It should be mentioned that this list will not include 2023 films that received a UK release in 2024, otherwise the likes of The Iron Claw, Monster, and Poor Things would be included in my rankings. So, let's see what films I considered my favorites from 2024.
Honorable Mentions
The Promised Land, a historical tale which is transformed into an engrossing tale of all-consuming determination. Available on BBC iPlayer and to rent
Better Man, an impressively crafted biopic which offers a warts-and-all look at Robbie Williams, as he is portrayed by a CGI monkey. It is worth going bananas for. Available in cinemas
Late Night With the Devil, an excellent chiller that builds atmosphere before the third-act shatters viewers' senses. Available on Shudder and to rent
Your Monster, Caroline Lindy's horror-tinged romcom between a cancer survivor and her beastly roommate. A roaring success. Available on to rent
The Cost of Vengeance, Matthew Holmes' morally grey tale about vigilante justice that disregards the romanticism of revenge. Available on Prime Video and to rent
Hit Man, Richard Linklater's breezy tale which offers a fun take on an identity crisis led by a never-better Glen Powell. Available on Netflix
The Life and Deaths of Christopher Lee, a loving portrayal of iconic actor brought alive with sharp-tongued wit, a variety of eye-catching styles, and a treasure trove of coverage. Available on Now
Challengers, an electrifying love-triangle brought alive through tennis, where every serve and conversation is dripping with sexual tension. Available on Prime Video and to rent
Kill, Nikhil Nagesh Bhat's tale of love trying to persevere amidst blood-soaked brutality. A film which doesn't raise the bar for action cinema, but rather snaps the bar to beat the competition to a pulp. Available on Prime Video and to rent
Bookworm, a heartfelt and hilarious trip of a washed up magician reuniting with his daughter for a camping trip searching for a panther in the New Zealand wilderness. Available to rent
25. Rebel Ridge
It's been a while since Jeremy Saulnier gifted audiences with a film, and this was an exceptional reminder of why he's such an exciting filmmaker. This story follows a former Marine who intends to bail his cousin out of prison, only for local police to detain him and seize the money. This leads him to uncover the depths of corruption lurking within this police force, and despite his best efforts to de-escalate the situation, the opposite occurs courtesy of the officers' hardheaded refusal to admit wrongdoing. An engrossing thriller that leaves viewers ecstatic to see comeuppance delivered in full force, and offers a magnificent showcase for lead Aaron Pierre.
Available on Netflix
24. The Moor
Each year, the FrightFest film festival in London shines a spotlight on emerging talent through their First Blood strand. One of the most impressive inclusions in recent memory was this directorial debut by Chris Cronin. The story follows an unsettled tragedy involving an abducted child, and the search across the Yorkshire moors to hopefully bring closure by finding the body. This haunting tale of unresolved grief initially offers an eerie presence, only for the third-act to deliver a nerve-shredding atmosphere that threatens to choke viewers with fear.
Available to rent
23. Dahomey
Over 130-years-ago, the Kingdom of Dahomey had thousands of their royal artefacts taken by French colonists. As they were held in a French museum during the 21st century, a campaign for reparation saw just 26 of the artefacts returned to what has become Benin. Director Mati Diop blends fact and fiction to offer a unique work, offering a voice to the stolen artefacts and Benin's residents which captures conflicting feelings and questions without easy answers. Fascinatingly carving its own distinctive identity, this impressive work tackles cultural identity, colonisation, and the lingering effects on the descendents.
Available on Mubi and to rent
22. Jericho Ridge
If I had a pound for every action-thriller on this list with ridge in title, involving small-town police engaging in a battle driven by local politics, I'd have two pounds. Which isn't a lot, but it's weird that it's happened twice. Will Gilbey's feature-length debut may not have the worldwide availability that Netflix offers, but this siege thriller impresses more with how it does not waste a minute of this taut runtime. The story involves a deputy with a broken ankle and her rebellious teenage son fighting for survival against a murderous drug cartel. As the amount of available firearms diminish while the number of entry points rises, the tension grows unbearable throughout this pulse-pounding work.
