heretic, Oddity, Exhuma, A Quiet Place: Day One, I Saw the TV Glow, and more ... I mean, maybe it really WAS the best year for horror ever?
Tangent: I feel bad for people who have sort of stopped looking forward to things. I know ... everyone's brain works differently. But one thing I love about being a pop-culture nerd is how much there always is to be excited about. Even when things get rough, there's always a big new movie just around the corner. I know for me, during this crazy Long COVID period, it's something I've come to appreciate more than ever. Someone asked me recently if I ever get tired of movies. And I thought that, yeah, there is always that moment at the end of the year where I've seen a ton of stuff, in an effort to cram in all the potential awards nominees before the end of the year, and am feeling just a bit burnt out on movies. There's always that moment where I actually do get a little bit sick of watching and thinking about movies, even the good ones, and just want to "touch grass" as the kids say. But then I inevitably start thinking about the next few months. This year, I'm thinking about how in a few short weeks we've got a new Captain America movie coming out, and a two new Steven Soderbergh movies, and then a new Jurassic Park and ... well, you get the picture. So sure, I'm taking this moment to look back. But I'm also already thinking about what's to come. And I'm already pretty excited about all of it.
Back to 2024 though ... it was a great year for horror, but wow, it was a great year for movies in general. Literally all 51 movies talked about below are GREAT movies, in my estimation. Flawed, sure, in some cases. But there's some spark of greatness. Something I won't forget. And even in the honorable mentions below that, there are a bunch that I regretted to leave off the main list. So I hope you will find at least a few things to like and discover here.
DANNY'S BEST MOVIES OF 2024:
1.) Anora
- Sean Baker has been one of my favorite filmmakers for a long time now. His movies tell smaller-scale stories, yet always feel huge in terms of theme. His films are funny, poignant, and incredibly human. All the same, they have a heightened, mesmerizing quality to them that always transports you. From The Florida Project to Red Rocket and now ... what might be his best movie yet. Because Anora is a masterpiece and my favorite film of the year. I've loved all of Sean Baker's work, but the combination of humor, pathos, non-stop momentum, and thought-provoking commentary / character study here is simply genius. Mikey Madison kills it in the lead role - what a transformative, breakout turn (and I was lucky to see a fantastic Q&A with her following the film - she's got a bright future ahead of her!). So too does Yura Borisov, in what has got to be one of the most quietly devastating performances I've ever seen. Inspiring stuff. In its own way, Anora is one of the best explorations of the American Dream I've ever seen. And I can't wait to see what Sean Baker does next.
2.) Perfect Days
- Yes, this one is going on my 2024 list, even though it was in consideration for last year's Oscars. But to be fair, it didn't get a real US release until February of *this* year. And I had to put it on this list, because the movie is phenomenal and gave me so much to unpack. It’s a poignant, profound film brilliantly directed by Wim Wenders and featuring the performance of a lifetime by Koji Yakusho. It's a simple but many-layered story about the life of a humble Tokyo toilet cleaner and the people he encounters in his daily cleaning routine around the city. But there is so much happening here beneath the surface, and Wenders does a masterful job of showing us just enough to get a sense of our protagonist's inner life and backstory. It also serves as an engrossing tour of Tokyo (including the fact that the city, apparently, has extremely nice public bathrooms!).
3.) Dune: Part Two
- As much as I loved the first film, this one tops it - and truly feels like The Empire Strikes Back of this series. Bigger, darker, more complex - with a world that opens up and reveals a much larger scope and scale to the story. I was on the edge of my seat throughout - mesmerized by director Denis Villeneuve's striking and awe-inspiring imagery. There were SO many scenes that were seared into my brain, bursting with imagination and painterly composition. The film was filled with fantastic performances top to bottom. Timothée Chalamet really impresses, undergoing an unsettling transformation as the movie progresses. Zendaya brings raw emotion and heart. Rebecca Ferguson is a show-stealer, as usual, with her steely-eyed gravitas. This is the kind of visionary sci-fi/fantasy cinema that we only get every so often from a big Hollywood studio.
- As much as I loved the first film, this one tops it - and truly feels like The Empire Strikes Back of this series. Bigger, darker, more complex - with a world that opens up and reveals a much larger scope and scale to the story. I was on the edge of my seat throughout - mesmerized by director Denis Villeneuve's striking and awe-inspiring imagery. There were SO many scenes that were seared into my brain, bursting with imagination and painterly composition. The film was filled with fantastic performances top to bottom. Timothée Chalamet really impresses, undergoing an unsettling transformation as the movie progresses. Zendaya brings raw emotion and heart. Rebecca Ferguson is a show-stealer, as usual, with her steely-eyed gravitas. This is the kind of visionary sci-fi/fantasy cinema that we only get every so often from a big Hollywood studio.
4.) Sing Sing
- What a movie. That one got to me. It's an incredibly powerful, overwhelmingly emotional film. The great Colman Domingo delivers yet another Oscar-worthy performance, in what's got to be my favorite overall performance of 2024. And the rest of the cast - most of them non-professional actors and actual formerly incarcerated people - is also remarkable. A striking, searing, uplifting prison film about the power of redemption, and an inspirational testament to the power of creative expression. This one has been far too under the radar - make a point to watch it if you can!
5.) The Substance
- The Substance left me both wowed and slightly traumatized - and I haven't been able to stop thinking about it since. This is flat-out one of the wildest, gnarliest, and most extreme movies you will ever see. It's Black Mirror-esque sci-fi social satire mixed with David Lynch-style weirdness and David Cronenberg-like, boundary-pushing body horror. Demi Moore & Margaret Qualley go for broke (one of Demi's best acting turns ever), and writer/director Coralie Fargeat (who previously gave us the adrenaline-fueled Revenge) leaves quite a mark. This is an unforgettable parable about aging, the questfor eternal youth, and the perils of trying to stay young forever in Hollywood. What a ride.
