Honorable Mentions
#10: Transformers One
In 2018, I ranked Bumblebee #10 on my list of the year’s best movies, and I stand by that ranking. I’m happy that Transformers One is now the second film in the series to earn a spot. ILM’s animation is stellar, with every environment rich in detail and combining machinery with organic elements. The cast is fantastic, from Chris Hemsworth as the charismatic Orion Pax to Brian Tyree Henry as the conflicted D-16. It helps that long-time fans and general audiences unfamiliar with Transformers can enjoy this movie. At the heart of the film is a tragic story about two lifelong friends torn apart due to unforeseen circumstances. It’s a shame this movie underperformed at the box office due to a poor marketing campaign. If you avoided this one, give it a shot, as you might be pleasantly surprised by how good it is.
#9: Alien: Romulus
After the mess that was Alien: Covenant, no one could’ve predicted that a new installment would be this good. Fortunately, Fede Alvarez proves that there’s still life in this long-dormant franchise by returning to basics. Sure, the movie does rely on nostalgia bait, but it feels sincere rather than a cheap callback to something familiar. Also, I was stunned to find out that most of the effects were practical, especially when CGI is the go-to. From the retro-futuristic sets to the creature suits, it’s impressive how much they accomplished with $80 million. It makes sense that the studio released it theatrically because it would’ve been a crime to dump this on streaming. The cast is terrific, the cinematography is excellent, and the pacing is solid, building tension and suspense that ramps up. Regardless of where the series goes, Alien: Romulus is a must-watch for fans and newcomers.
#8: Deadpool & Wolverine
It’s safe to say that, aside from some decent entries, the MCU has dipped in quality since Avengers: Endgame. Thankfully, Deadpool & Wolverine is easily the most fun I’ve had at an MCU movie in quite some time. From the wild action sequences to the fun callbacks, every moment of this movie is fantastic. What makes the film work is the chemistry between Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman as they clash back and forth. Also, unlike other recent MCU movies, this one effectively balances comedy with drama without feeling forced. Plus, this film made me weirdly nostalgic for the mid-2000s superhero movies, like Fantastic Four and X-Men: Origins – Wolverine. I’m unsure if the MCU will improve, but at least we got this madcap buddy comedy. While I can’t guarantee this will make you an MCU fan again, you’ll at least come out of this entertained.
#7: The Fall Guy
Sadly, I didn’t get a chance to catch The Fall Guy in theaters, but I’m glad I finally watched it. While I’ve never seen the show, this movie is wildly entertaining, funny, and surprisingly heartfelt. Ryan Gosling makes for a fun lead as a stuntman caught in the criminal underworld trying to rescue the star. Emily Blunt is also entertaining as the stressed-out filmmaker trying to make her directorial debut with almost everything going wrong. Gosling and Blunt have great chemistry; you want to see them repair their relationship after years of separation. This movie also feels like a love letter to stunt performers, who often go unnoticed in the industry. Every hit, punch, flip, shot, and crash feels real because a lot of it is real. If you missed this one in theaters like me, you owe it to yourself to watch it.
#6: Abigail
In my Best and Worst Films of 2019 list, Radio Silence’s Ready or Not was ranked 10th. The filmmaking duo of Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett return to the list with Abigail, another surprise hit. Like their 2019 outing, this movie revels in how much blood can be spilled in less than two hours. Every cast member is given their moment to shine, and each one excels in their roles. While the ensemble cast does a great job, the real standout performance has to be Alisha Weir as Abigail. She gives one of the best performances out of a child actor in years, and I’m excited for her future work. The movie is also clever in how it reinvents the vampire mythology while still sticking to what worked before. Even if it started as a remake, this is one of the most original vampire movies I’ve seen in years.
#5: Monkey Man
Every year has its fair share of good and bad surprises, and Dev Patel’s Monkey Man is among the former. For his first time out, Patel delivers a solid action movie with a political message. Thankfully, the message doesn’t feel obtrusive or as if it’s the film’s central focus and nothing else. You can enjoy this as a no-holds-barred action thriller without feeling like they’re cramming the message down your throat. Admittedly, some editing choices and a second act that drags are huge hindrances to an otherwise excellent movie. Remember, I want to see Patel continue as a director because he has plenty of potential. Along with Patel, Sharlto Copley chews his scenes delightfully, Sobhita Dhulipala is fantastic, and Sikandar Kher is a great villain. Overall, Monkey Man is a terrific thriller that shows Patel’s ability to deliver as an actor and a director.
#4: Late Night with the Devil
Sometimes, a movie comes along that, even if it underperforms at the box office, still gets a lot of attention. We had Late Night with the Devil this year, which received tons of praise despite grossing $600,000 in theaters. This film does an amazing job emulating the look of a 1970s late-night talk show. From the clothes and sets to the bumpers and music, it feels like watching something you would’ve seen back then. David Dastmalchian does a great job playing a talk show host struggling to keep his show on the air. What makes the movie so scary is how it starts somewhat lighthearted but gets gradually creepier until the climax. Sadly, some out-of-place CGI and AI-generated art hinder the film, but not enough to write it off. Despite its flaws, Late Night with the Devil is a terrifying film that’s worth a watch.
#3: Inside Out 2
Legacy sequels are tricky, as they’re usually more bad than good, though there are exceptions. When I heard Pixar was making an Inside Out sequel, I was hopeful but skeptical about whether they could deliver. Thankfully, Inside Out 2 exceeded all my expectations, proving they can still create great movies after all these years. Like its predecessor, this film explores themes that audiences, young and old, will resonate with, like self-identity and emotional repression. The animation is fantastic, as usual; the voice actors do a great job, and the story is engaging. Also, this film doesn’t have a straightforward villain but rather someone doing what they think is right but isn’t. This sequel is still outstanding, even if it doesn’t fully recapture the original’s magic. Lastly, while plenty of modern animated movies incorporate panic attacks, this one does it better.
#2: The Substance
As I said about Late Night with the Devil, sometimes a movie suddenly attracts much attention. Coralie Fargeat’s The Substance is one of those movies, and it deserves all the acclaim it’s received. Not only is this an outrageously gruesome body horror film, but it’s also a clever satire of beauty standards. Demi Moore easily delivers the best performance of her career, and Margaret Qualley continues making a name for herself here. This film taps into themes of ageism, body image, and societal norms in a way not seen before. Even at slightly over two and a half hours long, the movie moves at a brisk pace that never drags. It all leads to a big crescendo of gross-out gore and gruesome spectacle that genre fans will love. If there’s any justice in this world, The Substance will earn several Academy Awards, but it probably won’t.
#1: Nosferatu
I was genuinely struggling with whether to rank this or The Substance at #1 on the list. It was a tough call, but I decided to give the spot to Robert Eggers’ modern take on a classic. Like Eggers’ other works, this one is brimming with a style we hardly see in today’s movies. Everything works, from the harsh shadows and emphasis on darkness to the subtle editing and haunting score. Bill Skarsgard is virtually unrecognizable as Count Orlok, and Lily Rose-Depp delivers an outstanding performance. But more importantly, this movie brings us back to the primal, animalistic vampire with no humanity left. It doesn’t try to make us sympathize with the monster but make them as evil and vicious as possible. Nosferatu is a movie I won’t forget anytime soon, and that’s why it’s my favorite film of 2024.
Worst/Most Disappointing Films
