It’s that time of year again, where Top 10 lists are sweeping the (movie) nation. So I’m here to provide my small addition. There isn’t anything too surprising in my list, but that’s just the reality of it sometimes. But there are several movies that just missed the cut that might qualify as “unexpected”. Turtles All the Way Down, Red Rooms, Kneecap, Snack Shack, The Real Bros of Simi Valley: The Movie (funniest movie of the year for me), to name just a few.
You can see my full 2024 rankings on Break Time Reviews or on Letterboxd.
10) Didi – 91/100
I am an absolute sucker for movies like Didi. A coming-of-age story set from 1990 until about 2008 (when Didi takes place) or so. Throw in a big, emotional scene between the main character and a parent in the 3rd act, and I’m sold.
9) Anora – 91/100
Mikey Madison with one of the performances from last year in the titular role. A glamorous fairy tale…until it’s not. Once they get to the wedding, Anora turns into an absolutely wild movie, only to end on a massive, heart-wrenching gut punch. It does all this while still managing to be one of 2024’s funniest movies. Also marks the US film debut for Yura Borisov, becoming one of the breakout stars of 2024.
8) Hit Man – 91/100
What an absolute blast this was. One of the most fun movies you’ll see, while also examining ideas about the id, ego, and superego. It asks a lot of poignant questions, and lets you come to your own conclusions. All of this is backed up by a never-better Glen Powell. If you still had any reservations about his movie star status, those should be put to rest with Hit Man. Matching him every step of the way is Adria Arjona, who still has my pick for line reading of the year.
7) Sing Sing – 92/100
Powerful film on the artistic process and how it can heal and bring us together. Colman Domingo brings this tender, inspired-by-real-life story to life with a remarkable performance. Clarence Maclin is the breakout, playing a version of himself, bringing real life emotion to an already emotional setup.
6) A Real Pain – 92/100
Category fraud accusations aside, Kieran Culkin is undeniably great (and no, he should not be campaigning in supporting, but that’s a different conversation). A great script from Jesse Eisenberg, expertly mixing the heavy material at hand with genuinely big laughs throughout.
5) Challengers – 92/100
The first of two tennis movies to crack my top 10, though Challengers is *decidedly* different from the other still to come. Stars Zendaya, Josh O’Connor, and Mike Faist all bring it, in this sexy tale of desire and attraction. I know many loved the final scene, but for me, that’s what held it back from being even higher on this list. But it’s a small quibble for an otherwise intoxicating film.
4) Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga – 93/100
Avoiding the pitfalls that lesser prequels would succumb to, Furiosa is another adrenaline-fueled action romp, similar in vibe to Mad Max: Fury Road. Anya Taylor-Joy and (especially) Chris Hemsworth are both terrific, with Hemsworth arguably giving a career-best performance. Action sequences stacked on top of each other, the ride never stops, and you won’t want it to.
3) The Brutalist – 93/100
If this isn’t the most impeccably crafted movie of 2024, it’s not far from that top spot. Has a mammoth runtime (215 minutes!) but you honestly don’t feel it. A testament to director Brady Corbet to be able to handle such a truly epic film so deftly. A great examination of the American Dream, an immigrant story, the power of art and creating. Simply a wonderful film.
2) Federer: Twelve Final Days – 94/100
There was no way I wasn’t going to love this. I basically grew up with Federer, both as a teenager and as a tennis player. I really got serious about tennis right around his first Grand Slam win – 2003 Wimbledon. No other athlete comes close to meaning to me what Federer does. If you’re already familiar with Federer’s life and career – and in particular the weeks leading up to his retirement – Twelve Final Days doesn’t give you anything new. But it’s one last chance to take yourself back to his unmatched greatness, both on the court and off.
1) Dune: Part 2 – 98/100
Dune: Part 2 has held the top spot since its release in March. It takes everything up a notch from its predecessor. It’s incredible how much is packed in here, even with its huge 167 minute runtime. That’s credit to one of the best scripts of the year, giving every character and storyline its due, while going deep on several big themes. The thought-provoking questions it raises are only made all the more intense by the excellent work of one of the year’s best ensembles. I can’t wait to see what Villeneuve has in store for us with Dune: Messiah.
And there we have it! And while it’s now time to switch the main focus to 2025, we can’t quite close the book on 2024 just yet, with awards season now in full swing. So here’s to a great 2025 while taking the final opportunities to celebrate 2024.
