The 50 Best Movies of 2024, And The Worst (According To Jeff D Lowe)
Oscars season is officially here with the release of the nominations for the 2025 version of the iconic award show (that nobody watches, but I still love) this morning. I figured now would be an excellent time to dive into my 50 Best Movies of 2024, as well as a little peak at the worst movies of the year. Look, making movies is really fucking difficult, but a bad movie is a bad movie, and there a few I want to discuss. One movie I won't be discussing? 'Emilia Perez', which picked up a baffling 10 nominations this morning and, despite being one of the least-liked Golden Globe winners ever, has a shot at winning Best Picture in a stunner. The movie is dogshit, even if I commend it for being ambitious, and I have nothing else to say on the matter.
For the full list of all 390 new movies I saw this year, check out my LetterBoxd below...
...without further ado, here are the 50 movies I considered to be "the best."
50) Between the Temples (84/100) - An engaging, funny character study starring an excellent Jason Schwartzman in a movie that really flew under the radar in 2024.
49) Blink Twice (84/100) - Dynamite cast with great performances, and a really intriguing story, 'Blink Twice' is worth the watch, but can't quite perfectly stick the landing.
48) Transformers One (84/100) - This right here is how you do a Transformers movie! Let's stick with the animated route going forward, maybe?
47) The Fall Guy (84/100) - Far from perfect, but one hell of a fun action-comedy thanks in large part to the magnetic chemistry of Ryan Gosling & Emily Blunt.
46) Twisters (84/100) - When a movie like this knows what it wants to be, and doesn't do too much, it can be a smashing success... even if it's a sequel to a 30-year-old movie that nobody particularly asked for in the first place.
45) Speak No Evil (84/100) - Essentially a shot-for-shot re-make of a Danish-Dutch movie of the same name from 2022, which is good news because that movie was excellent! Not sure they needed to make it, but it translates well.
44) Smile 2 (85/100) - I quite liked this! The original is whatever to me, but this has more twists, turns, and scarier moments to chalk it up as one of 2024's good surprise horror releases.
43) Snack Shack (85/100) - A fun coming-of-age movie that feels plucked right out of the 2000's, and one of those comedies that people say, "they just don't make anymore!"
42) Bird (85/100) - Just as much coming-of-age as 'Snack Shack', but with a lot less comedy, 'Bird' is a real & raw feeling story that really cuts deep on a human level.
41) Parachute (85/100) - If you need a good emotional gut-punch, hit up 'Parachute', you'll be sure to feel like shit after (but it's a good movie, so that's okay).
40) Juror #2 (85/100) - This may not be Clint Eastwood's best, but it is a damn solid courtroom thriller with a dynamite cast. Why this was buried in theaters is beyond me, because everyone watching it on Max seems to love it.
39) The Outrun (85/100) - Saoirse Ronan is my favorite actress, so this is wildly biased, but this was one of the best performances of 2024, and she better win an Oscar eventually. The movie is a bit artsy, and meanders, so not everyone will love it, but this was very much for me.
38) Better Man (85/100) - Yes, the CGI monkey music biopic is actually pretty damn good, and I would go as far to say it is much better than 'A Complete Unknown'.
37) Civil War (85/100) - This movie feels a lot like a documentary, which could be viewed as a bad thing depending on who you are, but this is another really solid release from Alex Garland. It may not be my favorite from his catalogue, but he really knows how to make profound looking movies.
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36) Longlegs (85/100) - Intense, creepy, and perfectly mysterious, 'Longlegs' is an awesome thriller that deserves all of the hype it got. Some people don't like that they expected a horror movie, and got more of a mystery-thriller, but that shouldn't be a knock on it.
35) Alien: Romulus (86/100) - Let's use the word surprise again! The Alien franchise has been great at times, but also a bit of a mess, so I am not sure anyone expected 'Romulus' to be one of the better entries in the franchise. There were a few choices I didn't love, but this movie found its own lane in the universe and gave us a great sci-fi horror summer blockbuster.
34) Late Night with the Devil (86/100) - You could argue 2024 was the year of horror, because here is yet another awesome release in that genre. This is one of the better original ideas for a horror movie (a possessed girl on a late-night talk show, in short) in recent memory, and the nail the execution.
33) Monkey Man (86/100) - I am kind of shocked this movie didn't get more love, much like a John Wick, because it's a fantastic action thriller. Dev Patel fills this role perfectly, and he needs to be cast for more movies like this in the future. Why haven't more people seen this shit!?
