2024 has also just been a damn good year for movies.
Without further ado, here are Collider’s 40 Best Movies of 2024.
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39.
Image via NImesh Niyomal Perera
IsLisa Frankensteinthe most cerebral movie to hit theaters in 2024?
ButKathryn Newtons perm-sporting Lisa isnt just another mad scientist looking to discover the secret to life.
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38.
Image via Universal Pictures
Now the only thing standing in their way is Fran herself.
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37.
Ross Bonaime
A man returns to his hometown, where he’s haunted by past memories and desires.
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36.
And yet,Hit Manremains light, upbeat, and electrifying, even as the plot becomes unexpectedly somber.
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35.
Colt Seavers is a stuntman who left the business a year earlier to focus on both his physical and mental health. He’s drafted back into service when the star of a mega-budget studio movie, which is being directed by his ex, goes missing.
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34.
It’s somewhat difficult for Disney sequels to hit in the same way their predecessors hit.
So when it was announced thatInside Outwould be getting a sequel, I was skeptical.
Could they take viewers on the same kind of emotional rollercoaster that they did in the first movie?
Rather than trying to recreate the magic of the first movie, it evolved.
But, instead, as a 13-year-old, Riley has a new bevy of struggles.
Her insecurities and difficulties are nuanced and so is the movie’s approach to these new feelings.
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33.
It’s a stunning debut, and makes us very excited to see what Donaldson and Collias do next.
Image via Focus Features
‘The End’
Directed by Joshua Oppenheimer
The end may only be the beginning.
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31.
No 2024 movie is more impactful, thought-provoking, or viscerally affecting thanAaron Schimberg’s black comedyA Different Man.
A Different Manis among the few 2024 releases that can truly be described as “daring.
David Caballero
A man undergoes reconstructive surgery to escape his troubled past and takes on a new identity.
But that doesnt mean Ferrell is the perfect ally.
A coming of RAGE love story about a teenager and her crush, who happens to be a corpse. After a set of horrific circumstances bring him back to life, the two embark on a journey to find love, happiness - and a few missing body parts.
Will & Harperis an important movie, but its also a hilarious one.
It can feel like a dark time, butWill & Harperoffers some much-needed light.
‘Kinds of Kindness’
Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos
Will the real Yorgos Lanthimos just stand up?
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27.
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26.
‘Rebel Ridge’
Directed by Jeremy Saulnier
Jeremy Saulniers latest rolls into town to kick some ass.
Based onRobert Harris 2016 novel by the same name, Berger flawlessly directsPeterStraughans clever script.
The film is decadent.
Conclaveis led by the incomparableRalph Fiennes, whose performance as Cardinal Lawrence is among the best of 2024.
Image via Oscilloscope
Conclaveis undoubtedly one of the best films to debut in 2024, and perhaps one of the most profound.
Maggie Lovitt
22.
But an interviewee makes a statement that forces him to re-invent his story to suit the company’s narrative.
All We Imagine as Lightis 2024s reigning festival darling.
The two women need each other, and the movie follows them as they realize this very crucial reality.
All We Imagine as Lightis a slow, meandering film about finding connection in places where it feels impossible.
While it may sound like another female friendship story,Kapadia goes so much deeper than that.
Led by one of this years best performances inFernanda Torres, the story follows the Paiva family.
Im Still Hereis so much more than an account of facts; Its a love letter to family.
Few filmmakers have stuck to a signature tone as devotedly asMike Leighhas.
This has worn down her relationships, except for her sister, Chantelle (Michele Austin).
Its a somber drama about human connection and the consequences when we don’t have enough of it.
Did we need aMad Max: Fury Roadprequel focusing on Furiosa?
Ross Bonaime
The origin story of renegade warrior Furiosa before her encounter and team-up with Mad Max.
As a medium, animation is the realm of infinite possibility.
Image via Kino Lorber
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15.
Movies about “the power of the arts” can often be hit or miss.
It isn’t easy striking a balance between heartfelt sincerity and preachy sentimentality.
Domingo isSing Sing’s beating heart, and the film wouldn’t be half as good without him.
The Seed of the Sacred Figis a miracle of a movie.
Emily Bernard
A romance fueled by ego, desire and the American Dream.
A man returns to his hometown, where he’s haunted by past memories and desires.
Im happy to report thatMy Old Assexceeded all of my high expectations.
Of course, Park isnt solely responsible for just how specialMy Old Assis.
This is a movie that expertly makes you laugh and cry in equal measure sometimes at the same time.
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That is, until she meets the boy her older self warned her about.
In a way,Challengerscould almost be called a sexierWhiplash, and withZendayabeing the films own unique take onJ.K.
Simmonss Oscar-winning antagonistic force from the aforementioned film.
Zendaya, Faist, and OConnor all give some of the absolute best performances of their respective careers.
Aidan Kelley
10.