- What a movie. That one got to me. It's an incredibly powerful, overwhelmingly emotional film. The great Colman Domingo delivers yet another Oscar-worthy performance, in what's got to be my favorite overall performance of 2024. And the rest of the cast - most of them non-professional actors and actual formerly incarcerated people - is also remarkable. A striking, searing, uplifting prison film about the power of redemption, and an inspirational testament to the power of creative expression. This one has been far too under the radar - make a point to watch it if you can!
5.) The Substance
- The Substance left me both wowed and slightly traumatized - and I haven't been able to stop thinking about it since. This is flat-out one of the wildest, gnarliest, and most extreme movies you will ever see. It's Black Mirror-esque sci-fi social satire mixed with David Lynch-style weirdness and David Cronenberg-like, boundary-pushing body horror. Demi Moore & Margaret Qualley go for broke (one of Demi's best acting turns ever), and writer/director Coralie Fargeat (who previously gave us the adrenaline-fueled Revenge) leaves quite a mark. This is an unforgettable parable about aging, the questfor eternal youth, and the perils of trying to stay young forever in Hollywood. What a ride.
6.) Love Lies Bleeding
- Speaking of wild rides, Love Lies Bleeding is a nitro-fueled roller-coaster ride that kicks ass in every conceivable way. Kristen Stewart, Katy M O'Brian (in a truly breakout performance), and Ed Harris absolutely kill. And director Rose Glass - I'm floored by what she did here, because this film is a statement movie if ever there was one. Hard-hitting, tense, scary, funny, violent, crazy. A roid-rage crime-noir 80's-set romance-thriller that feels like a total burst of originality. I'm glad I saw this one with a packed audience - because there were some *reactions*!
7.) Challengers
- Challengers was an instantly iconic, singularly unique, swing-for-the-fences movie from Luca Guadagnino. It's crazy, campy, and heightened to the extreme - and incredibly fun to see in the theater, as it very much is a film that playfully manipulates its audience. Some real *Movie Star* performances in this one too from Zendaya, Mike Faist, and Josh O'Connor. A memorable techno score from Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross as well. A strange, hypnotic, kinetically-charged piece of cinema that has stuck with me all year long.
- Speaking of wild rides, Love Lies Bleeding is a nitro-fueled roller-coaster ride that kicks ass in every conceivable way. Kristen Stewart, Katy M O'Brian (in a truly breakout performance), and Ed Harris absolutely kill. And director Rose Glass - I'm floored by what she did here, because this film is a statement movie if ever there was one. Hard-hitting, tense, scary, funny, violent, crazy. A roid-rage crime-noir 80's-set romance-thriller that feels like a total burst of originality. I'm glad I saw this one with a packed audience - because there were some *reactions*!
7.) Challengers
- Challengers was an instantly iconic, singularly unique, swing-for-the-fences movie from Luca Guadagnino. It's crazy, campy, and heightened to the extreme - and incredibly fun to see in the theater, as it very much is a film that playfully manipulates its audience. Some real *Movie Star* performances in this one too from Zendaya, Mike Faist, and Josh O'Connor. A memorable techno score from Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross as well. A strange, hypnotic, kinetically-charged piece of cinema that has stuck with me all year long.
8.) Problemista
- Problemista is a small miracle of a movie. This is SNL writer Julio Torres' first film as a writer, director, and star - and he absolutely kills it, bringing serious Charlie Kaufman-esque vibes to a movie that's weird and hilarious yet also poignant and real-feeling. A surreal and whimsical journey that's also a pretty spot-on commentary on how to survive in our late-stage capitalist culture. Tilda Swinton is amazing here too - an absolute force of nature. Another under the radar movie from 2024 that deserves much more attention.
9.) Strange Darling
- I went in basically blind to this movie, deciding to see it at the last minute based on the online buzz I was hearing ... and holy lord, did it ever live up to the hype. An incredible indie thriller that’s filled with devilishly entertaining twists and turns. And it's got a wickedly awesome breakthrough central performance from Willa Fitzgerald. Kyle Gallner is great too. Writer/director JT Mollner infuses the movie with shades of David Lynch and Jeremy Saulnier and a bit of Ti West - and absolutely knocks it out of the park. Avoid spoilers and go watch it asap!
- Problemista is a small miracle of a movie. This is SNL writer Julio Torres' first film as a writer, director, and star - and he absolutely kills it, bringing serious Charlie Kaufman-esque vibes to a movie that's weird and hilarious yet also poignant and real-feeling. A surreal and whimsical journey that's also a pretty spot-on commentary on how to survive in our late-stage capitalist culture. Tilda Swinton is amazing here too - an absolute force of nature. Another under the radar movie from 2024 that deserves much more attention.
9.) Strange Darling
- I went in basically blind to this movie, deciding to see it at the last minute based on the online buzz I was hearing ... and holy lord, did it ever live up to the hype. An incredible indie thriller that’s filled with devilishly entertaining twists and turns. And it's got a wickedly awesome breakthrough central performance from Willa Fitzgerald. Kyle Gallner is great too. Writer/director JT Mollner infuses the movie with shades of David Lynch and Jeremy Saulnier and a bit of Ti West - and absolutely knocks it out of the park. Avoid spoilers and go watch it asap!
10.) Thelma
- Thelma made me howl with laughter, made me teary eyed, and made me miss my grandma. It’s a great LA movie, a great Jewish movie, and one of the funniest comedies in a long time - with an amazing, one-of-a-kind performance from the legendary June Squibb. The whole cast is excellent - Richard Roundtree (RIP), Parker Posey, Clark Gregg, Fred Hechinger - but Squibb is next level. This story of a 93 year old grandmother determined to take down the scammers who stole her money is an instant classic. Watch it!
JUST MISSED THE CUT:
11.) A Real Pain
- A funny, moving, authentic travelogue film that speaks to themes of Jewishness, Millennial angst/anxiety, mental health, family, and more. Kieran Culkin is so good in this, as is Jesse Eisenberg - who also wrote/directed/edited. I was lucky enough to see this one accompanied by an in-person Q&A with Eisenberg, which only reinforced to me how brilliant and funny he is and how much thoughtfulness went into this film.