32) The Order (86/100) - This movie was on my watchlist for a while, but Barstool's own Francis Ellis' ringing endorsement of this movie made me get to it quicker... and that was a great movie! Jude Law leads this fantastic crime thriller, with some of the better visuals, production design, and settings you'll see in a movie this year, no exaggeration.
31) Kinds of Kindness (87/100) - I would... not suggest this movie to everyone. Yorgos Lanthimos is incredible, but it is hard to deny his movies can be a bit out there, and 'Kinds of Kindness' might be the most out there of them all. Personally, I loved it, and, as per usual, there is such a sense of purpose with Lanthimos' vision in the stories he tells.
30) The Substance (87/100) - It's cool to see a movie like this, also horror adjacent, pick up as much steam as it has lately. Demi Moore & Margaret Qualley are excellent, and the final act of this movie is pure batshit insanity. This is a movie that goes for it and does so successfully. If I liked body horror more, this might be Top 10 of the year for me.
29) Flow (87/100) - Every year or two there is an animated movie released with an inventive visual style that just blows your mind: 'Flow' is that example for 2024. This movie drips with beauty, and you'll find yourself wanting to pause each scene and inspect every detail.
28) Love Lies Bleeding (87/100) - I won't go into too much detail in terms of what this is about, and I'd suggest going into it blind. This is a fucking wild movie, with a killer cast of people who shred their performances to pieces
27) Oddity (87/100) - Awesome horror movie that keeps you guessing at every single turn. The tension is perfected with this movie, and it will have you sweating waiting out what happens next. It's one of the quieter releases of 2024, but absolutely an excellent horror entry.
26) Lost Soulz (88/100) - Here's another movie that I am not sure anyone has seen. An excellent coming-of-age music drama, with a grounded story that gives off an unexpected visceral experience at times. It's a beautiful looking and sounding movie, that tugs at so many emotions and feelings.
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I loved this movie and had such a great time watching, but let’s be real about what makes it so good: June Squibb. It’s impossible not to love June Squibb in just about anything, but she’s at the top of her game with this movie. Funny, charming, and charismatic as ever, Squibb deserves every bit of the Oscars campaign she might receive.
This movie is cinematic visual porn (not counting the actual sex scenes), with some of the most creative shots I've ever seen on the big screen. The acting is top notch, and Josh O'Connor probably had my favorite performance of 2024. But I just wish the ending worked better for me. It felt too forced, and on the nose, because otherwise this is a really good movie.
Glen Powell is a superstar. But not just a Blockbuster superstar, but 'Hit Man' shows off the range this guy has. Yes, he can chase tornadoes, and fly jets with Tom Cruise, but the man has acting chops that are just going to keep getting put on display in impressive ways. Such a fun movie, and when Richard Linklater is dialed in, he doesn't miss.
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The idea that Pixar "doesn't miss" has been sort of tossed out the window in the last few years, but 'Inside Out 2' reinforces again that when they do hit, they hit a big-time home run. While it isn't as inventive or top tier as the first movie, 'Inside Out 2' finds a way to emotionally invest the audience with familiar themes, showcased in fresh, funny, and emotional ways.
This is a psychological thriller that will sit with me for quite a while. This is one of those movies where about 10-to-15 minutes in you lean forward, go "what the fuck," and then don't relax until the credits roll. 'Red Rooms' will have your brain in a pretzel, and is one wild, disturbing ride.
The obsession with the art of fiction is relatable, endlessly relevant, and it is one element of this batshit bizarre movie that I really enjoyed. It's a movie with a great story, that also props it up with an incredibly inventive style that only A24 would ever allow to be made. I found this to be one of 2024's more memorable releases, and it will leave audiences feeling and thinking many different things.
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With impossible expectations to live up, this 'Fury Road' prequel hits on so many levels. While it's a hair bloated, which I don't say often, 'Furiosa' captures so much of the insane energy that made the last movie a classic. Everyone crushes their roles, but I must say, Chris Hemsworth really stole the show for me.
Just a beautiful movie, and not just because of the fantastic animation, but also because of the story it tells. The best animated movies often times find ways to connect to both kids and adults, and 'The Wild Robot' is no different. This is not just one of 2024's best animated movies, it one of the year's best movies overall.
Unexpected top tier movie for 2024. Incredible grounded, raw, and relatable that perfectly tells the story of dealing grief. The difficult sides, the darkly humorous sides, and everything in between. On a personal level, this movie really struck everything inside of me.
