As the year comes to an end, here are my favorite films of 2024. These are the best films or the most critically acclaimed, but when I look back on 2024, these are the films I enjoyed and discussed the most with people. It was another great year of cinema. I’m looking forward to what 2025 brings.

Wicked

Directed by Jon M Chu

There were very few theater experiences like Wicked in 2024. It was the most joyous 2hrs 40m I’ve had in a theater. As someone that knew very little about Wicked, I was moved by the music, the story, the acting, and the visuals. It was the perfect recipe for a blockbuster film. Not to mention, Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande were perfectly casted as Elphaba and Galida. It’s one of those films I’d recommend seeing in a crowd just to count how many people are weeping after “Defying Gravity”. All the theater nerds were right about Wicked. I’m glad the film delivered and I’m excited for Part 2.

Smile 2

Directed by Parker Finn

When 2022’s Smile came out, I thought it was another cute and cheap way to get horror fans in theaters with a very good premise that would be light on story. I was wrong. It was a fascinating story that was party nightmare fuel part fever dream. Smile 2 took all the good stuff from Smile and made it even better. The Monstrosity, as it’s called, real terror isn’t how it looks but that ways in which it manipulates your reality. Parker Finn uses that power to do some diabolical things to his main character and pull audiences into this nightmare. Naomi Scott as pop star Skye Riley is one of the best performances of the year (I’m not joking). I hope they keep making Smile movies, they’re so much fun.

Longlegs

Directed by Osgood Perkins

Longlegs isn’t your traditional horror film. It has Silence of the Lambs vibes but goes out of its way to be disturbing. You’ll definitely finish this movie feeling a little unsettled. What anchors this film is the fantastic cinematography, great performance from Maika Monroe, and an insane performance from Nicolas Cage as Longlegs. Let me be clear, the movie is dark so it’s not for everyone. If you enjoy horror film that gets under your skin, Longlegs is the film for you.

Anora

Directed by Sean Baker

There was a lot of hype surrounding Anora before its release and the film lived up to it. Anora tells the simple story about sex worker marrying the son of an oligarch but that’s just the tip of the story. The film tackles themes like love, trust, acceptance, manipulation, and how easily lines can be blurred. The big takeaway – Mikey Madison is star. I can’t wait to see her onscreen again. I hope studios like Neon continue to put out projects like this.

The Shadow Strays

Directed by Timo Tjahjanto

This is one of the best action films of the year. It flew under the radar but it’s a film about assassins and revenge. That’s all you need to know. Also, Aurora Ribero as 13 is a revelation. She’s incredible. I could watch her slice and dice people all day. The third act has some fantastic action sequences. It was so good I had to rewind and watch some scenes again. I don’t want to giveaway too much of the plot but if you enjoy martial arts films, add this to your list.

Challengers

Directed by Luca Guadagnino

I appreciate a mature drama with some romance and comedy. Challengers hit all those notes. Zendaya as Tashi was fantastic and her co-stars Mike Fist and Josh O’Connor really delivered as well. It’s a very sobering look at a tennis prodigy, the price of fame, and how being great can impact the relationships with the people around you. Zendaya is a star. If you didn’t know before Challengers, you definitely know now.

The Substance

Directed by Coralie Fargeat

I was shocked with how much I enjoyed this movie. It’s a 2hr Black Mirror episode and I mean that a compliment. Once you realize what’s happening, the film takes a sinister turn and now you’re watching a train wreck in slow motion. All the commentary about women and beauty standard is brilliant. Demi Moore is perfectly cast and she, along with Margaret Qualley, help drive that message home. We’ve all dreamt of being better versions of ourselves. This movie is a reminder to be careful what you wish for.

Late Night with the Devil

Directed by Cameron and Colin Cairnes

What an incredible found footage horror film. Set in 197 during a live television broadcast, Jack Delroy decides to bring on Lilly, a young girl claiming to be possessed. We witness as things start to spiral out of control and we learn more about Jack and what may be causing this disturbance. David Dastmalchian is great in it as well as the supporting cast. I was captivated by the story and the use of special effects that made it feel very 1970’s.

The Greatest Night in Pop

Directed by Bao Nguyen

We are the World was such a huge hit. I remember singing this song in school at an assembly. Seeing how it all came together was jaw dropping. A room full of the biggest stars in the world and, some of the biggest egos, working together was amazing. It was the biggest recording artist of the 80’s. I love that this story was told and I hope we get more documentaries like it.

In a Violent Nature

Directed by Chris Nash

The entire film is told through the perspective of the killer. Because of that, there are huge plot pieces missing that you would normally get from a traditional horror film. If you don’t know what’s happening, that’s the point. I do believe the audience is smart enough to figure out what’s happening. The movie is violent so some of you might not have the stomach for this and I understand. The Yoga scene (pictured above) is one of the craziest kills I’ve ever seen in horror. It’s hard to put into words how much I was disgusted and intrigued by that scene.