Good day to you. My name is Luis A. Mendez. I’m a film critic based in Central Florida, and these are my PERSONAL top 20 favorites from the year 2024 in film. If a favorite of yours from the year is missing from this list, chances are I probably liked it, I just happened to have liked at least 20 films a little more.
I’ve shared my top picks for this year a few times already, but with the year quickly coming to a close, I wanted to take a step back and really lock in my thoughts on what I consider the best films of each year in the 2020s so far. That meant doing some re-watches, going through every single Letterboxd log from each year, and seeing whether my original grades still held up or needed adjusting for any one movie. I also put together a new version of my personal awards ballot for this year in film, which I published quietly, without sending it to the readers’ inboxes, so I wouldn’t flood anyone’s email with too much “Best of” movie talk from just one year.
On a personal note, 2024 was a bounce-back year for me, as the separation period between my wife and I came to an end; but the nation and the film industry weren’t quite as fortunate. Inflation continued to rip through people’s wallets, and the wildest election since 1968 brought the return of a formerly defeated president who was convicted of multiple felonies just months before. Meanwhile, Hollywood was still feeling the aftershocks of the previous year’s industry-wide strikes, and a chaotic awards season would be capped off by a fire that directly hit the heart of Hollywood. It was also a year that seemed to be held together by a wave of legacy IP sequels and spin-offs, a trend reflected in several of my favorites from the year. While I’d personally consider 2024 a step down from the previous two years in terms of overall quality, it still managed to deliver a few new personal favorites that stood out amid the noise.
I should note that some passages here are rewritten almost exactly as I originally wrote them in my original year-end list for 2024. Now without further adieu here are my choices:
20. Hundreds Of Beavers
Technically released in the fall of 2022 via the film festival circuit, Hundreds Of Beavers is a small indie debut that built some light buzz before finally receiving a wide release in early 2024. This slapstick silent comedy evokes the era of Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, and Harold Lloyd, twenties-era films where physical stunts and comedic hijinks blended to make audiences laugh and gasp. Centered on a man who must hunt down hundreds of beavers in order to wed a local shop owner’s daughter, the film is an absolute riot. It brought me back to when I first discovered those classic silent comedies and ultimately became one of my favorites of the year.
19. Flow
The year’s Oscar winner for Animated Feature, Flow was my personal pick for Best International Film of the year, despite not a single word being spoken, effectively masking its origins as a Latvian production. Telling the story of a cat and its companions trying to survive a cataclysmic flood, the film’s heart shines through without the need for dialogue, capturing the passion and affection of cinephiles and even some mainstream audiences who discovered it. It’s a charming little film and a great gateway for younger viewers to expand their cinematic palate and explore stories from around the world.
18. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
For years, Tim Burton’s filmography had been labeled as “washed” following a string of mixed reviews and a catalog defined by hits and misses. With Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, a legacy sequel to his late-eighties Halloween season classic Beetlejuice, Burton finally ended that streak in 2024 - at least for me. Set decades later, the sequel introduces a new generation of the Deetz family while much of the original cast returns. Among them is Michael Keaton, who clearly has an absolute blast bringing the mischievous, troublemaking demon back to life. New characters are added through performances by Willem Dafoe, Monica Bellucci, among others, resulting in a worthy follow-up to the eighties classic.
17. Alien: Romulus
Up until 2024, I would have told you that only the first two films in the Alien franchise belonged among the best of their respective years. Alien: Romulus became the third, as this legacy sequel, set between those two films, returns the franchise to what it does best: creature-feature horror. In the film, young space colonizers discover a derelict ship that happens to be infested with Xenomorphs. As expected, many of them fall victim to the creatures, and the movie admittedly leans heavily on callbacks to previous entries, including a controversial use of AI technology to recreate a performance by the late Ian Holm. Still, the Xenomorphs remain the most terrifying creature villains in cinema to me, and this film captures the magic of the first two installments in ways other franchise entries have failed to do so.
16. Kingdom Of The Planet Of The Apes
The first entry in a planned trilogy sequel to the 2010s Planet Of The Apes prequel trilogy, Kingdom Of The Planet Of The Apes jumps ahead hundreds of years to a period in which apes and their various clans are now waging war against one another. The film follows Noa, a young ape from a peaceful clan who is forced into an adventure to reunite with his family. Along the way, he uncovers secrets about the legacy of Caesar and the state of the human race after the plague that supposedly robbed them of their voices. Altogether, it sets up exciting possibilities for a new era of the franchise, as this reboot series moves closer and closer to the timeline of the original Planet Of The Apes storyline.
