Top 10 Films of 2024 (So Far)

First half of the year in the books!

We somehow made it through the first half of the year!

It would be an understatement to say that it was a bizarre first half of the year in film. We had a pretty small slate of movies get released due to strike delays last year, there were a few industry meltdowns over the box office numbers, and we even saw a masterpiece get released!

2024 (so far) has been a pretty weak slate. Not so weak that there has been nothing great that has come out. Just weak enough to where there has only been a few great things.

Everything else has been either terrible or just average.

I am a numbers guy at heart, so I crunched some and found out that of the 60+ films I saw from the first half of the year:

• 50% of them I rated 3 or 3.5 stars

• 39% were rated 2.5 stars or lower

• 11% were rated 4 stars and above

This gives you a pretty good idea of the distribution so far this year. Very few “That was exceptional” films, a good bit of “That was not good at all”, and then quite a lot of, “That was totally fine”.

This effect won’t show up as much on this list as it would have if you looked at the top 25-30 films from the first half of the year. The top is still great, but just not as deep as we have been in years past.

Not to worry though! This has a tendency of happening each year as the award contending movies don’t get released until the fall festivals later in the year.

Speaking of festivals, my top 10 list does not include the films I have already seen at festivals & are supposed to be released later in the year. This list only includes the films that have already been theatrically or digitally released to the public.

Although I must admit, a few films I saw back at Sundance earlier this year would have made this list, had they been eligible.

Enough talk! Let’s get to the movies!

Honorable Mentions

• Kinds of Kindness (Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos)

• A Quiet Place Day One (Directed by Michael Sarnoski)

• Snack Shack (Directed by Adam Rehmeier)

• The Beast (Directed by Bertrand Bonello)

• Inside Out 2 (Directed by Kelsey Mann)

• The Idea of You (Directed by Michael Showalter)

• I Saw the TV Glow (Directed by Jane Schoenbrun)

• Girls State (Directed by Jesse Moss, Amanda McBaine)

10. How To Have Sex (Directed by Molly Manning)

What the film is about - “Three British teenage girls go on a rites-of-passage holiday - drinking, clubbing and hooking up, in what should be the best summer of their lives.”

My thoughts - While “How To Have Sex” doesn’t really re-invent the wheel, it is far too great to ignore or talk down about. A tough film to watch at times, but a necessary one for humanity.

There is much that most women will unfortunately be able to relate to, but I was really taken aback by how hard it me as a guy. Specifically, the way in which some of the male characters in the film are positioned & want to be seen vs. how they actually respond when it matters is really reflective of reality in situations like this. Being a “good guy” or being “caring” doesn’t mean anything if it doesn’t include action or saying something.

Molly Manning infuses the story and characters with so much craft and authenticity that every shot is spellbinding and heartbreaking at the same time. Important film from what I am guessing will one day be an important film maker.

9. Love Lies Bleeding (Directed by Rose Glass)

What the film is about - “Gym manager Lou falls for Jackie, a bodybuilder who is passing through town en route to a competition in Las Vegas.”

My thoughts - Love Lies Bleeding perfectly blends violence and romance to give us a wonderful addition to the great neo-noir films of the past decade. The atmosphere and world that Rose Glass creates throughout the film combined with some jaw dropping sequences make this one worth the watch. Doesn’t hurt that Kristen Stewart and Katy O’Brian give some stellar performances opposite a demented, tortured performance by Ed Harris.

8. The Fall Guy (Directed by David Leitch)

What the film is about - “A down-and-out stuntman must find the missing star of his ex-girlfriend's blockbuster film”

My thoughts - Silly laughs, fun needle drops, over the top action sequences, romantic chemistry, and even references to some of the great films from cinema history.

It always knows exactly what it is, stays in its lane for 2 hours, and doesn’t even ponder taking itself seriously (in the best way possible). If you want to turn your brain off for two hours and have a good time, this is your movie.

Includes ones of my favorite scenes of the year with the iconic “Against All Odds” by Phil Collins playing in the background.

7. Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (Directed by George Miller)

What the film is about - “The origin story of renegade warrior Furiosa before her encounter and teamup with Mad Max.”

My thoughts - George Miller follows up one of the greatest action movies of all time with a sprawling epic that introduces a grander scale and scope than we have ever seen in the Mad Max universe. While it doesn’t live up to the standard that Fury Road gave us as, “One of the greatest action movies of all time”, Furiosa can certainly stand on its own two legs as a great action film in its own right.

Miller’s understanding and awareness of perspective remains one of my favorite things about this franchise. He never tries to pull one over on the audience by the way he films or edits the big action set pieces.

All in all, a good Mad Max movie is a great action movie compared to most of the other mediocre action movies out there.

6. Civil War (Directed by Alex Garland)

What the film is about - “A journey across a dystopian future America, following a team of military-embedded journalists as they race against time to reach DC before rebel factions descend upon the White House.”

