Adam Vaughn’s Top 10 Films of 2024

The year 2024 continued to support the idea that Hollywood and independent filmmaking could not be more different in their scope of content, with major studios embracing IP storytelling and independent filmmakers continuing to explore new concepts, for better or worse. Admittedly, my selection of viewed films was at an all-time low this year, both for Film Festival Today and for my own personal viewing. However, here are the films that truly stunned me as a critic and filmmaker, either for major technical achievements or superb storytelling, or in some cases a perfect balance of both. Where I have previously reviewed the film, the title is hyperlinked to that review. Where I have not, I have written a short description of the movie to help explain why I chose it.

1. Dune: Part Two (Denis Villeneuve)

2. Challengers (Luca Guadagnino): I was both intrigued and amused when rumors started to circulate about Zendaya’s “scandalous” performance in Luca Guadagnino’s Challengers, and out of curiosity I went to see this film. What I found was nothing short of a masterpiece, a high-stakes and fast-paced sports drama that both visually represents the intensity of tennis as a sport and narratively weaves a tremendous love story amongst friends and rivals. Thanks to clever gossip on social media, I ended up seeing one of my favorite movies of the year with Challengers!

3. Wicked (Jon M. Chu): I will note that when going into Jon M. Chu’s Wicked, the bar was raised incredibly high, as nobody—in my humble opinion—asked for a cinematic representation of an award-winning novel and Tony-winning Broadway musical. Nevertheless, Chu was clearly respectful of the source materials and not only gave Wicked a tremendous and in-depth narrative structure but also an aesthetically wonderful design, homing in on all the elements of L. Frank Baum’s original The Wizard of Oz, Gregory Maguire’s Wicked, , and Winnie Holzman’s musical. With Cynthia Erivo dominating the role of Elphaba, and Ariana Grande masterfully cast as well, not only does Wicked honor all of the storytelling before it but stands alone as a cinematic masterpiece, and I look forward to seeing Chu attack the narrative again in November, 2025, with Part 2.

4. Alien: Romulus (Fede Alvarez)

5. The Book of Clarence (Jeymes Samuel)

6. Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (George Miller): I was underwhelmed, initially, to see that Miller was unable to leave his Mad Max franchise alone, after a major success with Mad Max: Fury Road. That being said, Miller continues to expand on a wonderfully dystopian universe with Furiosa. While not much changes, Miller brings a fresh story for the character of Furiosa, filled with high stakes, action packed scenes, and the vicious world of Fury Road.

7. A Quiet Place: Day One (Michael Sarnoski): Unlike the other reboot/sequels mentioned in my top five, Michael Sarnoski’s A Quiet Place: Day One was one of the rare instances where most people begged the question: how did John Krasinski’s masterful original A Quiet Place start? Sarnoski answers this question with an edge-of-your-seat thriller that beautifully depicts the beginning of the end, as the blind-but-deadly creatures first come to Earth and wreak havoc. With a phenomenal performance from Lupita Nyong’o, and an overall great supporting cast, A Quiet Place: Day One does its franchise justice while standing very much on its own.

8. Mufasa: The Lion King (Barry Jenkins)

9. Longlegs (Osgood Perkins): Few horror movies tend to make my Top 10 of the year, as most can be entertaining and cohesive without ever being unique. Such is not the case with Osgood Perkins’ Longlegs, as the intense and chilling combination of Nicolas Cage’s shocking performance and Perkins’ artistic design make this film not only frightening but also mesmerizing. Perkins embraces “less is more” and leans on design and storytelling—and not grotesque imagery—to scare the viewer. While the story ends up throwing a few unnecessary curveballs towards its end, overall Longlegs was a memorable horror film that stuck in my mind for some time this year.

10. Deadpool & Wolverine (Shawn Levy): While it doesn’t top anything else on my Top 10 in terms of cinematic quality, my list would not be complete without the joyous “Merc with the Mouth” giving us his final installment in the Deadpool trilogy. Not only did Deadpool & Wolverine redeliver us Hugh Jackman as one of the most iconic superheroes of all time but it filled the screen with other pleasant cameo surprises. Mixed with an absolutely beloved opening title crawl, the unfailable comedic timing that Deadpool does so well, and what will hopefully be a satisfying send-off to the multiverse themes in pop culture, Deadpool & Wolverine was a perfect storm of superhero action and comedy.

Adam Vaughn

Adam Vaughn is a graduate of the Film & Moving Image program at Stevenson University, with a focus in Cinematography and Production. He also has a minor in Theater and Media Performance. Adam works as a freelance photographer and videographer, focusing his craft on creating compelling photographic and cinematic imagery. Adam is excited to join the Film Festival Today team and explore the world of cinema and visual arts.