15. Monkey Man
Speaking of monkeys, Monkey Man marks actor-turned-director Dev Patel’s directorial debut, as he takes on an action thriller in which he stars as a young man seeking revenge in India amid political and religious upheaval. Along the way, he encounters eccentric characters and ruthless villains, all while the film delivers some of the best action stunt sequences in recent memory, rivaled only by the John Wick franchise. The film is further bolstered by great cinematography and a banger of a soundtrack. The final product stands as one of the best actor-turned-director debuts I’ve ever seen, especially within the action flick genre.
14. The Wild Robot
My favorite animated feature from this year was The Wild Robot. It’s not just the breathtaking animation or the stellar voice work from an incredible cast, it’s the storytelling that truly sets this film apart. The Wild Robot draws you in emotionally, investing you in Roz’s journey of self-discovery and her baby goose’s path toward growing up and learning to fly. The film is filled with a delightful supporting cast of characters, including a cynical fox and a beaver convinced his teeth can save the whole island from impending doom. This is a simple, heartfelt story that will captivate children while bringing a tear or two to adults by the end.
13. The Piano Lesson
The Washington family has made it their life’s mission to adapt all of the late August Wilson’s plays into films. They already had succeeded with 2016’s Fences and 2020’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, both of which rank among my favorite films of their respective years. In 2024, The Piano Lesson joined this ambitious lineage. This time, Malcolm Washington steps into the director’s chair for his feature debut, while his brother John David Washington takes the lead role. The film also boasts a stellar ensemble, including Danielle Deadwyler, Corey Hawkins, Ray Fisher, and the legendary Samuel L. Jackson, among others. While this entry had proven to be the most critically divisive of the “series” by its release, it personally hit me the hardest. At its core, it’s a family drama wrapped in a ghost story, one that delves deeply into generational trauma and the enduring sins committed against an entire community. The film explores how the experiences of our ancestors shape us, how the trials and tribulations they endured continue to haunt us across generations, and the internal, often painful familial struggles over the legacies we choose to carry forward.
12. The Substance
When I came out of my first viewing of the Best Picture nominated The Substance in the early Fall of 2024, I wasn’t sure how it was digesting with me. Yet despite my gripes with its self-indulgent final act, the film lingered in my mind during the final months of the year, steadily climbing the ranks of my favorites, right into being the first film in this countdown to get into my personal expanded Best Picture ballot. It’s a body-horror tale executed with slick, stylish craftsmanship across cinematography, editing, sound design, music composition, makeup, and some of the year’s best directorial work. It’s the kind of movie you could play in a club. Beneath all that style, though, lies substance (no pun intended), anchored by phenomenal performances from Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley. The film dives into themes of body image and the professional biases women in the film and television industry face, pairing every grotesque body-horror moment with sharp commentary on the gaze imposed on women by both others and themselves. This is horror with a purpose. If a guy like me can grasp the film’s layered messages, I can only imagine how much more deeply many female viewers have connected with its insights.
11. Anora
Indie director Sean Baker has long excelled at exploring the fringes of society through a blend of comedy and drama, but he’s often struggled to make films that feel both thematically rich and accessible to mainstream audiences. With Anora, he finally cracked the code so much so that it won the Oscar for Best Picture; think Pretty Woman meets Nights Of Cabiria meets The Three Stooges. While I didn’t fully connect with the first thirty or so minutes, the rest of the film more than makes up for it. What begins as a sex comedy built around a Cinderella-like premise quickly transforms into a laugh-out-loud romp through the streets of New York. Ani (short for Anora) finds herself entangled with a Russian oligarch’s rebellious punk son, his bumbling henchmen, and a quiet, reserved tough guy who unexpectedly falls for her. I found myself laughing out loud, fully immersed in the pitch-perfect dialogue and running jokes. It’s a Cinderella story, a mob tale, an adventure, a tragedy, a romance, and a comedy all rolled into one. Anora just might end up being Sean Baker’s magnum opus when all is said and done on his career.
10. Nickel Boys
It feels strange to say I “loved” this Best Picture nominated film, because Nickel Boys is easily the hardest movie to recommend on this list of favorites. It tackles incredibly heavy subject matter; abuse and corruption at a boarding school, systemic racism, and a late twist that lands like a gut punch. The story unfolds through a shifting point-of-view structure, alternating between its two protagonists and interweaving documentary-style edits, flashbacks, and flash-forwards. Yet even amid the harsh, ugly realities these boys endure, their friendship shines through as a genuine beacon of hope. It’s a powerful experience that initially left me conflicted, unsure of how to process what I’d just watched. But the story lingered long enough to warrant a rewatch, ultimately solidifying my appreciation for its impact. Nickel Boys isn’t an easy film to watch, but it isn’t meant to be, and that’s precisely what makes it unforgettable.