- Thelma made me howl with laughter, made me teary eyed, and made me miss my grandma. It’s a great LA movie, a great Jewish movie, and one of the funniest comedies in a long time - with an amazing, one-of-a-kind performance from the legendary June Squibb. The whole cast is excellent - Richard Roundtree (RIP), Parker Posey, Clark Gregg, Fred Hechinger - but Squibb is next level. This story of a 93 year old grandmother determined to take down the scammers who stole her money is an instant classic. Watch it!
JUST MISSED THE CUT:
11.) A Real Pain
- A funny, moving, authentic travelogue film that speaks to themes of Jewishness, Millennial angst/anxiety, mental health, family, and more. Kieran Culkin is so good in this, as is Jesse Eisenberg - who also wrote/directed/edited. I was lucky enough to see this one accompanied by an in-person Q&A with Eisenberg, which only reinforced to me how brilliant and funny he is and how much thoughtfulness went into this film.
12.) Sasquatch Sunset
- Speaking of Jesse Eisenberg - don't criticize the man for only playing himself. Because this year, he also played a sasquatch! And was great! Sasquatch Sunset is a strange, hilarious, moving, thought-provoking and kind of amazing. Truly a one of a kind film. Jesse Eisenberg and Riley Keough and the rest of the cast give fearless, all-in performances. One of the year's most original indies.
13.) Late Night With the Devil
- A fantastic premise with a killer script - executed to perfection - that manages to surprise and shock with each new twist and turn. David Dastmalchian kills it as our erstwhile, 70's-era late night talk show host, and the rest of the cast is great as well. What a fun, funny, spooky journey this movie takes you on. I was totally gripped throughout. One of the best horror movies of the last few years
14.) Hundreds of Beavers
- The cult indie movie sensation that’s been sweeping the nation. Wow. Rarely has a movie made me want to immediately find and watch a documentary explaining how they made it. A magic trick of a movie that’s one part old silent film, one part Looney Tunes, and one part videogame adventure. What a wild ride. It took me a good half hour to lock in to the film’s unique rhythm, but once I did I spent the rest of the runtime marveling at this movie’s mad genius.
15.) A Quiet Place: Day One
- Unexpectedly, this horror prequel turned out to be kind of amazing. What a script, what a central performance from Lupita Nyong’o, and what a great job directing from Michael Sarnoski. An emotional and surprisingly poignant thrill ride that is blockbuster filmmaking at its finest. Absolutely loved this one!
THE NEXT BEST:
- The cult indie movie sensation that’s been sweeping the nation. Wow. Rarely has a movie made me want to immediately find and watch a documentary explaining how they made it. A magic trick of a movie that’s one part old silent film, one part Looney Tunes, and one part videogame adventure. What a wild ride. It took me a good half hour to lock in to the film’s unique rhythm, but once I did I spent the rest of the runtime marveling at this movie’s mad genius.
15.) A Quiet Place: Day One
- Unexpectedly, this horror prequel turned out to be kind of amazing. What a script, what a central performance from Lupita Nyong’o, and what a great job directing from Michael Sarnoski. An emotional and surprisingly poignant thrill ride that is blockbuster filmmaking at its finest. Absolutely loved this one!
THE NEXT BEST:
16.) Saturday Night
- If you're a fellow TV/Comedy nerd, this one's for you. The movie captures a very specific moment - literally - in showing us, at breakneck pacing, the two hours before the first ever episode of Saturday Night Live. But it also shows us the broader moment in time. The moment in TV history when a new generation of 20-somethings was let into the hallowed halls of NBC and other places - on a mission to disrupt the business as it had been since the invention of the medium a few decades earlier. Every performance here is golden. The cast is filled with talented up-and-comers, and a few veterans like Willem Dafoe, JK Simmons, and Matthew Rhys as George Carlin really stand out too.
17.) Hit Man
- This Netflix original has an absolutely fantastic script and one hell of a performance from Glen Powell … who is masterfully doing a sort of Christopher Reeve as Clark Kent / Superman thing. A breakout role for Adria Arjona too. Fun, funny, and with some of the best individual sequences of any movie in 2024. Director Richard Linklater adds to his legend once again.
- If you're a fellow TV/Comedy nerd, this one's for you. The movie captures a very specific moment - literally - in showing us, at breakneck pacing, the two hours before the first ever episode of Saturday Night Live. But it also shows us the broader moment in time. The moment in TV history when a new generation of 20-somethings was let into the hallowed halls of NBC and other places - on a mission to disrupt the business as it had been since the invention of the medium a few decades earlier. Every performance here is golden. The cast is filled with talented up-and-comers, and a few veterans like Willem Dafoe, JK Simmons, and Matthew Rhys as George Carlin really stand out too.
17.) Hit Man
- This Netflix original has an absolutely fantastic script and one hell of a performance from Glen Powell … who is masterfully doing a sort of Christopher Reeve as Clark Kent / Superman thing. A breakout role for Adria Arjona too. Fun, funny, and with some of the best individual sequences of any movie in 2024. Director Richard Linklater adds to his legend once again.
18.) It's What's Inside
- Oh man, It's What's Inside is another really great 2024 original film from Netflix. And they barely promoted it. Luckily, a few of my favorite film critics raved about it, and so I finally gave it a watch this December. And I was sort of floored. What an incredibly smart and fun and inventive sci-fi movie. Writer/director Greg Jardin is very much a talent to watch, as is just about every member of this young cast. Mind-blowing stuff. One of the years’s best films!
19.) A Complete Unknown
- Really loved this one. And I was probably prone to, because I'm a Bob Dylan fan and have always been fascinated with the era of 60's counterculture and the early days of rock & roll music. But even so, the performances in this film were phenomenal, especially when you factor in that the cast did all their own singing. Timothee Chalomet as Bob Dylan, Edward Norton as Pete Seger, and Monica Barbaro as Joan Baez in particular were outstanding and awards-worthy. Lots of chill-inducing moments throughout. A great rock biopic that gave a lot to chew on, despite being about one of the most unknowable figures of our lifetime.
