For entertainment reporters and critics around the world, the end of the year means it’s time to evaluate the best movies we’ve watched over the past 12 months. From blockbuster theatrical hits like Wicked or Dune: Part Two, to more under the radar successes like All We Imagine as Light or Molly Manning Walker’s film How To Have Sex, and the movies receiving the most awards buzz, like Anora, we do our best to somehow rank our favourites.
Spanning different genres, from horror films and psychological thrillers, to romantic comedies, documentaries and coming-of-age tales, some movies had me scratching my head with confusion, while others captivated and stuck with me for most of the year. But there was certainly a lot to see.
Before we dive into the ranking, I will give one honourable mention, or maybe it’s more of a teaser for next year. I saw The Last Showgirl in September during the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), but because it’s only been shown in festivals and released for one week in Los Angeles this month for awards consideration (before its wider Jan. 10, 2025 release), it didn’t seem fair to put it in this year’s list. But it would have been near the top if it was included.
Here are the 24 best movies of 2024 ranked, and how to watch and stream them:
24. How To Have Sex
Molly Manning Walker’s film How To Have Sex is the most nuanced portrayal of sexual assault trauma I’ve seen. It handles messaging about consent with care, while being very clear with how it’s a societal issues that there’s an inability to effectively have conversations about consent in the first place. The film is just as uncomfortable as it should be, with an incredibly striking performance from Mia McKenna-Bruce.
Where to watch ‘How To Have Sex’
How To Have Sex is available to stream on Mubi
23. The Idea of You
There’s no denying that I was obsessed with the fictional boyband August Moon as soon as The Idea of You was released. The movie quickly moved into that comforting film category for me, the perfect watch to chill out when things got stressful in 2024. Anne Hathaway and Nicholas Galitzine checked all the boxes you want in a rom-com.
Where to watch ‘The Idea of You’
The Idea of You is currently on Prime Video
22. Civil War
Alex Garland’s Civil War is an actual anti-war movie about photojournalists covering a civil war in the U.S. Visually, the film is particularly striking in how it captures both the violent battle scenes and quieter moments. I still think about the ending when Cailee Spaeny’s character Jessie takes those final photos in the White House. Incredibly impactful.
Where to watch ‘Civil War’
Civil War is available to stream on Prime Video
21. Janet Planet
I was completely invested in the relationship between Julianne Nicholson’s character Janet, and Zoe Ziegler as Lacy, in Janet Planet. Annie Baker’s film is an endearing story about a mother-daughter relationship that will leave you with complete affection for these characters, flaws and all. Set in rural Western Massachusetts in the summer of 1991, it’s a film that leans into its sensitivity.
Where to watch ‘Janet Planet’
Buy or rent Janet Planet on platforms like Apple TV
20. Bird
Every year there are a lot of coming-of-age movies, but Andrea Arnold’s film Bird, starring Nykiya Adams, Franz Rogowski and Barry Keoghan, is one that really made an impact, feeling raw and authentic, with a little bit of magic. It’s definitely odd and there are moments where you start to question Rogowski’s character Bird, and who exactly he is, but that’s part of the gripping interest of the film.
Where to watch ‘Bird’
Bird is available to stream on Mubi
19. Love Lies Bleeding
Katy O’Brian is absolutely magnetic as Jackie in Love Lies Bleeding from filmmaker Rose Glass, starring alongside Kristen Stewart. It’s a riveting and pulsating thriller, and pushes far beyond what we usually see from 1980s-set films. It’s a brilliant queer crime thriller, with an ending that’s been stuck in my mind for months.
Where to watch ‘Love Lies Bleeding’
Watch Love Lies Bleeding on Prime Video
18. Heretic
The success of Heretic really rests in how brilliantly the film kept me curious about what the next step of this twisted game would be for Sister Barnes (Sophie Thatcher) and Sister Paxton (Chloe East). The script from Bryan Woods and Scott Beck feels unique from recently released films in the horror genre, and it quickly became one of my favourite religious thrillers.