09. Sing Sing
There’s a moment in Sing Sing so profoundly moving that you’ll find yourself in tears, not simply out of joy for a character’s happiness, but because the film makes you feel as though you’ve just undergone a soulful experience. This cathartic scene arrives after two hours of deeply insightful storytelling that explores the lives of men enrolled in a prison theater program. Through their heartfelt confessions of regret and their celebrations of life’s small joys, the film becomes a powerful portrait of redemption and humanity, driven by the transformative power of art and self-expression. What makes Sing Sing even more extraordinary is its authenticity as nearly every cast member has been part of this real-life theater program. The story follows a group of incarcerated men as they collaborate to produce a play, from auditions to opening night, while weaving in Divine G’s poignant journey toward the possibility of freedom. As the production takes shape, we come to understand not only the mechanics of the program, but its profound impact on these men’s lives. This is the most heartfelt and impactful film of the year, one that will leave nearly everyone in tears as the credits roll.
08. Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga
Almost a decade after blowing everyone’s minds with Mad Max: Fury Road, George Miller returned to his post-apocalyptic Mad Max universe with the prequel Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga. Featuring Anya Taylor-Joy as a younger version of the title character, the film shows how Furiosa became the badass female hero we later see alongside Max. The film is further elevated by an outstanding performance from Chris Hemsworth as the main villain, as well as the exhilarating action sequences we’ve come to expect from this franchise. While it initially ranked a bit lower on my list, it has aged into cracking my personal Best Picture ballot. It’s a shame it didn’t achieve the same awards success as its predecessor.
07. Gladiator II
The original, Best Picture winning Gladiator is probably my favorite film from 2000, as it strikes all the right chords of the “sword-and-sandals” epics that I love. Its legacy sequel, directed by Ridley Scott, and featuring an ensemble cast that includes Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, and Pedro Pascal, didn’t receive the same awards glory and was met with much more mixed reviews. Personally, though, I’ve really come to enjoy this bloated epic. I was thoroughly “sports entertained” by this revenge tale, which casts Mescal as the son of the original film’s protagonist and features Washington delivering a sly, sadistic villainous performance. While it may not be as finely tuned as its predecessor, the film has steadily climbed into becoming one of my favorites of the year; a satisfying popcorn flick companion to the original.
06. Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire
No one is going to argue that Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire is among the most finely crafted films of this year. At its core, it’s a “turn your brain off and watch monsters stomp around” popcorn flick; this isn’t Godzilla Minus One–level filmmaking. But as someone who grew up on Showa-era Godzilla films, where he battled and teamed up with other giant monsters, this felt like reliving my childhood with a massive Hollywood budget. Watching it in a packed theater brought me right back to being five years old, glued to the TV at my grandma’s house. I genuinely found myself bouncing with excitement during the scene where these monsters are suplexing themselves onto the Egyptian pyramids. How much more brainless fun could you ask for? That said, these films deserve credit for something many non-kaiju fans might overlook in that they understand that the monsters themselves are characters. Kong, in particular, has undergone a surprisingly emotional journey across the Monsterverse, driven by his longing for family. No longer doomed to a purely tragic fate, the iconic ape’s arc comes full circle here as he bonds with others of his kind, giving the film an unexpected amount of heart. And, of course, watching Godzilla, Kong, and Mothra strike an Avengers-style pose together is a spectacle I never thought I’d get to witness on the big screen.
05. Dune: Part Two
We now enter the part of the countdown that includes my absolute favorite films of the year. I firmly believe that what Denis Villeneuve has achieved with his Dune adaptations is the greatest directorial accomplishment of the 2020s. In 2021, he took an “unadaptable” sci-fi epic and transformed it into one of the biggest hits of the pandemic-era box office. Now, three years later, he followed it up with what I genuinely consider to be The Empire Strikes Back of this generation. From the masterful direction, breathtaking cinematography, and Hans Zimmer’s incredible score to the amazing sound design, stunning visuals, and a powerhouse ensemble cast, every element of the Best Picture nominated Dune: Part Two screams peak epic genre cinema. And, of course, the moment where Paul learns to ride a sandworm was amazing to watch on the big screen. I made it a point to watch this multiple times, and each time I walked away awestruck, wondering if anything could surpass it as my top film of the year. From my first press screening in late February to late October, this held its place at the summit. This is the kind of grand, awe-inspiring sci-fi spectacle I wish we saw more of these days.