Available on Now and to rent
21. Conclave
After the unexpected death of the Pope, the world's cardinals are gathered inside the Vatican to elect the Pope's successor via a secret ballot. However, Ralph Fiennes' cardinal finds himself investigating secrets and scandals relating to each main candidate. I must confess that I feared this tale could become stuffy, yet the way it is brought alive is constantly compelling, particularly as the situation follows holy men acting catty while divided into cliques. Imagine if the Catholic Church's answer to Sherlock Holmes was at work within a Papal version of Mean Girls, and you have an outstanding feature.
Available in cinemas and to rent on Premium VOD
20. The Coffee Table
While this may be amongst my favourite films of the year, it comes with a major caution attached to it as this is not for the faint of heart. The story follows new parents who fight over a tacky coffee table, with the husband claiming that he never gets to pick anything in this marriage. The salesman declares that the table will change their lives, and it turns out that he is right. This is a story that should not be spoiled, so I will just say that it takes heart-stopping turns to depict fatherhood and aging within a pitch-black tone. A bleak and unrelentingly cruel film that has not left my mind since I saw it.
Available on Shudder and to rent
19. River
After making himself known to English speaking audiences with Beyond the Infinite Two Minutes, Junta Yamaguchi follows-up his excellent debut with another inventive take on a seemingly limiting idea. This sophomore feature follows the residents at the Fujita Inn, who find themselves caught in a time-loop which lasts two-minutes (with each loop unfolding within a single take.) Time may appear limited, but emotional responses carry over with each recurrence, transforming gentle slice of life fare into a marvellously crafted tale about not taking things for granted.
Available to rent
18. Oddity
In a year that was full of horrifying experiences, Damian McCarthy broke through the fear-laden noise with one of the more unforgettable terrors. On the approaching anniversary of her sister's murder, a blind medium becomes focused on retribution with the help of a nightmarish wooden mannequin. This should not work with the various ideas and disparate tones utilized, yet the sheer imagination on-hand work exceptionally across the story which drip feeds information while staying rooted in emotion. After this work, prepare to be excited for whatever McCarthy may do next.
Available on Shudder and to rent
17. Love Lies Bleeding
After wowing audiences with the excellent Saint Maud, Rose Glass showed no interest in resting on her laurels as she returned with an entirely different film. The story follows a whirlwind romance between a gym manager and an ambitious bodybuilder, who find themselves wrapped within a web of violence related to the former's crime family. A taut and engrossing thriller surrounds a compelling romance, phenomenally brought alive by Kristen Stewart, breakout performer Katy O'Brian, and Clint Mansell's banger of a score. As the story takes avenues that get tense, humorous, shocking, and fascinatingly surreal, it all makes for a bloody phenomenal film.
Available on Prime Video and to rent
After revitalizing the action genre and the Mad Max franchise with the masterful Mad Max: Fury Road, George Miller returned with a prequel that focuses on Furiosa seeking revenge against the biker horde that snatched her. This guzzolene-soaked odyssey offers a quieter narrative which expands upon previously introduced locations and their people, while not forgetting the vehicular carnage that Miller excels at. Add to that Anya Taylor-Joy capturing burning fury in her eyes, and Chris Hemsworth disappearing into the role of a wannabe warlord, what remains is an exceptional feature that captures how one-of-a-kind George Miller truly is.
Available on Now and to rent
15. Kneecap
When musical biopics can often feel stagnant in their retellings of musician's lives, Rich Peppiatt's feature based on the Irish hip-hop trio was a breath of fresh air. As a disillusioned music teacher crosses paths with self-confessed 'low-life scum', they utilize the Irish language to talk about their tough lives while bringing a language threatening to die out to a modern audience. A work which blends a message about cultural preservation with excellent comedy, brought alive with a unique visual flair that includes stop-motion sequences and trippy visuals. This electric piece of filmmaking doesn't just break the mold, it crushes it into a fine powder and snorts it before launching into an attention-grabbing rap.
