Despite what others may say, 2024 was a great year for movies. While there weren’t necessarily any all-time greats, the year still brought us many phenomenal films. Here is my ranking of all 146 2024 flicks that I saw:
146. Sunrise
Sunrise” is a 94-minute movie that feels like three hours. The story drifts along aimlessly and forgets to ever explore the lore behind its most compelling character. The pieces were there to make a solid movie, but nothing ever comes together here at all. I could keep rambling my frustrations about Sunrise, but there’s no point in doing that. It’s not a good movie – plain and simple.
145. Lift
I found myself checking the time often, and while there are brief moments of fun to be had, “Lift” proves to be a DRAG to get through. The film doesn’t embrace the type of movie that it should be, and because of that it doesn’t work.
144. Borderlands
“Borderlands” could’ve been a fun video game adaptation, but it’s ultimately lifeless. There are moments when you can see its potential, but other than that it’s basically drifting from Point A to Point B – rinse and repeat.
143. Rebel Moon — Part Two: The Scargiver
“Rebel Moon – Part Two: The Scargiver” isn’t much of an improvement over the first film. This installment delivers more action, but it was never immersive enough to generate much interest. I can appreciate some of the imagery and impressive visuals, but as a whole, this was very challenging to get through.
142. Tarot
“Tarot” isn’t offensively bad… but it is bad. Outside of the cinematography, virtually every aspect of the movie is lackluster. The characters are paper thin, the scares are nonexistent and the story itself is uninspired.
141. Out of Darkness
“Out of Darkness” is very bland and forgettable. By the end of the film I was completely uninterested in what was happening on screen. It unecessarily lingers on shots for far too long, the interesting parts of the story are under-explored and the ending is dissatisfying.
140. Drive-Away Dolls
“Drive-Away Dolls” is a mess. There’s some satisfaction to be had at the end, but the journey to get there is uneven. There are some bizarre decisions with the editing, and the film feels much longer than its short runtime. I appreciated the performances and cinematography, but that wasn’t enough to save Drive-Away Dolls. It’s certainly not bland, but it is pretty forgettable.
139. The Piper
The pieces are here for a good movie with an intriguing premise, a solid lead actor and appealing cinematography. But, it never all comes together. “The Piper” is a frustrating watch because it has a unique story but boils it down to something more accessible to mainstream audiences.
138. Role Play
I didn’t hate “Role Play,” but it’s a film that I’ll be fine never seeing again. Cuoco and David Oyelowo do what they can, but it wasn’t enough to make this movie memorable in the slightest. There’s nothing here that we haven’t seen done better before.
137. What Happened at 625 River Road?
This is a very low-budget flick with a lot of passion and creativity poured into it. While the first 60 minutes are somewhat forgettable, it does close out in a memorable way.
136. Mind Body Spirit
I really wanted to like “Mind Body Spirit,” but it didn’t work for me. The film benefits from a short 80-minute runtime, but even then it still feels too long at times.
135. A Family Affair
This is everything that is wrong with original streaming movies. It features two talented actors that have no businesses being in it, and lacks any creativity whatsoever.
134. Miller’s Girl
“Miller’s Girl” doesn’t completely stick the landing, but it’s also not an offensive piece of cinema. It’s beautifully shot, well-acted and the first two-thirds are somewhat gripping. However, after the intense buildup to start the film, there is a pretty large drop in quality. Ortega continues to showcase her acting capabilities, but as a whole, “Miller’s Girl” isn’t memorable and doesn’t really offer anything of substance.
133. Hot Frosty
This is your typical cheesy rom-com that’s full of laughs but also a lot of stupidity. “Hot Frosty” takes a basic premise and makes it fun, but it’s also not overly original.
132. No Way Up
“No Way Up” provides an intriguing setup, but completely falls flat after that with seemingly no story direction whatsoever. Characters seem fine just sitting at the bottom of the ocean, and there is hardly any urgency or suspense. Logic is completely thrown out the window on numerous occasions as well, which doesn’t match the serious tone that the movie is going for. This film manages to stay afloat for a while, but eventually it sinks into the depths.
131. Last Night at Terrace Lanes
“Last Night at Terrace Lanes” fails to live up to the whacky nature of its premise. There isn’t enough gore, the cults’ intentions aren’t fully explored and the acting is choppy at times.
130. Project Dorothy
“Project Dorothy” is a partly enjoyable ride. The performances are solid, with the voice work from Danielle Harris being the standout. The pacing is a little off in the first half and characters do make questionable decisions at times, but the last 40 minutes make up for that.
129. Gods of the Deep
“Gods of the Deep” is plagued with an extremely unsatisfying final act. The film shows us a menacing, giant and unknown creature, but decides to put it aside for a generic twist that has been executed better in the past. I appreciated the setup and the initial journey, but the outlandishness of everything became too overbearing as the film came to a close.
