Top 10 Best Movies of 2024

What is this feeling, so sudden and new? It’s certainly not loathing, as this long-anticipated adaptation of the Broadway phenomenon rose above our expectations - even if it’s only “Part One.” “Wicked” doesn’t feel like half a movie, though, leaving the audience on a high as they exit the theater with the songs playing on an endless loop in your head. Whether or not Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande were your dream casting choices, they instantly become Elphaba and Galinda without a shadow of a doubt. The pitch-perfect casting is matched by Jon M. Chu’s direction, transporting us to a version of Oz that’s familiar, yet over a very different rainbow. Blending pop entertainment with timely political overtones, “Wicked” spoke and sang to many in 2024.

“Sing Sing” explores the hardships of prison, but it’s also about finding purpose in a bleak environment. For the wrongfully convicted Divine G[a] and several fellow inmates, the stage provides an outlet for friendship, escapism, and hope. Although the cast features Oscar nominees Colman Domingo and Paul Raci, many alumni of Sing Sing’s Rehabilitation Through the Arts program play themselves, a standout being Clarence Maclin. In addition to former prisoners, Greg Kwedar’s deeply personal film will resonate with anyone who’s turned to theatre in search of a safe haven. While the characters put on a highly amusing show, the relationships formed behind the scenes is where the film shines the most. It’s funny, devastating, and life-affirming, stressing the importance of giving people a second act.

With a film as iconic and influential as the original “Nosferatu,” Robert Eggers is perhaps the only director who could craft a worthy successor. Eggers’ “Nosferatu” more than lives up to its potential. The film is a marvel of sight and sound, although what Eggers nails above all else is the atmosphere. The audience not only feels as if they’ve been transported to this gothic hellscape, but we’re practically possessed along with Lily-Rose Depp in an arresting performance. Bill Skarsgård is equally sensational as Count Orlok, who casts a lingering shadow over the movie that extends into the theater, wrapping the viewer in a blanket of dread. Like its predecessor, “Nosferatu” is best described as a symphony of horror.

Whether you’re electing the next president or pope, politics are bound to impede the road to progress. In “Conclave,” Ralph Fiennes’ Cardinal Lawrence traverses a path lined with backstabbing, scandals, and secrets, attempting to steer the Catholic Church in the right direction. This adaptation of Robert Harris’ novel is full of twists and turns that could’ve come off as melodramatic in lesser hands. With an A-list cast, Peter Straughan[b]’s tightly-paced script, and Edward Berger’s all-encompassing direction, though, “Conclave” is an intense thriller that mirrors 2024 in unexpected ways. The audience hangs onto every line, making each conversation feel like a bomb is about to go off. Just when it appears the biggest bombshell has been dropped, “Conclave” tops itself with an ending we’ll never forget.

On a budget that reportedly didn’t exceed $10 million, Brady Corbet[c] delivers a modern epic for the ages with “The Brutalist.” Adrien Brody gives what might be a career-best performance as László Tóth, a Hungarian-Jewish immigrant pursuing the American Dream. Of course, the American Dream isn’t always what it’s cracked up to be. Working as an architect, László receives the opportunity to construct his masterpiece and a better life for his family. In doing so, László becomes lost in the labyrinth of his creation, as if he’s traded one prison for another. Guy Pearce and Felicity Jones are also exquisite in a film that towers over us with its length, scope, and ambition. Yet, the destination is worth the journey.

Some might describe the central relationship of “Challengers” as a love triangle. A love square might be more accurate, as one thing drives every character: tennis. For Zendaya’s Tashi, it doesn’t matter if she ends up with Josh O’Connor’s Patrick or Mike Faist[d]’s Art. As long as she gets to experience a good game, she’ll be satisfied. Whether using tennis as an allegory for sex or being more literal, Luca Guadagnino has made the steamiest movie of the year. “Challengers” is just as much a character study about people striving to be the best. Not just on the court, although it’s the domain that matters most. As gripping as the tennis matches are, the internal conflict between these three is what makes “Challengers” a winner.