20.) Emilia Perez
- Emilia Perez is not quite like any movie I’ve seen before. It’s a cartel crime saga, a trans parable, AND an experimental musical. Zoe Saldana and Karla Sofía Gascón are both phenomenal in this. Selina Gomez too. The movie is just an explosion of originality, of music, of emotion, of drama. It's a heightened, wild tale of a film but it had me fully absorbed throughout. A Netflix original that I'm glad I got to see in a theater, because the film is so "big," in its own way, that it demands to be seen on a huge screen.
21.) The Brutalist
- Several years ago, I watched a fascinating but completely insane movie called Vox Lux, from a then new writer/director named Brady Corbet. I thought to myself "wow, this is crazy, but I'm glad this guy is out there making these movies." Well, after sitting through 3.5 hours of The Brutalist, I am here to tell you that this is a Brady Corbet joint through and through. It's a big, massive swing of a movie. It deals with big, weighty subject matter - aiming to tell a great American story of tragedy and triumph in a fashion similar to something like There Will Be Blood. But The Brutalist is anything but your standard American epic. And I won't soon forget it.
22.) Didi
- Another criminally overlooked film of 2024 that I can't recommend enough - it's legitimately one of the best and most affecting coming of age movies I've ever seen ... the best, perhaps, since the seminal Eighth Grade. Funny, heartbreaking, and nostalgic (no movie has ever evoked more nostalgia in me for chatting on AIM). So many great performances in this one too (Joan Chen!). Make it a point to watch this one.
- Several years ago, I watched a fascinating but completely insane movie called Vox Lux, from a then new writer/director named Brady Corbet. I thought to myself "wow, this is crazy, but I'm glad this guy is out there making these movies." Well, after sitting through 3.5 hours of The Brutalist, I am here to tell you that this is a Brady Corbet joint through and through. It's a big, massive swing of a movie. It deals with big, weighty subject matter - aiming to tell a great American story of tragedy and triumph in a fashion similar to something like There Will Be Blood. But The Brutalist is anything but your standard American epic. And I won't soon forget it.
22.) Didi
- Another criminally overlooked film of 2024 that I can't recommend enough - it's legitimately one of the best and most affecting coming of age movies I've ever seen ... the best, perhaps, since the seminal Eighth Grade. Funny, heartbreaking, and nostalgic (no movie has ever evoked more nostalgia in me for chatting on AIM). So many great performances in this one too (Joan Chen!). Make it a point to watch this one.
23.) The Wild Robot
- The Wild Robot is quite simply a stunning work of art. Incredible animation, intense action, some truly sensational voice work (Lupita Nyong'o absolutely crushes it - and there are some incredible supporting turns as well), and a giant beating heart that left not a dry eye in my theater. There's a very strong case to be made that this is the best film from Dreamworks Animation to date. Certainly, it was the best animated movie of 2024.
24.) The Apprentice
- A hell of a film, though it’s one of the most disturbing supervillain origin stories you’ll ever see. Because this villain is real and he’s about to be President again. But hats off to Sebastian Stan and Jeremy Strong for two incredible lead performances. And to director Ali Abbasi, who completely immerses you in 70's and then 80's New York City and makes every moment of this movie feel appropriately scuzzy and skeezy. If you have the stomach for it, I highly recommend everyone give this one a watch.
25.) Rebel Ridge
- Jeremy Saulnier (Green Room) is one of the most exciting filmmakers working today. And his latest movie absolutely rules. Rebel Ridge is Saulnier at his gritty best - with palpable tension and timely themes that bring to mind his best film, Green Room. Anchored by an insanely badass lead performance from Aaron Pierre, the film’s also got several strong supporting roles - from Don Johnson as a corrupt police chief to AnnaSophia Robb as a rebellious ally.
MORE GREAT FILMS OF 2024:
26.) Flow
- Updated now that I've seen this incredible animated movie. Flow is an amazing work of art, and a phenomenal piece of storytelling. It's a mysterious, enigmatic story about animals navigating their way through some sort of post-human, possibly post-apocalyptic future. And without using words, it still somehow manages to tell a story rife with emotion, awe, wonder, and spirituality. The animation is some of the best and most expressive I've ever seen. A must-watch.
27.) I Saw The TV Glow
- I Saw The TV Glow is a movie I’ll be thinking about for a long time, and as more time has passed, this one has really risen in my estimation. Because what I've realized is how vital this movie feels, and how strongly it's spoken to many who needed a movie like this. It’s a visually stunning treatise on Millennial nostalgia and angst - and a deeply felt film about the trans experience - filtered through a surrealist, Lynchian horror lens. Writer/director Jane Schoenbrun is 100% one to watch.
28.) Alien: Romulus
- An incredibly fun roller coaster ride of a movie. It lulls you into thinking you might be getting a more YA-ish, Disney-fied version of Alien - but, nope! This one gets absolutely crazy at times. It also blends homage and innovation very well to make for a worthy entry in the storied Alien franchise, with fun references to nearly every Alien movie so far. Cailee Spaeny follows up her amazing work in Priscilla and Civil War with a great final girl turn here, and David Jonsson is also a huge standout as the robot Andy. Director Fede Alvarez creates a truly immersive survival horror experience.
29.) September 5
- September 5 features intense, riveting, pulse pounding direction from Tim Fehlbaum. And it's got an amazing ensemble cast. Ultimately, it's one of the best movies I’ve ever seen about real time journalism in action. And it's a stark, timely reminder of the horrific events of the Munich Olympics.
- I Saw The TV Glow is a movie I’ll be thinking about for a long time, and as more time has passed, this one has really risen in my estimation. Because what I've realized is how vital this movie feels, and how strongly it's spoken to many who needed a movie like this. It’s a visually stunning treatise on Millennial nostalgia and angst - and a deeply felt film about the trans experience - filtered through a surrealist, Lynchian horror lens. Writer/director Jane Schoenbrun is 100% one to watch.