128. Spaceman
“Spaceman” isn’t an overly memorable movie, but at the same time, there are several profound moments and it does tackle some relatable themes. I appreciate that this took a different approach than some other space films, focusing more on the astronaut himself than his surroundings.
127. Night Swim
“Night Swim” wasn’t as insultingly bad as others have made it out to be. However, I have no desire to ever see it again. There’s really nothing of substance here, and it brings nothing new to the table.
126. Humane
“Humane” wastes an interesting premise on a fairly generic movie. More could’ve been done with this concept to make it stand out, but unfortunately, the film doesn’t really have a lot to say and the plot holes are glaring.
125. Night Shift
“Night Shift” has all of the pieces to be successful, but it never comes together. The script doesn’t feel complete, and the story is almost nonexistent at times. Tonkin does the best that she can, but it wasn’t enough to save this film.
124. In a Violent Nature
“In a Violent Nature” left me wanting more. The movie’s formula is basically: walking, killing, more walking, talking, killing. Don’t get me wrong, the film features some awesome carnage, but outside of that, everything else is forgettable. It’s a concept that sounded cool on paper, but didn’t translate well to the big screen.
123. Argylle
“Argylle” tries to be smart with constant twists and turns, but it’s ultimately a boring, ineffective journey. Two goofy action sequences in the final act are the highlights here, but the rest of the movie doesn’t have much direction. It’s hard to become attached to any of the characters, and the weak writing becomes blatantly apparent as the story moves along. There is a more fast-paced, witty flick within “Argylle,” but that cut wasn’t delivered here.
122. The Underdoggs
“The Underdoggs” doesn’t always stick the landing, but I’d be lying if I said that I didn’t enjoy it. It’s a breeze to get through at 101 minutes, and in the end it’s just a feel-good story.
121. Punch
“Punch” isn’t the most original or well-done slasher flick, but it does feature a fun masked killer in Mr. Punch. There is more lore that could be explored here, and I’m excited to see where they could possibly go with the character in the future.
120. IF
“IF” has some heartfelt moments, but it doesn’t all come together. So much more could have been done with this concept, and it ends up feeling stitched together and void of any laughs.
119. Mean Girls
“Mean Girls” features a very predictable and cliché script, but over-the-top characters make it more entertaining than it probably should be. It brings its own unique flare in moments, but outside of the performances, it doesn’t do a lot to stand out.
118. Destroy All Neighbors
The practical gore effects are a lot of fun, the performances are all solid and some jokes land, but a weak script really holds “Destroy All Neighbors back.”
117. The Strangers: Chapter 1
This is a typical home invasion story filled with horror tropes. If you’re usually not a fan of these types of movies, then your experience will be no different here. While this first installment is definitely lacking in some areas, I’m hopeful that it was just a stepping stone towards more creative and different ideas explored in the next two films.
116. Our Little Secret
If you’re coming for a Lindsay Lohan rom-com Christmas movie, then this will deliver just that… and not much more. There are some funny moments in “Our Little Secret,” but it doesn’t ever attempt to go above and beyond.
115. Madame Web
This features a fairly weak script, the last 15 minutes become a CGI-fest and the levels that the Pepsi product placement go to are bizarre, however, this is not as terrible of a film as it’s been made out to be.
114. Smile 2
“Smile 2” follows the similar theme of other 2024 sequels – it’s unnecessary. The film is rinse and repeat, with little to no actual story. The 127-minute runtime is far too long, littered with horror clichés and tropes rather than actual scares.
113. Stream
I wish I could say that I loved “Stream,” but the lack of a true story and the overbearing runtime really drag it down. Creative kills and practical effects make up for some of the flaws, but that only carries “Stream” so far. This is like many other horror films this year, where I enjoyed moments… but not the end product as a whole. Still, I can’t help but applaud the filmmakers for continuing to shine in the low-budget, indie horror field.
112. Good Grief
“Good Grief” has its problems, but it also gives some thoughtful messaging on the subject of grief and has a slightly different take on a familiar story. The film does offer a joyful and hopeful ending, which was a fitting conclusion.
111. Azrael
“Azrael” has several moments that will stick with me, however, it doesn’t really flow as a whole. This is in large part due to it being dialogue-free, as the film doesn’t end up delivering a complete story. Samara Weaving continues to pave her way in the horror genre, but she could only do so much here.
110. Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire
“Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire” is a disappointing entry in the franchise. There’s too much going on for its own good, and what we do see isn’t all that interesting. It all culminates into a very fun, entertaining and satisfying conclusion, but the journey to get there is middling at best.