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Easily one of the best stage-to-screen adaptations of a Broadway show we have ever seen. All of the big musical numbers are incredible, and a perfect blend of being cinematic, yet also keeping that classic stage feel. Cynthia Erivo & Ariana Grande are dynamic in their roles, and Jonathan Bailey's big moment will likely be a (deserved) crowd favorite. From the start to its explosive ending (one of 2024's best), 'Wicked' is a pretty surprising home run.
Okay, so Ryūsuke Hamaguchi has the sauce, huh? His follow up to 'Drive My Car' is excellent and will have your mind slowly racing more and more as the movie goes on. Anything thought-provoking will get a thumbs up from me, especially when the movie is as good as this one. On top of a great story, the visuals in this movie are as good as anything seen in 2024.
A simple, impressive action-thriller that doesn’t try to do too much. Badass action with as good of a tension build as any movie released in 2024. You’ll be gripping the side of your seat from the start, and every payoff feels greatly earned. Also, I’ll take one (1) Don Johnson in every movie, please. What a surprise!
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Damn, what a movie. Told in a non-linear way, everything about 'Strange Darling' will have you firmly planted on the edge of your seat with your mind racing. It takes a premise and story that is rather simple and flips it on its head. Even if you figure out what's going on, you won't feel any less engaged with the characters & story.
An excellent dark (tragi) comedy that will have you questioning whether you should be laughing, cringing, rooting against characters, or feeling bad for them. An emotional roller coaster from start to finish 'A Different Man' has a lot to say and does so in a perfectly sharp & witty way. Fantastic stuff from Sebastian Stan, Adam Pearson, and Renate Reinsve in terms of acting.
One of the best music biopics I have ever seen. It's a movie that dares to have some balls, and tell a story worth telling. There is an authenticity here that lacks in so many of the puff-piece, glossy music biopics we see every year. It's badass, funny, and dramatically impactful.
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"Now is now." … Wim Wenders has to be one of the fascinating working directors, and the beautiful movie 'Perfect Days' only hammers that home harder. The guy who made 'Paris, Texas' forty years is still throwing 98 mph down the pipe. Something this uplifting, inspiring, and feel-good will stand the test of time, just like his entire catalogue.
I'm not sure what it is about the last 10 years or so, but when a filmmaker truly "gets" how to make a coming-of-age movie, they make an absolute work of art. From 'Lady Bird' to 'Eighth Grade', 'Edge of Seventeen', and more, you can add 'Didi' to the list of movies that perfectly capture what it is like to live through the 1990's & 2000's as a middle school or high school student.
Profound, creative, awe-inspiring filmmaking that hopefully inspires people in the industry to push the limits of how a story can be told. 'Nickel Boys' is a powerful movie, told in a way that really pulls the audience off their seats and into the screen. It looks unlike almost any movie I've seen, and it's not just style, as the substance will leave a lasting impact on you. Will everyone love the style & concept? No, and even I took a little bit of time to fully adjust to how this movie plays out, but the ambition deserves endless praise.
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Nearly perfect genre blending, and dare I say one of the most unique science fiction movies I have ever seen. The hype for 'The Beast' is real, and justifiable. While I couldn't see this one in theaters, the fact my first watch was a Criterion disc made up for it a bit. There were some hidden gems in 2024, but 'The Beast' might take the crown for the being the biggest one of them all.
What a great movie, and one that does the rare thing of living up to very early, long-before-release, Oscar-buzz. The story is deep, emotional, and insanely impactful, and is backed visually by some great visually choices that make it look fantastic.
It must be noted that this movie's existence, in so many ways, is absolutely incredible. You could show me the financial breakdown for this movie and I still wouldn't believe it was made for just $10 million. Like, how the hell!? Every shot & still from 'The Brutalist' is a work of art, and they're all accompanied by a flawless score. The pre-release hype for Adrien Brody's Oscar-worthy acting job was underselling his excellence, if anything. It's a heavy, impactful, thought-provoking epic that really doesn't waste an ounce of its long runtime… until the ending. Without spoiling anything, I will just say the ending whacks you across the forehead like a Looney Tunes 2x4. It didn't work at all for me, as it felt wholly unnecessary to add on to what felt like a complete story, but it might work for others. It's a creative choice from Director Brady Corbet, who should get a green light to make literally whatever he wants, that unfortunately knocks it down a few pegs as a whole. But don't get me wrong, this is one hell of a movie.