28.) Alien: Romulus
- An incredibly fun roller coaster ride of a movie. It lulls you into thinking you might be getting a more YA-ish, Disney-fied version of Alien - but, nope! This one gets absolutely crazy at times. It also blends homage and innovation very well to make for a worthy entry in the storied Alien franchise, with fun references to nearly every Alien movie so far. Cailee Spaeny follows up her amazing work in Priscilla and Civil War with a great final girl turn here, and David Jonsson is also a huge standout as the robot Andy. Director Fede Alvarez creates a truly immersive survival horror experience.
29.) September 5
- September 5 features intense, riveting, pulse pounding direction from Tim Fehlbaum. And it's got an amazing ensemble cast. Ultimately, it's one of the best movies I’ve ever seen about real time journalism in action. And it's a stark, timely reminder of the horrific events of the Munich Olympics.
30 .) The Bikeriders
- The Bikeriders is a joy to watch, in part because it's filled with great actors giving us a classic tale of power, crime, love, and death. It's a quasi Godfather-like crime epic (but with bikers!), with Tom Hardy going big in a hugely entertaining, Brando-esque turn. Austin Butler and Jodie Comer are also fantastic - in fact, the whole cast is great, even in terms of the smaller roles (Michael Shannon, in a short amount of time, completely kills it).
- The Bikeriders is a joy to watch, in part because it's filled with great actors giving us a classic tale of power, crime, love, and death. It's a quasi Godfather-like crime epic (but with bikers!), with Tom Hardy going big in a hugely entertaining, Brando-esque turn. Austin Butler and Jodie Comer are also fantastic - in fact, the whole cast is great, even in terms of the smaller roles (Michael Shannon, in a short amount of time, completely kills it).
31.) Longlegs
- Combines a dash of Silence of the Lambs, a bit of 70's/80's era horror vibes, and some slick modern indie-horror twists. Absolutely killer and against-type performances from lead Maika Monroe (aka our reigning and defending scream queen) as well as an almost unrecognizable Alicia Witt in a fantastic supporting turn. Blair Underwood is great too, bringing some steely gravitas to the proceedings. And Nic Cage as the demented killer, well ... nightmare city. A retro-styled slow burn horror-thriller that delivers the goods.
32.) Civil War
- Alex Garland is one of my favorite filmmakers, and he delivers yet again with CIVIL WAR - another thematically ambitious piece of social commentary in which Garland examines our endless lust for violence, conflict, and division. So much to unpack/discuss here - because Garland gives us a parable about the ways in which so many are happy to profit from or leverage the gears of war and are all too quick to ignore the actual, human cost. Another great 2024 film about journalism. A brilliant movie.
33.) The Piano Lesson
- An incredibly absorbing August Wilson adaptation filled with amazing performances and searing dialogue. What a cast! John David Washington, Samuel L Jackson, Danielle Deadwyler, Michael Potts, Corey Hawkins, and Ray Fisher are all excellent here. I could watch this group of actors go back and forth with each other all day. And if, like me, you're a fan of August Wilson - then you will find a lot to like and a lot to think about and unpack. I hope this one gets some love this coming awards season.
34.) The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare
- Alex Garland is one of my favorite filmmakers, and he delivers yet again with CIVIL WAR - another thematically ambitious piece of social commentary in which Garland examines our endless lust for violence, conflict, and division. So much to unpack/discuss here - because Garland gives us a parable about the ways in which so many are happy to profit from or leverage the gears of war and are all too quick to ignore the actual, human cost. Another great 2024 film about journalism. A brilliant movie.
33.) The Piano Lesson
- An incredibly absorbing August Wilson adaptation filled with amazing performances and searing dialogue. What a cast! John David Washington, Samuel L Jackson, Danielle Deadwyler, Michael Potts, Corey Hawkins, and Ray Fisher are all excellent here. I could watch this group of actors go back and forth with each other all day. And if, like me, you're a fan of August Wilson - then you will find a lot to like and a lot to think about and unpack. I hope this one gets some love this coming awards season.
34.) The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare
- One of the great, underrated action movies of 2024. Director Guy Ritchie gives us a crackling story filled with great characters, grimly satisfyingly violence, and a witty and self-effacing sense of humor. This one falls somewhere between the pop blockbuster filmmaking of Ritchie's Sherlock Holmes and his grittier crime films like Snatch and Lock Stock & Two Smoking Barrels - but it is, I think, a huge crowd-pleaser. The cast is also just stacked with great, super fun performances. Henry Cavill (only fitting that Superman sticks it to the Nazis) crushes as the charismatic and rogue-ish team leader. This is one of those classic, uber-satisfying, men-on-a-mission movies and I highly recommend it! And a fascinating chapter of WWII history to boot.
35.) My Old Ass
- One of the best teen movies I've seen in a long time (between this and Didi it's been an amazing year for coming of age films!). Funny, FULL of heart, authentic, and unique. It's about an 18-year-old girl who takes shrooms ... and magically encounters her 39-year-old self. So with that said, I went in expecting something a bit ridiculous - but got a surprisingly grounded and emotionally-impactful film. A breakout leading turn from Maisy Stella, and she pairs very well with Aubrey Plaza as her older self.
36.) Molli and Max in the Future
- Loved this movie! A hilarious indie science fiction rom-com that mixes current-day Millennial angst with wildly inventive sci-fi satire. Sort of blown away by what writer/director Michael Lukk Litwak was able to do here with a presumably limited budget. So good! An under the radar movie that I think would have been huge had it gotten a bigger release.
- Loved this movie! A hilarious indie science fiction rom-com that mixes current-day Millennial angst with wildly inventive sci-fi satire. Sort of blown away by what writer/director Michael Lukk Litwak was able to do here with a presumably limited budget. So good! An under the radar movie that I think would have been huge had it gotten a bigger release.
37.) I'm Still Here
- A moving, harrowing drama set during Brazil's 1970's-era military dictatorship. It tells the story of a woman - played with steely grit by the amazing Fernanda Torres - struggling to find out what happened to her husband when he is abducted by the government. Ultimately, this is a story about persevering through the darkness, fighting back against oppression, and coming out the other side of dark times having helped the arc of history swing back towards justice.
