My Favorite Films of 2024

Despite it being a rough year for me, 2024 was a good year for film. I don’t think the awards season is as strong as last year, but I really enjoyed a lot of movies. As usual, this is a ranking of the films I saw based on my own personal enjoyment, not which I thought were the “best” necessarily. The only films I saw that did not make this list are Dandelion, A Different Man, Wildcat and Didi.

35) Little Wing - This was a little film that I enjoyed watching. While Kaitlyn’s behavior is extreme and hard to watch in the beginning, the film does get better as it goes on and it ends on a good note. It’s also a great look at racing pigeons. It’s also good to see Brooklyn Prince all grown up. I will always remember it for how I met Susan Orlean.

34) Red One - This film had a lot of potential and started very strongly. It has a lot of creative elements that I thought were an interesting take on the Santa lore. However, it ultimately was dragged down by being too generic. I did enjoy it, though it was not as good as it could have been. It probably could have used a different cast and stronger visual effects, and the family subplot could have been expanded. I didn’t mind the Krampus scene, though it did go on for too long. I might revisit it again someday, but I doubt it’s a film I’ll rewatch every year. I do wish this didn’t delay Jumanji 3, though.

33) Anora - This is clearly not the film for me, but the aspect of the plot with the Russian family trying to annul the marriage intrigued me. Almost predictably, I wasn’t as into the first forty-five minutes or so. For me, the film didn’t get good until the Russian family arrived. I’m not sure how this is labeled as a comedy, since I found it someone stressful. I did have empathy for Anora, appreciating her willingness to stand up for herself and understanding her frustration.

32) Despicable Me 4 - I really enjoy the Despicable Me films and I’d rank this one above the third film but below the first two and Minions: Rise of Gru. It was fine fun but it did probably have too many subplots. I thought the premise of going into hiding had a lot of potential, but it wasn’t used as much. I would also like to see future films have the children actually grow up, but I’m not sure how much longer this franchise can continue, though.

31) Blink Twice - This film is another example of having a stronger second half than the first. Some of the character motivations and editing are rather confusing and disorienting in the first half, though I’ll give credit that there’s a reason for this. Once a major reveal happens, though, the film gets really good and very thrilling. Channing Tatum makes for a great villain and Naomi Ackie is also great. It’s a good debut by Zoe Kravitz. The ending is very bold as well. The less you know going in the better.

30) His Three Daughters - I’m surprised this didn’t get more awards buzz, especially for the great three performances. It’s a strong drama that almost reads like a play. In some ways, it also plays too close to home for me in some respects, as I saw some of my extended family in the film, while also adding great nuances to the characters that make them more three-dimensional. It has a great, surprising moment at the end, but the last scene is not as strong as it could have been.

29) Nickel Boys - I’ll give this film credit for its creative use of direction and cinematography. Despite dealing with a difficult topic, I’m glad that it doesn’t show the worst of it. However, I did find it not the most engaging narrative all the time. However, the ending is the strongest aspect, as it has a shocking and devastating twist.

28) The Fire Inside - I think this film had an interesting challenge, as the big Olympic match isn’t in the climax, as revealed by the trailers. However, the third act wasn’t as strong as a sports biopic third act should have been, and I wonder if it should have ended at a later point in Claressa’s life. Outside of this, I thought it was pretty strong and I’ll give it credit for rushing through some aspects of the story that are typical and often seen in most films in the genre. I almost wished I could have seen more of Claressa’s difficult home life in the beginning of the film.

27) Sing Sing - While it’s not as devastating as The Shawshank Redemption, it is a strong prison film that greatly showcases the hope that art gives. However, I wish that Divine G’s background was introduced sooner. I thought Clarence’s character arc was compelling and the documentary-style approach really worked. I do think it needed a better awards campaign, though I’m glad Colman Domingo got a Best Actor nomination.

26) Camp RicStar - I got a chance to see this at Dances with Films and I thought it was a good profile piece on a great program for people with disabilities. There really should be other programs like this for people with special needs. This is definitely worth checking out if you’re able to see it.