These women bring something wholly relatable to these women and shine their brightest when theyre together.
Inspired by an unbelievable true story, a strait-laced professor discovers his hidden talent as a fake hit man. He meets his match in a client who steals his heart and ignites a powder keg of deception, delight, and mixed-up identities.
Yet its not just the standout performances from these three great actors.
The film explores themes of sisterhood, forgiveness, and the intricate dynamics of familial relationships.
This is one of those movies that will grow on you the more you think about it.
I Saw the TV Glowtackles many complex concepts in a smart, unique way.
In the pale glow of the television, Owens view of reality begins to crack.
Frank Herberts revolutionary sci-fi novel was once considered an unadaptible work.
From the massive sandworms to the black-and-white aesthetic of Gaidi Prime, the film is a technical masterpiece.
Yet, the visuals play just a tiny part in what makesDune: Part Twoone of this years best.
The rise of Paul Atreides makes us question the concepts of destiny, morality, and faith.
Image via Sundance
It gave me everything I wanted.
I was pleasantly surprised by how much I adoredWickedwhen it hit theaters just a few weeks ago.
CynthiaErivois breathtaking as Elphaba, giving new layers of life and nuance to a character weve loved for decades.
The first of a two-part feature film adaptation of the Broadway musical.
But Eggers ensures that this is more an update than a retread.
Even for horror deniers,EggersNosferatuis a masterful filmmaking achievement that should be experienced by all.
Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story explores the life and career of the iconic actor known for his portrayal of Superman. The film delves into Reeve’s personal and professional journey, examining his lasting impact on Hollywood and his remarkable resilience following the accident that profoundly changed his life.
The Brutalistisnt for the fainthearted.
Its also complex, unexpectedly riveting, and one of the most beautifully shot films of the year.
The U.S. runs on and is ruled by money before all else.
Image via Pixar
But that’s exactly whatRaMell Rossdoes withNickel Boys, his adaptation ofColson Whitehead’s powerful novel.
It’s a gorgeous, staggering cinematic experience that will likely go down as a new classic.
Their friendship offers a glimmer of hope amidst a backdrop of systemic racism and violence.
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1.
Baker constantly shifts genres and tone throughoutAnorabut it works beautifully.
When you think the film is a romance, it’s actually an absurd comedy.
Inside Out 2 follows the emotional journey of a now-teenage Riley as she encounters new challenges and emotions. As her mind expands, so does the complexity of her inner world, where new emotions must collaborate with old ones to guide her through adolescence, creating dynamic and heartfelt experiences.
When you think it’s becoming a drama, it throws in an entirely different romance.
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During a weekend backpacking trip in the Catskills, 17-year-old Sam navigates the clash of egos between her father and his oldest friend.
Image via TIFF
The End follows a wealthy family living in seclusion within a salt mine, whose isolated existence is disrupted by the arrival of a mysterious stranger, leading to unforeseen consequences.
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A man undergoes reconstructive surgery to escape his troubled past and takes on a new identity. As he becomes involved in a stage production inspired by his own life, he confronts his former self and grapples with the blurred lines between reality and performance.
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Three British teenage girls go on a rites-of-passage holiday - drinking, clubbing and hooking up, in what should be the best summer of their lives.
Image via Sundance
Will Ferrell and his friend Harper, a newly out trans woman, take a road trip to reconnect and reintroduce her to the world.
Image via Searchlight Pictures
A man seeks to break free from his predetermined path, a cop questions his wife’s demeanor after her return from a supposed drowning and a woman’s quest to locate an extraordinary individual prophesied to become a renowned spiritual guide.
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In a near future artificial intelligence is in control of everyone’s lives and human emotions are perceived as a threat.
A thought-provoking film weaves together the lives of several individuals facing moral dilemmas in a conflict-ridden region. As each person confronts the darkness within and the societal pressures around them, the story challenges the notion of inherent evil, questioning whether bad actions or circumstances dictate one’s fate.
Image via Searchlight Pictures
A Complete Unknown: Set in the vibrant New York music scene of the early 1960s, the film follows the journey of 19-year-old Minnesota musician Bob Dylan. It captures his rapid ascent from a budding folk singer to a prominent figure in concert halls and on the charts, highlighting his impact on the music world.
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In Rebel Ridge, a man with a mysterious past embarks on a mission to seek justice against those who wronged him. Set in a small town, the film explores themes of vengeance and redemption, as the protagonist navigates a dangerous path that tests his resolve and challenges the status quo.
Image via Focus Features
Following the unexpected death of the pope, Cardinal Lawrence (played by Ralph Fiennes) is tasked with overseeing the secretive conclave to elect the next pope. As the process unfolds, he uncovers a conspiracy that could shake the very foundations of the Catholic Church.
Image via MUBI
An overworked and underpaid production assistant has to shoot a workplace safety video commissioned by a multinational company. But an interviewee makes a statement that forces him to re-invent his story to suit the company’s narrative.