- A moving, harrowing drama set during Brazil's 1970's-era military dictatorship. It tells the story of a woman - played with steely grit by the amazing Fernanda Torres - struggling to find out what happened to her husband when he is abducted by the government. Ultimately, this is a story about persevering through the darkness, fighting back against oppression, and coming out the other side of dark times having helped the arc of history swing back towards justice.
38.) MaXXXine
- A fantastic capper to the X trilogy. Pure rock n’ roll filmmaking, with yet another memorable Mia Goth performance. The cast, the needle drops, the 80’s slasher vibes - spot freakin’ on. Shout outs too to Elizabeth Debicki, Giancarlo Esposito, Kevin Bacon and more for notable turns here as well. I'd maybe place this one a notch below X and Pearl - but still, so many memorable moments and scenes. So all I can say is: thank you to the great Ti West for an all time kick-ass horror franchise.
- A fantastic capper to the X trilogy. Pure rock n’ roll filmmaking, with yet another memorable Mia Goth performance. The cast, the needle drops, the 80’s slasher vibes - spot freakin’ on. Shout outs too to Elizabeth Debicki, Giancarlo Esposito, Kevin Bacon and more for notable turns here as well. I'd maybe place this one a notch below X and Pearl - but still, so many memorable moments and scenes. So all I can say is: thank you to the great Ti West for an all time kick-ass horror franchise.
39.) The Lord of the Rings: War of the Rohirrim
- I don't know, fellow nerds ... I thought this one ... sort of ruled? A suitably rousing, epic story that was an interesting/absorbing mash-up of the Peter Jackson movies with an anime aesthetic and sensibility. Had its share of nicely nostalgic moments (and that classic Howard Shore music!) but was also its own thing. No, not in the same league as the original trilogy - but still a really cool, really enjoyable addition to the canon.
- I don't know, fellow nerds ... I thought this one ... sort of ruled? A suitably rousing, epic story that was an interesting/absorbing mash-up of the Peter Jackson movies with an anime aesthetic and sensibility. Had its share of nicely nostalgic moments (and that classic Howard Shore music!) but was also its own thing. No, not in the same league as the original trilogy - but still a really cool, really enjoyable addition to the canon.
40.) Nosferatu
- While the main plot beats here will be familiar to anyone who knows the story of Dracula, director Robert Eggers puts his own unique spin on this one and tweaks the characters in some interesting ways. Visually, the movie is incredible. Eggers uses a heavily black, white, and grey color palate - often evoking classic gothic horror and giving us some extremely vivid and painterly moments. Eggers, as he did in The Witch, also has an uncanny knack for creating an atmosphere of creeping demonic dread that really gets under your skin. He remains one of the most interesting and talented filmmakers working today.
- While the main plot beats here will be familiar to anyone who knows the story of Dracula, director Robert Eggers puts his own unique spin on this one and tweaks the characters in some interesting ways. Visually, the movie is incredible. Eggers uses a heavily black, white, and grey color palate - often evoking classic gothic horror and giving us some extremely vivid and painterly moments. Eggers, as he did in The Witch, also has an uncanny knack for creating an atmosphere of creeping demonic dread that really gets under your skin. He remains one of the most interesting and talented filmmakers working today.
41.) Gladiator 2
- Sorry haters, but I was very entertained by Gladiator 2! A rousing, action-packed movie that IMO flew by. Paul Mescal was awesome and brought the gravitas, and Denzel Washington was of course a scene stealer. Plenty of pump-your-fist-in-the-air moments and man, Ridley Scott can still do epic visuals like nobody’s business. Is it the stone cold masterpiece of the original? No. But it did just about everything I could have hoped a sequel would do. A big thumbs up from me!
- Sorry haters, but I was very entertained by Gladiator 2! A rousing, action-packed movie that IMO flew by. Paul Mescal was awesome and brought the gravitas, and Denzel Washington was of course a scene stealer. Plenty of pump-your-fist-in-the-air moments and man, Ridley Scott can still do epic visuals like nobody’s business. Is it the stone cold masterpiece of the original? No. But it did just about everything I could have hoped a sequel would do. A big thumbs up from me!
42.) Wicked Pt. 1
- As someone who’d never seen the Wicked stage show and didn’t know the music, I thought that Wicked Pt. 1 was an incredibly fun, soaring, impeccably cast musical movie filled with dazzling visuals thanks to the eye-popping direction of Jon M. Chu. The great Cynthia Erivo completely knocked it out of the park - both acting and singing-wise - and Ariana Grande was fantastic as well. The ultimate crowd-pleaser of 2024.
- As someone who’d never seen the Wicked stage show and didn’t know the music, I thought that Wicked Pt. 1 was an incredibly fun, soaring, impeccably cast musical movie filled with dazzling visuals thanks to the eye-popping direction of Jon M. Chu. The great Cynthia Erivo completely knocked it out of the park - both acting and singing-wise - and Ariana Grande was fantastic as well. The ultimate crowd-pleaser of 2024.
43.) Conclave
- Conclave seems like it might be a Very Serious Movie, but it's actually a really fun, twisty thriller - with some Capital A Acting from greats like Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci (The 'Tuc is truly loose here!), and John Lithgow (going full Lithgow!). Visually stunning, too, thanks to the immense talents of director Edward Berger (All Quiet on the Western Front). Saw this one quite a while back through work, and have been waiting to talk about it. Suffice it to say, highly recommend
44.) Better Man
- Going in, I didn’t know much about British pop star Robbie Williams. However, this is a pretty fantastic movie from Greatest Showman director Michael Gracey. Raw, poignant, funny, and filled with kinetic and show-stopping musical numbers. And somehow, the central conceit of Robbie Williams being portrayed as a CGI-created monkey (yep!), well, it works like gangbusters (trust me). Also, unexpectedly one of the best movies about fathers and sons I’ve seen (and Steve Pemberton is awards-worthy as Robbie’s father).
