The Best Movies of 2024

SHAI-HULUD RISES!

Hello again! It has been a while (23 months!) since I last posted about my favorite films, as I was too busy last year to devote time to my Best Movies like I have done since 2012. In addition, Everything Everywhere All at Once was such a perfect film to me that nearly all movies released in 2023 paled in comparison. I did not see anywhere near as many movies as I usually do during that year, but I will set aside one paragraph to cover my Best Movies of 2023 below (skip it if you want to get onto 2024's list). Afterwards, I will move on to the Best Movies of 2024, which was a much better year in cinema! I am limited for time this year, like last year, so instead of skipping my Best Movies list again, I will make my explanations for each award fairly short.

If you would like a short rundown of my awards, a TL;DR is included at the end of this post that ranks my favorite films of the year along with what awards they received.

DISCLAIMER: I did not see every film released in 2024, nor would I want to. I skip films that do not interest me, and I will list out all these at the end of my post. I also loved making Oscar predictions, so those will be included along with each award. My honorable mentions will also be at the end of this post.

Oscar Predictions for Unincluded Categories

• Animated Short Film - I did not see any this year (so I don't know).
• Costume Design - Wicked
• Documentary Feature Film - See Animated Short Film.
• Documentary Short Film - See above.
• Film Editing - Conclave
• International Feature Film - Emilia Pérez
• Makeup and Hairstyling - The Substance
• Production Design - Wicked
• Live Action Short Film - See Animated Short Film.
• Sound - Dune: Part Two

The (Belated) Best Movies of 2023

1. Godzilla Minus One

I absolutely loved this film as a Godzilla fan and moviegoer. It has way more emotional strength than I expected and tells a thrilling story about surviving war and trauma. The Jaws-esque chase scene in the middle of the film was one of my favorite theater moments that I have ever experienced.

2. John Wick: Chapter 4

This was a fitting and excellent way to end the John Wick saga. There were lots of excellent action sequences, decent storytelling, and the iconic worldbuilding that this franchise has become known for. I would love to see more John Wick films, but this was a perfect ending to the legendary hitman's story.

Without further ado, here are the Best Movies of 2024 according to Robert!

Best Animated Film: Inside Out 2

I was pleasantly surprised that a sequel to Inside Out had just as much emotional intelligence and heartfelt moments as the original. Many people struggle with anxiety nowadays, and Inside Out 2 handles that theme perfectly.

Honorable Mentions: Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl; and The Wild Robot.

OSCAR PREDICTION: The Wild Robot

Best Cinematic Song: Defying Gravity (Wicked)

My favorite song from the play made a fantastic finale in film. Cynthia Erivo captures Elphaba's triumphant self-acceptance perfectly, making for a wonderful ending to a great adaptation.

Honorable Mentions: Arrival (Dune: Part Two); and He's Glitchy (Alien: Romulus).

OSCAR PREDICTION: Music (Original Song) - El Mal (Emilia Pérez)

Best Antagonist: Austin Butler (Dune: Part Two)

Every time that I watched Dune: Part Two (which was many times in theaters), Butler's Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen grew on me more and more. He has many layers that can be peeled back on each viewing, and although he is ruthless towards his enemies, he still has a sense of honor that shines through during his final moments.

Honorable Mentions: Bill Skarsgård (Nosferatu); and Margaret Qualley (The Substance).

Best Screenplay: Coralie Fargeat (The Substance)

Writing a scathing script that lambasts beauty standards in entertainment would be difficult on its own. Fargeat accomplishes this while also penning a terrifying and absurd body horror film that immediately entered rarified air with John Carpenter's The Thing.

Honorable Mentions: Denis Villeneuve and Jon Spaihts (Dune: Part Two); and Robert Eggers (Nosferatu).

OSCAR PREDICTION: Writing (Adapted Screenplay) - Peter Straughan (Conclave)

OSCAR PREDICTION: Writing (Original Screenplay) - Coralie Fargeat (The Substance)

Best Supporting Actor: Willem Dafoe (Nosferatu)

I enjoy every role that Dafoe plays, but he elevates his craft whenever collaborating with writer-director Robert Eggers. His turn as the Van Helsing character of Nosferatu's story steals every scene with his charm and weirdness.

Honorable Mentions: David Jonsson (Alien: Romulus); and Zendaya (Dune: Part Two).

OSCAR PREDICTION: Actor in a Supporting Role - Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain)

OSCAR PREDICTION: Actress in a Supporting Role - Zoe Saldaña (Emilia Pérez)

Best Visual Effects: Alien: Romulus

I love sci-fi films that embrace old-school practical effects while using CG for the big moments, and Alien: Romulus achieves this perfectly. The creature design alone haunted my dreams for several weeks and created one of the best moments in the Alien franchise.

Honorable Mentions: The Substance; and Dune: Part Two.

