Out of all of the years I’ve been covering the film industry, 2024 is the first year where I’ve felt genuinely deflated about the movies. Don’t get me wrong, I still cherish the moviegoing experience — the lights dimming, the hum of the speakers crescendoing into full volume, the bright, beautiful picture as it lights up that magical screen. Movies have always been a method of escape for me — that’s as true in 2024 as it was in 2014. I’ll always be grateful that out of the many, many things that have disappointed me from the past year, cinema has never lost its light.
That being said, in such a dim, cruel, callous world… who cares about light anymore? I find the fanciful fantasies of movies to be just that — fantasies, inspiring no real impact or change in the real world. Roger Ebert once said “Art is the closest we can come to understanding how a stranger really feels.” I truly believe that, and I always will. The problem is people nowadays don’t care much about art, and they care even less about other people. Living in such a state, who cares about movies or entertainment? Who cares about change when the means for change no longer work?
In either case, 2024 is thankfully behind us now, and 2025 will be about taking the lessons we learned from the past year and applying them to the future ahead of us. For me, that starts in the same place that it always has, and that is the movies. And while 2024 was a dismal, flimsy, and pathetic excuse for a year, the one thing I am grateful for is that the movies continued to persist. Like all of our favorite books, songs, paintings, poems, and photographs, the movies have inspired emotion and relevance in a year that demanded both in ways we’ve never seen before. I’m happy to say that the best movies of 2024 have risen to the occasion, just like they always have.
A few things before we dive into the year’s list. As always, I have not seen every movie that has come out in 2024, some very intentionally so. I have no desire to waste my time on soulless comic book movies like Joker 2 and Venom 3, especially when the original movies didn’t even warrant a sequel in the first place. But others just plain missed my radar. I had heard time and time again how brilliant The Substance and Anora were and wanted to see them both, but time did not allow me to catch either of those before the end of the year. So if there are any movies that deserve to be on this list and aren’t, I truly am sorry. This is the first year I’ve written this list where I’ve felt genuinely exhausted by it.
That being said, this list isn’t going to write itself, and I’m looking forward to diving into the very best movies the year gave us, starting with my special prize. Every year, I try to shine the spotlight on at least ONE limited-release movie that deserves just as much love and attention as many of the big-budget blockbusters we get throughout the year. Thankfully, my pick for 2024 was easy, because this movie only got a handful of public screenings before it snuck onto streaming services earlier this year. To me, that is the literal definition of “limited release,” so it is my great pleasure to award the Special Prize for 2024 to…
Special Prize: Hundreds Of Beavers
It feels weird to say that a black-and-white slapstick comedy film is one of the best movies of the year, but Mike Cheslik’s zany and wacky little masterpiece is as refreshing as it is straight-up bonkers. Ryland Brickson Cole Tews plays a fur trapper swooning after the affections of the merchant’s daughter, but before he can seek her hand in marriage, he has to offer the merchant the pelts of hundreds of beavers — hence the title. The movie does a brilliant job of channeling the style and appeal of 1930s black-and-white films, paying homage to all-time greats such as Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin. But aside from its nostalgic charm, Hundreds Of Beavers is simply one of the funniest movies I’ve ever seen. I caught myself laughing hysterically throughout the picture at the fur trapper’s silly antics in the same way that Elmer Fudd kept getting outsmarted by that pesky rabbit in the original Looney Tunes cartoons. If you’re sick of how cliche and unfunny most comedy films are nowadays, Hundreds Of Beavers will reaffirm your faith in the power of laughter and the movies.
Now without further adieu, let’s hop into the 10 best films of 2024, starting with…
10. Deadpool & Wolverine
The Merc With A Mouth’s third cinematic outing sees him partnering with the world’s most famous X-Man in this gleefully violent, profane, and outrageous roast of superhero franchises, cinematic universes, and multiverses in general. Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman are as great as they’ve always been as both Deadpool and Wolverine, but their chemistry is on another level with Wade’s wisecracking antics clashing with Logan’s jaded rough-around-the-edges demeanor. The action sequences are among the most stylish and exhilarating out of the entire trilogy, and the cameos and easter eggs are unmatched in both their hilarity and fan service. The film doesn’t break any new ground for the superhero genre at large, and while Emma Corrin gave an enthusiastic performance as Cassandra Nova, her character unfortunately doesn’t do any favors for Marvel’s lackluster supervillain problem. That still doesn’t change the fact that Deadpool & Wolverine is a big and bold celebration of the Fox X-Men franchise, a welcome return to form for the MCU, and a wildly fun time at the movies.
