The Most Popular MovieWeb Articles of 2024, Ranked

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As a film enthusiast with a keen eye for talent and a soft spot for action heroes, I must say that 2024 was a year filled with delightful surprises and heartwarming comebacks. Among all the movies that graced our screens this past year, one performance stood out to me like a beacon in the night – Jason Statham’s mesmerizing portrayal in “The Mechanic.”

With his charismatic presence and undeniable screen presence, Statham has always been a favorite of mine. But in “The Mechanic,” he truly outdid himself, delivering a performance that was nothing short of breathtaking. The film’s intricate fight scenes were entrancing, and the way Statham effortlessly transitioned between the roles of the thriller’s protagonist and its action hero left me utterly spellbound.

It’s no secret that Statham has had a colorful career, filled with high-octane stunts and memorable one-liners. But it was his ability to breathe life into every character he played in “The Mechanic” that truly won my heart. His portrayal of Arthur Bishop was a masterclass in acting, showcasing the depth and versatility that Statham possesses as an artist.

And now, as “The Mechanic” has bid farewell to Netflix, I can’t help but feel a twinge of sadness. But fear not, dear reader! For it is rumored that a sequel to Statham’s other beloved film, “The Beekeeper,” titled “The Beekeeper 2,” will begin production in January 2025. I for one can hardly wait to see what Statham has in store for us next – and if he manages to pull off a beekeeping stunt as daring as his car chases, well, I’ll eat my hat (and I don’t even own one).

2024 was a big year for movies and TV shows, introducing us to some amazing films and series while also ending several beloved franchises. Through it all, MovieWeb has been on the entertainment front lines, delivering breaking news updates, opinion pieces, and features. We published more than 18,000 articles on our website this year, not to mention across social media and YouTube. And as 2025 approaches, we wanted to highlight some of our most viewed articles of 2024.

Some of these articles were only recently published but have already caused a storm. Others have been online for several months and continue to bring in views. In each article, we aimed to provide our readers with factual, timely, and engaging reporting — and in 2025, we aim to do it all over again.

10
Michael Bay’s ‘Transformers’ Films Leaving Netflix on December 31

Since their debut, directed by Michael Bay, the “Transformers” movies have revolutionized cinema with their unique blend of storytelling and action. These films, centered around the conflict between the Autobots and Decepticons, have captivated audiences with their memorable characters and thrilling battle scenes. However, as of December 31st this year, Netflix will no longer offer these live-action movies on its platform. This means that “Transformers (2007)”, “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen”, “Transformers: Dark of the Moon”, and “Transformers: Age of Extinction” will no longer be available for streaming.

The War Is Not Over Yet

Good news for Transformers enthusiasts! While not every part of the franchise is disappearing, a good number of installments, including Transformers One and some animated series, will continue to be accessible on the platform. For those eagerly waiting to watch the latest live-action film, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, it’s now available for streaming on Paramount+.

9
Lilo & Stitch Remake Star Says Fans Don’t Need to Compare it to Animated Version

The initial movie titled “Lilo & Stitch” revolved around the misbehaving yet kind-hearted Lilo and her new, mischievous alien companion who appeared as a dog, named Stitch. A fresh adaptation is underway, with Billy Magnussen taking on the role of Agent Pleakley. He encourages viewers to give this new version a try, emphasizing that they can each be valued and enjoyed independently as separate tales. Given the audience’s response to recent remakes, his concern seems justified.

Recent Animation to Live-Action Remakes

Over the past several years, remakes have been on the rise, ranging from live-action versions of movies like Mulan and The Lion King to many others. Some of these adaptations have done surprisingly well, while others didn’t sit too well with audiences. Given this trend, it’s not surprising that Magnussen made a plea to fans, but the upcoming Snow White reboot might particularly require fan support for its message to resonate strongly.

8
Netflix’s ‘One Hundred Years of Solitude’ Hailed as One of Year’s Best

According to reviews, the television adaptation of Gabriel García Márquez’s novel One Hundred Years of Solitude has earned an impressive 84% approval from critics and a stunning 92% rating from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes. The series follows the Buendía family as they navigate their destiny in the enchanting town of Macondo, with Diego Vásquez, Marleyda Soto, and Claudio Cataño in leading roles. Impressed by its quality, both critics and audiences are raving about it. If you’re curious to see what all the fuss is about, you can catch the series on Netflix.

More Notable Series to Come

As the year winds down, an array of fresh Netflix series awaits in 2025. For now, let’s explore some enchanting TV series that graced our screens in 2024.

7
Netflix Action Thriller Rebel Ridge Gets Rave Early Reactions From Critics

Director Jeremy Saulnier had garnered recognition through his previous works, including “Blue Ruin”, “Green Room”, and “Hold the Dark”. His latest production, “Rebel Ridge”, has been warmly received by critics from the get-go. Critics’ initial responses were overwhelmingly positive, particularly towards lead actor Aaron Pierre, urging for a cinema release. Although it hasn’t materialized so far (as of now), audiences can enjoy the film on Netflix streaming platform.

News Since the Reviews

Initially, critics lauded the film “Rebel Ridge” as exceptional, a sentiment that now holds true given its recognition as one of the top movies of 2024. Horror maestro Stephen King even dubbed it as “a thinking man’s RAMBO.” However, the movie was eventually overshadowed on Netflix’s chart by the critically panned film “Uglies.” Nevertheless, the success of “Rebel Ridge” has expanded director Saulnier’s fanbase and opened doors for potential future projects. In addition, he is already planning his next project to work on.

