Big blockbusters and indie hits. Box office champions and movies clearly lacking audience attention. Some were dismissed by critics but greatly enjoyed by our editorial team. We’ll be updating this list of the best movies of 2024 throughout the year.
Civil War
2024 / Action / USA
Four war journalists head to Washington to capture the president before his imminent death and the fall of the White House. The new film from A24, starring Kirsten Dunst, uses the road movie genre to depict a fictional civil war in modern America. The film has been praised by many critics and audiences, as evidenced by its 81% freshness rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 7.6 rating on IMDb. Alex Garland succeeds in conveying the fear and inner emptiness from killings, the sounds of gunfire and explosions, and the necessity of being fearless and emotionless in such a setting. Globally, “Fall of the Empire” has already grossed over $100 million, making it A24’s second highest-grossing film after “Everything Everywhere All at Once.”
Dune: Part Two
2024 / Drama, Adventure, Action, Sci-Fi / USA, Canada, UAE, New Zealand, Hungary, Italy
The sequel to the acclaimed adaptation of Frank Herbert’s novel continues the story of the chosen one, Paul Atreides, who joins the Fremen and seeks to restore peace. “Dune: Part Two” can be considered the main blockbuster of the first half of 2024. The film sparked extensive discussions online and generated numerous memes. On IMDb, the film has a rating of 8.7 compared to 8.0 for the first part. Villeneuve took all the positive aspects of the previous film and enhanced them, making this installment even more grand and impressive. “Dune: Part Two” runs for nearly three hours but keeps the audience engaged throughout, thanks to its stunning sound design and deeper exploration of the franchise’s lore.
Monkey Man
2024 / Thriller, Action / USA, Singapore
A young man, who lost his mother in childhood, seeks revenge for her murder and the mistreatment of the poor. “Monkeyman,” Dev Patel’s directorial debut in feature films, boasts a well-deserved 89% freshness rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The film offers a fresh perspective on India and uniquely tells a story of vengeance. It draws inspiration from “John Wick” and Korean thrillers like “Oldboy,” which Patel openly acknowledges. Due to Patel’s extensive viewing experience and enthusiastic approach, the film features intriguing visual choices and a distinctive style. Importantly, the director successfully portrays the essential characteristics of India and its people as they exist in reality.
The Fall Guy
2024 / Comedy, Drama, Action / USA, Canada, Australia
Stuntman Colt finds himself unexpectedly embroiled in dangerous criminal events while starring in a film by his ex-girlfriend. Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt take on the lead roles, showcasing remarkable comedic chemistry. The film is packed with a multitude of unbelievable stunts, one of which even earned a place in the Guinness World Records. This movie serves as a unique tribute from director David Leitch, known for “Deadpool 2” and “Atomic Blonde,” to his love for cinema and his respect for stunt performers who undertake challenging and hazardous work. While the film resonates well with critics and audiences, earning an 81% freshness rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 7.3 on IMDb, it struggles at the box office, grossing only $106 million against a budget of $150 million.
Challengers
2024 / Drama, Romance, Sports / USA, Italy
Tashi, once a phenomenal tennis player, becomes a coach and prepares her champion husband for a tennis competition against her former boyfriend. The sensational sports melodrama, known for its compelling promotion, holds an 89% freshness rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 7.8 rating on IMDb. Guadagnino narrates Zendaya, Mike Faist, and Josh O’Connor’s story through the game of tennis. In “Contenders,” sports aren’t just a parallel action but also serve as a visualization of conflict. The film delves into themes of failure and emotional dependence, yet it’s filled with lust, passion, and the competitiveness of its characters, setting the tone for the entire movie.
Road House
2024 / Drama, Crime, Action / USA
Elwood Dalton, a former UFC fighter, takes on a job as a bouncer at the ‘Roadhouse’ and unwittingly gets entangled in a conflict with the local gang. The film is a remake of the 1989 movie of the same name but turns out to be quite different. Characters, notably portrayed by Jake Gyllenhaal and Conor McGregor, bring incredible charisma and power to the film. The interactions between the characters are engaging, and the jokes are on point.
Moreover, ‘Roadhouse’ is a film with exceptionally realistic fight scenes, as punches were shot in four stages. The creators, so to speak, invented a new filming method, resulting in the clashes between characters looking very natural and vivid. Despite not-so-great reviews, the film was watched by 50 million people in just 10 days, which is an impressive result for streaming on Amazon.
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire
2024 / Action, Science Fiction / USA, Australia
Godzilla and Kong unite against a powerful adversary, while humans attempt to unravel the mystery of their origins. This is the second film featuring the two most iconic kaiju in cinema history, continuing to entertain with its scale and spectacle. The straightforward plot here is more of a plus than a minus, and combined with the thrilling visuals and battle scenes, it functions as a breathtaking thrill ride that truly exhilarates. Fans of the franchise and those who enjoy maximum spectacle in cinema have received the film very well, as evidenced by the audience score of 91% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Arthur the King
2024 / Adventure / USA
Michael Lindnord, along with his team, embarks on his final 700-kilometer adventure race, but unexpectedly encounters a companion dog who changes the outcome of the race and the hero’s life. Based on true events, this story starring Mark Wahlberg touches the soul and inspires to keep moving forward. Directed by Simon Cellan Jones, the film delivers a deeply emotional drama about friendship and mutual assistance.
Yeohaengjaui Pilyo
2024 / Drama / Hong Kong
In order to earn money, a Frenchwoman becomes a tutor of her native language in Korea. “Traveler’s Needs” won the Grand Jury Prize at the 74th Berlin Film Festival. The film portrays the distinctive social world of Korea and the sudden appearance of the Frenchwoman in it. The humor seems to make the action of the film not too serious, which in a good sense is disorienting. This simplicity and calmness create their own charm for Hong Sang-soo’s films and perfectly suit Isabelle Huppert, who plays the lead role.
The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare
2024 / Drama, War, Action, Historical / USA
A group of elite soldiers, accustomed to acting alone, is sent deep into the German forces to deliver a serious blow. Guy Ritchie, well-loved in Russia and acclaimed worldwide, has directed a daring action-packed film reminiscent of Tarantino’s “Inglourious Basterds.” Once again, the director showcases his trademark features: non-linear storytelling, brilliant dialogues, and colorful characters. Starring Henry Cavill and Alan Ritchson, actors with killer charisma, the film delights and surprises audiences. Ritchie continues to impress and astonish with his films.
The Idea of You
2024 / Drama, Romance / USA
A 40-year-old art gallery owner, Solène, meets a 24-year-old singer at the Coachella festival, and soon they begin a romance. The melodrama starring Anne Hathaway and Nicholas Galitzine receives an impressive 83% freshness rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The film reflects on the complexities of romantic relationships, which are exacerbated by societal pressures. The characters must navigate through judgment, misunderstanding, and their own doubts if they want to build something together. It’s a straightforward yet sincere story about love.