With 2024 within the books, the time has come to ship our annual ten best-of-the-year listing. So, how did 2024 stack up in the long run? Fairly weakly, I’d say, with the yr a little bit of a casualty of the twin WGA/SAG strikes, which compromised the availability chain of films opening in theaters – for proof of that, one want solely take a look at how modest of a choice of motion pictures are open this vacation season. Yet, there have been nonetheless loads of good movies, so let’s dig into one of the best motion pictures of 2024.
First, just a few honourable mentions. While it didn’t make the Academy Award shortlist for documentary options, I assumed Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story was among the finest big-screen biographies in a while, with it portray an sincere, nuanced portrayal of the previous Superman’s legacy. I additionally actually loved the Robbie Williams biopic Better Man, which changed the singer with a CGI chimpanzee – to good impact, and Jeff Nichols’s The Bikeriders, even when it wasn’t fairly the masterpiece I really feel it may have been. Finally, Longlegs was certainly the scariest movie of the yr, whereas George Miller’s Furiosa, regardless of being one of many yr’s greatest flops, was a rattling good addition to the franchise that ought to have finished higher on the field workplace and with followers.
Now, right here’s the highest 10 greatest motion pictures of 2024:
While superhero motion pictures have appeared to be on their means out, Marvel made a strong comeback by embracing an R-rating and giving us a superhero team-up for the ages. Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman’s chemistry gave the movie some much-needed coronary heart, and the cameos have been the icing on the cake – and it may very well be argued that Wesley Snipes’s re-emergence as Blade may be the comeback of the yr. Give him his personal film! 2025 is shaping as much as be an vital yr for Marvel, with Captain America: Brave New World, Thunderbolts, and Fantastic Four all due in theaters. Hopefully, they’ve discovered the lesson taught by Deadpool & Wolverine that, above all, the factor of enjoyable (which was forgotten by motion pictures like Eternals) is a very powerful factor.
Believe it or not, many individuals thought this film would tank, with WB initially wanting it to be an HBO Max unique. Instead, it turned one of many yr’s greatest hits and among the finest motion pictures of 2024, with Michael Keaton once more displaying us he nonetheless had what it takes to play the Ghost with the Most. It was additionally Tim Burton’s greatest film in years, and hopefully revitalizes his profession, with him seemingly having a strong factor going with new muse Jenna Ortega. Like Deadpool & Wolverine – this was only a complete lot of enjoyable. Hopefully, Burton and Keaton cave and provides us a 3rd film. Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice?
A24’s greatest film was one which sparked numerous debate this spring, and given the doom and gloom of the information cycle, it appeared ripped from the headlines, even when the concept of an alliance between California and Texas appeared a tad fanciful. Kirsten Dunst delivers the efficiency of her profession in Alex Garland’s movie, however it may possibly’t be denied the film is all however stolen by Jesse Plemons in a single unforgettable scene. It simply goes to point out you there are not any small components.
Who would have thought a film a couple of bunch of clergymen arguing in rooms may very well be so rattling thrilling – and, sure, among the finest motion pictures of 2024. Sporting the yr’s greatest forged, Edward Berger’s Vatican drama (primarily based on the Robert Harris novel) is a nail-biter, with Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci and John Lithgow delivering explosive performances. It simply goes to point out you that if you happen to make fascinating grownup fare, they may help it in theatres, with it one of many greatest indie hits of the yr. If you haven’t seen this one but, it’s out on Peacock and PVOD, and is effectively value a watch.
This Bob Dylan biopic correctly narrows the main target to a pivotal four-year interval within the singer’s profession, from his discovery by means of his eventual choice to go “electric.” It nearly seems like a companion piece to director James Mangold’s Walk the Line, with Timothee Chalamet delivering an impressive efficiency as Dylan and Edward Norton being terrific as Pete Seeger. Hopefully folks test it out over the vacation season.
This was yr for Timothee Chalamet, with hits like Wonka, Dune 2, and A Complete Unknown. Dune: Part II is an excellent continuation of Denis Villeneuve’s adaptation of the Frank Herbert basic, and when it comes to spectacle, no different movie this yr holds a candle to it. Co-star Josh Brolin was so enamoured with it that he swears he’ll give up Hollywood if Villeneuve doesn’t get an Oscar nomination. Dune: Messiah is ready to shut out Villeneuve’s Dune trilogy, and given the soar in high quality from Part I to Part II, I count on it to be masterful.
Sean Baker’s racy film a couple of stripper, performed by a terrific Mikey Madison, falling in with the son of a Russian oligarch, is likely one of the solely movies I noticed this yr that legitimately made me chuckle. While the premise makes it sound like a drama, it’s typically sidesplittingly humorous, with Madison delivering maybe the efficiency of the yr within the title position. This seems like Baker’s most crowd-pleasing film so far and additional establishes him as probably the most proficient helmers of his technology.
Robert Eggers brilliantly builds on the success of The Northman with one other epic interval movie, together with his vampire movie impeccably mounted. The casting is pitch-perfect, however the present’s actual star is Eggers, who, together with Villeneuve and Conclave’s Edward Berger, appears to be on the verge of being thought-about one of many new masters. And it’s additionally scary! If you’ll be able to, attempt to see this one on 35mm or an IMAX display screen, because it’s designed to be a gran theatrical expertise. Who would have thought {that a} remake of a horror basic that has already been remade earlier than may very well be among the finest motion pictures of 2024?
Brady Corbett’s 3.5-hour 70mm epic is a surprising achievement, with him in some way making one of many yr’s most lavish epics for under $6 million. Adrien Brody will get his greatest position since The Pianist, whereas Guy Pearce and Felicity Jones have by no means been higher than on this post-war story of an immigrant’s try and seize the American dream turning right into a nightmare. See it on 70mm movie if you happen to can, which must be simpler to attain as soon as it expands to extra theaters in January.
Coralie Fargeat’s The Substance proved to be probably the most electrifying movie of the yr, that includes grotesque imagery you gained’t quickly overlook. But, who knew a 2.5 hour physique horror movie may very well be a lot enjoyable? Effortlessly working as each satire and horror, it affords Demi Moore a career-redefining position. At the identical time, Margaret Qualley once more reveals us why she’s one of many brightest rising stars of her technology. This one is now out there on PVOD, and can be streaming on MUBI.
What do you suppose one of the best motion pictures of the yr have been? Let us know within the feedback!