Whichever way you look at it, 2024 has been an excellent year for cinema. There have been plenty of great offerings, from skin-crawling horror Longlegs to Ridley Scott’s long-awaited sequel Gladiator 2.
Perhaps you’re seeking inspiration for what to watch over the holiday period, or maybe you’d like to reflect on what’s hit UK screens this year. Either way, here’s our round-up of some of the best films of 2024 in no particular order.
1. Poor Things
Bawdy, bizarre, and brilliantly original, Greek filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos’ tale about a woman brought back from the dead is his most ambitious film yet. Fans of his previous outing, The Favourite, and Tim Burton-style eccentricity certainly won’t be disappointed.
While it may not be everyone’s cup of tea, Poor Things impressed the critics, bagging four Oscars – including a Best Actress award for Emma Stone. Come for the stellar cast but stay for the unique cinematography and dazzling set design.
Check out our review of Poor Things here.
2. The Holdovers
Three vastly different people form an unlikely bond when they stay at an elite New England boarding school over the Christmas break.
Starring the ever-engaging Paul Giamatti, newcomer Dominic Sessa, and the fantastic Da’Vine Joy Randolph, The Guardian called The Holdovers Alexander Payne’s “finest film since Sideways (2004)”.
3. Perfect Days
German filmmaker Wim Wenders reflects on the magic of ordinary life in Perfect Days, which follows the seemingly humdrum routines of Hirayama (Kôji Yakusho), a Tokyo toilet cleaner. While his solitary and simple existence may initially seem bleak, Hirayama’s profound ability to see the extraordinary in the mundane fills his life with beauty and meaning.
Perfect Days is a must-watch for anyone wanting to see the life-affirming side of arthouse cinema.
4. Dune: Part Two
Frank Herbert’s seminal sci-fi novel, Dune, has been hailed as ‘unadaptable’ for years. But it seems this tale of warring noble families on the desert planet of Arrakis simply hadn’t found the right filmmaker – until Denis Villeneuve came along.
With its fantastic blend of Shakespearean drama and awe-inspiring visuals, we can confidently say that Dune: Part Two is one of the greatest sci-fi films ever made. Check out our full review to find out more.
5. The Zone of Interest
Jonathan Glazer’s brutal and powerful masterwork, The Zone of Interest, centres on the commandant of Auschwitz and his family.
Living just beyond the walls of the concentration camp, the Höss family go about their comfortable domestic days while the horrors of the camp can be heard from just beyond their fence. It’s an unflinching and disturbing study of how humans can normalise the unspeakable.
6. All of Us Strangers
London-based screenwriter, Adam (Andrew Scott), returns to his childhood home to find his parents (Claire Foy and Jamie Bell) living just as they were before they died when he was a boy. Alongside this, a romantic relationship also begins to blossom with his neighbour, Harry (Paul Mescal).
Short partly in director Andrew Haigh’s real-life childhood home, All of Us Strangers is a curious and magical study of childhood wounds, structural homophobia, and the power of love.
7. The Fall Guy
Ryan Gosling stars in this full-throttle action comedy as down-on-his-luck stuntman Colt Seavers. Ostensibly retired after a gnarly accident, he’s thrust back into the biz when he’s offered the chance to reunite with his former flame (Emily Blunt), a Hollywood director working on her first big film.
However, as Colt tries to rekindle their romance, he uncovers a sinister conspiracy behind their project, which leads to plenty of brilliantly choreographed fights, chases, and high-octane shenanigans. An ideal watch for anyone who loves the classic action comedies of the 1980s.
Read our review here to find out more.
8. Four Daughters
Four Daughters tells the story of Olfa, a Tunisian woman whose two older daughters left their family as teenagers to join the Islamic State.
In this brilliantly inventive documentary, Oscar-nominated filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania investigates the circumstances that led up to their radicalisation by blending real-life interviews with dramatic reconstructions. The real-life players and actresses are interviewed alongside each other, and the two remaining daughters play themselves in the dramatised parts.
What results is an intriguing, experimental piece of filmmaking that tackles themes of institutional sexism and religious extremism with heart and a surprising amount of humour
9. Inside Out 2
Almost 10 years after the original was released, Pixar returns to the animated emotions inside our heads.