25) Bau, Artist at War - This was the opening film at the Sunscreen Film Festival and I’m shocked that I never heard about it again after the festival, especially since it supposedly had distribution already. I thought it was a good portrait of an important figure who was in the same camp featured in Schindler’s List. It’s a great love story during one of the darkest times in history. Its use of animation also works well. My only main criticism is that the old-age makeup could have been much better. I also thought the way they handled the ending was interesting, setting up a different expectation that’s suddenly subverted. I hope it eventually gets more attention.

24) The Best Christmas Pageant Ever - I love the book. I read it most Christmases by listening to the audiobook my Mom recorded. However, it is an admittedly difficult book to adapt. I had mixed feelings from the trailer, but I’ll give credit to the film for being close to the book and keeping the 50s time period and narration. The movie does keep some of the stylized nature that an adaptation requires, but the direction didn’t fully land for me. There are many lines that I thought my Mom delivered better than in the film. No offense to Lorelai Gilmore (I feel obligated to say that after working at Warner Bros.’ Holidays Made Here event last year), but I didn’t think Laura Graham was the best choice for the narrator. There’s also a crucial theological question brought up that the movie didn’t emphasize enough. I did like the stuff they added and some of the changes they made. It was fine and miles better than the TV movie (which I couldn’t watch much of), but the book deserves a stronger adaptation someday.

23) Without Arrows - This is one of the best documentaries using just observational footage that I’ve ever seen since it’s always engaging and never boring. In following Native American Delwin Fiddler Jr., we really get to know him and his family over more than a decade. It’s a great portrait of modern Native American life and the struggles those people face. It’s currently available on PBS Independent Lens, so I would recommend watching it.

22) The Beach Boys - I have listened to The Beach Boys’ music my whole life, but unlike The Beatles, I didn’t know much about the band, their members, or their history. I felt this was a strong documentary that documents the group’s history. I really need to see Love & Mercy now that I’ve seen this. If you’re a fan of their music, I highly recommend checking this out.

21) Jim Henson: Idea Man - I’ve always been a fan of the Muppets and I grew up watching Sesame Street, so I was naturally interested in seeing this documentary. This is a very strong film. I didn’t understand the box background of the interviews at first, but it wound up being a nice tribute to one of his early films. I highly recommend this film and it was Big Bird singing at his funeral that finally got me and made me start to cry at the end.

20) Music by John Williams - I love film music, so I naturally enjoyed this deep dive into the music of one of the greatest film composers of all time. This had an interesting structure, not just covering the past, but featuring Williams in the present. I’m amazed that Williams always wrote by hand, even with the rise of different technologies. I also had no idea he wrote the NBC football theme. If you’re a film music buff, this is a must-see.

19) Dune: Part Two - I enjoyed the first Dune, despite being confused by some of its worldbuilding, and not knowing the story, outside a basic idea, I was glad to finally see the payoff. However, I’m guessing that Dune is just not my type of story as I didn’t love it. I think I’m just not that into the material, though I do think it has a great message that’s still relevant today. Regardless, it’s a great sci-fi epic and I’m looking forward to seeing the next film.

18) September 5 - I am absolutely shocked that I had never heard of the Munich Massacre until I saw this movie. I’m glad this won Best Editing at the Independent Spirit Awards, but I wish it was getting more awards attention. It’s an excellent film that focuses solely on the media response to the hostage situation and the pivotal moment in news history. The use of archival footage is great and really adds to the immersion of the film. I highly recommend it, especially if you know nothing of this historical event.

17) My Spy: The Eternal City - Last year, I mentioned wishing I could add a movie that I saw at a test screening. This was that film and I think it’s better and funnier than the first movie, which was the last thing I saw in theaters before covid lockdowns. I’m also glad it didn’t change much after the test screening. It’s a lot more action-heavy, very funny and a fun ride. It does take a while to get going, but once it does, it really takes off. I also liked the surprise returning characters in the third act. I don’t think this had the best trailer, though. If you liked the first film, definitely check this one out.

