Matt Patti’s Top 10 Films of 2024

2024 will be a year remembered for many reasons. There was plenty of good and bad that occurred around the world this year, making it one of the more notable years in recent memory. Thankfully, one area in which 2024 clearly exceeded expectations was in its film releases. For my money, 2024 is the best year for films post-Covid, and, frankly, in my lifetime.

Unlike many years where I’m scraping the bottom of the barrel to come up with some of the lower entries on my list, this year I have to exclude some amazing films from making the Top 10 at all. That’s how good 2024 has been in film. Or is it? Honestly, I made a point to see as many films as I could this year, and 2024 will go down as the year in which I watched the most new films in a single year. So, was 2024 that good, or did I just view more films than usual? Who knows … but all I can say is I had the most fun with new films this year than I’ve ever had.

Therefore, in the spirit of celebrating just how amazing the films of 2024 are, I’m going to note a few honorable mentions that likely would’ve made my Top 10 list in any of the past few previous years, but couldn’t quite make the stacked 2024 final list. The first film I’d like to shout out is Speak No Evil, an anxiety-inducing thriller that features one of the year’s best performances by James McAvoy. One of the more unique films of the year is The Substance, a terrifying-but-fascinating take on beauty standards and the effects of aging with a phenomenal performance by Demi Moore. Finally, I’d like to acknowledge Spaceman, a gripping reflection on human tendencies and loneliness featuring a rare subdued Adam Sandler performance.

Without further ado, below you’ll find my Top 10 films for 2024. The very best of the best are represented below in a very crowded, impressive collection. For films that I have previously reviewed for Film Festival Today, the title is hyperlinked to my review. If I have not previously reviewed the film, I include a short synopsis of my thoughts. 

1. Dune: Part Two (Denis Villeneuve): My favorite film of the year is also the best post-Covid film I’ve seen. Denis Villeneuve improves upon the already impressive Dune: Part One in every possible way with this sequel. Stunning cinematography, phenomenal sound design, and a beautiful score that is one of Hans Zimmer’s best (and that’s saying something!) make Dune: Part Two the most impressive visual and auditory experience of the year. Beyond the technical aspects, though, and perhaps more importantly, Dune: Part Two features a compelling plot with layered, fascinating characters and top-notch acting from its cast. Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Austin Butler, and Javier Bardem turn in truly exceptional performances along with many others in the ensemble. With every single element executed to perfection, Dune: Part Two is everything a movie should be.

2. A Quiet Place: Day One (Michael Sarnoski)

3. Challengers (Luca Guadagnino): The premise of Challengers is a bit of an odd one: a love triangle involving three tennis players that plays out during the course of a few different moments in time, usually around tennis tournaments. The main focus of the story boils down to a personal rivalry, and the performances of the main cast and the savvy filmmaking style serve the narrative well. Mike Faist and Josh O’Connor perfectly play their roles as two rival tennis players who were once best friends, and Zendaya excels as the love interest stoking the flames of both competitors. What really shines in Challengers, though, is the incredible technical elements, with many zany shots and unconventional editing techniques that are impressive to witness.

4. Smile 2 (Parker Finn)

5. The Beekeeper (David Ayer): Jason Statham proves he’s still got it in yet another action-packed spectacle starring the veteran actor. Outside of Statham’s usual badassery, The Beekeeper sets itself apart from similar Statham flicks with a timely, compelling central plot involving technology targeting the old and vulnerable. Impressive action, vivid characters, and a crazy third-act reveal help The Beekeeper exceed expectations on all levels.

6. Wicked (Jon M. Chu): As someone who doesn’t generally enjoy musicals, I was blown away by Wicked. One of the best musicals I’ve personally seen, Wicked excels in almost every area. The performances of Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo lead the way, as both stun not only with their singing voices but also their line delivery and facial expressions when they are not serenading us. The set pieces, visuals, and effects all dazzle, and the songs are all super-catchy and fun. The comedic dynamic between Erivo’s Elphaba and Grande’s Glinda might just be the film’s strongest aspect, however.

7. Gladiator II (Ridley Scott): Another sequel made many years after the original, Gladiator II is an epic undertaking that pays homage to Gladiator (2000) while providing a unique-enough story of its own. Jaw-dropping action sequences and industry-standard cinematography and effects give the film a much better look than its predecessor. The politics and twisting storyline intrigue, and the performances of every cast member impress, with Denzel Washington as the standout. Gladiator II is another case in a recent trend of a legacy sequel topping the original.

8. Anora (Sean Baker): A surprise, out-of-nowhere hit this year, Anora is a film unlike any other I’ve seen recently. I expected a romance drama going in, but was treated to more of an absurdist comedy in the best way possible. Hilarious, riveting, and featuring a career-defining performance by Mikey Madison, Anora is a wild ride that surprises and entertains throughout its entire runtime, all the way to the bitter end.

9. Caddo Lake (Logan George/Celine Held): Another film for which I had zero expectations going in, Caddo Lake is a mind-boggling surprise. Thinking this was going to be a generic bayou horror movie, I was overwhelmingly impressed with what Caddo Lake has to offer. I want to keep this as vague as possible, as the best way to experience Caddo Lake is knowing next-to-nothing about the plot. All I’ll say is that Caddo Lake goes to places you’d never imagine, and contains the best plot twist(s) of the year, accumulating to a Nolan-level ending that will have people talking and debating for years to come.

10. I.S.S. (Gabriela Cowperthwaite): One of the first films released in theatres in 2024, I.S.S. has withstood the onslaught of other films released after it to maintain a spot on this list. The film’s concept is a very timely and thought-provoking one: if the U.S. and Russia entered into a nuclear war, what would become of the International Space Station, manned collaboratively by American and Russian astronauts? The intriguing premise plays out in a fascinating way, through a tense psychological thriller in which the audience never quite knows who is telling the truth and who is not, and therefore has no idea who to trust. The filmmakers do a fantastic job of introducing and exploring each character before the conflict begins and having them build camaraderie, only to unleash chaos on everyone. The characters are all likeable and relatable, adding significant weight to all of the decisions they make and occurrences that befall them.

Matt Patti

Matt Patti has enjoyed voicing his opinions on films from a young age. He has lived in the Baltimore, Maryland, area since 2015 and is a graduate of Stevenson University’s Film & Moving Image program. Matt is currently back at Stevenson University, working as the School of Design, Arts, and Communication's Studio Manager.