45.) Abigail
- Funny, twisty, smart, and shocking. Abigail is a big, crazy, plays-to-the-audience kind of movie. Dan Stevens has been one of my favorite actors for a while now, but he's SO great in this - one of his best and most fun roles yet. And the movie has a veritable Horror Movie All-Star Team cast of Stevens, Melissa Barrera, Kathryn Newton, Kevin Durand, Giancarlo Esposito, and more - all doing great stuff. And a shout-out to Alisha Weir, who gives one of the most memorable child-actor performances in a long time. The Radio Silence team (Ready or Not, the last two Scream movies) have a nearly flawless track record at this point of delivering super fun horror-comedy, and I can't wait to see what they do next.
46.) Touch
- What a wonderful film. A sweet, moving, epic love story that spans decades and spans continents. A movie filled with memorable performances that make the most out of small moments. Amazingly directed too. It's a movie about an aging man seeking out a lost love from his youth - and the movie shows us both the present-day version of his character and the younger version in a really moving, interesting manner. Highly recommend this one - a must-watch international film that is another somewhat under-the-radar release of 2024.
47.) The Taste of Things
- This was France's submission for last year's Oscars, but it's another one, like Perfect Days, that didn't actually release in the US until 2024. In any case, this was an artfully directed, wonderfully acted film - a period-piece romantic drama that also highlights the love and craftsmanship and dedication that goes into the the culinary arts. Juliette Binoche and Benoît Magimel are fantastic here as well. I am not a foodie whatsoever, but really dug this this one. Highly recommended.
48.) Lisa Frankenstein
- Lisa Frankenstein is just what the doctor ordered if you grew up a fan of unapologetically weird, goth-tinged fare like Edward Scissorhands. It's got a funny, subversive script from Diablo Cody, eye-popping direction from Zelda Williams, and a great turn in the lead role from Kathryn Newton.
- Conclave seems like it might be a Very Serious Movie, but it's actually a really fun, twisty thriller - with some Capital A Acting from greats like Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci (The 'Tuc is truly loose here!), and John Lithgow (going full Lithgow!). Visually stunning, too, thanks to the immense talents of director Edward Berger (All Quiet on the Western Front). Saw this one quite a while back through work, and have been waiting to talk about it. Suffice it to say, highly recommend
44.) Better Man
- Going in, I didn’t know much about British pop star Robbie Williams. However, this is a pretty fantastic movie from Greatest Showman director Michael Gracey. Raw, poignant, funny, and filled with kinetic and show-stopping musical numbers. And somehow, the central conceit of Robbie Williams being portrayed as a CGI-created monkey (yep!), well, it works like gangbusters (trust me). Also, unexpectedly one of the best movies about fathers and sons I’ve seen (and Steve Pemberton is awards-worthy as Robbie’s father).
45.) Abigail
- Funny, twisty, smart, and shocking. Abigail is a big, crazy, plays-to-the-audience kind of movie. Dan Stevens has been one of my favorite actors for a while now, but he's SO great in this - one of his best and most fun roles yet. And the movie has a veritable Horror Movie All-Star Team cast of Stevens, Melissa Barrera, Kathryn Newton, Kevin Durand, Giancarlo Esposito, and more - all doing great stuff. And a shout-out to Alisha Weir, who gives one of the most memorable child-actor performances in a long time. The Radio Silence team (Ready or Not, the last two Scream movies) have a nearly flawless track record at this point of delivering super fun horror-comedy, and I can't wait to see what they do next.
46.) Touch
- What a wonderful film. A sweet, moving, epic love story that spans decades and spans continents. A movie filled with memorable performances that make the most out of small moments. Amazingly directed too. It's a movie about an aging man seeking out a lost love from his youth - and the movie shows us both the present-day version of his character and the younger version in a really moving, interesting manner. Highly recommend this one - a must-watch international film that is another somewhat under-the-radar release of 2024.
47.) The Taste of Things
- This was France's submission for last year's Oscars, but it's another one, like Perfect Days, that didn't actually release in the US until 2024. In any case, this was an artfully directed, wonderfully acted film - a period-piece romantic drama that also highlights the love and craftsmanship and dedication that goes into the the culinary arts. Juliette Binoche and Benoît Magimel are fantastic here as well. I am not a foodie whatsoever, but really dug this this one. Highly recommended.
48.) Lisa Frankenstein
- Lisa Frankenstein is just what the doctor ordered if you grew up a fan of unapologetically weird, goth-tinged fare like Edward Scissorhands. It's got a funny, subversive script from Diablo Cody, eye-popping direction from Zelda Williams, and a great turn in the lead role from Kathryn Newton.
49.) The 4:30 Movie
- Unexpectedly sort of loved Kevin Smith's latest. It gave me the same feeling of inspiration as Clerks did when I saw it way back in the day. Hilarious, lots of heart, a great young cast (and lots of great cameos), and many a geeky movie reference that made me chuckle. Kevin Smith’s best movie since the days of Clerks and Mallrats. Awesome to see one of my original movie heroes back in top form.
50.) Drive-Away Dolls
- It's been fascinating to see Joel Coen's Macbeth and now this film - from Ethan Coen and Tricia Cooke - and get a better sense of each Coen Brother's individual sensibility. Ethan is clearly the goofier of the brothers. He brings Lebowski-esque humor to this one (trippy, random, very dirty). It's highly quotable and hilarious. Loved the lead performances from Margaret Qualley and Geraldine Viswanathan (in a total breakout performance). Maybe not an all-timer in the Coen catalog, but a thoroughly enjoyable low-key entry in the canon. And as with many of the Coen's films, I can't wait to re-watch.
Bonus:
51.) Will & Harper
- This documentary is hilarious but also extremely moving. It's a testament to the good and bad of America in 2024. But ultimately it's about getting to know the recently-transitioned Harper and understanding her story. Her best friend Will Ferrell's presence leads to a lot of laughs and a lot of tears. But this is an important film, a movie that has the superpower to generate empathy and understanding. Highly recommend giving it a watch!