16) Thelma - I’m still in disbelief that this is June Squibb’s first lead performance (I recently saw her at the Independent Spirit Awards while volunteering and she looked fabulous). I thought this was a good take on a common problem and is supposedly inspired by a true incident. It’s a funny take on this type of revenge tale, using the elderly protagonist to its advantage and making it feel very original. The third act is definitely the best part of the film. This was a good last movie for Richard Roundtree’s career.

15) Patrice the Movie - This film does a great job of highlighting a horrible injustice in our country that restricts disabled people from getting married or risk losing their benefits. It’s a great observational documentary that also includes the most unique reenactments out there in the medium. It’s one of the best documentaries on disability I’ve seen, and I hope that Congress can change things (though I doubt things will change soon).

14) Flow - Considering that this is a low-budget film, the animation is impressive. For a film without dialogue, it’s not boring, though it is a great film to watch at home and do personal commentary on. The behavior of the animals, especially the cat, is dead on. I do wish there was more of a context of the world but I can also see how it’s not needed. I do think the ending could have been a little stronger and the surreal moment in the third act was confusing.

13) Touch - In many ways, this movie is a drama version of Letters to Juliet, my favorite romantic comedy of all time, but unlike that film, this shows the love story in the past as well. This also does a great job of touching on a historical issue that is rarely discussed in film, at least not in this way, but I won’t say what it is so as to not ruin the surprise. The fact that the younger actor playing the protagonist is the director’s son is amusing, and he does remind me too much of Ben Barnes. It’s a sweet film that went too far under the radar and I highly recommend it.

12) Daughters - I’m still upset that this didn’t get nominated for Best Documentary at the Oscars, as it’s the best documentary I saw this year. Highlighting an important program with a strong success rate, the use of observing both the daughters and fathers is very effective. As a result, the third act is surprisingly devastating when there’s a time jump to a few years after the dance. It’s definitely the most heart-breaking film I saw last year. It’s a good companion piece with Sing Sing and is a must-watch.

11) A Real Pain - I had no idea that this film was related to the Holocaust until I attended a screening that was paired with a short film on a similar topic. This is the most unique Holocaust film I’ve seen with a modern perspective, as it brings up questions on our current response to the tragedy that are very relevant and important. I wish this was nominated for Best Picture and hope this wins Best Original Screenplay at the Oscars. Kieran Culkin is very deserving of the Best Supporting Actor Oscar as he had a tricky job since his character is cringe-worthy one moment, then surprisingly empathetic the next and he pulls it off masterfully. This is definitely one of the best movies of the year and is a must-watch.

10) Piece by Piece - When I saw the trailer, I was instantly intrigued by the use of animation for this biography documentary, but it really does fit with Pharrell’s story. The way Lego is able to portray things such as his synesthesia and the beats he would sell to artists is very inventive. It’s also a great exploration of how hip-hop works for someone who knows very little about the subject. It’s also one of the most entertaining documentaries I’ve seen in a while. The new song is a banner and I wish it was nominated for Best Original Song at the Oscars since I’ve been singing “Till starts paying off” for months now. I hope this is a good start for Lego’s animation’s new direction.

9) Memoir of a Snail - This is a very adult animated feature that’s very tender and moving. It has many shocking and relatable moments. I do think the protagonist looked a tad too much the same as a child as she was an adult, but that’s a small nitpick. The use of snails is very unique and integrates well into the story and themes. I’ll admit I thought this was based on a true story, so I reacted slightly differently than I would have if I had known it was just fiction, but it is still a great piece of stop-motion animation. It also by far has one of the best endings of the year.

8) Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire - I’m not a fan of the original Ghostbusters, but I loved Ghostbusters: Afterlife, and since this followed the same characters and general tone of that film, I knew I was going to enjoy this one. It doesn’t have the emotion or heart of the previous film, but it’s also more action-packed. I loved the way this film expands the lore and possibilities for more films. I did find the trailers deceiving since the “frozen empire” aspect doesn’t really come into play until the third act. I hope they make more of these films in this direction because I’d gladly go see them.