9. Monkey Man
Dev Patel teams up with Academy Award-winner Jordan Peele in his directorial debut that’s as fast-paced and action-packed as it is hard-hitting and impactful. After a young boy’s mother is killed and his village is burned down by a powerful business tycoon, he grows up perfecting his mind and body to seek vengeance against those who took everything from him. As the star, Dev Patel is as exemplary as he always is, displaying an emotional depth and complexion that makes you understand his character’s pain and where it comes from. But it’s in the director’s seat where Patel shows his deep love and appreciation for martial arts the most, with action sequences so intense, brutal, and heart-pounding that it makes you feel every punch and kick that lands in the theater. Some of the editing is slightly choppy and the cinematography is a little too shaky for my liking, but regardless, Monkey Man is a breath of fresh air for the action movie genre that encourages everyone to embrace who they are.
8. Inside Out 2
Pixar’s return into Riley’s head sees Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, and Disgust colliding with an all-new team of emotions, and the chaos that ensues is as hilarious as it is heartfelt. The animation is as colorful and as vibrant as ever, with all of Riley’s memories lighting up in a brilliant and mesmerizing display of cosmic awe and wonder. The voice cast is just as outstanding, with Maya Hawke being a particular highlight as the jittery, erratic, and worrisome Anxiety. But it’s Kelsey Mann who takes center stage in his directorial debut, taking the ideas and themes from the first movie and expanding on them in new and relevant ways in the sequel. The very best thing about this movie is that as Riley navigates the confusion of her teenage years, it doesn’t villainize any of her emotions and shows they all have a part to play when it comes to who we are. Our emotions can lie to us, but they can also set us free. Inside Out 2 shows us how.
7. Alien: Romulus
Alien’s return to its sci-fi horror roots is as horrifying as it is disturbing, with plenty of twists, turns, and surprises to keep audiences on the edge of their seats all the way through. Benjamin Wallfisch’s score is equally beautiful and unnerving, while Galo Olivares’ masterful cinematography is just as intense as it is claustrophobic within the dark, creepy walls of the Renaissance. Cailee Spaeny is effective as the film’s emotional center, and David Jonnson plays one of the coldest and most calculated androids in the entire franchise. But it’s Fede Alvarez who shines the most in the director’s chair, demonstrating a sound understanding of the tension and inspiration behind the Alien franchise like we haven’t seen since Ridley Scott first directed the original in 1979. There are a few cliches and one-liners littered throughout that rely a little heavier on nostalgia than I would have preferred, but regardless, Alien: Romulus is the best sequel in the franchise by a clear mile. The last 20 minutes will haunt you for the rest of your life.
6. The Wild Robot
DreamWorks comes out in full swing with the best animated film of the year that’s bursting with creativity, personality, and heart. After a cargo ship crash lands on a remote island, a service robot named “Roz” must learn how to survive against the elements in mother nature. But after befriending an orphaned baby goose, a stray fox, and many other four-legged companions, Roz discovers how to overcome her programming and become a protector for all of the forest animals. The animation itself is gorgeous and eye-catching, with everything from the animals, environments, and skyline sticking out in lush watercolor detail. The voice acting is also incredible, with Lupita Nyongo and Pedro Pascal giving the most nuanced and multifaceted performances out of the entire voice cast. But the most beautiful thing about this movie is its sense of humanity that values every life no matter how big or how small. Whether you come from a forest or a factory, The Wild Robot shows us that every life is sacred and worth fighting for.
5. Sonic The Hedgehog 3
The fastest hedgehog alive dashes into theaters for what is quite possibly the best video game film adaptation ever made. When the ultimate life form Shadow (Keanu Reeves) wakes up after being trapped in stasis for 50 years, Sonic (Ben Schwartz) must team up with his friends, Tails (Colleen O’Shaughnessey) and Knuckles (Idris Elba), to defeat him and save the world from utter destruction. Pulling inspiration from the original game it’s based on, Sonic Adventure 2, Sonic 3 is jam-packed with wonderful easter eggs, spectacular action sequences, and heartfelt moments that flesh out these already beloved characters. Jim Carrey is iconic as both the eccentric Dr. Eggman and his grandfather, Gerald Robotnik, and plays up the dual role with great comedic timing and effect. However, the biggest star is Keanu Reeves as Shadow the Hedgehog, a dark and grim figure who’s haunted by his tragic past. Sonic The Hedgehog 3 demonstrates that we’re entering a new era of video game adaptations that prioritizes character development and storytelling over everything else. All hail Shadow.