Where to watch ‘Heretic’
Heretic is available to buy or rent through platforms like Apple TV
17. Wicked
I believe there’s a special experience when you watch a movie and you can feel how much people cared about a project, and that’s very much the case for Wicked. There are many films that were successful Broadway musicals and didn’t translate on screen, but with Jon M. Chu’s obvious care for the story, and devoted leads Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande with performances that really touch your heart, it was a masterful adaptation that should make any fan of the stage show, or book, proud.
Where to watch ‘Wicked’
Wicked in currently in theatres
16. Nosferatu
For everyone else who grew up with a vampire fascination, this one’s for us. Robert Eggers has given us an incredibly detailed approach to Nosferatu that feels satisfying, both stylistically and through the different layers of the story. This includes how the film tackles Lily-Rose Depp’s character, Ellen Hutter, navigating a misogynistic society’s response to her “hysteria.” Depp is transfixing in her performance, with costar Bill Skarsgård as Count Orlock crafting a shocking demon. You just can’t look away.
Where to watch ‘Nosferatu’
Nosferatu is currently in theatres
15. Dune: Part Two
There’s no denying that Canadian Denis Villeneuve is a revolutionary filmmaker, with Dune: Part Two packing more of an emotional punch than the first film. It’s a mind-blowing cinematic experience that just an impressive movie all around.
Where to watch ‘Dune: Part Two’
Watch Dune: Part Two on Crave
14. Conclave
Even though Conclave has a impressive cast, including Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow and Isabella Rossellini, I was still surprised by how much I enjoyed this film. While centred around one event, the election of a new pope, the drama between the candidates is entertainingly messy.
Where to watch ‘Conclave’
Conclave is available to rent through platforms like Apple TV
13. Daughters
The experience of watching Daughters feels special. We’re taken into the preparation for girls to have a father-daughter dance with their incarcerated fathers, through the Date with Dad program that began through the nonprofit Girls for a Change. Angela Patton and Natalie Rae crafted an incredibly intimate experience for the audience, exploring the complexities of how these families have been impacted by incarceration. This sensational film really leans into the power of healing.
Where to watch ‘Daughters’
Daughters is available to stream on Netflix
12. All We Imagine as Light
Initially set in Mumbai, India, All We Imagine as Light, is very much immersed in its location as we explore the lives of nurses Prabha (Kani Kusruti) and Anu (Divya Prabha). The relationship between these two women is beautiful to watch, as the movie speaks to understanding what home means to someone, and human connection. Payal Kapadia’s work feels effortless and lyrical in its execution.
Where to watch ‘All We Imagine as Light’
All We Imagine as Light is currently in select theatres
11. The Wild Robot
The Wild Robot is one of the most passionate and heartfelt movies the year. It’s such a specific approach to animation that’s especially moving and dazzling. With Lupita Nyong’o, Pedro Pascal, Bill Nighy, Kit Connor, Mark Hamill and Catherine O’Hara all voicing characters, it’s a meaningful film about kindness, fitting in, and parenting. Simply put, it’s a an unforgettable film.
Where to watch ‘The Wild Robot’
Buy The Wild Robot though platforms like Apple TV
10. Will & Harper
A story of love and friendship, the documentary Will & Harper is a beautifully honest and hysterical road trip journey with Will Ferrell and former Saturday Night Live (SNL) head writer Harper Steele. It’s emotional and impactful to watch as Ferrell listens and learns from Steele, as she opens up to him about coming out as a trans woman. It focuses on compassion and understanding, and it’s a privilege to watch this inspirational friendship.
Where to watch ‘Will & Harper’
Will & Harper is available to stream on Netflix
9. My Old Ass
Megan Park is a force in filmmaking. She crafted My Old Ass in a way where a completely unbelievable premise, being able to see and talk to your older self, is handled with so much care that it enhances this coming-of-age story in a brilliant way. Maisy Stella brings so much charisma to her character Elliott and navigates the more emotional moments expertly. You just can’t help but fall in love with her. It’s one of the sweetest films of the year, and an absolute tearjerker.