Available on Prime Video and to rent
14. Chime
A former chef takes up a teaching job to support his family, but a student disrupts the class with strange actions and claims that he can hear a chime. The chef soon finds himself hearing the chime. With his latest work, legendary Japanese filmmaker Kiyoshi Kurosawa crafts an intense atmosphere which spreads across the feature so magnificently, borne out of terrors of the unknown. It may only last 45-minutes, but the film resembles the titular sound in how it sticks in one's mind with sheer terror and unsettling power. (Just a shame this film was only legally available through an NFT.)
13. How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies
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For anybody on TikTok, you may have become aware of this film due to a viral trend where viewers posted videos of themselves crying after watching it. After watching this film, that is an understandable reaction, although you may not tell that from the synopsis. A university dropout volunteers to care for his grandmother when she is diagnosed with cancer, in the hopes that he will pocket an inheritance. What makes it work is the gentle and good-natured handling, as the grandson's attempted shortcuts fall flat, leaving him to grow into somebody more selfless as he realizes life lessons. A heartfelt tale about appreciating what you have before it is too late, in ways that are difficult to not shed tears to.
Available to rent
12. Nickel Boys
For his feature debut, writer/director RaMell Ross adapts Colson Whitehead's book The Nickel Boys in exquisite fashion. The story set in 1960s Florida follows the friendship of two Black teenagers, who meet at a reform school that is notorious for abusive treatment of the students. What sets this story apart is its utilization of a first person perspective, a bold choice which makes viewers participants within the gorgeously crafted narrative while never forgetting about the heart which is central to it. This emotionally impactful and quietly devastating tale is realized in unforgettable ways, making for an impressive debut which deserves to be seen on the big screen.
Available in cinemas
11. Longlegs
Set in the '90s, an FBI agent finds herself intent on stopping an elusive serial killer before he claims more lives. While the plot may sound interchangeable with numerous thrillers of a similar ilk, what sets it apart is the exceptional handling by writer/director Osgood Perkins. An unsettling mood is crafted, luring viewers in with an absorbing experience before shattering their senses in nightmarish fashion. Add to that Nicolas Cage's kooky performance, and you have a film where watching it resembles staring into the abyss.
Available on Prime Video and to rent
10. Strange Darling
Now, this is a difficult one to talk about, because JT Mollner's feature is best experienced by knowing nothing about it. Speaking from experience, the best way to view this film is to allow such an exquisitely crafted work to unfold before your very eyes. What I can share is that, across a non-linear story, a cat-and-mouse game unfolds in ways that show nothing is as it seems. A twisty thriller which keeps viewers on its toes amidst set-pieces laden with tension and humour, while offering a stunning visual style from cinematographer Giovanni Ribisi (yes, Phoebe's brother from Friends.) To be blunt, this film is fucking phenomenal.
Available to rent
Of all the works that you would expect to be brought on-stage for an amateur production, Alien would not be high up that list. Yet, that is what a group of Dorset bus drivers did for their next production, and the result is captured in this wonderful documentary. Between the behind-the-scenes footage of friends and family trying their best, to the absolute treasure of seeing the production, it makes for an infectiously joyous time. A feel-good work that deserves to be watched by every Alien fan.
Available to rent
8. I Saw the TV Glow
While trying to make it through life in the suburbs, a teenager is introduced to a mysterious TV show that his classmate watches late at night. The Buffy style series leads the pair to question their identities and their lives. What unfolds focuses on gender identity in ways that feel drawn from honest experiences, while also showcasing how nostalgia can be both an escape and a prison. An imaginative and resonant piece of cinema which confirms that Janes Schoenbrun is truly a one-of-a-kind filmmaker.