109. You’ll Never Find Me
“You’ll Never Find Me” suffers from being too simple. There is a lot of talent on display here, but that doesn’t save a boring story.
108. Cold Copy
“Cold Copy” does come to a satisfying conclusion, but the journey to get there left much to be desired. There are compelling moments sprinkled throughout, but not enough to make the story come together as a whole.
107. Don’t Move
“Don’t Move” is an above-average Netflix Original, yet it still lacks creativity. While it is a mostly enjoyable watch, we’ve seen movies like this before and it doesn’t differentiate itself enough to warrant its existence.
106. Nosferatu
Robert Eggers is an undoubtedly talented filmmaker, but a lot of his films are either hit-or-miss for me. I enjoyed “The VVitch,” loved “The Lighthouse” and disliked “The Northman.” As for “Nosferatu,” it’s just… boring.
105. Monkey Man
For Dev Patel’s directorial debut, “Monkey Man” is a solid first effort. The movie has its own style that makes it stand out, especially in the action genre. Unfortunately, none of the characters outside of Patel’s are very compelling and the story never comes together. “Monkey Man” bit off more than it could chew.
104. A Quiet Place: Day One
An all-around talented cast manages to keep “A Quiet Place: Day One” afloat, but they can only do so much. Somehow, this film manages to fall flat. It doesn’t pack much of a punch, and is ultimately quite forgettable.
103. The Watchers
I couldn’t help but want more from “The Watchers.” The premise itself is promising, but not enough was done with it to make this stand out. Plot holes and the over-utilization of exposition overshadow the great cinematography and performances.
102. Sting
“Sting” works best as a horror comedy. These moments are certainly standouts, but as a whole, the film could have embraced the silliness of its concept more. The story gets bogged down with dramatic moments that don’t really work, which makes it a less enjoyable watch overall.
101. Megalopolis
If you asked me to explain the plot of “Megalopolis,” I couldn’t do it. There’s fragments to a story, but by the end it’s all lost and pointless. While I could easily say that I hated this movie, I also feel like there’s a lot to love as well. It’s a director completely unhinged, taking numerous bold swings that certainly don’t always land. I can appreciate it for that alone… and also laugh hysterically while I’m at it.
100. Sasquatch Sunset
“Sasquatch Sunset” is a bold movie… but that doesn’t mean it’s a good one. There are several beautiful moments here, but the early portions of the film are plagued with too many issues to ignore. While this is the case, something about “Sasquatch Sunset” has stuck with me. This is a special film, and I’m not sure I’ll ever see one like it again.
99. Joker: Folie à Deux
“Joker: Folie à Deux” is not a good movie. There are some redeeming sequences and it’s beautifully shot, but as a whole the film adds nothing to the titular character – only subtracts. There isn’t enough actual content here to fill 90 minutes, much less the actual 138-minute runtime.
98. Sixty Minutes
The main reason that you’re watching this film is for the fight sequences. “Sixty Minutes” doesn’t bring much new to the table. Still, this is an entertaining way to spend 89 minutes if you have some time to kill. The hand-to-hand fight scenes are visceral, the performances are all solid and the ending ties together the emotional aspect of the story nicely. It’s great at times and very dumb in others, but it’s a passible effort in the action genre.
97. Wil
While other portions of the film may not have come together fully, the ending really does hit home. It’s a shocking and violent conclusion that left me speechless. Still, altogether, “Wil” isn’t the most enjoyable experience. A lot of the movie forgets about its main purpose and delves into a variety of different subplots that aren’t always interesting. It’s ambitious in moments, but that’s probably to a fault.
96. The Woods Are Real
“The Woods Are Real” features solid visuals and performances, along with an intriguing storyline. The flick doesn’t always live up to its potential, but it’s an entertaining and immersive watch overall at only 80 minutes long.
95. Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire
Is “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” going to win any awards? No. Was it a fun ride from start to finish? Yes. Not every movie needs to be serious, and this is a perfect example of that. Grab your popcorn and you’ll be in store for an entertaining 115 minutes.
94. Orion and the Dark
“Orion and the Dark” is a relatable movie for both children and adults alike. While the story and messaging get lost at times, it still hits home in the end that you need to embrace your fears and see the beauty in things that you may be nervous or scared about.
93. Bob Marley: One Love
“Bob Marley: One Love” is a fairly standard biopic. It misses some opportunities along the way, but by the time it came to an end, I felt like it got its message across effectively. The music is obviously the highlight here, but it was also interesting being able to learn more about the man himself.
92. Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey 2
“Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey 2” is campy, goofy and most of all dumb. At the same time, it embraces all of those elements and is a lot of fun. It provides plenty of gore, and an actual attempt at an engaging story this time around. In virtually all facets, this is a drastic improvement, and I’m even excited to see where they go next.