4. Furiosa
Very few Mad Max fans wanted or asked for a prequel to Fury Road, but Furiosa shows what happens when you get a skilled director with a strong vision behind the camera with enthusiasm for the character and who she represents. In Furiosa, Anya-Taylor Joy squares off against Chris Hemsworth years before Max Rockatansky enters the picture, and their rivalry is as intense as it is seething. Anya does a brilliant job demonstrating the same strength and vulnerability that made Charlize Theron’s character so iconic in the first place, but surprisingly, Chris Hemsworth steals the spotlight in his craziest and most chaotic role yet. I always like it when prominent Marvel actors break out of their typecasts, so seeing Hemsworth so unhinged here brought the biggest smile to my face. Everything else that made Fury Road a classic, from George Miller’s skilled direction to the explosive action sequences and the gorgeous practical effects, all make Furiosa the standout blockbuster of the year. I will never forgive moviegoers for letting this movie bomb at the box office.
3. Wicked
Expectations were undoubtedly high for the live-action adaptation of Stephen Schwartz’s iconic musical, but Jon M. Chu absolutely knocks it out of the park with a sweeping fantasy epic that is just as joyous and enchanting as it is dramatic and powerful. This prequel to the classic Wizard Of Oz shows the complex relationship between Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Galinda (Ariana Grande) before they became the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda The Good and how they went from the closest of friends to the most bitter of rivals. The music is faithfully recreated from the original Broadway production and given new life thanks to the incredible vocal talents of both Cynthia and Ariana. Likewise, both of their performances are out of this world, with Cynthia portraying Elphaba’s intensity so brilliantly against Ariana’s blissfully vain Galinda. But the best thing about this movie is the deeper conversations Jon Chu explores, including how easy it is to villainize and marginalize others through propaganda. In every sense of the word, Wicked is pure magic and will make you believe that you too can defy gravity.
2. Dune: Part Two
Everyone expected this star-studded sci-fi sequel to be as explosive, captivating, and visually spectacular as the first film was. What elevates Dune: Part Two above its predecessor is that it’s deeper, darker, and even more profound and thought-provoking. Greig Fraser’s cinematography is as striking and masterful as it’s always been, bringing weight, meaning, and gravitas into every shot he captures. Denis Villeneuve’s visual scope is equally unrivaled in how he chooses to portray the carnage and chaos of Arrakis, whether that involves Sardaukar hovering in the air or sandworms burrowing through the desert sands. And the all-star cast is nothing short of top-tier, with Timothee Chalamet offering the most raw and compelling performance as the prophesied Lisan al-Gaib. But the best thing about this movie is how much it emphasizes Frank Herbert’s original themes surrounding wealth, power, and religious fanaticism. As the Fremen swear allegiance to Paul and declare war against the universe, the parallels between Arrakis and our world today are disturbingly similar. Yet, the scariest thing about Dune: Part Two wasn’t seeing millions believing in Paul and rallying behind his crusade — it’s that you wanted to believe him too.
And finally, my number one movie of the year. I was initially worried I wasn’t going to see this movie before year’s end because the distributors had the bright idea of releasing this film on Christmas, which is a little weird because this isn’t exactly a quote-unquote “Christmas” movie. Regardless, this movie was a Christmas present in its own little way, with some of the best writing, performances, and direction out of the entire year. And that movie is…
1. Nosferatu
In a day and age where Hollywood seems relegated to just keep reusing old ideas over and over again without any creativity or innovation, here comes Robert Eggers with a gothic horror revival that feels wholly unique, original, and inspired. Which is ironic, because the original Nosferatu actually ripped off Bram Stroker’s Dracula first in 1922. But with how haunting, eerie, creepy, and unsettling this new Nosferatu is, I wouldn’t be surprised if future Dracula adaptations ripped off Robert Eggers instead. The production design and costuming accurately reflect the era of 1800s Germany, while every frame of Jarin Blaschke’s gorgeous cinematography feels like it can be ripped straight out of the film and put into a painting. The makeup feels equally cursed and monstrous, with Bill Skarsgard looking straight up unrecognizable as the titular Count Orlok. However, it’s Lily-Rose Depp who outshines everybody as Ellen, playing a loyal and loving housewife in one scene and a deeply disturbed and terrified consort to death incarnate in another. More than being a brilliant horror film, a gripping supernatural thriller, a monumental period piece, and a moving love story all at once, Nosferatu is a modern masterpiece that demonstrates that if we are to tame the darkness, we must first acknowledge that it exists.
Thankfully, that’s all for 2024 folks. Tune in next year when I rank the 10 worst billionaires. Feel free to place your bets now on who places at number one.
– David Dunn
DAVID DUNN 