OSCAR PREDICTION: Dune: Part Two

Best Ensemble Cast: Dune: Part Two

Everyone performs their best in this epic sci-fi fantasy, with a special nod to meme-favorite Javier Bardem. Even smaller roles like Remi Fadare's priestess are portrayed well, supporting a star-studded cast that shines brightly. 

Honorable Mentions: Nosferatu; and Alien: Romulus.

Best Cinematography: Jarin Blaschke (Nosferatu)

Above all other things, Nosferatu is a beautiful film that embraces its era of cinema. A silent shot of an empty carriage in an avenue took my breath away with its foreboding portraiture, as an example of how many wonderful moments are shot in this movie.

Honorable Mentions: Greig Fraser (Dune: Part Two); and Benjamin Kračun (The Substance).

OSCAR PREDICTION: Lol Crawley (The Brutalist).

Best Leading Actor: Demi Moore (The Substance)

In a slightly meta role, Moore becomes the face of self-hatred and aging beauty in The Substance. She combines moments of fury with moments of fragility so well, none more than her character trying to prepare for a date.

Honorable Mentions: Mikey Madison (Anora); and Timothée Chalamet (Dune: Part Two).

OSCAR PREDICTION: Actor in a Leading Role - Adrien Brody (The Brutalist)

OSCAR PREDICTION: Actress in a Leading Role - Demi Moore (The Substance)

Best Music: Hans Zimmer (Dune: Part Two)

So, the Academy ignores Zimmer's wonderful work on Dune, then disqualify his work on Dune: Part Two? I call B.S. and crown Zimmer for the magnificent work he has done on both films, creating some of his most epic scores since Inception.

Honorable Mentions: Benjamin Wallfisch (Alien: Romulus); and Raffertie (The Substance).

OSCAR PREDICTION: Music (Original Score) - Daniel Blumberg (The Brutalist)

Best Director: Coralie Fargeat (The Substance)

It is easy to give a double-crown for Fargeat as the writer-director of The Substance. Her directing reminded me of both The Shining and Requiem for a Dream in all the best ways, elevating her status as a true cinematic auteur.

Honorable Mentions: Denis Villeneuve (Dune: Part Two); and Fede Álvarez (Alien: Romulus).

OSCAR PREDICTION: Brady Corbet (The Brutalist)

Best Scene: Heading Home (Alien: Romulus)

Believe when I say that you are not ready for what is truly the best horror finale since Get Out. This scene at the end of the film had my heart racing and ears ringing with its intensity and terror. I am being purposefully vague so as not to spoil a fantastic experience for those who have not seen Alien: Romulus yet.

Honorable Mentions: Conquering Shai-Hulud (Dune: Part Two); and The Birth (The Substance).

Best Scream Queen: Lily-Rose Depp (Nosferatu)

Depp shows incredible talent in her portrayal of the haunted lead character, Ellen, especially with all that writer-director Eggers asks of her to do. 2024 was truly the best year for horror films in a very long time, and I struggled to rank one above the other between Nosferatu, The Substance, and Alien: Romulus.

Honorable Mentions: Isabela Merced (Alien: Romulus); and Maika Monroe (Longlegs).

Best Film: Dune: Part Two

What a truly magnificent film that director Denis Villeneuve crafted from a novel that was thought to be unadaptable. Not only did Villeneuve create a beautiful and thrilling film, he revitalized many of the novel's characters and gave them depth that was never there before. His work on Chani alone has elevated the Dune films far above the novels, and Zendaya brought her to life with a silent fury that I did not expect from her.

There are so many memorable scenes as well, such as Paul riding Shai-Hulud, his speech in the cave, the final battle, and the final duel (with its heartbreaking conclusion). I loved the first Dune and am stunned to find that Villeneuve one-upped himself in giving us the Best Movie of 2024 in Dune: Part Two.

Honorable Mentions: The Substance; and Nosferatu.

OSCAR PREDICTION: The Brutalist

TL;DR

1. Dune: Part Two (Best Film, Best Music, Best Antagonist, Best Ensemble Cast)
2. The Substance (Best Director, Best Leading Actor, Best Screenplay)
3. Nosferatu (Best Cinematography, Best Supporting Actor, Best Scream Queen)
4. Alien: Romulus (Best Visual Effects, Best Scene)
5. Inside Out 2 (Best Animated Film)
6. Wicked (Best Cinematic Song)

As promised, here are my honorable mentions and skipped films:

Good, not Great

Anora

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice

Deadpool & Wolverine

Longlegs

Twisters

Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl

The Wild Robot

Bad or Overrated

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga

Skipped or Missed

Blitz

The Brutalist - (Never got a chance to see this, though I wanted to)

Challengers

Conclave

Emilia Pérez

Gladiator II

Nickel Boys

Sing Sing - (I really wanted to see this, but it wasn't available anywhere near me)

Thank you for reading through my Best Movies of 2024! I am looking forward to another year of great films, with my highest hopes set on Edgar Wright's The Running Man and Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein.