January is coming to an end and award season is rolling in so let’s rank the top 15 movies of 2024. This is a cumulative ranking of all of the films Geekwave has seen. If we missed a movie that deserves to be in the top 15 and deserves a watch, please comment the film name on our Instagram post.
15. Smile 2
Smile 2, directed by Parker Finn, takes place six days after the events of the first Smile movie. The film follows pop star Skye Riley as she tries to prepare a comeback tour after dealing with a substance abuse problem and recovering from a horrific car crash. She eventually becomes the Smile demon’s next target and must keep her sanity while not knowing what’s real. Naomi Scott, who plays Skye Riley, elevates this film not only with her incredible acting performance but also her musical talent. The film has many original songs that Scott performs, all written and choreographed well. Smile 2 takes everything that Smile excelled at, such as the well-timed jump scares and sound design, while also expanding on topics of addiction, trauma, and mental health.
14. Heretic
Heretic, directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, follows two Mormon missionaries as they attempt to convert Mr. Reed, played by Hugh Grant, to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As they talk to Mr. Reed in his house, they soon realize his true intent, putting both missionaries in danger. Hugh Grant’s acting is what makes this film work as a well-crafted thriller. Most of his dialogue involves high-level monologues, but that dialogue is what makes this film so creepy. Grant talks about religion with a polite demeanor, and even when he talks about something inappropriate, he still stays calm. By tackling themes of religion, faith, and the unknown after death, Heretic brings a unique take into the horror genre.
13. Speak No Evil
Speak No Evil, directed by James Watkins, is a remake of a Danish-Dutch film released in 2022 with the same name. The film follows the Dalton family, who are invited by the Feld family to their country estate during a holiday vacation. Throughout their stay, the Daltons realize that there is more to this family in this intense and suspenseful thriller. Speak No Evil provides a thrilling and unsettling atmosphere mainly due to the unpredictableness of the main antagonist, Paddy Feld, played by James McAvoy.
12. Juror #2
Juror #2, directed by Clint Eastwood, follows Justin Kemp as he is called for jury duty. When Kemp arrives at court, he realizes that he is a key suspect in this crime that took place a couple of months prior. Although audiences know what the supposed twist is at the beginning of the film and even in the trailers, this film tackles the moral dilemmas that Kemp has to face while being on a jury involving a crime he was part of while also showing the flaws of the U.S. justice system.
11. Longlegs
Longlegs, directed by Oz Perkins, follows FBI Agent Lee Harker as she is assigned to a serial killer case. As she goes further into her investigation, she learns that there is a personal connection between her and the killer. Longlegs provides an eerie and unsettling atmosphere throughout the film. This horror flick does not rely on jumpscares rather it’s a slow burner thriller that keeps audiences at the edge of their seats for the whole movie.
10. Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, directed by George Miller, is a prequel to the film Mad Max: Fury Road, which focuses on Furiosa following her life before she joins up with the Immortan Joe. The movie starts off with her being taken from her home and being raised by Dementus, and then we follow her journey to try and escape her current situation. This film is a high-octane, action-pact ride that reels you in for the entire time. Each action sequence is just as brutal as its predecessor, and it showcases Anya Taylor-Joy and Chris Hemsworth’s crazy side as they tear through the sandy streets while trying to kill each other in the process. It’s a shame that this film did not do well at the box office, as it deserves way more recognition than it did, and this film is a worthy follow-up to its prequel.
9. Wicked
Wicked, directed by John Chu, is one of the best movie-going experiences of 2024. The story follows Elphaba, a girl born green, as she embarks on her journey to college at the magic school of Shiz University. Here, she meets Glinda, and from there, the story follows the conflict and friendship that these two women go through together. The movie explores themes of self-acceptance and the need to do what’s right, even when you have to ultimately do it alone. The music numbers are gorgeously sung and put together, and the performances from Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande are powerful and at times gut-wrenching, proving that these two women are stars that are here to stay. Wicked is almost a perfect movie and is a good excuse to be transported back into the world of Oz. Make sure you don’t miss this one as part 2 hits theaters this year!
