The Best Movies of 2024 (According to Me)
Henry Ruggiero
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2024 was a great year for movies, no doubt. At first, I was worried this year wouldn’t be nearly as strong as a year like 2023, but this year managed to surpass my expectations and then some toward the year’s latter half. This year gave me countless great films, and while I’d love to give every film an in-depth review, I’m going to limit myself to my TOP 5 FAVORITES. Let’s begin, shall we?
5. Snack Shack (9/10)
In a year full of big surprises when it came to the world of cinema, Snack Shack was easily the biggest for me. I had heard nearly nothing about it; no trailer, no ads, no nothing. I merely checked it out to add another film onto my 2024 list. And I was kind of blown away. Director Adam Rehmeier crafts the perfect summer movie, full of humor, heart, emotion, and lots of personality. It’s a film that I feel would really connect to people my age, so I would highly recommend seeking it out. Please don’t sleep on this little gem.
4. A Real Pain (9/10)
Jesse Eisenberg, one of the most successful and acclaimed actors in recent years, has proven with his second directorial effort, A Real Pain, that he has a bright future as a filmmaker, as well as showcasing why he’s so beloved as an actor. What on the surface seems like a light comedy about two Jewish cousins reconnecting on a trip throughout Poland proved to be more than meets the eye when I saw it in theaters. The film not only has some of the best comedy in a film this year, thanks to Kieran Culkin’s masterful performance as the co-lead, but also one of the year’s most powerful sequences put to film that completely caught me off guard. A high recommendation from me.
3. DÌDI (弟弟) (10/10)
The first film of 2024 that I gave a 10/10 to Sean Wang’s debut feature film DÌDI (弟弟), which followed the summer after 8th grade for a young boy attempting to find his place in the world. The semi-autobiographical film was clearly a labor of love from its director, and that love shines in every scene. While not everything in the story is something I’ve personally experienced, the film still makes you connect with every emotion our protagonist is feeling, and it made for one of the most authentic and real-feeling movies of the year. One of the very best coming-of-age films. Period.
2. Challengers (10/10)
Undoubtedly the most popular film on this list, Luca Guadagnino’s first of two films this year was unsurprisingly excellent. In terms of the technical aspects, like the score, editing, and cinematography, this blows most films from 2024 out of the water. Luca doesn’t shoot any scene in the same way, always finding a new right angle or style to use, which is demonstrated excellently in any tennis scene. Despite being brushed off by many as a “sports rom-com”, Challengers is actually proof of what the medium of filmmaking can achieve when everyone involved is at the top of their game. It’s also just a total blast to watch. Highly recommended.
1. Anora (10/10)
It feels unfair to have a movie as good as Sean Baker’s Anora alongside these other movies. Anora isn’t just my favorite movie of the year, but is easily in my top 5 movies ever made. I’ve wondered if this love is merely due to hype, considering Anora was one of the most acclaimed movies during 2024’s film festival season. But here’s the thing: I wasn’t expecting the best of the year going in. I heard from some film reviewers I followed that it had poor pacing, or that they couldn’t connect to the story, or that it was even overhyped. So when I went to see it, I expected to be let down a little. But the film proved those mixed expectations wrong. This is the funniest, most quotable, most likable, most exhilarating, and most heartbreaking movie released all year. Every character, despite many of them doing unlikable things, still remain charismatic and enjoyable to watch. Mikey Madison delivers the very best performance of the year as Anora herself, perfectly conveying every emotion demanded. Sean Baker’s direction and editing always keep the momentum up and energy high. If you see only one movie from this year, make it Anora. Just don’t watch it with your mom like I did.
5. Snack Shack (9/10)
In a year full of big surprises when it came to the world of cinema, Snack Shack was easily the biggest for me. I had heard nearly nothing about it; no trailer, no ads, no nothing. I merely checked it out to add another film onto my 2024 list. And I was kind of blown away. Director Adam Rehmeier crafts the perfect summer movie, full of humor, heart, emotion, and lots of personality. It’s a film that I feel would really connect to people my age, so I would highly recommend seeking it out. Please don’t sleep on this little gem.
4. A Real Pain (9/10)
Jesse Eisenberg, one of the most successful and acclaimed actors in recent years, has proven with his second directorial effort, A Real Pain, that he has a bright future as a filmmaker, as well as showcasing why he’s so beloved as an actor. What on the surface seems like a light comedy about two Jewish cousins reconnecting on a trip throughout Poland proved to be more than meets the eye when I saw it in theaters. The film not only has some of the best comedy in a film this year, thanks to Kieran Culkin’s masterful performance as the co-lead, but also one of the year’s most powerful sequences put to film that completely caught me off guard. A high recommendation from me.
3. DÌDI (弟弟) (10/10)
The first film of 2024 that I gave a 10/10 to Sean Wang’s debut feature film DÌDI (弟弟), which followed the summer after 8th grade for a young boy attempting to find his place in the world. The semi-autobiographical film was clearly a labor of love from its director, and that love shines in every scene. While not everything in the story is something I’ve personally experienced, the film still makes you connect with every emotion our protagonist is feeling, and it made for one of the most authentic and real-feeling movies of the year. One of the very best coming-of-age films. Period.
2. Challengers (10/10)
Undoubtedly the most popular film on this list, Luca Guadagnino’s first of two films this year was unsurprisingly excellent. In terms of the technical aspects, like the score, editing, and cinematography, this blows most films from 2024 out of the water. Luca doesn’t shoot any scene in the same way, always finding a new right angle or style to use, which is demonstrated excellently in any tennis scene. Despite being brushed off by many as a “sports rom-com”, Challengers is actually proof of what the medium of filmmaking can achieve when everyone involved is at the top of their game. It’s also just a total blast to watch. Highly recommended.
1. Anora (10/10)
It feels unfair to have a movie as good as Sean Baker’s Anora alongside these other movies. Anora isn’t just my favorite movie of the year, but is easily in my top 5 movies ever made. I’ve wondered if this love is merely due to hype, considering Anora was one of the most acclaimed movies during 2024’s film festival season. But here’s the thing: I wasn’t expecting the best of the year going in. I heard from some film reviewers I followed that it had poor pacing, or that they couldn’t connect to the story, or that it was even overhyped. So when I went to see it, I expected to be let down a little. But the film proved those mixed expectations wrong. This is the funniest, most quotable, most likable, most exhilarating, and most heartbreaking movie released all year. Every character, despite many of them doing unlikable things, still remain charismatic and enjoyable to watch. Mikey Madison delivers the very best performance of the year as Anora herself, perfectly conveying every emotion demanded. Sean Baker’s direction and editing always keep the momentum up and energy high. If you see only one movie from this year, make it Anora. Just don’t watch it with your mom like I did.