91. The Windigo
For a low-budget film like “The Windigo,” I was very surprised with the quality of filmmaking on display. The runtime flew by, there was solid character development and the practical effects worked well in the last 20 minutes.
90. The Kitchen
“The Kitchen” is an impactful drama flick that takes its time building up the characters and relationships. The themes explored here aren’t far off from reality, and the messaging hits home in the final act.
89. T.I.M.
“T.I.M.” is a good movie, but it relies on an overused sci-fi storyline without doing much differently. I actually enjoyed almost all of the film, but there was still a little left to be desired in the end.
88. Woman of the Hour
“Woman of the Hour” isn’t overly memorable but it’s still worth a watch. This is well-made, and doesn’t follow the typical route of similar films. There is a lot of talent on display here, and I’d be interested to see what Kendrick does next as director.
87. I.S.S.
“I.S.S.” features impressive cinematography, solid performances and a gripping storyline. I appreciated that it never took sides in the issue, and more focused on the aspect of human nature itself. The action on display is very minimal, but when done, it’s effective. There are some issues here that are hard to ignore, but I can’t deny that I still had a good time watching this.
86. Imaginary
The reception to “Imaginary” baffles me. Sure… there are some glaring issues, and it’s not perfect, but what PG-13 horror movie is? This is a great film for younger audiences specifically, and those looking for an introduction to the horror genre. It may not deliver many scares, but there is a lot of creativity on display.
85. Founders Day
“Founders Day” is a great slasher flick. It’s certainly not a cinematic masterpiece, but it delivered exactly what I was hoping for from this type of movie. It mixes politics into the horror genre – featuring social commentary, creative kills and surprising twists. This will surely be a guilty pleasure of mine for years to come.
84. Which Brings Me To You
“Which Brings Me To You” is a unique movie in the romance genre that isn’t afraid to tackle real-world issues that are seen in relationships.
83. Challengers
This is a movie that is held together by the performers. At the helm is Zendaya, along with Mike Faist and Josh O’Connor. While I had a lot of issues with the story itself, the characters were multi-layered and had different complexities that kept things interesting.
82. Alien: Romulus
“Alien: Romulus” is more style than substance. It boasts incredible visuals, but one-note characters, a lazy script, poor pacing and a lack of any real tension hold it back. It may have some memorable moments for fans of the franchise, but it ultimately doesn’t bring anything new to the table.
81. Double Blind
“Double Blind” isn’t quite able to live up to the potential of its initial concept, but it’s still an enjoyable viewing experience. There’s a lot of talent on display here, and it shows onscreen. We’ve seen stories like this before, but “Double Blind” does just enough, specifically early on, to make it worth a watch.
80. Elevation
“Elevation” is a mixed bag. Surprisingly, I think it still works as a whole. There’s no doubt that it could lose some audience members, but the final 30 minutes pull everything together.
79. Problemista
“Problemista” is a uniquely-fashioned character study. In following one man’s journey to get his work visa, we see all of the challenges that people like him must go through on a daily basis. While it doesn’t fully stick the landing, it’s still powerful enough to make a difference.
78. Monolith
“Monolith” has high ambitions in its first half, but doesn’t live up to them in the second. The film stays small in scale, which was a big disappointment since it appeared to be setting up a global conspiracy. This also led to certain aspects of the flick not making a ton of sense, as different ideas that were set up didn’t really get a conclusion.
77. Never Let Go
“Never Let Go” is bogged down by a weak opening act, but the second half of the flick certainly makes up for it. This is thrilling, engaging, thought-provoking and even chilling at times.
76. Fly Me to the Moon
Besides a few hiccups, “Fly Me to the Moon” is an enjoyable movie from start to finish. I’m a sucker for outer space along with conspiracies, so this was really the perfect blend for me. The rom-com aspect ties everything together, making this a very accessible film to all viewers. It’s basic, cliché and predictable – but it works.
75. Red One
This is a fun movie for the holiday season. Critically speaking is this good? No. But “Red One” has charismatic actors, a simple plot, plenty of action and a lot of holiday spirit. The film takes itself too seriously on too many occasions, but it’s at its best when Evans and Johnson are fighting toe-to-toe with CGI villains.
74. Y2K
“Y2K” is over-the-top and stupid… it’s also a lot of fun. The film knows how to provide chaotic horror moments while also inserting comedic relief. This doesn’t always work, but a lot of the jokes landed for me (at least over the first hour). Despite its flaws, “Y2K” is an entertaining ride that I imagine will have many rewatches from me in the future.
73. V/H/S/Beyond
“V/H/S/Beyond” effectively combines the sci-fi and horror genres. Whether you like all of the segments or just one, there should at least be something to enjoy for most viewers here.