6
Netflix Action Thriller With Tom Hardy & The Raid Director Gets Release Update

As a devoted follower, for the past three years, I’ve been patiently waiting for Tom Hardy’s upcoming action film, “Havoc,” to grace our screens. Finally, in November 2024, director Gareth Evans announced that we might get to see it as early as 2025. The story revolves around a detective (played by Hardy) who embarks on a mission to rescue a politician’s estranged son following a botched drug deal. With Forest Whitaker and Timothy Olyphant joining the cast, anticipation for this film is growing, and I, along with many others, can hardly contain my excitement, eagerly waiting for more updates.

A Year of Action Movies

As we eagerly anticipate the upcoming release of “Havoc”, there are numerous action films in 2024 that can hold our interest. Among these, the previously mentioned “Rebel Ridge. Thelma, Deadpool & Wolverine” stands out. Additionally, “Kill”, “Gladiator II”, and several other exciting releases are also worth checking out.

5
Ballerina’s Ana de Armas Encounters Keanu Reeves’ John Wick

At a CinemaCon gathering earlier this year, footage from the upcoming John Wick spin-off titled Ballerina, featuring Ana de Armas, was highly anticipated. Despite Keanu Reeves’ previous statement about his final appearance in the series, there were several brief sequences where John Wick reappeared. Besides Ana de Armas, other stars in this film include Anjelica Huston, Gabriel Byrne, and Norman Reedus. The release of Ballerina has been pushed back to 2025 to incorporate additional action scenes, and it is anticipated that the movie will explore new, thrilling aspects of the John Wick universe.

More Updates on ‘Ballerina’

As a dedicated movie enthusiast with over two decades of film-watching under my belt, I am thrilled about the latest updates on the upcoming movie. Having followed Ana de Armas’ career since her breakout role in “Knock Knock,” I can’t help but be intrigued by the poster release featuring her heavily tattooed character. The new teaser trailer further piques my curiosity with its hints of a high kill count, which has me eagerly anticipating the premiere. With my past experiences watching action-packed films, I believe this movie will not disappoint and is already setting itself up to be an exciting addition to my cinematic journey.

4
The Lord of the Rings Is Set to Make a Big Return in 2024

2024 saw several adaptations of J.R.R. Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings” being unveiled. These projects encompassed Season 2 of Amazon Prime Video’s “The Rings of Power” and Warner Brothers’ film, “The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim.” As for future developments, David Zaslav, president of WB Discovery, has shown enthusiasm for producing additional films at regular intervals, much like the frequent releases and extensive universe of Disney’s “Star Wars” series.

Lord of the Cinema

Excitingly enough, as a devoted fan, I can’t help but share the anticipation we all feel about further adventures in the Lord of the Rings universe. Not only has The Rings of Power been renewed for a third season, but a new movie titled Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum is scheduled for release in 2026. As of now, this upcoming film remains untitled, but another one is also planned to follow after The Hunt for Gollum’s premiere.

3
Tom Cruise Christmas Thriller ‘Eyes Wide Shut’ World Record, Explained

Among Tom Cruise’s less recognized films is the unusual holiday movie titled “Eyes Wide Shut“. This production boasts the longest uninterrupted filming duration ever documented, spanning a remarkable 46 weeks. Directed by Stanley Kubrick just prior to his passing, he regarded it as his “most significant offering to cinema artistry”. The plot revolves around an unsatisfied married couple (portrayed by Cruise and Nicole Kidman) who receive an invitation to a sexually-explicit Christmas gathering. As the narrative unfolds, they experience a series of peculiar incidents and shocking truths, inviting audiences to ponder every scene, including the essence of Christmas itself.

Tom Cruise Continues to Triumph

Tom Cruise’s film “Eyes Wide Shut” may have been his longest production, but it’s certainly not his only notable movie. He has starred in several other films that have set global records. As we eagerly anticipate the supposed last part of the “Mission Impossible” series, “The Final Reckoning,” scheduled for release in 2025, fans are thrilled to witness Cruise’s acting and curious about where the franchise will head next.

2
7-Year-Old CBS Series Topples Reacher From Top of Streaming Chart

Following the initial release of its first five seasons on Netflix, “Young Sheldon” surpassed “Reacher” in streaming popularity charts. Additionally, episodes from this series have become available on Max and Paramount+. The anticipation for “Young Sheldon” grew significantly with the announcement of its final season and the upcoming spin-off focusing on Georgie and Mandy.

Ending on a High Note

As a long-time fan of “The Big Bang Theory”, I was thrilled to see the final season of “Young Sheldon” and its impressive viewership. The spin-off series, “Georgie and Mandys First Marriage,” has also piqued my interest with its promising reception from fans and critics alike. Given my personal connection to the universe of “The Big Bang Theory,” I eagerly anticipate what else is in store for us in 2025.

1
Jason Statham’s ‘The Mechanic’ Is a Streaming Hit on Netflix

MovieWeb’s most viewed article of 2024 was a love letter to Jason Statham’s performance in The Mechanic. We broke down Statham’s early career and the professionalism and charm he brings to every role. We also highlighted the film’s entrancing fight scenes and how Statham’s acting enabled the film to function as both a thriller and action movie.

More Statham Performances to Come

Sadly, The Mechanic left Netflix on December 31. In better news, it’s rumored that a sequel to Statham’s The Beekeeper titled The Beekeeper 2 will begin production in January 2025. We’ll continue to keep an eye out for more news about this upcoming release, and in the meantime, viewers have plenty of other movies to look forward to in the new year (and MovieWeb articles, too).

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2025-01-03 03:04