8. Nosferatu
Nosferatu, directed by Robert Eggers, follows newly married couple Thomas and Ellen Hutter, played by Nicholas Holt and Lily-Rose Depp, in 1838 Wisburg, Germany. Thomas is tasked with selling property to Count Orlock, played by Bill Skarsgard, but when he arrives in Transylvania, he slowly uncovers Count Orlock’s true intentions involving his wife, Ellen. With intense acting performances, gothic cinematography, and an unrecognizably creepy Bill Skarsgard as Count Orlock, Nosferatu provides a unique unsettling theater experience in the best way possible.
7. The Wild Robot
The Wild Robot, directed by Chris Sanders, who previously directed Lilo and Stitch, How to Train Your Dragon, and The Croods, brings another heartwarming story through a beautiful animation style, well-crafted score, and a talented voice cast. The film follows a robot, Roz, played by Lupita Nyongo, who gets stranded on an island. Roz must adapt to its new environment and form relationships with the island’s native animals, including a duckling named Brightbill that Roz eventually raises as its own.
6. Alien: Romulus
Alien: Romulus, directed by Fede Álvarez, is the ninth film in the Alien franchise and takes place in the 20 years following 1979’s Alien. The film follows a group of space colonists as they try to escape their dystopian planet. Along the way, they end up in an abandoned space station in an attempt to find resources but end up discovering something far more sinister. Alien: Romulus fleshes out all the aspects that made Alien such a blockbuster, including thematic elements of corporate greed, the use of practical effects, a strong female lead, and an immersive and suspenseful atmosphere. The film also adds its own flare by expanding on this existing futuristic world and using modern technology to its advantage for its cinematography, score, and design of the Xenomorphs.
5. Monkey Man
Monkey Man stars Dev Patel and follows a young man as he lives in an underground fight club while he slowly plans his revenge against the city’s elite who abused his family as a child. This film, also Dev Patel’s directorial debut, paves the way for Patel to be a true action star and director for the years to come. The fight sequences in this film were gory, emotional, and just pure raw. Monkey Man puts its audiences into a fight where every punch, kick, and stab can be felt through this immersive and emotional action movie.
4. We Live In Time
We Live in Time, directed by John Crowley, follows Almut and Tobias, played by Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield, throughout their love story, from being friends to a couple who truly love each other through thick and thin. The film puts an emphasis on the limitations of time and shows how each moment is meant to be cherished. Pugh and Garfield’s chemistry in this film makes it a must-watch movie with tissues on standby.
3. Dìdi
Dìdi, directed by Sean Wang, follows Chris Wang as he navigates through his adolescent years as he tries to find his identity as an Asian American living in the Bay Area. The film tackles a personal coming-of-age drama through the lens of a teenage immigrant boy. As Chris attempts to form relationships with friends and maintain relationships with his family, he learns more about himself but also accepts who he is as a person in this heartwarming indie film.
2. Challengers
Challengers, directed by Luca Guadagnino, follows tennis duo and best friends Patrick Sweig and Art Donaldson. Their lives change when tennis prodigy Tashi Duncan comes into their lives. The three leads in the film, Josh O’Connor, Mike Faist, and Zendaya have amazing chemistry and provide entertaining performances. The film tackles love, friendship, and competition all through a sport that can bring the best and worst out of someone. Challengers truly shocked everyone with its original screenplay and addictive techno-fused score and provided one of the most unique theater experiences of the year.
1. Dune Part II
Dune Part II, directed by Denis Villeneuve, takes place soon after the events of its predecessor, where it follows Paul Atreides as he joins the Fremen to seek vengeance against the Harkonnens. This film truly elevates itself from its predecessor. The sequel dives deeper into the complex character of Timothée Chalamet’s Paul Atreides. Having visions of the past, present, and future tests his character by trying to handle the weight of the family he has left and the people he is meant to lead on his shoulders. With a talented ensemble, beautiful cinematography from Greig Fraser, and music from Hans Zimmer, this movie is a true Epic that respectfully follows the second half of Frank Herbet’s Dune while still managing to hold its own.
2024 was a huge year for film, and there are still great movies that came out that year that did not end up making this list. 2024 is going to be a tough year to beat for 2025, but the lineup already looks really promising. Make sure not to miss out on Ronny’s article on Marcel the Shell with Shoes On and Caitlyn’s review on Empire of Silence. For everything else, stay right here on Geekwave!