72. Your Monster
This movie delivered what I had hoped for – cheesy, dumb fun. Especially in the final act, “Your Monster” goes absurdly over-the-top. This only works so well because… the premise is also very over-the-top. It never takes itself too seriously, which is exactly how it should be.
71. Oddity
“Oddity” has an eerie environment, creepy visuals and a creative central premise, but it ultimately doesn’t do enough. It’s still an enjoyable watch for horror fans, but it’s also a film that I won’t remember for long.
70. Deer Camp ’86
“Deer Camp ’86” is an extremely well-made indie movie. Everything from the cinematography, sound design, performances and practical effects are executed to near-perfection. If you’re looking for an under-the-radar film, this one could be for you.
69. Juror #2
“Juror #2” isn’t able to succeed in being a courtroom drama. The idea itself is a brilliant one, but it is at times delivered in a very basic, uninspired way.
68. Spring Lakes
There are some disturbing scenes sprinkled throughout “Spring Lakes,” and at times, it really goes for it. In fact, there is one scene in particular that I think could completely turn some people away.
67. Love Lies Bleeding
“Love Lies Bleeding” is carried by great performances from Stewart and O’Brian. Their relationship is at the forefront of the movie, and that is a big reason why the film works so well. The end is a little anticlimactic, but outside of that, “Love Lies Bleeding” is a very well-made and well-executed flick.
66. Abigail
“Abigail” introduces a lot of different ideas that keep things entertaining and fresh, though it does become overcrowded in moments. There are attempts at building lore, and while it doesn’t always work, this world-building led to an extremely outlandish and energetic conclusion. Despite its flaws, if you’re simply looking for a bloody, fun time, then you will most likely feel satisfied by the time the credits roll.
65. Scrambled
“Scrambled” is an at-times powerful, sometimes forgettable story of self growth. I don’t think that I was necessarily the target audience, but it still worked for me as a whole. I appreciated the relatability of the story and characters, the acting was great and the final act hammered home the messaging in a memorable way.
64. The Seeding
“The Seeding” isn’t going to be a movie for everyone. It’s an isolated, slow-burn that takes its time revealing information to the viewer. For me, however, I found this to be an engaging entry into the horror genre. It kept me on the edge of my seat in several instances, and left me thinking at the end.
63. Inside Out 2
This is a sequel that successfully follows up on the trajectory of the first film. Alongside introducing new characters and concepts, it delivers on the emotional and impactful moments.
62. Am I OK?
“Am I OK?” features a simplistic story, but the characters make it stand out. The chemistry between Johnson and Sonoya Mizuno is off the charts, with a truly believable friendship between them. We are all on a journey of discovery, and “Am I OK?” delivers a nice story about self-love, friendship and growth.
61. Mayhem!
The gore, fight sequences and a solid twist at the end give “Mayhem!” a little more flare than other average movies with the typical “Taken” plot. Nassim Lyes did a great job in the lead role, and I had a fun time with this one.
60. Sonic the Hedgehog 3
Even three movies in, this franchise continues to be a ton of fun. It doesn’t take itself too seriously, and that’s why it works. However, “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” also has some heartfelt moments sprinkled through the final act. This is all attributed to the character building throughout the entire movie.
59. Ricky Stanicky
The film is overlong, the comedy is hit-or-miss at times and it isn’t the most successful in its emotional moments. Still, Cena is undeniably great in the role, and these are the types of movies that he is best in. “Ricky Stanicky” is no masterpiece, but it doesn’t need to be. It’s dumb comedy, and it successfully delivered in that regard.
58. Daytime Nightmare
“Daytime Nightmare” really surprised me as a very well-made film from top to bottom. The performances, cinematography, editing and score all come together and it provides a nice balance between psychological thriller, horror and drama – able to navigate through the different genres seamlessly. This is unique in its own ways and isn’t your run-of-the-mill independent film. Sure… it has its flaws, but “Daytime Nightmare” shouldn’t be slept on.
57. Laced
“Laced” features a very simple idea, and the twists and turns kept me engaged every step of the way. It loses a little steam going into the final act, but ends strong with a satisfying conclusion.
56. Suncoast
“Suncoast” is messy in moments, but the final product is very impactful. It deals with religious issues, but is never overbearingly focusing on them. Instead, the focus is on the characters and the relationships that they have with one another. This made my eyes water, which by itself is enough reason to recommend “Suncoast.”
55. Under Paris
“Under Paris” is an awesome popcorn movie. It’s dumb in a lot of ways, but that’s also part of its charm. Don’t take it so seriously, and I think you’ll have a blast.