This time around, protagonist Riley (Kensington Tallman) has become a teenager and a whole host of emotions have leapt out of the woodwork – including Anxiety (Maya Hawke), Embarassment (Paul Walter Hauser), and Envy (Ayo Edebiri) – with whom Joy (Amy Poehler) and Riley’s other emotions have to wrestle for control.
While it can feel a little too similar to its predecessor at times, fans of the first outing will surely enjoy Inside Out 2.
10. Wicked
First, it was a book. Then, it was a smash stage musical. Now, Hollywood has put their spin on the origin story of the Wicked Witch of the West – and the results are impressive.
This sugar-rush-to-the-head adaptation film stars Cynthia Erivo as the green-skinned outcast, Elphaba, and Ariana Grande as the bubbly and popular, yet vain, Galinda – two aspiring witches in the land of Oz who form an unlikely bond.
Expect all your favourite songs and moments from the musical – though bear in mind, this is only the first chapter, with part two hitting cinemas next year.
11. Conclave
There’s been plenty of awards speculation surrounding Edward Berger’s intriguing and tension-filled thriller, Conclave, particularly calls for veteran Ralph Fiennes to win his first Oscar.
Fiennes stars as Cardinal Lawrence, who’s charged with overseeing a secret assembly with a unique purpose: to choose a new pope. As the various leaders of the Catholic Church gather for this covert and ancient event, Laurence soon finds himself in the middle of a shadowy conspiracy. Fiennes is joined by Stanely Tucci, John Lithgow, and Isabella Rossellini.
12. Hit Man
This crowd-pleasing Netflix comedy stars Hollywood’s new it man Glen Powell as Gary, a geeky psychology professor who moonlights as a fake hitman to help the police catch people ordering murders. For each new ‘client’ Gary takes on a new identity – but the lines between his phoney persona and his real one start to blur when he falls for his latest mark (Adria Arjona).
Richard Linklater’s latest outing is an enjoyable (and surprisingly steamy) pick for a film night in. Check out our full review here.
13. Love Lies Bleeding
British director Rose Glass takes us to small-town New Mexico for this ultra-dark, unflinchingly violent noir thriller. It centres on a withdrawn gym manager, Lou (Kristen Stewart), who falls in love with an aspiring bodybuilder (Katy O’Brian). But when their romance intersects with Lou’s shady family, they’re both sucked into a maelstrom of gore and revenge.
Though not for the fainthearted, The Guardian’s Peter Bradshaw called it “a new grindhouse classic”, while Roger Ebert’s Brian Tallerico says it “confirms that Glass is a major talent with an uncompromising vision.”
14. Thelma
With a dazzling critic score of 98% on Rotten Tomatoes, Thelma is a hilarious, exciting, and utterly endearing tale of a 93-year-old grandmother who channels her inner action hero when she’s duped out of $10,000 by a phone scammer.
Veteran June Squibb stars in the first leading role of her career. Critics and audiences alike have praised writer/director Josh Margolin for investigating important issues surrounding ageing with a dignified and lighthearted touch.
15. Rebel Ridge
While Jeremy Saulnier’s Rebel Ridge was released onto Netflix with little ceremony earlier this year, it’s well worth digging it out of the streaming services’ catalogue. It follows Aaron Pierre’s Terry Richmond, an ex-marine who takes on a corrupt small-town police force when they confiscate cash intended for his cousin’s bail.
On the surface, Rebel Ridge may seem like your average B-movie action flick. But thanks to Saulnier’s thoughtful approach and a knock-out performance from A-lister-in-the-making Pierre, Rebel Ridge proves so much more than that – particularly in the way it reimagines the typical trigger-happy action hero.
You can read our full review of Rebel Ridge here.
16. Daughters
This poignant and tear-jerking documentary follows four young girls and their incarcerated fathers as they prepare to take part in a daddy-daughter dance program.
Created by music video director Natalie Rae and Angela Patton – the activist who founded the program – Daughters investigates the implications of parental incarceration on children and the power of family connection.
17. Heretic
The enormous success of Jordan Peele’s Get Out in 2017 shows that audiences have a massive appetite for horrors that are both entertaining and intellectually stimulating. And, while many struggle to satisfy both sides, our next pick does with skill – mixing classic horror and psychological thriller elements.