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In Mumbai, Nurse Prabha’s life is disrupted by an unexpected gift from her estranged husband, while her roommate Anu struggles to find privacy with her boyfriend. A visit to a coastal town offers both women the chance to explore their personal desires and confront the complexities of their relationships.
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An aspiring clown grappling with her gender identity combats a fascistic caped crusader.
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I’m Still Here delves into the tumultuous era of 1970s Brazil, focusing on Eunice Paiva’s enduring quest to uncover the fate of her husband, Rubens Paiva, who disappeared during the dictatorship. As she nears the truth after decades, Eunice is confronted with the onset of Alzheimer’s, adding urgency to her search.
Image via StudioCanal
Hard Truths, released in 2025, is set in post-COVID London and follows Pansy, a working-class Black woman dealing with the aftermath of global panic, navigating a fractured psyche amid ongoing personal and societal challenges.
Image via Warner Bros.
The origin story of renegade warrior Furiosa before her encounter and team-up with Mad Max.
Image via Universal Pictures
The Wild Robot is an animated drama film based on a series of books by Peter Brown. The adaptation is written and directed by Chris Sanders and stars Lupita Nyong’o, Pedro Pascal, and Catherine O’Hara. The Wild Robot centers on a robot named Rozzum 7134, who becomes stranded on a deserted island and the guardian of a young orphan.
Image via A24
Sing Sing follows Divine G, who, while imprisoned for a crime he did not commit, discovers purpose and resilience by participating in a theater group. Through this engagement, Divine and his fellow incarcerated men experience the profound transformative power of art and its impact on their humanity.
Image via Cannes
The Seed of the Sacred Fig explores a young man’s transformative journey as he abandons his urban life to embrace the teachings of self-realization in a rural Indian ashram. Immersed in spiritual practices and guided by a revered guru, he confronts inner conflicts and seeks enlightenment amidst nature’s serene backdrop.
Image via A24 Films
A romance fueled by ego, desire and the American Dream.
Image via MGM Studios
Elliott Labrant, who has been advised by her future self not to fall in love, is sure she can do so after being given the advice. That is, until she meets the boy her older self warned her about.
Image via Amazon MGM Studios
Follows three players who knew each other when they were teenagers as they compete in a tennis tournament to be the world-famous grand slam winner, and reignite old rivalries on and off the court.
Image via Netflix
His Three Daughters is a 2023 drama film directed by Azazel Jacobs. The story centers on three sisters, portrayed by Carrie Coon, Elizabeth Olsen, and Natasha Lyonne, who reunite in their childhood home to care for their terminally ill father. As they navigate the emotional complexities of their father’s final days, the sisters confront unresolved issues and deep-seated family tensions. The film explores themes of sisterhood, forgiveness, and the intricate dynamics of familial relationships.
Image via Searchlight Pictures
Two cousins travel to Poland after their grandmother’s death to see where they came from and end up joining a Holocaust tour.
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Teenager Owen is just trying to make it through life in the suburbs when his classmate introduces him to a mysterious late-night TV show — a vision of a supernatural world beneath their own. In the pale glow of the television, Owen’s view of reality begins to crack.
Image via Warner Bros.
Paul Atreides unites with Chani and the Fremen while seeking revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family.
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A fading celebrity, Elisabeth Sparkle, turns to a mysterious drug that promises to restore her youth. The drug temporarily creates a younger version of herself, named Sue, who quickly ascends to the fame Elisabeth once craved.
Image via Universal Pictures
The story of how a green-skinned woman framed by the Wizard of Oz becomes the Wicked Witch of the West. The first of a two-part feature film adaptation of the Broadway musical.
Image via Focus Features
In Nosferatu, a reclusive vampire’s presence disrupts a small European village, drawing an unsuspecting young couple into a battle against an ancient evil. As fear spreads, the villagers must confront the terrifying legend and their own beliefs, leading to suspenseful confrontations and chilling revelations.
Photo via A24
The Brutalist follows visionary architect László Toth and his wife Erzsébet as they flee Europe, aiming to rebuild their legacy in modern America. Their journey takes an unexpected turn when a mysterious and wealthy client alters the course of their lives, intertwining ambition with the challenges of a new world.
Image via Amazon MGM Studios
Set in Jim Crow-era Florida, two Black teens, Elwood Curtis and Turner, endure the brutal conditions of Nickel Academy, a reformatory for boys. While Turner teaches survival through cynicism, Elwood clings to his belief in justice, despite the horrors around them. Their friendship offers a glimmer of hope amidst a backdrop of systemic racism and violence.
Image via NEON
Anora follows a young sex worker from Brooklyn who impulsively marries the son of a Russian oligarch, igniting a potential fairy tale. Upon learning of the union, his influential parents travel to New York to annul the marriage, jeopardizing her unexpected chance at a new beginning.