54. Boy Kills World
The action is by far the highlight here, and easily some of the best of 2024. Not only is the choreography phenomenal, but “Boy Kills World” does not hold back on the gore… at all. If you came for blood, this will definitely deliver in that department. The flick is also hilarious at times, interjecting a perfect dose of comedy into both its storyline and action sequences alike.
53. Red Rooms
“Red Rooms” is simple, yet incredibly haunting. It holds back on the grotesque visuals, and instead relies on character reactions and sound design to deliver the chilling blows.
52. Arthur the King
This is another classic feel-good story that completely sucked me in. Mark Wahlberg delivers one of his better performances in recent years, and his furry companion steals the show.
51. Arcadian
“Arcadian” is similar to other apocalyptic films from the past, but a great cast, well-written characters, a distinctive style and a unique creature design make it stand out from the pack. This movie is all about the characters, and that’s why it works so well.
50. I Used to be Funny
This was Rachel Sennott’s opportunity to lead a film, and she does a great job. “I Used to be Funny” is hilarious at times, while also being a serious look at sexual assault along with mental health.
49. Trap
Don’t go into “Trap” expecting horror. This is a psychological thriller, and a quite good one at times. It doesn’t always stick the landing, but “Trap” was still an enjoyable watch for me overall, even with all of its issues. There could have been “more,” but what we did get was entertaining enough.
48. Lovely, Dark, and Deep
“Lovely, Dark, and Deep” is a horror film worth checking out. Campbell, who also stars in “Barbarian,” is sensational here. The last act loses some of the uniqueness that the first two-thirds of the film had, but it still ties together nicely. Solid cinematography, editing and acting are all on display, making “Lovely, Dark, and Deep” a worthy entry in the psychological horror genre.
47. Skincare
“Skincare” is a movie that not many will see, which is unfortunate as it’s actually a lot of fun. It’s part whodunnit, part comedy and a whole lot of thrilling moments. At only 94 minutes long, it doesn’t overstay its welcome.
46. Nightbitch
With such an in-your-face title and a bizzare premise, did I expect more from “Nightbitch?” Absolutely. But I think it’s still a good (almost great) movie the way that it is, and successfully executes the story that it wanted to tell.
45. The Last Stop in Yuma County
“The Last Stop in Yuma County” is an entertaining, intense and engaging ride from start to finish. The characters shine here, with exceptional performances from everyone involved. There are a few head-scratching moments, but outside of that, this effectively executed on its simple premise.
44. Immaculate
While the first half of “Immaculate” fell flat, the second half delivered all of the scares, gore, intensity and anxiety that I had hoped for. The flick is aided by a great performance from Sweeney, probably her best yet. The final sequence may make or break this movie for many, but it worked for me.
43. Werewolves
“Werewolves” is so much more than I expected it to be. The practical effects are awesome, and I loved the design of the werewolves themselves. The flick also has its own visual flare, with creative camerawork and lighting. “Werewolves” is similar to “The Purge,” but better.
42. Here For Blood
“Here for Blood” is a hilarious, well-acted and bloody flick. This is very easily digestible, as the 101-minute runtime flies by. The ending did hold this back ever so slightly for me, but even with that, this still vastly exceeded my expectations. If you’re looking to turn your brain off and laugh at some old-school, cheesy horror, then “Here for Blood” could be for you.
41. The Beekeeper
“The Beekeeper” has a 105-minute runtime that flies by. All of the performances are solid, and the flick has just the right amount of comedy to not take itself too seriously. The story is a bit convoluted, but it is saved by non-stop, fast-paced action. I can definitely see this becoming a guilty pleasure that I’ll watch again and again in the future.
40. Lisa Frankenstein
“Lisa Frankenstein” is unapologetically unserious, and… that’s exactly why the film works. Sometimes similar movies can go too over-the-top – this, however, presses all the right buttons, delivering a highly enjoyable “horror” comedy.
39. It’s What’s Inside
“It’s What’s Inside” is a refreshing film that should appeal to a wide audience. It’s not only laugh-out-loud funny, but it also features compelling characters and moments. This will keep you guessing from start to finish.
38. Terrifier 3
While it’s a bit of a jumbled mess at times, “Terrifier 3” is still a blast from beginning to end. It’s full of Christmas spirit, while attempting to develop the characters and build on the supernatural lore. It has plenty of Art the Clown and plenty of blood. If you’re a fan of the first two, you’ll undoubtedly enjoy this.
37. I Saw the TV Glow
“I Saw the TV Glow” is an ambitious approach to a movie. The way in which the story is told is bizarre in moments, but makes the film all the more unique when you begin to put the pieces together. I can’t say that all of its messaging completely sticks the landing, but for the most part, it succeeds. With its beautiful visuals, unique story and powerful acting, “I Saw the TV Glow” is a flick that I won’t be forgetting any time soon.
