‘Wicked’, ‘The Penguin’ and More Make the AFI List of Best of 2024

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As a seasoned cinephile who has traversed the cinematic landscapes of decades past and present, 2024 has undeniably left an indelible mark on my film-loving soul. This year’s American Film Institute (AFI) list is a testament to the vibrant resurgence of both independent and big studio releases, proving that the best stories often emerge from the most unexpected places.

2024’s standout films and TV shows have been unveiled by the American Film Institute. The list features many movies that are either fresh off the press or yet to be released. What sets this year’s selection apart is a significant number of smaller, independent film productions making the cut, with blockbusters like “Dune: Part Two” and “Wicked” being exceptions. Among the best TV series of 2024, streamed favorites such as “Shōgun”, “The Bear”, and the latest Netflix series by “The Good Place” creator Michael Shur titled “A Man on the Inside” have made impressive marks.

2024 has been a resurgent year for both independent and major studio films, surpassing the success of summer movies from the previous year and shattering box office records deep into its final months. Additionally, it’s been filled with numerous innovative and critically-acclaimed original releases.

  • Anora (Neon)
  • The Brutalist (A24)
  • A Complete Unknown (Searchlight Pictures)
  • Conclave (Focus Features)
  • Dune: Part Two (Warner Bros.)
  • Emilia Pérez (Netflix)
  • Nickel Boys (Amazon MGM Studios)
  • A Real Pain (Searchlight Pictures)
  • Sing Sing (A24)
  • Wicked (Universal Pictures)

‘The Penguin’ and ‘Shōgun’ Prove Streaming’s Dominance in the TV Landscape

On the traditional TV side, “Abbott Elementary” stands alone as the exceptional series. The rest of the list indicates that streaming platforms have taken over in today’s era of dual-release formats. Shows like “The Penguin,” initially a Max original series, soon became available on both the premium cable channel HBO and its associated streaming service. In contrast, “Shōgun,” which garnered a record number of Emmy awards, first premiered on the streaming platform Hulu before airing on FX Network.

Below is the complete list of AFI’s Television Programs of the year:

  • Abbott Elementary (ABC)
  • The Bear (FX)
  • Hacks (HBO/Max)
  • A Man on the Inside (Netflix)
  • Mr. and Mrs. Smith (Prime Video)
  • Nobody Wants This (Netflix)
  • The Penguin (HBO/Max)
  • Shōgun (FX)
  • Shrinking (Apple TV+)
  • True Detective: Night Country (HBO/Max)

As a movie enthusiast, I find it fascinating to observe the evolving dynamics between cinematography and streaming platforms. Although streamers didn’t dominate AFI’s movie list this year (with Emilia Pérez being the standout exception), it’s clear that the TV industry is experimenting with new release formats while continuing to deliver high-quality, thought-provoking narratives.

What captivates people most about the AFI’s list, particularly focusing on its motion picture aspect, is the number of films that align with the Academy Award’s ten nominations for Best Picture. In fact, last year and also in 2021, eight out of the ten Oscar nominees matched the AFI’s list for those respective years. Essentially, this AFI list can serve as a hint about which films might be part of the awards discussion come January 2025 for cinephiles.

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2024-12-06 04:04