7) Wallace and Gromit: Vengence Most Fowl - I’ve always had an odd relationship with Wallace & Gromit. I grew up loving The Wrong Trousers and I liked A Grand Day Out okay, but A Close Shave terrified me despite my parents’ best efforts to convince me that it’s funny and not scary. I also did not care for The Cures of the Were-Rabbit or A Matter of Loaf and Death at all. However, with the return of Feathers McGraw and the fact that this was a sequel to the best film in the franchise, I had to go see it. I was fortunate enough to see it in theaters as well at Netflix’s Bay Theater, mere days before the fires started. This film has all the charm you’d expect from these films, along with a genuinely emotional moment, although I have to say if I saw this as a kid, I’d probably be scared of this as well (mainly because of the evil gnomes). In any other year, I’d say this should win the Best Animated Feature Oscar, but unfortunately this was released in a year with steep competition.

6) Inside Out 2 - Inside Out is one of the few Pixar films that seemed to easily invite a sequel and fortunately, this film is the first good sequel the studio has produced since 2017. It does a great job of exploring adolescence and exploring more of the human mind. While it’s not as good as the original, not being quite as emotional (no pun intended), it does make Riley herself more of a character. Its portrayal of anxiety is very relatable. I also appreciate how they showcase Joy’s growth from the first film. I do hope they make a third one, but I hope they take their time like they did with this one.

5) Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F - I had only seen the original Beverly Hills Cop, but the trailers made me excited for this one and it delivered. While it could be accused of leaning too much on nostalgia, it did feel like a continuation of the story and characters. Joseph Gordon-Levitt did a great job playing as a foil to Axel. As someone who was actually able to see this in theaters (at the Bay Theater, which to paraphrase Axel himself, is the “cleanest and nicest (theater) I’ve ever been in in my life”), I think not giving this a theatrical release was a missed opportunity because it was a fun time in the theater.

4) The Fall Guy - I don’t understand why this didn’t do better at the box office, because this was an absolute blast. This is the best type of blockbuster, having comedy, romance, and action. This film probably had the most cheer-worthy moments I’ve seen this year. As a filmmaker myself, I also loved all the nods to the industry itself. I’m glad this one the SAG award for Best Stunt Ensemble considering this is an homage to stunt people. If you haven’t seen this film, you have to go see this.

3) Sonic the Hedgehog 3 - I love the Sonic movies despite having never played the games, so I was naturally excited to see this (but unfortunately couldn’t watch this until a month after its release, as is the case for most sequels released in December). While this one isn’t quite as funny as the first two, it is stronger in its plotting. It has also stayed with me more than I was expecting. While it does deal with the possibly overused trope of revenge being a bad thing, this one does it really well and in a way that I’m sure some people can relate to. I’m glad Jim Carrey came back for this one, as the dual roles were well worth his return to acting and I’d be happy if he came back for future films. I wish I didn’t have to wait two more years for the next one. I should probably start playing the games if only I had the time.

2) The Wild Robot - This is essentially tied for first place and I really hope this wins the Oscar for Best Animated Feature because it deserves it. I don’t usually see Dreamworks films, but this one caught my attention, especially after practically seeing mandates to go see this and I’m glad I did. This is incredibly emotional and one of the best films I’ve seen on parenting and one of the best robot films of all time. The art style is gorgeous and fits the story perfectly. I wish “Kiss the Sky” was nominated for Best Original Song at the Oscars, though I’m glad the score got nominated. I really need to read the book and I hope that they make a sequel. This is one of the best animated films I’ve seen in a long time.

1) Wicked - I was stuck on what should take the number one spot, especially since I was in a bad place when I first saw this movie and was too busy comparing it to the musical, but after a second watch, I could finally simply enjoy it and get over my disbelief in watching this musical I love so much whenever I want now. I’m glad this is faithful to the musical while adapting everything cinematically. I do think the trailers probably spoiled too much for people unfamiliar with the musical, though and I hope it’s not too much of an issue with the next one. One of my few criticisms of the musical is that it is a tad too fast-paced, so I appreciated the chance to slow down and spend more time with these characters. It really was a smart move to divide this into two and I cannot wait until Wicked: For Good. For Good, indeed.