In another stellar year for animation, no film overflowed with more humanity than “The Wild Robot.” That might sound strange in a cast comprised of animals and artificial intelligence. Yet, the audience can sense the personal touch brought to every frame and the passion the voice actors sink into their performances. Chris Sanders’ wonderful film is a love letter to dedicated parents and a relevant commentary on using AI responsibly. Above all else, “The Wild Robot” is about survival. That doesn’t always mean looking out for yourself. Rather, the unbreakable bonds we form help us to endure as individuals and as a community. With the support of others, a runty bird may touch a sky and a robot designed to serve may discover their soul.

“The Substance” is a satire so spot-on that it makes our skin crawl. Some might describe the film as over-the-top. It is, but so are the lengths people go to preserve youth and beauty, especially in showbiz. Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley masterfully play two sides of the same coin in the fruitless pursuit of perfection. Director Coralie Fargeat[e] turns in a tour de force of visual storytelling with haunting production design that can turn a location as common as a bathroom into a cell. The makeup design is also god-tier, emphasizing the true price of fame. Sometimes the more you try to “fix,” the more you take away until the person staring back in the mirror is unrecognizable - not always in flattering ways.

Imagine “Pretty Woman” if it got hit with a reality bomb. That’s one way of describing Sean Baker’s “Anora,” a film where the titular character experiences the most excessive of highs followed by a sharp turn into rock bottom. Like Julia Roberts, Mikey Madison deserves to become an overnight household name with her brave, hilarious, and empathetic performance. For a film that goes to some chaotic places, “Anora” sneaks up on you with its screwball charm and romance. Yes, there is a sincere love story blooming beneath the surface, although the main character struggles to recognize love when it looks her in the face. Madison and Baker have given us one of the 21st century’s most compelling protagonists in any medium.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Heartbreaking & Hilarious, Often at the Same Time

You Won’t Find a Better Duo This Year Than Jesse Eisenberg & Kieran Culkin

Payal Kapadia[g]’s Powerful Story of Sisterhood

Whether or Not His Character is Guilty, Nicholas Hoult Can Do No Wrong

An Unnerving Evaluation of Injustice Told From Multiple Perspectives

A Franchise in Its Prime

For years, people said it was impossible to faithfully adapt Frank Herbert’s groundbreaking sci-fi novel into a feature. They were right, which is why Denis Villeneuve split his version into two. While the first half was one of the most enthralling cinematic experiences of recent years, “Dune: Part Two” is where the real meat of the story lies. It’s also where Villeneuve improves upon the source material in some respects. Although he never strays from Herbert’s original vision, Villeneuve makes it clearer than ever that Paul Atreides isn’t a conventional hero. That won’t stop others from championing him as their leader, leaving us to question if the film’s final note is one of triumphant or impending disaster. Either way, “Dune Messiah” can’t come soon enough.


What’s your favorite movie of 2024? Let us know in the comments.

reesey / racy https://youtu.be/6FyoH5C9uUk?si=RtLE7ccONz7QxcWH&t=1058
https://youtu.be/RB8MmKZNFEI?si=arFLAHVIRPi96G-H&t=106
KWEE-dar https://youtu.be/KKmx3VsclWI?si=QQxNW2uBqfkRRZYl&t=29
[b]https://youtu.be/x20fAUw5Kok?si=a4Otc-i6CAg2AIrs&t=141
burger https://youtu.be/XH-VmVIYHEg?si=O7gobPbEadXd4dy3&t=11
[c]core-bay https://youtu.be/9hfSwm6FNzo?si=qB7vGHJClD0Yuo1w&t=33
LASS-loh taught https://translate.google.ca/?sl=hu&tl=en&text=L%C3%A1szl%C3%B3%20Toth%20&op=translate
[d]feist / FYE-st https://youtu.be/3efJfC-GMEs?si=NjjGJ4WheMIyThJB&t=5
gwoddog-NYEEN-noh https://youtu.be/Bp3b6flNEM4?si=DCV-ECuu5CFO5g-W
[e]core-ah-lee far-ZSHAH / CORA-lee far-JJJAH (french) https://youtu.be/ftOcGyJtNXU?si=S1Nmn2IxXoftW6I-&t=49
[f]https://youtu.be/ZgotC8YiNyM?si=A2U5egsdMaIZcH9A&t=17
[g]pile kuh-PODDY-uh https://youtu.be/CzKnRQkPXdg?si=m2ZydNT1L4_2gr1O