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Comedic in a dark way, ‘A Real Pain’ is a simple yet effective road trip movie with a lot to say, and for audiences to think about. What we have is almost like a darker, modern ‘Planes, Trains, & Automobiles’. The vulnerable dynamic of a person in relation to relationships, friendship, and family legacy is perfectly captured by writer-director Jesse Eisenberg. It’s both touching, and bittersweet, as you’ll laugh, and feel sadness with the two fantastic main characters.
THIS is why you go to the movies. If it was appropriate to clap in 'Nosferatu', I might've done so around 50 times. Few directors, if anything, have "the sauce" quite like Robert Eggers. He takes a legacy story and drenches it in what has become his own recognizable jaw-dropping style. Every shot in this movie could be printed out and hung inside of a museum. Everything from the atmosphere down to the writing is creepy, eerie, fucked up, and captivating. The score, and tension built within the story, will have your spine tingling with dread at every corner. Lily-Rose Depp not getting an Oscar nomination is a farce, by the way, even if it wasn't expected.
Few active directors in Hollywood can breathe life into a movie, both visually speaking & through a script, quite like Sean Baker. Everything about this movie is exhilarating, hilarious, and heart-breaking all at the same time. The story is frantic chaos that will get your heart racing and nearly lift you off your seat. Already holding a great filmography, 'Anora' now tops the list for a director who should contend for a few Oscars. And while Baker's stroke of the brush is masterful, it is Mikey Madison who truly steals the show. If there is a better performance in a 2024 release, I have yet to see it.
Every now and then a movie comes along that feels transcendent for its genre. With 'DUNE: PART TWO', we get a movie that not only transcends its genre but transcends the movie-going experience. This movie is simply one of the greatest sci-fi movies and epics ever released and has a scope & scale that will leave your jaw on the floor. The conclusion of this legendary two-part story is a spectacle that will leave a mark on cinema for decades to follow.
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Okay, let's talk about the bad movies! These aren't the worst movies in order, but six movies that stuck out as terrible in my eyes…
Making movies is impossible, and what Francis Ford Coppola went through to get this passion project onto the big screen is incredible. That passion, vision, and dedication is what is missing from so many corners of Hollywood in 2025. With all of that said, it's a fairly large bag of ass. This is a bad movie with a concept that feels 30-to-40 years past its time.
It's a shame people are going to review bomb this movie (on both ends) for political reasons, because this shit truly stinks and should be fun to discuss lol. It's a cookie-cutter, boring (VERY boring) biopic with a weak script and bad acting. There are some bizarre stylistic choices, and, while the concept behind it isn’t half bad, the narrator’s portion of the story is oddly super confusing.
Somehow, someway, a downgrade from its predecessor from 2023. It's nonsensical bullshit with too much slow motion, a horrible script, and has an existence justified as a pure buzz creation for Snyder's "director's cuts."
Those who know me already know how much I fucking despise this movie. Some would think the most hate I got in 2024 was for the Francis idol snafu in Surviving Barstool, but it was in fact Yak fans mad at me for claiming Steven Cheah lied about liking this movie so much (we've called for a truce on this one). I do not think any of it was intentional or done in a "wink-wink" way. For me, I think Jerry Seinfeld, a funny person who is in one of my favorite shows of all-time, tried to make an actual comedy, and just failed on every single level. This is a comedy that made me cringe with second-hand embarrassment. The funeral scene alone is one of the worst things I have ever seen in a movie.
What in the dystopian young adult novel TRON & Divergent rip-off fuck is this movie!? How can Netflix release something like this just a week after 'Rebel Ridge' hits the platform? The script and story are bafflingly stupid, and they're accompanied by distracting CGI and effects. I must say, though, as a horrible movie enjoyer, I am very happy I watched this slop.
I mean, it's not a complete movie. This should probably be a N/A-out-of-100. It's a chopped-up movie, deconstructed by the studio, and it shows in every single scene. The ADR is shocking, with dialogue not matching shots of characters at every turn. My jaw-dropped watching this movie… and I do think everyone should see it. I actually can't believe this isn't everyone's worst movie of the year! Like I said, it's doesn't even play as a completed product!
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That's it! 2024 has come to a close! It was a really solid year for movie with a lot of surprises, some horror gems, and a few disappointments along the way. You could also argue it wasn't the strongest year in recent memory, which is fair, as I personally gave just three movies 95/100 or higher.
Make sure to follow me on LetterBoxd…
…and we move on to 2025!