The Absolute Best Movies of 2024

From franchise juggernauts to intimate indies, this year’s notable releases covered animation, horror, large-scale action, and specialty dramas across theaters and major streaming platforms. The films below span studio tentpoles and independent features, reflecting the breadth of stories that reached audiences worldwide.

Each entry lists concrete details—key creative leads, principal cast, release approach, production methods, locations, and technical teams—so you can quickly understand what each project is, who made it, and how it reached viewers.

‘Dune: Part Two’ (2024)

Directed by Denis Villeneuve, ‘Dune: Part Two’ adapts the latter sections of Frank Herbert’s novel, continuing the story begun in ‘Dune’. The film stars Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Austin Butler, Florence Pugh, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin, Léa Seydoux, Stellan Skarsgård, and Christopher Walken, produced by Legendary and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures with IMAX and premium large-format engagements.

Principal photography took place in Italy, Hungary, and Jordan. Greig Fraser returned as cinematographer, with production design by Patrice Vermette and score by Hans Zimmer. The rollout included international markets ahead of North America, supported by Dolby Cinema and IMAX campaigns and a broad theatrical footprint.

‘Inside Out 2’ (2024)

‘Inside Out 2’ is a Pixar Animation Studios feature directed by Kelsey Mann and produced by Mark Nielsen. The voice cast includes Amy Poehler, Maya Hawke, Kensington Tallman, Liza Lapira, Tony Hale, Ayo Edebiri, Adèle Exarchopoulos, and Paul Walter Hauser, with distribution by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures across wide theatrical bookings.

The production expands the concept introduced in ‘Inside Out’, adding new emotions and interior settings. Pixar updated its proprietary tools for nuanced facial rigging and larger crowd work, while editorial and the score pipeline were aligned to emphasize character interplay and fast transitions between mindscapes.

‘Civil War’ (2024)

Written and directed by Alex Garland, ‘Civil War’ is an A24 release starring Kirsten Dunst, Cailee Spaeny, Wagner Moura, and Nick Offerman. The production used embedded-journalist camera techniques and large-scale practical effects to stage on-the-ground conflict coverage.

Multiple camera bodies and news-style lenses were deployed to create documentary immediacy, complemented by practical pyrotechnics and extensive extras units. The theatrical rollout covered wide domestic screens with subsequent digital availability and a promotional campaign built around in-world photography.

‘Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga’ (2024)

‘Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga’ is directed by George Miller and stars Anya Taylor-Joy, Chris Hemsworth, and Tom Burke. Produced by Kennedy Miller Mitchell and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, the film expands the ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ universe with an origin story for its title character.

Mounted in Australia, the production combined desert logistics, complex stunt coordination, and custom vehicle fabrication. Composer Tom Holkenborg returned, while visual effects integrated practical chase photography with CG environmental extensions across high-speed sequences.

‘Challengers’ (2024)

Directed by Luca Guadagnino, ‘Challengers’ stars Zendaya, Mike Faist, and Josh O’Connor. Produced by Pascal Pictures and distributed by Amazon MGM Studios, the film opened exclusively in theaters before moving to digital platforms.

Match choreography was designed with athletic consultants, and camera systems were calibrated for rapid court coverage and close-quarters movement. Marketing emphasized the lead trio and tournament-style key art, with international releases timed around spring and early-summer schedules.

‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ (2024)

‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ is directed by Shawn Levy and produced by Marvel Studios. The cast is led by Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, with Emma Corrin and returning ensemble members from prior ‘Deadpool’ entries, released globally by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures with extensive IMAX and PLF bookings.

Production combined stage work in Vancouver with location photography and large-scale second-unit action. The campaign included character-first teasers, televised spots, and consumer-product tie-ins, while post-production coordinated high-volume visual-effects shots across multiple vendors.

‘A Quiet Place: Day One’ (2024)

‘A Quiet Place: Day One’ is a Paramount Pictures release directed by Michael Sarnoski, from a story by John Krasinski and Sarnoski. The cast includes Lupita Nyong’o, Joseph Quinn, Alex Wolff, and Djimon Hounsou, positioned as a prequel set at the onset of the franchise’s invasion.

Filming used New York City locations and full-scale street sets to stage crowd and destruction beats. Sound design emphasized dynamic range and controlled silence, with mixes tailored for immersive theatrical formats across premium auditoriums.

‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes’ (2024)

Directed by Wes Ball for 20th Century Studios, ‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes’ stars Owen Teague, Freya Allan, Peter Macon, and Kevin Durand. The film opened widely across international territories with premium-format availability.

Performance-capture rigs and on-set facial tracking supported principal ape characters, with Wētā FX and additional vendors delivering creature and environment work. New settlement designs and costuming reflected a timeline shift that allowed fresh world-building within the established series.

‘The Fall Guy’ (2024)

‘The Fall Guy’ is directed by David Leitch and stars Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt. Universal Pictures released the film with a campaign centered on practical stunt work and its connection to the classic television series.

Shot primarily in Sydney and surrounding areas, the production staged vehicular gags, pyrotechnics, and high falls coordinated by 87North. Composer Dominic Lewis provided the score, and behind-the-scenes materials were integrated into promotion to spotlight stunt-community craftsmanship.

‘Anora’ (2024)

Written and directed by Sean Baker, ‘Anora’ stars Mikey Madison with supporting roles from Mark Eydelshteyn and Yura Borisov. NEON distributed the film in North America after a major festival premiere that earned top-jury recognition.

The production relied on location shooting and a lean crew, continuing the director’s process of blending professional and non-professional casting. Release began with platform engagements in select cities, then expanded to additional markets based on specialty-theatrical performance.

‘Megalopolis’ (2024)

Written, directed, and produced by Francis Ford Coppola, ‘Megalopolis’ features Adam Driver, Nathalie Emmanuel, Giancarlo Esposito, Aubrey Plaza, and Shia LaBeouf among its ensemble. The film premiered at a major European festival before securing North American distribution via Lionsgate for a wide release.

Coppola independently financed the project, enabling expansive set construction and large-scale visual-effects sequences. The campaign emphasized the film’s long development history and auteur-driven scope, pairing event-style screenings and filmmaker Q&As with theatrical rollout plans.

‘Love Lies Bleeding’ (2024)

Directed by Rose Glass, ‘Love Lies Bleeding’ stars Kristen Stewart, Katy O’Brian, and Ed Harris. Developed with Film4 and distributed by A24, the feature reached theaters ahead of its digital window.

Production combined Southwestern U.S. exteriors with stylized interiors to support its crime-thriller framework. Cinematography by Ben Fordesman and tightly coordinated editorial shaped the film’s escalating set pieces across contained locations.

‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ (2024)

Directed by Tim Burton, ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ reunites Michael Keaton and Winona Ryder and adds Jenna Ortega, Justin Theroux, and Monica Bellucci. Warner Bros. Pictures handled global distribution with a late-summer launch and IMAX availability.

The production blended practical effects—prosthetics, animatronics, miniatures, and stop-motion motifs—with contemporary visual effects to extend the afterlife aesthetic. Department leads engaged specialty workshops for creature work and in-camera gags alongside digital enhancements.

‘Alien: Romulus’ (2024)

‘Alien: Romulus’ is directed by Fede Álvarez and produced by 20th Century Studios. The cast includes Cailee Spaeny, David Jonsson, Isabela Merced, Archie Renaux, Spike Fearn, and Aileen Wu, with a wide late-summer theatrical opening.

Large practical sets and creature builds anchored the production design, while atmospheric lighting and lensing aligned with the series’ industrial look. The release used mystery-forward teasers and immersive audio mixes positioned for premium theaters.

‘Longlegs’ (2024)

Written and directed by Osgood Perkins, ‘Longlegs’ stars Maika Monroe and Nicolas Cage, distributed by NEON. The marketing highlighted archival-style visuals and coded character materials ahead of a mid-summer wide domestic release.

Cinematography favored in-camera texture and low-light setups, and sound design supported the investigative structure. After its theatrical debut, the film moved to digital rental and purchase on a standard specialty timeline.

‘Hit Man’ (2024)

‘Hit Man’ is a Richard Linklater feature starring Glen Powell and Adria Arjona. Following festival premieres, the film received a limited theatrical engagement before its streaming debut on Netflix.

The screenplay, developed by Linklater and Powell, drew on a real-life newspaper profile. Production utilized Houston and New Orleans-area locations with a compact schedule and editorial workflow geared for a swift handoff to streaming.

