10 Most Streamed Movies of 2024

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As a cinephile who has spent countless hours immersed in the world of film, I must say that this list is a veritable smorgasbord of cinematic delights! From the delightfully twisted horror thriller “Immaculate” to the roaring success of Lindsay Lohan’s comeback in “Irish Wish,” there’s something here for every taste.

The surge in streaming popularity skyrocketed during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, as people stayed at home, and it has been consistently increasing year after year since then. Nowadays, there is an unprecedented variety of movies available across numerous platforms. It seems that watching the latest blockbuster from the comfort of one’s own home offers an unmatched level of enjoyment for consumers.

In the past, Netflix was the sole movie streaming choice for many, or you could opt for risky pirate sites that might infect your computer. Now, there are numerous streaming platforms offering entertainment, with Netflix still leading the pack, but competitors like Disney+, Hulu, Paramount, and Amazon Prime Video making their mark. As we approach the end of the year, it’s a good moment to review the most popular films streamed during this year.

10 ‘Damsel’ (2024)

Streaming on Netflix

Millie Bobby Brown has been making waves in the entertainment industry since her breakout role in Stranger Things propelled her to fame, so it’s not surprising that her latest film, Damsel, garnered impressive streaming views. This survival adventure finds Brown playing a young woman who is tricked into believing she is marrying a handsome prince, only to find herself in a dangerous predicament where she must battle a fire-breathing dragon instead.

A Fun Dark Fantasy

The success of this lighthearted fairy tale demonstrates that not every movie needs to be a profound, groundbreaking work. Sometimes, audiences simply desire a delightful diversion, and this film, with its playful spirit and lack of heavy seriousness, fits the bill perfectly. Critics have commended it for its enchanting storybook charm and impressive CGI techniques that enhance the overall experience.

9 ‘Suncoast’ (2024)

Streaming on Hulu

On February 9th, Hulu premiered “Suncoast,” which attracted a massive viewership due to its compelling cast, engaging narrative, and the presence of social media sensation Baby Ariel. Similar to Addison Rae’s successful 2021 film “He’s All That” on Netflix, “Suncoast” underscores the fact that young audiences are drawn to streaming productions starring their favorite social media personalities. This teen drama, centered around themes of grief and complicated family struggles, portrays the poignant storyline of characters dealing with a son and brother in hospice care.

A Fan and Critical Success

The film has been praised for its powerful acting and emotional resonance, despite some predictability. The actors deliver captivating performances that seamlessly blend together as they delve into thought-provoking themes concerning the influence of personal experiences on our moral beliefs.

8 ‘Lift’ (2024)

Streaming on Netflix

Kevin Hart, the star, had an exceptional year with the acclaim received from Peacock’s Fight Night: Million Dollar Heist, along with the widely watched Netflix action movie. The narrative focuses on a cunning mastermind who is hired by the FBI to execute a thrilling heist on an international flight. A notable aspect of the film is its spectacular special effects, even going as far as designing a state-of-the-art custom jet for the project’s needs.

Kevin Hart Proves Strength of His Fanbase With Huge Views for ‘Lift’ Despite Panning from Critics

In contrast to Fight Night, Hart’s global escapade, Lift, didn’t receive rave reviews from film critics but managed to hold its own. The charm and universal appeal of Hart are the magic ingredients that make any project he’s involved in an instant must-see for me. Even when the script isn’t polished, action enthusiasts like myself will be thrilled by the aerial combat sequences, featuring actual F-35B Lightning fighter jets.

7 ‘Society of the Snow’ (2024)

Streaming on Netflix

Cannibalism has long been a favorite topic of Hollywood, due to its fascinatingly unthinkable forbidden nature. Some of its most artistic uses have been in masterpieces Julia Ducournau’s Raw and Luca Guadagnino’s Bones and All. Society of the Snow features survival cannibalism in the harrowing true tale of Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571, which suffered a crash landing and left a team of rugby players stranded for over 2 months in the Andes mountains, necessitating gruesomely desperate life-saving measures.

‘Society of the Snow’ Is the Real-Life ‘Yellowjackets’

The movie shares a chilling resemblance to the plot of Showtime’s mystery drama series, Yellowjackets. Fans may find it startling to discover that such events have happened in reality before. Eating one’s fellow teammates is a terrifying concept, and given its popularity, it seems to have gripped viewers significantly. Acclaimed by both fans and critics, Society of the Snow stands out for its exceptional filmmaking and has been hailed as the “most compelling dramatization” of Flight 571’s tragic crash.

6 ‘My Old Ass’ (2024)

Streaming on Prime Video

The movie titled “My Old Self” revolves around a 18-year-old character named Elliott, who undergoes an encounter with her 39-year-old self, guided by a psychedelic journey. In this heartwarming comedy, Aubrey Plaza portrays Elliott’s future adult self. Throughout the trip, she provides life advice and cautionary tales to her younger self. As a result, Elliott comes to understand the importance of living in the moment and taking things slowly, especially when it comes to relationships, and truly cherishing the present.