- This documentary is hilarious but also extremely moving. It's a testament to the good and bad of America in 2024. But ultimately it's about getting to know the recently-transitioned Harper and understanding her story. Her best friend Will Ferrell's presence leads to a lot of laughs and a lot of tears. But this is an important film, a movie that has the superpower to generate empathy and understanding. Highly recommend giving it a watch!
52.) Deadpool & Wolverine
- I didn't quite know what to expect going in, but I surprisingly really loved Deadpool & Wolverine. Such a fun, funny movie that worked for me on just about every level. The jokes largely landed and I was laughing throughout. The action was cool and the character dynamics were on point. And there was a real beating heart to boot. Hugh Jackman did NOT just cash a check here - he goes all-in and may even get you emotional. But ... there were SO many fun shout-outs for Marvel geeks as well - and there was stuff here that I've waited my entire life to see in live action. But all of it felt done with love, not cynicism. There was a clear passion here for the good, the bad, and the weird of Marvel.
- I didn't quite know what to expect going in, but I surprisingly really loved Deadpool & Wolverine. Such a fun, funny movie that worked for me on just about every level. The jokes largely landed and I was laughing throughout. The action was cool and the character dynamics were on point. And there was a real beating heart to boot. Hugh Jackman did NOT just cash a check here - he goes all-in and may even get you emotional. But ... there were SO many fun shout-outs for Marvel geeks as well - and there was stuff here that I've waited my entire life to see in live action. But all of it felt done with love, not cynicism. There was a clear passion here for the good, the bad, and the weird of Marvel.
53.) The Beekeeper
- Almost every January there is that one movie that’s just what you need after a bunch of awards-bait films in December. A movie that exists merely to kick ass and make you smile at the absurdity of its premise and the loudness of its explosions. That gives you a few quotable one-liners and at least one solid twist. Well, that movie in 2024 was The Beekeeper. Jason Statham and a solid supporting cast (Jeremy Irons!) understand the assignment here. David Ayer brings the action movie goods as director. There are bee puns.This one 100% delivers the goods.
HONORABLE MENTIONS - OTHER RECOMMENDED MOVIES FROM THIS YEAR:
- Housekeeping For Beginners
- Almost every January there is that one movie that’s just what you need after a bunch of awards-bait films in December. A movie that exists merely to kick ass and make you smile at the absurdity of its premise and the loudness of its explosions. That gives you a few quotable one-liners and at least one solid twist. Well, that movie in 2024 was The Beekeeper. Jason Statham and a solid supporting cast (Jeremy Irons!) understand the assignment here. David Ayer brings the action movie goods as director. There are bee puns.This one 100% delivers the goods.
HONORABLE MENTIONS - OTHER RECOMMENDED MOVIES FROM THIS YEAR:
- Housekeeping For Beginners
- Furiosa
- Queer
- Maria
- Woman of the Hour
- Blitz
- Joker: Folie a Deux
- Inside Out 2
- Inside Out 2
- Heretic
- Y2K
- Y2K
- The Gutter
- The Fall Guy
- Babygirl
- Destroy All Neighbors
- Exhuma
- Immaculate
- Oddity
- Nightbitch
- One Life
- Music By John Williams
- Kinds of Kindness
- Kung Fu Panda 4
- Mean Girls
- Wicked Little Letters
- Juror #2
- Carry On
- The First Omen
- The Beast
- Megalopolis
- Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
INDIVIDUAL 2024 AWARDS:
BEST LEAD ACTOR:
1.) Colman Domingo - Sing Sing
2.) Koji Yakusho - Perfect Days
3.) Adrian Brody - The Brutalist
4.) Glen Powell - Hit Man
5.) Tie: Timothee Chalomet - A Complete Unknown / Sebastian Stan - The Apprentice
BEST LEADING ACTRESS:
1.) Mikey Madison - Anora
2.) Demi Moore - The Substance
3.) Willa Fitzgerald - Strange Darling
3.) Carla Sofia Gascone - Emilia Perez
4.) TIE: June Squibb - Thelma / Cynthia Erivo - Wicked Pt. 1 / Lupita Nyong’o - A Quiet Place: Day One
BEST LEAD ACTOR:
1.) Colman Domingo - Sing Sing
2.) Koji Yakusho - Perfect Days
3.) Adrian Brody - The Brutalist
4.) Glen Powell - Hit Man
5.) Tie: Timothee Chalomet - A Complete Unknown / Sebastian Stan - The Apprentice
BEST LEADING ACTRESS:
1.) Mikey Madison - Anora
2.) Demi Moore - The Substance
3.) Willa Fitzgerald - Strange Darling
3.) Carla Sofia Gascone - Emilia Perez
4.) TIE: June Squibb - Thelma / Cynthia Erivo - Wicked Pt. 1 / Lupita Nyong’o - A Quiet Place: Day One
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR:
1.) Yura Borisov - Anora
1.) Yura Borisov - Anora
2.) Kieran Culkin - A Real Pain
3.) Jeremy Strong - The Apprentice
4.) Edward Norton - A Complete Unknown
5.) TIE: Guy Pierce - The Brutalist, Tom Hardy - The Bikeriders
3.) Jeremy Strong - The Apprentice
4.) Edward Norton - A Complete Unknown
5.) TIE: Guy Pierce - The Brutalist, Tom Hardy - The Bikeriders
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS:
1.) Danielle Deadwyler - The Piano Lesson
2.) Felicity Jones - The Brutalist
3.) Tilda Swinton - Problemista
4.) Zoe Saldana - Emilia Perez3.) Tilda Swinton - Problemista
5.) Margaret Qualley - The Substance
BEST DIRECTOR:
1.) Sean Baker - Anora
2.) Denis Villeneuve - Dune Pt. 2
3.) Coralie Fargeat - The Substance
4.) Luca Guadagnino - Challengers
5.) Tie: Brady Corbett - The Brutalist / Wim Wenders - Perfect Days
BEST SCREENPLAY:
1.) Anora
2.) Sing Sing
3.) Strange Darling
4.) September 5
5.) Saturday Night
6.) A Complete Unknown
7.) Problemista
8.) It's What's Inside
9.) Thelma
10.) Challengers