36. Society of the Snow
“Society of the Snow” could’ve easily been 144 minutes of despair and dread, but the moments of hope and joy sprinkled throughout remind us that these characters are still human despite what they’ve been put through.
35. Stopmotion
The story itself isn’t really all that complex, but “Stopmotion” does enough to make itself stand out. We may have seen similar scripts to this before, but the stop motion aspect really adds a lot here. It’s goofy and cheesy at times, but it all culminates into a bizarre, entertaining and frightening journey.
34. Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes
“Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” is a terrific sequel, and one that keeps this franchise going strong. While it’s 145 minutes long, I didn’t feel that length at all. The storytelling, performances, cinematography and action kept me engaged throughout the entire runtime.
33. Speak No Evil
“Speak No Evil” has peaked my interest to see the original, and I think that’s what a successful remake should do. McAvoy is great in the lead, delivering a very menacing and haunting performance. This had me laughing, clenching my seat and grimacing all in one.
32. Carry-On
“Carry-On” definitely stretches the realm of plausibility on numerous occasions but makes up for it by providing an explosive, thrilling and most of all fun viewing experience. Bateman and Egerton bounce off of each other well in the lead roles, and I couldn’t have asked for much more from a Netflix Original film.
31. My Old Ass
“My Old Ass” is a memorable movie. Not necessarily because of what happens onscreen, but because of the messaging that it conveys. It’s one of the few 2024 films that had me truly reflecting on my own life as the runtime progressed.
30. Longlegs
Virtually every scene with Nicolas Cage is memorable, literally transforming into the role. His bizarre character brings small doses of comedy, while also being genuinely creepy. Maika Monroe also does great in the lead role, playing a more mysterious, introverted character. While “Longlegs” disappointed me at the theater, it has drastically improved upon rewatch.
29. The First Omen
Making a prequel to a 48-year-old film is a bold choice. While this could have been an easy cash grab, “The First Omen” delivers enough scares to warrant its existence. In fact, there are several grotesque scenes that I haven’t been able to get out of my head.
28. Road House
Gyllenhaal steals the show, and his character has several different layers to connect with. It’s not a very smart movie, and sure… there are some strange choices along the way. That doesn’t make it any less fun. “Road House” delivered exactly what I wanted.
27. Didi
“Didi” is a fantastic film about staying true to yourself. With all of the different scenarios that Chris is put in, the flick perfectly highlights what adolesence is like. It’s uncomfortable, anxiety-riddled and at-times hilarious. We all felt these things while growing up, and I’m not sure that I’ve ever seen it so masterfully translated into a film.
26. We Live in Time
I’ve never seen a love story told quite like “We Live In Time.” It feels like a nonstop wave of emotions, whether good or bad. This all culminates into a very enjoyable and thought-provoking movie about life.
25. Kinds of Kindness
Despite some of its flaws, “Kinds of Kindness” is extremely entertaining in moments. Specifically in the first two stories, I was pretty much bought in the entire time, barring a few unnecessary moments. The final act was the weakest to me, but I also appreciated that it felt completely different from the other two. It was a slower conclusion expected, but the film does end on a humorous note.
24. Gladiator II
It’s a worthy successor to the original, that makes the “Gladiator” world feel more fleshed out. Ridley Scott has still got it. The combat sequences in “Gladiator II” are exhilarating, and are done more frequently and in a larger scale than the original.
23. Cuckoo
“Cuckoo” is a very memorable movie – one that I don’t think will be leaving my mind anytime soon. It features several scares, a relatable main character and most of all, a strange storyline. This is a film that I think will only get better with time.
22. Strange Darling
“Strange Darling” is not what I expected it to be at all. The way that the film is structured is refreshing, making this movie stand out amongst others. It also keeps you on your toes, with twists and turns that are unexpected. With multi-layered characters, a score that is infused into the flick’s identity and a rollercoaster ride of a script, “Strange Darling” is one of 2024’s surprise gems.
21. A Different Man
“A Different Man” has its flaws, but it’s still successful in telling a touching and meaningful story mixed with comedy. While it forgets this purpose in moments, the film manages to mostly keep its messaging and tone intact throughout all 112 minutes.
20. Heretic
“Heretic” is one of the most fascinating movies of the year. It’s a horror movie that asks the audience to think and contemplate their belief or disbelief in a higher power through a simple, yet hauntingly complex story. This is easily one of the best religious horror movies that I have seen.
19. Twisters
“Twisters” is a thrill ride from beginning to end. The film features a lot of humorous moments and has fun with the concept, but isn’t afraid to be real and show the true devastation that tornados can cause. This is the definition of a summer blockbuster.
18. Anora
Highlighted by an award-worthy performance from Mikey Madison, “Anora” completely goes for it. It dives into the world of sex work, while also being absolutely thrilling and hilarious in the second half.