Where to watch ‘My Old Ass’
My Old Ass is currently streaming on Prime Video
8. His Three Daughters
Carrie Coon, Elizabeth Olsen and Natasha Lyonne are exceptional actors individually, but coming together with Azazel Jacobs’ script and direction for His Three Daughters is nothing short of genius. It’s a portrayal of caring for someone at the end of their life in its most complex form, with a level of honesty that is rarely achieved.
Where to watch ‘His Three Daughters’
His Three Daughters is currently available to stream on Netflix
7. Challengers
I’m still thinking about those electrifying moments in Challengers where Luca Guadagnino puts the audience at the perspective of the tennis ball. This film, starring Zendaya, Josh O’Connor and Mike Faist, was one of the most exciting movies of the year, with a pulsating energy that sustains sexual tension like no other film has done. It’s a powerful movie about yearning and competition.
Where to watch ‘Challengers’
Challengers is available to stream on Prime Video
6. A Real Pain
While both Jesse Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin have great performances in A Real Pain, the real magic of this movie comes from Eisenberg’s script. There’s so much wit and sarcasm, mixed with heartfelt emotion in this captivating exploration of family and friendship. The script is so well written that you instantly understand the history between Eisenberg and Culkin’s characters, who are satisfyingly vulnerable and complex.
Where to watch ‘A Real Pain’
A Real Pain is currently in theatres
5. Sing Sing
Starring Colman Domingo, Clarence Maclin, and Sean San José, Sing Sing is a joyous and moving film, based on the true story of the Rehabilitation Through the Arts program (RTA) in the U.S., at the Sing Sing Correctional Facility. Greg Kwedar’s film includes RTA alumni in this beautiful portrait of humanity and hope. While making a case for restorative justice, Sing Sing is stunningly gentle and deeply moving.
Where to watch ‘Sing Sing’
Sing Sing is expected to be available to purchase or stream in the future
4. Nickel Boys
Nickel Boys is easily one of the most affecting movies of the year, with RaMell Ross proving to be a visionary filmmaker. Each choice in this film, an adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize winning novel “The Nickel Boys,” is poetic in its execution of a story of resilience, love and loss. There’s real depth of emotion in Nickel Boys, with characters that stick with you.
Where to watch Nickel Boys
Nickel Boys is currently in U.S. theatres, being released in Canada in January
3. The Brutalist
While a lot of attention will certainly be given to the 215 minute runtime of The Brutalist, filmmaker Brady Corbet doesn’t waste a single minute, chronicling the life of a Hungarian-Jewish architect over 30 years.
While the film’s star, Adrian Brody, gives a particularly moving performance, the work by Felicity Jones pierces right through your heart in a really profound way. Being shot in VistaVision, which has become mostly obsolete since 1961, it’s really a visual delight, as well as a riveting story.
Where to watch ‘The Brutalist’
The Brutalist is currently in select theatres, being released widely in January
2. The Substance
Coralie Fargeat’s film The Substance is unwavering in its incredibly accurate portrayal of how a woman’s worth and relevance is tied to youth. This is easily Demi Moore’s best performance of her career, playing aged out actor Elisabeth Sparkle with such depth and conviction, it’s a must-see performance.
Fargeat also commits to really leaning into the horror elements, with visual shocks that will send chills down your spine. It’s a fantastic blend of emotion, thrill and an evaluation of our toxic patriarchal societal structure.
Where to watch ‘The Substance’
The Substance is available to stream on Mubi
1. Anora
In all honestly, the fact that I’ve voluntarily and happily watched this movie four times in less than four months is a testament to how great Anora is. And yes, “Greatest Day” by Take That is still stuck in my head.
Writer and director Sean Baker created a story that subverts the Cinderella tropes that I’m incredibly tired of seeing. Led by the incomparable Mikey Madison, with a strong ensemble cast, you can tell that everyone involved was committed to putting their best foot forward, brilliantly marrying comedy with emotional moments, and their hard work paid off.
Where to watch ‘Anora’
Anora is currently available to buy on platforms like Apple TV