There are so many great films that I have yet to see from 2024 for one reason or another. Still, I caught some great flicks and the following ten films have stuck with me and hopefully a few have made their way to your screens as well!

10. Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes

If there’s one thing that I’d like to come from this films success, it wouldn’t be another Apes sequel(Which I’d love). It would be for a studio to green light Wes Ball’s previously cancelled passion project, Mouse Guard. Regardless, following up on a quietly excellent Apes trilogy from Matt Reeves was a tall task. Kingdom of the Planet not only furthers the story that was laid out but builds on the mythology of the franchise spanning decades in a way few franchises do at this point.

9. Bad Boys: Ride or Die

Sure Bad Boys wasted the potential “4 Life” title on the third installment but that doesn’t take away from the timeless chemistry between Will Smith and Martin Lawrence. They could make ten more of these movies and I would be seated. I smiled from the opening frame to the final as the credits rolled. It’s a bit of nostalgia yes, but there’s no denying the fun had by the crew on this one. Will and Martin are movie stars but they use some silly franchise callbacks that are impossible not to love if you grew up on the other films.

8. Hit Man

I know that Glen Powell seems to be everywhere right now and after seeing the Hit Man, I get it. He has incredible range in this charming rom com about a normal guy who has to take on multiple characters in sting operations trying to catch would be killers. Everything changes when he grows a soft spot for a perp and spirals into a game of split personality. The palpable chemistry between Powell and Adria Arjona along with a well paced story earned this flick a top spot on my 2024 list.

7. Juror #2

When a man is appointed as a juror for a murder trial that he may or may not have been involved in, he must grapple with the choise to come clean or lead his fellow jurors on a path of deceit. Juror #2 is a throw back kind of movie before the days of the modern, balloon budgeted blockbuster. When people complain about not having original content to watch, I will be directing them to this movie. Its incredible that Clint Eastwood is making some of his best work in his NINETIES!

6. The Fall Guy

I really expected The Fall Guy to be the surprise hit of the summer. While those expectations weren’t monetarily met, It was as exciting a summer blockbuster as I hoped it would be. A film about a stunt man (Ryan Gosling) who falls on some bad luck after falling for a crew member (Emily Blunt). The Fall guy is an over the top, exaggerated celebration of stunt people in film. Director David Leitch comes from a stunt background and builds this action packed mystery while showing off the realities of the unsung heroes of filmmaking. The Fall Guys.

5. Woman of the Hour

4. Young Woman and the Sea

This is one of two Daisy Ridley films(Magpie) from 2024 that could have made my list. Young Woman and the Sea is one of the most uplifting, motivational movies I’ve seen in quite some time. I am an avid sports fan and I had never heard the story of Trudy Ederle. Daisy Ridley stars as Trudy, the first woman to swim the English channel from France to England. There is so much to love in this one from the practical filmmaking to the incredible performance by Ridley. I put Young Woman and the Sea in the category of timeless, feel good sports films such as Remember the Titans and Glory. Check it out today on Disney+

3. Dune 2

Denis Villeneuve is a master at his craft. I believe that Dune 2 cements his name alongside other event filmmakers such as Christopher Nolan and Quentin Tarantino. I loved the first Dune film and this sequel managed to be an even greater triumph. Denis desert powered sequel will be etched in the stars as one of the great sci fi epics of all time. Had Dune 2 released in November as opposed to early March, I believe that there would be a higher level of Oscar buzz. Notably, Rebecca Ferguson was the standout among a stacked ensemble cast and for her to likely not to receive a supporting actress nom feels criminal.

2. Anora

What seemed to be a more grim take on a Pretty Woman premise evolved into much more of a thrilling, Cinderella tale about a sex worker meeting the son of a Russian oligarch and falling in love only to have her new life of wealth threatened. Anora is a comedy at it’s core and Mikey Madison is the beat of the films heart. I had seen her in other small projects but this allowed her to stamp her ticket to the Oscars where I not only expect a nomination, but a win for the young star. Director Sean Baker put in an excellent film that never stops movie forward. Once the story gets going, you hardly have a moment to take a breath.

1. Wicked

Wicked was my most anticipated movie coming into the year and it exceeded my expectations. Wicked is not only magical in presentations but technically excellent as well. Of course the singing is excellent but so are the lesser paraded categories like set and costume design. I’d never seen the Broadway show but instantly understood why Wicked holds such a dear place in so many hearts. Passion bleeds from this movie from the beginning to end thanks to a cast and crew that is so evidently in love with their roles and this story. Director John M. Chu, Cynthia Erivo, and Ariana Grande have a winner here that will likely land somewhere high on my all time favorite movies list.