17. Hit Man
“Hit Man” is a refreshingly original movie. It takes a lot of different pieces that we’ve seen before, but blends it all together to near-perfection. Powell continues to flex his starpower, and Arjona steals the show.
16. Late Night With the Devil
“Late Night with the Devil” is a true horror movie. It’s underratedly funny in moments, while also being undoubtedly scary in others. While it goes slightly off the rails in the final act, a lot of what happened has really stuck with me.
15. The Last Movie Ever Made
“The Last Movie Ever Made” is a hidden gem and there’s not many films like it. It manages to capture the beauty of filmmaking, while also celebrating love, friendships and life itself. I’m very grateful that I stumbled upon this piece of art.
14. Wicked
“Wicked” is a beautiful, charismatic and engaging journey from beginning to… middle. While it’s not the complete story, this first part still managed to fully envelop me in the world while making me laugh and tugging at my heartstrings.
13. Deadpool & Wolverine
“Deadpool and Wolverine” is exactly what I had hoped it would be, and it’s the film that Marvel needed right now. It will energize fans to go out to the theater, delivering on almost every front. The movie doesn’t take itself too seriously, embraces the vulgarity of its titular character and acknowledges a lot of its basic flaws upfront. I could go on and nitpick different aspects of the plot, but the most important piece of any review that I do is: was it an enjoyable experience? The answer here is a resounding yes.
12. Saturday Night
Everything about “Saturday Night” is chaotic. From beginning to end, the movie moves non-stop. Because of this, it’s certainly never boring. This is also what makes the flick so special. It’s a never-ending spiral of madness, full of comedy, tension, anxiety and passion. There’s not many other movies like this, where it is constantly go, go, go.
11. Dune: Part Two
Despite overindulging on some of the less important plot points, Denis Villeneuve was able to craft a sci-fi sequel of epic proportions – exploring Paul Atreides’ rise to power. “Dune: Part Two” has some flaws, but for telling a story of this magnitude, it’s undoubtedly a major success. This is big, bold, imaginative and captivating. This is why we go to the movies.
10. Self Reliance
“Self Reliance” is a solid directorial debut for Jake Johnson. My entire theater was laughing on numerous occasions, and you can’t help but feel connected to the core group of characters. The third act didn’t entirely present enough mayhem, but it did showcase the growth in Tommy and brought home a meaningful message.
9. The Substance
“The Substance” is in the running for the most surprising movie of the year. It wasn’t on my radar at all, and really came out of nowhere. This film is a rollercoaster ride, in all of the best ways. It’s sexy, disgusting and hilarious – all in one.
8. Kill
“Kill” is a movie that all action fans should have a blast with. It’s intense and violent while also having a few emotional moments to draw the film forward. The flick easily has the best “it’s about to go down moment” of the year. From then on, all hell breaks loose and it’s basically all gas, no brakes.
7. How to Have Sex
“How to Have Sex” is a film predominantly full of partying. Underneath the top layer, however, is a powerful and necessary look at one woman’s trauma, guilt and silence following sexual assault. The title alone is bold, and “How to Have Sex” delivers a timely story that everyone should see.
6. Civil War
Civil War is a journey. The plot isn’t overly complex, but with each stop, the flick gets more and more intense. It takes moments to breathe, but even those sequences are just as engaging due to the extremely well-written characters. The ideas that the film presents aren’t far off from reality, which makes it all the more haunting.
5. A Real Pain
“A Real Pain” is extremely simple on the surface, yet there are a lot of complexities hiding underneath. This is a character study about identity, friendships and grief that perfectly illustrates the saying of “never judge a book by its cover.”
4. MadS
“MadS” is genuinely terrifying. While the visuals are certainly nightmare-inducing, it’s really the unpredictable nature of the film that makes it scarier. The one-shot nature could have been gimmicky, but it’s executed to perfection.
3. The Fall Guy
This is pure fun. From beginning to the end, “The Fall Guy” is an absolute blast. You can see the love for movies and filmmaking on display throughout the entire runtime here. “The Fall Guy” is basically a love letter to movies, and everyone that goes into making them.
2. Sing Sing
No other film in 2024 has hit me as hard as “Sing Sing.” Alongside being beautifully shot and well-acted, this is just an incredibly powerful story. Society often disregards prisoners, but “Sing Sing” offers a glimpse into the true people that they are along with just how important programs like this are.
1. Blink Twice
“Blink Twice” is an extraordinary directorial debut for Kravitz. I can’t remember the last time that I left a theater feeling so stunned and dreadful. The film undoubtedly executes exactly what it was going for to near perfection and doesn’t shy away from making statements about gender, trauma and abuse.