Heretic follows two young Mormon missionaries (excellently portrayed by Sophie Barnes and Chloe East) who are drawn into a terrifying test of faith when they visit the house of a (seemingly) harmless man played by a devilish and devious Hugh Grant.
18. American Fiction
There’s no doubt Thelonious “Monk” Ellison’s (Jeffery Wright) novels are brilliant – they just aren’t making much money. But when it’s suggested that this sales slump is because his writing isn’t ‘Black’ enough, Monk uses a pseudonym to pen a critique of the industry’s obsession with harmful stereotypes. However, it doesn’t have the effect he thought it would.
With its standout cast and whip-smart wit, American Fiction became a critical darling this year – earning its writer/director Cord Jefferson an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.
19. The Wild Robot
Based on the beloved book series by Peter Brown, The Wild Robot centres on Roz (Lupita Nyong’o), a robot who’s stranded on an uninhabited island after a storm. As she learns to adapt to her new surroundings, she also bonds with the island’s wildlife and becomes an adoptive mother for a baby gosling (Kit Connor).
An all-star voice cast – including Pedro Pascal, Bill Nighy, and Catherine O’Hara – and the director of Lilo & Stitch and How to Train Your Dragon deliver a gorgeously animated and heartfelt family-friendly adventure.
20. The Substance
This inventive and ingenious body horror from French filmmaker Coralie Fargeat is simultaneously one of the wildest and thought-provoking films of 2024. It stars Demi Moore as a 50-year-old celebrity who turns to a black-market drug promising to make you a “younger, better” version of yourself when she’s fired from her home workout TV show.
As you might expect, things swiftly spiral out of control – with excessive grisly imagery that might be too much for some viewers. But, as our reviewer Zoë Glasspool says, “It isn’t disturbing simply for the sake of it, and the film’s deeper societal critique is what makes it so captivating.”
21. Juror #2
When father-to-be Justin Kemp (Nicholas Hoult) is called to sit on the jury for a murder trial, he soon realises the accused is innocent. How, you ask? Because Justin is the real perpetrator.
At 94 years old, Clint Eastwood is still proving he’s one of the best filmmakers around with this courtroom drama that, while a little far-fetched, is a gripping meditation of morality, conscience, and the American judicial system.
22. Anora
Director Sean Baker’s tragicomic take on the Cinderella story scooped up the top prize at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. It follows Anora (Mikey Madison), a young Brooklyn dancer and escort who meets and marries Vanya (Mark Eydelshteyn), the entitled son of a Russian oligarch. However, their marriage won’t last long if Vanya’s parents have anything to say about it.
Anora is a steamy, manic, gritty, and ultimately heartbreaking stage for one of the year’s most impressive performances from 25-year-old star Mikey Madison.
23. The Promised Land
This Danish Western starring the ever-enthralling Mads Mikkelsen tells the tale of Ludvig von Kahlen, a retired army captain tasked with farming and establishing a community on the bleak, barren, and boundless Jutland Heath.
However, it’s not just the unwieldy elements that Kahlen has to contend with, but Frederik Schinkel (Simon Bennenjerg), a cruel nobleman threatened by his plans. The Promise Land is brilliantly shot, deftly directed, and thoroughly entertaining.
24. Dìdi
Writer-director Sean Wang takes us back to 2008 with this semi-autobiographical story. Set in Fremont California during the final month of summer before high school starts, 13-year-old Chris navigates first loves, the burgeoning of social media, and how to embrace his Taiwanese heritage.
Dìdi has been praised for refusing to shy away from some of the more complicated parts of growing up – making it all the more relatable for audiences.
Final thoughts…
Of course, we couldn’t squeeze all the fantastic films released this year into one article – from Alice Rohrwacher’s tomb raider tale La Chimera to the heartwrenching drama Small Things Like These starring Cillian Murphy. Plus, plenty of acclaimed flicks have already debuted elsewhere in the world that’ll hit UK screens next year – such as The Brutalist and A Real Pain.
Nevertheless, we hope this list has provided some inspiration for what to watch or simply reminded you of all the great movies of 2024.
For more entertainment content, why not head to our film and television section where we regularly publish film reviews? Or check out our list of some of the best movies of last year here.
Are you inspired to watch any of the films on this list? Or are there any we missed that you think deserve a shoutout? In either case, we’d love to hear from you in the comments below.