The year 2024 was a remarkable year for the film industry with plenty of creativity and emotions. Selecting the top 10 from such a plethora of films turned out to be a daunting task. A few other noteworthy and groundbreaking films that did not make this compilation were missed the cut, but this article caters for the best of the bests of the year presenting films that shaped the calendar year of film production.
Honorable Mentions
Before we get to the top 10, there are other remarkable films which we have to praise that came quite close to making the cut: Small Things Like These, Wicked Long Legs, Deadpool and Wolverine, Superman: The Christopher Reeve Story, Oddity, Look Back, The Brutalist, Anora, Nosferatu, Nickelby’s. All these hard core, power packed films are worth the time and appreciation as they all had something unique to offer.
10. Perfect Days
Slice-of-life films often risk feeling aimless, but Perfect Days defies expectations. Koji Yakusho delivers a performance filled with joy and poignancy, capturing complex emotions with masterful subtlety. The film’s seemingly simple structure culminates in one of the most memorable final shots of the year.
9. Memoir of a Snail
Adam Elliot is back after a fifteen-year hiatus with his new stop motion animated work Memoir of a Snail. Presumably this film is visually mesmerizing while the story is a tear jerker as well. Most importantly, Memoir of a Snail has that engrossing quality that combines hand drawn animation with such powerful emotions that it stays in the heart of the viewer forever, making the film a masterpiece of its kind.
8. Love Lies Bleeding
After her magnificent debut which is Saint Maud, Rose Glass has an extremely impressive follow-up. Love Lies Bleeding is very well captured and mixed with sound and editing. Katie O’Brien also had a perfect performance in the picture. It’s a strong and lasting impression.
7. The Substance
The Substance is a bizarro mess of a movie, as entertaining as it is excessive, which makes it an interesting watch. Working in the genre of horror, Coralie Fargeat creates an aggressive film which is equally beautiful, and has a brilliant battle scene as its first frame.
6. Furiosa
George Miller proves once again why he’s a master of action filmmaking. Furiosa combines breathtaking action sequences with inventive visuals, solidifying its place as one of the best sci-fi films of the year.
5. Dune: Part Two
In this beautiful sequel, Denis Villeneuve does not only raise the bar, but also delivers a film which is better than its predecessor. With unforgettable impressing visuals plus global environment and character development, Dune: Part 2 is an emblem of a high sci-fi drama.
4. The Wild Robot
Every viewer of this touching film will feel a sense of nostalgia as the film explores the bittersweet essence of being a parent. With its excellent blending of nostalgia, love and acceptance, The Wild Robot is sure to become an instant classic.
3. The Suburbs
More than just a walk down the alley or out-house, The Suburbs offers a deeply familiar perspective of loneliness, and friendship, the longing for companionship. Essentially, it makes each and every one of us who has ever felt amiss feel how it is to be closely knitted within a bruised community. As best expressed in the Suburbs‘ theme, which is capturing sincerities of ails all, that has been lost to time – the instant messenger.
2. Sing Sing
It’s the people of Sing Sing who know that art is life, and life is art. This is a film that speaks to your deepest internal emotions. It manages to move even the most hardened feelings explaining the reality of performing and creating art while being incarcerated.
1. Hundreds of Beavers
We have Hundreds of Beavers, a one-of-a-kind film which is downright unbelievable. The overall concept, which creates a great contrast while still managing to have a good storyline, is this: slapstick comedies in black-and-white from the Looney Tunes era, created by an eccentric indie filmmaker. The film can be enjoyed for its humor, its art, its energy, which makes it a perfect movie to unwind with friends. It would be more enjoyable to watch it in a big group where everyone can laugh together.
A Year to Remember
From classic dramas to innovative science fiction and everything in between, 2024 is a case that makes one recollect the love of watching movies. These films undoubtedly showcase the true essence of cinema whether one looks for motivation, humor, or emotional connection. Cheers to this year too for more fascinating tales along with excellent movies.