04. Nosferatu
Robert Eggers is solidifying his status as this era’s master cinematic storyteller of dark folklore. From his debut with The Witch to The Lighthouse and The Northman, his films have only grown more refined and, surprisingly, more accessible to mainstream audiences while remaining fiercely true to his own voice. With Nosferatu, Eggers may have delivered his finest work yet. I’ve revisited the film multiple times, and it stands as my favorite straight-up horror movie of the decade (if we’re not counting Godzilla Minus One as one). It’s not just the haunting cinematography, where every frame feels like a gothic painting. It’s not just the meticulous production design, the chilling score, or the remarkable performances from a stellar ensemble. Nor is it only the brilliantly crafted characters, each so distinct that I found myself reacting to their every quirk. What makes Nosferatu truly special is how it taps into the kind of horror films I grew up loving. Experiencing this remake of the 1922 silent-era masterpiece feels both like a reverent tribute to cinema history and a thrilling plunge into its eerie, shadow-soaked depths. Succumbing to the darkness of this film has never felt so good. This is peak gothic horror.
03. The Brutalist
We’re living in a political climate where immigrants are routinely treated with disdain and fear, even by members of the public who don’t identify as Trump supporters. After the 2024 election, that context lingered with me while watching Brady Corbet’s nearly four-hour immigrant period epic, The Brutalist. The Best Picture nominated film dismantles the mythology of the “American Dream,” scrutinizing the immigrant experience while also interrogating class, power, and the legacies artists leave behind. The film’s impeccable direction and breathtaking cinematography are matched, if not surpassed, by a bombastic, unforgettable score. Its powerhouse ensemble delivers extraordinary performances, with Adrien Brody and Guy Pearce standing out as my personal male acting honors. Brody’s portrayal of Laszlo is transformative, featuring emotional depth. Pearce’s Harrison, meanwhile, is a masterclass in villainy; a charming facade concealing something monstrous beneath, cementing his place among cinema’s great antagonists. This is the kind of film we used to see more often; a sprawling, purposeful epic made by adults, for adults. If I had to name the most flawlessly crafted film of the year, The Brutalist takes the crown without question.
02. Conclave
Aside from Challengers, perhaps no other film received the full “memefication” treatment in 2024 quite like the presumed Best Picture runner-up, Conclave. As Erik Anderson of AwardsWatch aptly put it on his podcast, it plays like a group of divas battling for the crown on a reality TV show; except here, the “crown” is the papacy, and the divas are cardinals tasked with electing the next Pope. The film doesn’t shy away from the political intricacies of the process, diving headfirst into factional divides, each candidate’s hubris and flaws, strategic opposition dumps, tense ballot counts, and the meteoric rise and fall of various contenders. There’s even a wry joke about political conventions. In an era when faith-based films often preach exclusively to their own bubbles, Conclave took a refreshingly nuanced approach. It interrogates the nature of faith itself by testing it, challenging it, while still leaving room for the possibility of divine intervention. The film plays beautifully with an audience; the crowd I watched it with laughed at its moments of levity and sat rapt during the tense exchanges and intricate plotting. Every story beat delivers a twist, and just when you think it’s reached its conclusion, another turn sends you out of it full of questions. In a year that was defined by global political upheaval, Conclave may be the film that most sharply captured the spirit of 2024.
01. Wicked
Arguably the mainstream and cultural film of the year, no movie in 2024 pulled me in for more repeat viewings than the Best Picture nominated Wicked; getting nearly ten viewings from me when it first released. This film is everything I crave in a cinematic experience - the soaring build-up to the grand title card sequence, jaw-dropping musical numbers, intricate choreography, and stunning costume and production design that fully immerses you in its world. The performances are nothing short of phenomenal; Cynthia Erivo is pure dynamite as Elphaba, and Ariana Grande’s comedic timing as Glinda (“the Ga is silent”) is a revelation that makes her my personal choice for Supporting Actress in 2024. From the opening chords of “No One Mourns The Wicked” to Elphaba’s breathtaking high note in “Defying Gravity,” this is two hours and forty minutes of pure movie magic. Much of the credit to this film’s box office and critical success should belong to director Jon M. Chu for delivering something that could have easily been a by-the-numbers studio cash grab. Instead, he’s given us yet another masterpiece in the genre, and proven himself the true wizard behind the curtain. Between In the Heights, The Color Purple, and now Wicked, the film musical has been on an incredible streak for me in the first half of this decade.
