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My Favorite Movies of 2024
A list of my favorite 15 motion pictures of the year.
My end-of-year favorite film countdown has become something I thoroughly enjoy curating every year. During my down times, I relax with a movie rather than the hottest show on streaming. For whatever reason, there is nothing more entertaining to me than a uniquely creative film.
While it’s impossible to see every movie that comes out, and determine “fair” parameters in which movies can even qualify to make it on this list (I.e. release date and length), I rank what I’ve been able to see.
This means some of the year’s best might not be on this list simply due to the fact that I have yet to enjoy them.
That said, please only take this list as my own very particular opinion about what makes a film so great.
I’ve ranked my favorite 15 films in reverse order below.
15. Hundreds of Beavers
"Hundreds of Beavers" is a unique and unconventional film that has been garnering attention for its creative approach to storytelling and comedy. Here are the key details about this intriguing movie:
The film is set in the 19th century and follows Jean Kayak, a drunken applejack salesman whose orchard is destroyed by beavers. After this setback, Jean must transform himself into North America's greatest fur trapper to win the hand of a merchant's daughter by collecting hundreds of beaver pelts. The story unfolds as a silent, black-and-white comedy that pays homage to early 20th-century slapstick films.
14. Abruptio
"Abruptio" is a unique and unconventional horror film that has garnered attention for its distinctive approach to storytelling and visual presentation. Here are the key aspects of this intriguing movie:
The film follows Les Hackel, a 35-year-old man whose life takes a dark turn when he discovers an explosive device implanted in his neck. Les is forced to carry out increasingly heinous crimes to stay alive while trying to uncover the mysterious mastermind behind this sinister plot. The story explores themes of corporate control, societal manipulation, and mental health issues.
13. It's What's Inside
"It's What's Inside" is a psychological thriller that blends elements of horror and comedy, offering viewers a unique and mind-bending experience. Here are the key aspects of this intriguing film:
The movie centers around a group of friends who gather for a pre-wedding party. The event takes a dark turn when an estranged friend, Forbes, arrives with a mysterious device that allows the group to swap bodies. What begins as a seemingly harmless game quickly descends into an existential nightmare, awakening long-hidden secrets, desires, and grudges among the friends.
12. Heretic
"Heretic" is a 2024 American horror film that offers a chilling exploration of faith, manipulation, and psychological terror. Here are the key aspects of this intriguing movie:
The film follows two young Mormon missionaries, Sisters Barnes (Sophie Thatcher) and Paxton (Chloe East), who knock on the door of Mr. Reed (Hugh Grant), a seemingly kind Englishman. What begins as a routine missionary visit quickly descends into a nightmarish ordeal as the women become trapped in Reed's house and subjected to his twisted games and manipulations.
11. The Wild Robot
"The Wild Robot" is a 2024 animated science fiction adventure film produced by DreamWorks Animation and distributed by Universal Pictures. Based on Peter Brown's 2016 novel, the film is directed by Chris Sanders, known for "Lilo & Stitch" and "How to Train Your Dragon."
The story follows ROZZUM unit 7134, nicknamed "Roz," a robot shipwrecked on an uninhabited island. After accidentally destroying a goose nest, Roz becomes the adoptive mother to the sole surviving gosling, Brightbill. The film chronicles Roz's journey as she adapts to the wilderness, forms relationships with the island's animals, and learns what it means to be alive.
10. A Different Man
"A Different Man" is a 2024 American black comedy psychological thriller that offers a unique and thought-provoking exploration of identity, appearance, and societal perceptions. Here are the key aspects of this intriguing film:
The story follows Edward Lemuel (Sebastian Stan), a struggling actor with neurofibromatosis that causes facial disfigurement. After undergoing an experimental medical treatment that transforms his appearance, Edward assumes a new identity as "Guy Moratz." He later discovers that his neighbor Ingrid (Renate Reinsve) has written a play based on his former life, leading to a complex web of identity, deception, and self-discovery.
9. Challengers
"Challengers" is an upcoming American romantic sports drama film set to release on April 26, 2024. Here are the key details about this highly anticipated movie:
The film follows a complex love triangle spanning 13 years:
Tashi Duncan (Zendaya): A former tennis prodigy turned coach after a career-ending injury
Art Donaldson (Mike Faist): Tashi's husband, a tennis champion on a losing streak
Patrick Zweig (Josh O'Connor): Art's former best friend and Tashi's ex-boyfriend
The story culminates in a tense Challenger tournament match between Art and Patrick, with Tashi caught in the middle.