Strong Comedy and Chemistry

The audience found the movie both amusing and emotional, and they appreciated the authentic interactions between the actors. They particularly remembered an insightful quote from the older Aubrey: “Enjoy the small moments as they happen, for nothing endures.” Similar to the film Thirteen Going on Thirty, a significant aspect of this movie’s charm lies in its ability to resonate with both younger and older viewers.

5 ‘Alien: Romulus’ (2024)

Streaming on Hulu

It seems that more franchise sequels are being produced in Hollywood than ever before, with over half of the major studios’ 2025 movie lineup consisting of existing intellectual properties (IP). The preference for franchise productions is primarily because they are believed to attract a guaranteed audience. This hypothesis was validated by the success of the film “Alien: Romulus“, which garnered exceptional viewership on Hulu. Contrary to its title, the movie has no connection with the Romulan homeworld from Star Trek. Instead, it focuses on a team of six ambitious space explorers who encounter lethally dangerous creatures while investigating an abandoned space station.

Seventh ‘Alien’ Movie Is Strong Addition to Franchise

1979’s renowned science fiction horror masterpiece, “Alien,” launched an engaging franchise and provided early inspiration for Disney’s most terrifying thrill ride ever. Even though it leveraged the widespread appeal of the “Alien” theme, the film was critically acclaimed and managed to stand independently, receiving high praise from science fiction aficionados.

4 ‘Apartment 7A’ (2024)

Streaming on Paramount+

On March 4, 2021, Paramount+ entered the streaming competition, grabbing a beneficial chance to house all the Star Trek content. In addition to showcasing timeless classics, Paramount+ has produced some noteworthy new shows like the suspenseful psychological horror titled Apartment 7A. This film functions as a less frightening prequel to the well-known ’60s horror movie Rosemary’s Baby, focusing on a young woman who uncovers an evil presence in her apartment while pursuing her ambition of fame in New York City.

‘Apartment 7A’ Suffers from Comparisons to ‘Rosemary’s Baby’

As a passionate cinephile, I found Natalie Erika James’s admirable attempt to be quite the streamer’s delight, yet it faced some harsh criticism from critics. I believe this could be partly due to its inability to match the powerhouse impact of the renowned original work. The film did possess a certain enigmatic allure, but unfortunately, it fell short when it came to delivering the chilling terror that fans craved.

3 ‘Immaculate’ (2024)

Streaming on Hulu

Sydney Sweedney, who plays a leading role in the popular teen drama “Euphoria,” is one of several rising talents who have made a big impact on Hollywood recently. Not only is she an accomplished actress, but she also produces the intriguing horror-thriller “Immaculate.” This film, which is delightfully twisted and set in a rural Italian convent, has earned Sydney another credit as a producer. In this production, she plays a young nun who encounters the unexpected when she becomes mysteriously pregnant, and the story’s conclusion skillfully avoids conventional tropes.

Immaculate’s Risk-Taking Pays Off

Instead of being a predictable crowd-pleaser, Immaculate decides to convey a divisive yet significant message. The 59% rating on the “Popcornmeter” at Rotten Tomatoes indicates that it may not appeal to everyone, but those who value screenwriter Andrew Lobel’s vision will find themselves deeply captivated by it.

2 ‘Irish Wish’ (2024)

Streaming on Netflix

The second film under Lindsay Lohan’s three-movie contract with Netflix proved to be a triumph, significantly bolstering her impressive return to acting. In this movie, Lohan portrays Maddie, who finds herself in an amusingly tricky situation when her friend is set to marry a man she secretly adores. The plot takes an enchanting turn as a supernatural twist causes Maddie to step into the bride’s shoes instead.

A Big Stepping Stone on Lohan’s Comeback Trail

Lindsay Lohan’s career, marked by numerous ups and downs, once valued at an estimated $40 million, has faced challenges such as being difficult to insure and a rocky experience on the Oprah Winfrey Network’s docuseries. However, in 2019, she made a determined effort to return to prominence with the debut of “Lindsay Lohan Beach Club.

Despite having a brief run, the series notably signaled a change in Lindsay Lohan’s lukewarm involvement in the Oprah documentary. With Netflix’s “Our Little Secret” serving as the soap opera conclusion to her Netflix projects, next year promises a strong return for Lohan on the big screen with the highly anticipated sequel, “Freakier Friday,” which is one of her most memorable Disney roles.

1 ‘Moana’ (2016)

Streaming on Disney

Ever since Moana graced Disney+, this beloved 2016 animated film has been breaking streaming records, and it’s still going strong in 2024. As a devoted Disney fan, I couldn’t wait to catch up with the movie ahead of the highly anticipated pre-Thanksgiving release of Moana 2. Amazingly, ticket sales for the sequel are skyrocketing, even though there were initial plans to make it a straight-to-streaming production.

‘Moana’s Rewatchabilty Makes It a Streaming Giant

Moana’s charming color palette and addictive tunes ensure it can be watched again and again, while its appeal to younger viewers undoubtedly contributes to its popularity. Young audiences are a significant demographic for streaming platforms, and many of them watch their favorite films every day. According to The Wall Street Journal, the Disney gem has amassed over 1 billion hours of viewership, making it the most-streamed movie on Disney+ in the year, and potentially the most streamed film worldwide in 2024.

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2024-12-07 22:02