My thoughts - Garland is pleading throughout for us to not forget the humanity of everyone around us. He’s done that in past films when he warns us of something that could happen if we aren’t careful. Just look at Ex Machina. It’s not about the ins and outs of AI technology, but it is a warning about a path that even though it seems crazy, we were headed down. 10 years later it doesn’t seem so crazy. 

Similarly, Civil War isn’t about ins and outs of politics, it’s about the humans at the center. It’s about how really everyone isn’t that different. It’s a warning that even though it seems crazy, we are heading down this path. It’s a plea to remember the humanity of those around you. To have a conversation with them.

Those who are upset that the film didn’t really show its hand politically are just obsessed with seeing their political opposition condemned by a film. So obsessed that they can’t accept their political opposition’s humanity. Which does nothing but further the point of the film.

5. Robot Dreams (Directed by Pablo Berger)

What the film is about - “The adventures and misfortunes of Dog and Robot in New York City during the 1980s.”

My thoughts - Both irresistibly delightful & utterly heartbreaking all wrapped into 100 minutes. 

Wouldn’t normally label myself as someone who would enjoy a silent animated film about a lonely dog who buys a robot, but “Robot Dreams” had me feeling like a kid again. The captivating animation, bright colors, and tremendous detail in every frame are enough to make you giddy whether young or old.

Anytime I rewatch one of the animated classics from my childhood, I often think to myself, “I can’t wait to show this to my kid someday”. Robot Dreams is the first animated film I have watched as an adult where I had that same thought upon my first watch. And the thought crossed my mind multiple times throughout the entirety of its runtime.

Can’t think of a higher compliment than that.

4. Hit Man (Directed by Richard Linklater)

What the film is about - “A professor moonlighting as a hit man of sorts for his city police department, descends into dangerous, dubious territory when he finds himself attracted to a woman who enlists his services.”

My thoughts - The perfect date night movie. It has that charm and rewatchability of the great movies from the 80s and 90s. I have a hunch that 20 years from now, when I look back and which movies from 2024 I rewatched the most, Hit Man will be at the top of the list.

Richard Linklater gives us another all timer in the “great hang” movie cannon and Glen Powell confirms he’s got the stuff to be the next great movie star. If you missed it, I wrote about how Glenn Powell was the next great movie star a few weeks ago & I couldn’t be feeling better about that take.

3. The Taste of Things (Directed by Tran Anh Hung)

What the film is about - “The story of Eugenie, an esteemed cook, and Dodin - the fine gourmet chef she has been working for over the last 20 years.”

My thoughts - Upon first glace, it is obvious that “The Taste of Things” makes the case for being the best food movie of all time. When you look closer though, you see a searing portrait of relationships, what it means to care for another, and the beauty of sharing something with someone.

The opening sequence is a 40 ish minute scene of Dodin & Eugenie cooking a meal together & it is one of the most beautiful things you will see this year. What follows will take you on a journey of the human spirit, leave your mouth watering, cause you to shed a tear, and maybe.. just maybe, learn a thing or two about happiness & sustenance.

2. Challengers (Directed by Luca Guadagnino)

What the film is about - “Tashi, a former tennis prodigy turned coach, turned her husband into a champion. But to overcome a losing streak, he needs to face his ex-best friend and Tashi's ex-boyfriend.”

My thoughts - Put simply, Challengers is so much fun it hurts. Days after watching the film, you finds yourself still trembling from the on edge feeling you get spending two plus hours rooted in this world with the pulsating score in the background.

The tension that is created both in the back and forth nature of the performances and the tennis is jolting to the senses. I have now watched it three times and each time through the nuances between each individual character and their relationship to one another becomes even more rich than I previously thought.

The more you chew on it, the more you realize just how much meat is on the bone. Which is something you can’t say about many movies these days.

1. Dune: Part Two (Directed by Denis Villeneuve)

What the film is about - “Paul Atreides unites with Chani and the Fremen while seeking revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family.”

My thoughts - Every great film has one or two signature scenes that take your breath away. Dune: Part 2 has so many that you lose count.

Every great film has a few dozen shots that rattle around in your brain for weeks. Dune: Part 2 has so many that your eyes can barely process the visual feast that is before it. 

Villeneuve achieves a scale and scope throughout the film that makes you gasp, but still maintains a heart and authenticity that will move your soul. 

Chalamet claims his spot as a genuine star, Villeneuve leaves no doubt that he’s one of the greatest working filmmakers, and Dune’s place in the pantheon of great sci-fi sagas is solidified. 

There are many words that can be used to describe Dune: Part 2, but the most fitting is masterpiece.

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Much to still look forward to in the back half of the year. In fact, six of my most anticipated films of 2024 have yet to be released!

One of those six films, “We Live in Time”, just released the first trailer last week.

I was excited before, but now I can’t wait. SIGN ME UP!!!

Probably my most anticipated now for the rest of the year!

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That is all for now. Hope everyone enjoys the rest of July!

As always, enjoy some great films until next time!
Aaron Nolan

What has been your favorite film of 2024 so far?