Available on Now and to rent
7. The Wild Robot
For their last film animated in-house, Dreamworks Animation have selected a stunner to go out on. Chris Sanders (How to Train Your Dragon, Lilo & Stitch) adapts Peter Brown's 2016 book following an intelligent robot who awakens stranded on an uninhabited island, and finds herself bonding with the resident animals while caring for an orphaned gosling. With an aesthetic that resembles the cinematic intersection of classic Disney and Hayao Miyazaki, this is a sweet tale about parenthood brought alive with heartfelt emotion.
Available to rent
6. Anora
With every new work he releases, Sean Baker further solidifies himself as an exciting voice in cinema. His latest feature follows the titular character, a sex worker who falls into a whirlwind romance with the son of a Russian oligarch. After their impulsive marriage in Las Vegas, this imagined fairytale is threatened when news reaches the groom's parents in Russia. What unfolds is a comedy of errors that never forgets about its humanist core, anchored by a stunning performance from Mikey Madison, and offering possibly the best use of Take That in cinema.
Available to rent
In a time when studios can easily shelve completed films, or rely on half-hearted nostalgia to draw in audiences, it can be easy to despair over the state of modern cinema. It is ever important for today's creatives to pave the way forward like many creatives did before them, and one of the greatest examples in 2024 was Mike Cheslik's blend of silent cinema and Looney Tunes within a video-game style narrative. The story is a simple one, as an Applejack lost in the frosty wilderness becomes a fur trapper, and must defeat *drumroll please* hundreds of beavers! Complete with killer gags, pitch-perfect timing, and committed performances, this is a tremendous example of how far imagination can take a film.
Available on Shudder and to rent
4. Look Back
Adapted from the one-shot manga by Tatsuki Fujimoto, this is a more low-key affair than the creative's biggest success, Chainsaw Man. The story follows two young girls who cross paths, bonding over their shared desire to become manga creators. Initially feeling comfortable drawing in silence, the pair grow in each other's company across this touching tale. Brought alive by an appropriately wonderful art style, this wonderfully captures the connective power of art, and the unimaginable impact resulting from what we create.
Available on Prime Video
3. Sing Sing
For his feature debut, co-writer/director Greg Kwedar bases the story on the real-life Rehabilitation Through the Arts program at Sing Sing Maximum Security Prison. The story follows incarcerated men creating theatrical stage shows, something that captures the transformative power of art, and how storytelling can help heal ourselves. The lines blur between fiction and reality courtesy of the documentary-esque feel, added by casting alumni of the RTA program to play themselves. Between the exceptional lead performances from Colman Domingo and Clarence Maclin, this is a magnificently humanist work that is as enthralling as it is emotional.
Available to rent
Adapting the remainder of Frank Herbert's influential novel, Denis Villeneuve returns audiences to Arrakis for one of 2024's greatest spectacles. Paul Atreides joins forces with the Fremen to take revenge against House Harkonnen, while he tries navigating around visions of a terrible future. The remaining source material is streamlined for an outstanding work, this time focusing on the impact of religion and the weight of power. Heavy is the head that wears the crown, and the question here becomes what one will sacrifice to grasp such power. Regardless of whether Dune Messiah gets adapted, this is an outstanding work of cinema that is ready to envelope viewers like a ravenous sandworm.
Available on Now
"Have you ever dreamed of a better version of yourself?" That is the enticing question at the heart of this second film by Coralie Fargeat. A fading celebrity is fired from her TV show after turning 50, although she sees an opportunity to bounce back after hearing about a mysterious serum which creates a younger version of herself. From the minimalist opening to the maximalist final act, this unforgettable feature captures an ageist cycle that chews up women in favour of younger replacements. It just happens to vividly bring such messages alive with jet-black humour, jaw-dropping practical effects, and a blood-soaked aesthetic, while Demi Moore delivers possibly the year's best performance. Across the 170+ films I watched that were released in 2024, none had left me floored as this audacious masterpiece did.
Available on Mubi and to rent
Agree/Disagree with my choices? I'd love to hear from you below.
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