8. Omni Loop
The film follows Zoya Lowe (Mary-Louise Parker), a 55-year-old quantum physicist who finds herself in an unusual predicament:
Diagnosed with a black hole growing in her chest, Zoya has only one week to live
She's been reliving this week repeatedly for an unknown duration
Zoya uses mysterious pills she found at age 12 to travel back 5 days in time
The story takes a turn when Zoya meets Paula (Ayo Edebiri), a grad student studying time. Together, they attempt to analyze the pills and find a way for Zoya to travel back decades to alter her past.
7. I Saw the TV Glow
"I Saw the TV Glow" is a 2024 American supernatural horror drama film directed and written by Jane Schoenbrun. Here are the key aspects of this intriguing movie:
The story follows two troubled teenagers, Owen (Justice Smith) and Maddy (Brigette Lundy-Paine), who bond over their obsession with a mysterious late-night TV show called "The Pink Opaque." As they delve deeper into the show, the line between reality and fiction begins to blur, leading them to question their identities and the nature of their existence.
6. Late Night with the Devil
"Late Night with the Devil" is a 2023 supernatural horror film directed by Colin and Cameron Cairnes. Here are the key details about this intriguing movie:
The film is set on October 31, 1977, and follows Jack Delroy, the host of a syndicated talk show called "Night Owls." Facing declining ratings, Jack plans a Halloween special featuring a supposedly possessed 13-year-old girl named Lilly. The live broadcast quickly spirals out of control, unleashing evil into viewers' homes.
5. Oddity
"Oddity" is a 2024 Irish supernatural horror film directed and written by Damian McCarthy. Here are the key details about this intriguing movie:
The story follows Darcy Odello, a blind clairvoyant medium who is still grieving the death of her twin sister Dani, brutally murdered a year prior. Darcy visits her late sister's husband Ted and his new girlfriend Yana, bringing a life-sized wooden mannequin as a gift. As strange events unfold, Darcy attempts to uncover the truth about her sister's murder using her psychic abilities and the mysterious mannequin.
4. Didi
"Dìdi" (弟弟) is a 2024 American coming-of-age comedy-drama film directed by Sean Wang in his directorial debut. Here are the key details about this critically acclaimed movie:
The film is set in 2008 and follows Chris Wang, a 13-year-old Taiwanese-American boy in Fremont, California. As he navigates the challenges of adolescence, Chris deals with:
Struggles with his identity and self-perception
Complicated family dynamics
The dawn of social media
First crushes and friendships
The story explores Chris's attempts to fit in, his relationship with his overworked mother, and his journey of self-discovery as he approaches high school.
3. The Substance
"The Substance" is a 2024 satirical body horror film directed by Coralie Fargeat. Here are the key details about this provocative movie:
The story follows Elisabeth Sparkle (Demi Moore), a fading 50-year-old celebrity who uses a black market drug called "The Substance" to create a younger version of herself named Sue (Margaret Qualley). This leads to unexpected and horrific consequences as Elisabeth struggles with identity, aging, and the pursuit of youth and fame.
2. Anora
"Anora" is a 2024 American romantic drama film directed and written by Sean Baker. Here are the key details about this critically acclaimed movie:
The story follows Anora (Mikey Madison), a young sex worker from Brooklyn, who gets her chance at a Cinderella story when she impulsively marries Ivan (Mark Eydelshteyn), the son of a Russian oligarch. Once the news reaches Russia, her fairytale is threatened as Ivan's parents set out for New York to get the marriage annulled.
1. Strange Darling
"Strange Darling" is a 2024 American thriller film directed by JT Mollner that offers a unique and twisted take on the cat-and-mouse thriller genre. Here are the key details about this intriguing movie:
The film follows a one-night stand between two strangers that spirals into a deadly game of cat-and-mouse. The story is presented in six non-linear chapters, gradually revealing that one of the characters is actually a notorious serial killer known as "The Electric Lady." The narrative keeps viewers guessing about the true nature and motives of the characters until the final twist.