‘Monkey Man’ (2024)

Directed by and starring Dev Patel, ‘Monkey Man’ is an action-thriller produced by Bron and Thunder Road. Universal Pictures handled the domestic theatrical release, with select international rights and post-theatrical streaming in certain regions licensed to Netflix.

Stunt design emphasized close-quarters combat captured with handheld coverage and practical environmental destruction. The campaign centered on Patel’s directorial debut, including red-band materials and action-focused trailers.

‘The Bikeriders’ (2024)

Written and directed by Jeff Nichols, ‘The Bikeriders’ stars Jodie Comer, Austin Butler, and Tom Hardy. Focus Features distributed the film in North America, aligning its rollout with early-summer specialty corridors.

Midwestern locations, period-correct motorcycles, and dedicated wardrobe research supported authenticity. Collaboration with bike clubs and historical consultants informed prop selection and riding sequences across rural and urban settings.

‘Immaculate’ (2024)

‘Immaculate’ is a psychological-horror feature directed by Michael Mohan and starring Sydney Sweeney, produced by Black Bear and distributed in North America by NEON. The supporting cast includes Álvaro Morte, Benedetta Porcaroli, and Simona Tabasco.

Principal photography occurred primarily in Italy with austere religious architecture guiding production design. Campaign materials highlighted the lead performance and genre elements, transitioning to VOD and digital platforms after theatrical play.

‘Late Night with the Devil’ (2024)

Directed by Cameron and Colin Cairnes, ‘Late Night with the Devil’ stars David Dastmalchian and Laura Gordon. IFC Films released the title in theaters before streaming availability on Shudder.

Studio sets replicated broadcast-era talk shows, using period cameras and lighting to match archival aesthetics. Festival screenings and genre press built momentum through limited openings, followed by expanded bookings in additional markets.

‘Bad Boys: Ride or Die’ (2024)

‘Bad Boys: Ride or Die’ is directed by Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah and stars Will Smith and Martin Lawrence. Sony Pictures Releasing launched the film into the early-summer marketplace with IMAX and premium-screen engagements.

Large-scale action sequences were staged across Miami and Atlanta-area locations, with aerial units capturing cityscape plates. Editorial integrated needle-drop cues and fast-cut highlights for trailers and TV spots, supported by a franchise-focused publicity push.

‘Bob Marley: One Love’ (2024)

Directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green, ‘Bob Marley: One Love’ stars Kingsley Ben-Adir and Lashana Lynch. Paramount Pictures handled worldwide distribution with a mid-winter theatrical launch before digital release.

Music clearances and remastering allowed an extensive use of catalog tracks. Collaboration with the Marley family and associated rights holders guided archival integration, while promotional materials featured newly mixed soundtrack elements.

‘The Garfield Movie’ (2024)

Directed by Mark Dindal, ‘The Garfield Movie’ features voice performances by Chris Pratt and Samuel L. Jackson. Produced by Alcon Entertainment and distributed by Sony Pictures Releasing, the film opened broadly in family-focused calendar slots.

Animation pipelines coordinated across multiple studios, with updated character rigs and fur-simulation passes for the lead character. Brand partnerships and kid-focused promotions supported the rollout, timed around school holidays in many territories.

‘Kung Fu Panda 4’ (2024)

From DreamWorks Animation, ‘Kung Fu Panda 4’ is directed by Mike Mitchell with co-director Stephanie Ma Stine. Jack Black returns as the voice of Po, joined by Awkwafina, Viola Davis, and Dustin Hoffman, with Universal Pictures handling theatrical distribution before home and streaming windows.

Previsualization and layout guided complex martial-arts set pieces in animation, while updated tools improved crowd interactions and environmental scale. The release strategy targeted family attendance during spring-break periods, complemented by consumer products and theme-park activations.

‘The Idea of You’ (2024)

Directed by Michael Showalter, ‘The Idea of You’ stars Anne Hathaway and Nicholas Galitzine. Amazon MGM Studios released the film directly to Prime Video following event-style premieres and fan screenings.

Production used U.S. and European locations, staging concert sequences with practical lighting rigs and digital crowd augmentation. Marketing focused on a streaming-first audience, with social activations centered on original music elements and the lead performances.

Share your own favorites from the year in the comments so everyone can compare picks!